Public Health SOS

Una St.Clair-Moniz, Executive Director, Citizens for Safe Technology Society

Sources of Wireless Radiation Cell phones Cell towers Cordless phones PDA’s – Blackberry,

Treo, iPhone Wireless games (Wii) Baby monitors Smart Meters

Wireless headsets reduce exposure to brain but increase exposure to pelvic area

Wireless Internet – Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, WLAN

Weight of Scientific Evidence shows Adverse Health Effects

All studies show increased brain tumor risk after 10 years

Malignant brain tumors – 40% increase 30 mins/day after 10 years – Interphone

Heavy cell phone use by teens show four to five times more brain tumors by late 20’s – Dr. Lennart Hardell, Sweden

BioInitiative Report Scientists Carl Blackman, PhD – employed by US Environmental Protection

Agency, Martin Blank, PhD – College of Physicians/Surgeons, Columbia University – Prof. Michael Kundi, Medical University of Vienna – David Carpenter, MD, Director of Institute of Health, University at Albany – Dr. Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Sweden – Dr. Olle Johansson, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Stockholm – Henry Lai, PhD, Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington – Dr. Hansson Mild, PhD, Department of Radiation Physics, Umea University, Sweden – Drs. Xu and Chen, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China – James Burch PhD, Arnold School of Public Health, Unversity of South Carolina, Stanton Glanz, PhD, University of California, Cardiovascular Research Institute and nstitute for Health Policy, Dennis Henshaw PhD, Human Radiation Effects, Bristol University , David Gee, European Environmental Agency

BioInitiative Report - 2007 Double strand DNA breaks and oxidative stress Stress proteins in cell = cellular distress RF induced gene expression changes Sleep, cognitive function and performance Blood brain barrier alterations Micronuclei and chromosome aberrations Neurobehavioral effects Analyzed over 2,000 peer reviewed & published research reports

(Bioinitiative Report 2007)

Long term – Accelerated Aging Childhood & adult leukemia, Childhood & adult brain tumors Increased risk of Alzheimers and

neurodegenerative diseases Altered immune function including increased

allergic & inflammatory responses Pathological leakage brain/blood barrier Genotoxic effects (DNA damage) See BioInitiative Report and Public Health Implications of Wireless Technologies,

Public Health SOS, Pathophysiology Reports

ECOLOG report for T-Mobile – April 2000

…mobile telecommunications..do play role in development of cancer – notably tumors of central nervous system

Direct damage on DNA, including synthesis and repair mechanisms

Chromosome aberrations and micronuclei 5w/m2 Damaging effects on immune system from

0.2w/m2 – high stress hormones demonstrated

ECOLOG continued Effects on blood-brain barrier and activity of

neurotransmitters demonstrated Changes in sleep EEG of humans 0.5w/m2 Impairment of cognitive functions 2w/m2 Epidemiological study of children exposed to

pulsed high frequency caused decrease in capability to concentrate and increase in reaction times.

Effects on central nervous system proven for intensities well below current guidelines.

1800 MHz RF radiation induces oxidative damage to mtDNA

2009 study, Dept. of Occupational Health, Military Medical University, China

At 24 hours exposure RF radiation induced significant increase in DNA oxidative damage in the mitochondria of neurons.

Mitochondrial DNA and RNA showed obvious reduction after RF exposure.

Sperm Head Abnormalities -2009 Male mice exposed to RF radiation from

mobile phones caused up to 46.3% sperm head abnormalities compared to 2.13% in control group.

Occurrence of sperm head abnormalities found to be dose dependent.

Implications on the reproductive health of humans

MW/RF Radiation Exposure StudySan Francisco Medical Society

Changes in cell membrane function

Major changes in calcium metabolism

Changes in cellular signal communication

Cell proliferation Activation of proto-

oncogenes Neurodegeneration

Activation of cellular heat shock proteins as if heating occurred when it has not

Chromosome aberrations

Micronuclei Reduction in

melatonin secretions

Wi-Fi Alters Gene Expression Department of Medicine, University of

Chicago – 2005 Exposed cultured human cells to 2.45 GHz 221 genes altered expression after 2 hours 759 genes altered expression after 6 hours Results indicated that RF 2.45 GHz can

alter gene expression through non-thermal mechanism.

Why is Wi-Fi so Dangerous? It constantly transmits at full power –

doesn’t decrease power when not in use It is on 24/7 Exposure to full power microwave pulses

from router every few seconds even if computer off.

Scientifically proven biologically active Evidence of cumulative effects

Evidence of Cumulative Effects “…results indicate changes in the response

characteristics of the nervous system with repeated exposure, suggesting that the effects are not ‘forgotten’ after each episode of exposure”

“Neurological Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation, Dept. of Bioengineering, school of Medicine, University of Washington

Soviets scientists warn of cumulative effects of non-thermal radiation doses, including reproductive and genetic effects

ELECTROSENSITIVITY Electromagnetic sensitivity recognized

internationally – growing health disaster Chronic condition/disability of hyper-sensitive

reactions to EMR Can only be reversed by reducing exposure EHS Proclamations – Colorado, Connecticut,

Florida, New Foundland, Victoria Some people no recognizable symptoms, but does

not mean they are unaffected.

What does that mean on an everyday basis?

Dizziness

Headaches

Fatigue & Anxiety

Sleep problems

Skin disorders

Tinnitus (ringing ears)

Restless leg syndrome

Thyroid disorders

Arrhythmia

Racing heart/palpitations

Digestive changes

High blood pressure

Blood sugar levels

Joint & muscle pain

Memory & concentration difficulties

WHO Recognizes EHS …a phenomenon where individuals experience

adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating EMF’s – EHS is a real and sometimes debilitating problem for the affected persons while the level of EMF in their neighborhood is no greater than is encountered in normal living environments. Their exposures are generally several orders of magnitude under the limits in internationally accepted standards.

WHO Fact Sheet #296, Dec 05

Electrohypersensitivity statement – “EHS” The symptoms most commonly experienced include dermatological symptoms (redness, tingling, burning sensations), as well as fatigue, tiredness, concentration difficulties, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitation and digestive disturbances.(*and headaches)

3% - 10% - Dr. Johansson, Dept. of Neuroscience, Sweden,

Up to 35% - Dr. Havas, University of Trent, Toronto

Recognized Disability in Sweden – support/compensation Irish, British, French, Italian, German, Austrian, Chinese,

Israeli, Russian, Australian Doctors recognize EHS Expected to afflict 50% of people by 2017

Special Vulnerability of Children “The developing organs of a child are the most sensitive

to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.” –University Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

“The consequence of prolonged exposures to children, whose nervous systems continue to develop until late adolescence is unknown at this time. This could…result in diminished capacity for thinking, judgment, memory, learning and control over behavior.” – BioInitiative Report

Our Children at Risk….. Electromagnetic fields are likely to penetrate the brain

more deeply for children than adults…due to smaller sized brains and softer brain tissue. – University of Pittsburgh Cancer Inst

Living tissue is vulnerable to EMF within the frequency bands used by cell phones, even below the threshold of power imposed by most safety standards, notably an increase in the permeability of the blood brain barrier and increased synthesis of stress proteins.” – U of P Cancer Inst.

Urgency to Defend Children’s Health

We also recommend that wired alternatives to Wi-Fi be implemented, particularly in schools and libraries so that children are not subjected to elevated RF levels until more is understood about possible health impacts.- BioInitiative Report

s.

Canadian Changes RequiredBiological Standards are required to protect

public – educate and lobby governmentCellular companies must produce safer

products – consumers demand safetyHard wiring of computers in schools, public

places – parents protect childrenSiting of cell towers away from schools and

homes and lowering of intensity

A Human Rights Issue SPEAK OUT – Let people know Remove wireless devices from your home Break the cell phone addiction Petition elected officials to stop involuntary

exposure Write to the School/School Board/Minister of

Education to hard wire computers in schools Protect children as they cannot protect themselves

What Citizens for Safe Technology is doing

Education and Support Community, Political and Legal activities Petition EHS Recovery Centre

Calling All Good Men & Women!

“ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

 

Edmund Burke

1729 – 1797

Irish political philosopher