by Susan Trost

 

As I was doing research for my article on Environment Concerns and the Impact on our Health, I realized I did not know the latest and greatest information on electromagnetic fields (EMFs), cell phones and electropollution. However, the research and reflection I've done in the past two weeks made it an obvious choice for this month.

It is estimated that we live in a world with 100 million times the radiation than what our grandparents lived in. While cell phones are a big concern, there are numerous other sources of electromagnetic fields/radiation. Think about the computers, monitors, laptops, gaming systems, iPods, DVD players, headsets, WiFi and other devices and technologies that make our lives easier. Now think about your home and appliances - digital cordless phones, microwave ovens, hair dryers, plasma screens, induction hotplates and vacuum cleaners are some of the worse EMF offenders.

Go to www.antennasearch.com to learn how many towers and antennas are within a 4 mile radius of where you live and work. It is very eye opening. There are 92 towers and 928 antennas within a 3 mile radius of my in-laws house in Columbus Ohio. Interestingly, my father-in-law died last month of lymphoma and brain cancer. The end result is it does not matter if you personally own or use a cell phone, because you are constantly surrounded by these Information Carrying Radio Waves (carrying voice, text and graphics) plus a sea of cell phone users and WiFi everywhere you go. New towers and antennas are added constantly. Currently, 80% of the entire planet is connected to the internet.

The real growth of the cell phone industry has happened in the last 10 years. How many adults don't have a cell phone? Even my 74 year old Dad has a cell phone. Are there any teenagers who are not constantly on their cell phones, game systems, computers or iPods? The fastest growing population of kids with cell phones is 8-12 year olds (over 40%). Swedish research presented at the September 2008 EMF & Health: A Global Issue conference showed a 500% increase in brain tumors in children.[i]

What we can't see can hurt us. Well-known doctor and author Dr. Andrew Weil states "Electromagnetic pollution (EMF) may be the most significant form of pollution human activity has produced this century, all the more dangerous because it is invisible and insensible". There are hundreds of studies that show what happens to our bodies when exposed to these information and background carrying radio waves. Since these waves have not existed in nature before, our cells perceive it as a danger. Basically when a cell is exposed to the radiation, the cell membrane hardens to protect the cell. As a result, nutrients cannot get in and toxins cannot get out. It also disrupts the vital communication between cells. This physiological damage to the cell results in free radical damage, genetic mutations, loss of cellular energy, premature aging and degenerative disease.[ii]

Recent studies confirm that EMFs can cause:

• Blood-brain barrier to open to viruses and toxins
• Blood cells to leak hemoglobin
• Memory loss and mental confusion
• Headaches and fatigue
• Joint pain and muscle spasms
• Burning sensation and rashes
• Sleep impairment and brain's electrical activity impairment
• Cataracts, retinal damage, and eye cancer
• Reduction in the number and efficiency of white blood cells
• Digestive problems
• Elevated bad cholesterol levels
• Ringing in the ears and impair sense of smell
• Stress to the endocrine system - pancreas, thyroid, ovaries and testes[iii]
• Decreased sperm counts
• And more.[iv]

Ultimately, EMFs impact our immune system, enzyme synthesis, endocrine system, nervous system, plus learning, mood and behavioral patterns. 1

Children should not be allowed to use digital cordless phones or cells phones for a variety of reasons:

• Developing brains absorb microwaves at 3.3 times the rate of adults.
• A two-minute call alters the electrical activity of the brain for up to an hour afterwards.
• Rapidly dividing cells are more susceptible to genetic damage.
• Disturbed brain activity could lead to psychiatric and behavioral problems or impair learning ability.[v]
• There is no long-term data on the safety of these devices let alone using them over the course of a lifetime.

Granted, there are numerous studies (often funded by the cell phone industry) that say there is still no conclusive evidence that the cell phones cause cancer or other health problems. However, several countries including Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Russia, have all advised children, teenagers and pregnant women, to refrain from using cell phones out of health concerns.[vi]

Spend some time reviewing the documents from US Congressional Hearings on Cell Phone Safety on September 25, 2008. Dr. Herberman , a noted cancer researcher testified on the studies and evidence he reviewed. The studies that stated there were no concerns were outdated, did not include long-term cell phone users, had methodological concerns, did not inquire about cordless phone use, and defined regular use as "once a week" which is not a reality today.[vii]

His conclusion was "From my careful review of the evidence, I cannot tell you conclusively that phones cause cancer or other diseases. But, I can tell you that there are published peer reviewed studies that have led me to suspect that long term cell phone use may cause cancer. It should be noted in this regard that worldwide, there are 3 billion regular cell phone users, including a rapidly growing number of children. If we wait until the human evidence is irrefutable and then act, an extraordinarily large number of people will have been exposed to a technology that has never really been shown to be safe. In my opinion, for public health, when there is some evidence of harm and the exposed group is very large, it makes sense to urge caution. This is why I issued advice to our faculty and staff, especially to take precautions to reduce cell phone RF exposures to children."[viii] http://domesticpolicy.oversight.house.gov/documents/20080925142803.pdf

Also, continued research on the potential dangers associated with cell antenna electromagnetic emissions is still needed. The US standard for cell towers is currently set at (580 W/cm2)which is more than a 50 times higher than that of many other nations.[ix]

In a nutshell, an independent study by Dr. Lennart Hardell states you have a higher risk of tumors based on your cumulative hours of use, the radiated power of the phone, number of years you've used a cell phone, the cumulative number of calls, and how young you are when you start.

Cell phones and the other technologies are not going away. Therefore, we just have to be smarter when we use them. Watch for the next article which will outline numerous tips.

Susan Trost is our Healthier Living expert. For more information on cell phones and EMFs, visit www.livinghealthiernow.com .