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WiFi & HealthWiFi & Health

Anca Gaston, Anca Gaston, MA Brock UniversityMA Brock UniversityPhD Candidate, University of Western OntarioPhD Candidate, University of Western Ontario

Early Early 2020thth Century: Century: Chemical Chemical RevolutionRevolution

DDTDDTCFCsCFCsPCBsPCBs

Second half of Second half of 2020thth Century: Century: Electromagnetic RevolutionElectromagnetic Revolution

New frequencies for TV broadcastingNew frequencies for TV broadcastingRadarRadarMobile telephonesMobile telephonesWiFiWiFi

About WiFiAbout WiFiTerm comes from Term comes from ““Wireless FidelityWireless Fidelity””Uses similar frequencies and technology to cell Uses similar frequencies and technology to cell phonesphones

BenefitsBenefitsEliminates the need for cabling, reducing cost, Eliminates the need for cabling, reducing cost, and enabling a connection anywhereand enabling a connection anywhere

DisadvantagesDisadvantagesSurrounds us with yet one more layer of Surrounds us with yet one more layer of microwave radiation microwave radiation

Safety Code 6Safety Code 6

CanadaCanada’’s official document specifying the s official document specifying the requirements for the safe use of radiation requirements for the safe use of radiation emitting devices, including WiFi emitting devices, including WiFi

As long as the radiation emitted doesn't As long as the radiation emitted doesn't raise the body temperature by 1 degree raise the body temperature by 1 degree celsius in six minutes, it's considered safe celsius in six minutes, it's considered safe

Safety Code 6Safety Code 6

Problems:Problems:Based on short term thermal effectsBased on short term thermal effectsDoes not consider accumulative and nonDoes not consider accumulative and non--thermal biological effectsthermal biological effectsAn ancient document that has not been An ancient document that has not been updated since 1999updated since 1999Unacceptable in as rapidly expanding a field Unacceptable in as rapidly expanding a field as wireless communicationas wireless communication

Safety Code 6 compared to guidelines Safety Code 6 compared to guidelines from other countriesfrom other countries

Power Density

uW/cm2

Are radio frequencies at levels Are radio frequencies at levels below Safety Code 6 harmful below Safety Code 6 harmful

to health?to health?

YesYes

Scientific EvidenceScientific Evidence

Epidemiological studies

In vivo studies

In vitro studies

• WiFi too new for many studies• A need to rely on studies dealing with exposure to similar types of radiofrequency radiation• Closest case studies are those looking at exposure to cell phone antennae

•• ExposedExposed--Unexposed Studies: Unexposed Studies: Examines two similar groups of people - one exposed to a risk factor, the other not - and compares the frequency of disease between the two groups.

Epidemiological StudiesEpidemiological Studies

The Influence of Being Physically Near to a Cell Phone The Influence of Being Physically Near to a Cell Phone Transmission Mast on the Incidence of CancerTransmission Mast on the Incidence of Cancer

Conducted by five doctors in GermanyConducted by five doctors in GermanyFound significantly more cancer cases among Found significantly more cancer cases among people who had lived within people who had lived within 400 meters (m) 400 meters (m) of a cellular transmitter site during the of a cellular transmitter site during the past 10 yearspast 10 yearsPatients fell ill on average 8 years earlierPatients fell ill on average 8 years earlierLiving near the transmitter increased the relative Living near the transmitter increased the relative risk of getting cancer by 3risk of getting cancer by 3--foldfold

Eger, H. et al. 2004. The Influence of Being Physically Near to a Cell Phone Transmission Mast on the Incidence of Cancer. Umwelt·Medizin·Gesellschaft 17,4 2004, as: ‘Einfluss der räumlichen Nähe von Mobilfunksendeanlagen auf die Krebsinzidenz’.

Study of the health of people living in the Study of the health of people living in the vicinity of mobile phone base stationsvicinity of mobile phone base stations

Santini, R., Santini, P., Danze, J., LeRuz, R., Seigne,M.Santini, R., Santini, P., Danze, J., LeRuz, R., Seigne,M.

From the peerFrom the peer--reviewed journal: reviewed journal: Pathologie Biologie, Pathologie Biologie, 2002, Vol. 50, pp. 3692002, Vol. 50, pp. 369--373373

Surveyed 530 people (270 men; 260 women) Surveyed 530 people (270 men; 260 women) living or not in the vicinity of phone base stations living or not in the vicinity of phone base stations on 18 nonon 18 non--specific health symptoms:specific health symptoms:

HeadachesHeadachesSleep disruptionsSleep disruptionsDepressionDepressionMemory lossMemory lossDizzinessDizzinessIrritabilityIrritability

TirednessTirednessNauseaNauseaVisual disturbancesVisual disturbancesLoss of appetiteLoss of appetiteTrouble concentratingTrouble concentratingEtc.Etc.

ConclusionConclusion

People living within 300m of base stations showed People living within 300m of base stations showed an increase in symptoms as compared with people an increase in symptoms as compared with people living >300m or not exposed to base stationsliving >300m or not exposed to base stationsThe study concludes The study concludes ““From these results, and in From these results, and in applying the precautionary principle, it is advisable applying the precautionary principle, it is advisable that mobile phone base stations not be sited closer that mobile phone base stations not be sited closer than 300m to populationsthan 300m to populations”” (p.2)(p.2)

Increased incidence of cancer near Increased incidence of cancer near a cella cell--phone transmitter stationphone transmitter station

Ronni Wolf, MD & Danny Wolf, MDRonni Wolf, MD & Danny Wolf, MD

Published in the Published in the International Journal of Cancer International Journal of Cancer PreventionPrevention, , Vol 1, No 2, April 2004Vol 1, No 2, April 2004Participants: 622 people living 3Participants: 622 people living 3--7 years in the vicinity 7 years in the vicinity of a cellof a cell--phone transmitter station phone transmitter station FourFour--fold increase in cancerfold increase in cancer cases in the cases in the population living near the transmitterpopulation living near the transmitterTenTen--fold cancer increasefold cancer increase for womenfor womenMeasured power density was an average of Measured power density was an average of 200 200 timestimes below the levels allowed by Safety Code 6 in below the levels allowed by Safety Code 6 in CanadaCanada

Mobile Telecommunications Mobile Telecommunications and Health: A Reviewand Health: A Review

Commissioned in 2000 by Cellular industry Commissioned in 2000 by Cellular industry giant giant TT--MobileMobileConducted by an independent research Conducted by an independent research institute: ECOLOG Institute institute: ECOLOG Institute Reviewed 220 peerReviewed 220 peer--reviewed and reviewed and published papers which dealt with the published papers which dealt with the health risks from mobile health risks from mobile telecommunicationstelecommunications

What the report saidWhat the report saidCancerCancer

““Given the results of the present Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range the mobile telecommunications range do play do play a role in the development of cancera role in the development of cancer””(p.33)(p.33)

InfertilityInfertilityBirth defectsBirth defectsLoss of memory and cognitive functionLoss of memory and cognitive functionImmune system disruptionsImmune system disruptions

Permeability of the bloodPermeability of the blood--brain barrierbrain barrierStress reactionsStress reactionsDecreased melatonin production leading Decreased melatonin production leading to poor sleepto poor sleep

ReportReport’’s Conclusions ConclusionRadiation exposure limits should be cut to Radiation exposure limits should be cut to 1/1,0001/1,000thth of those in forceof those in forceCaution should be Caution should be exercised in siting exercised in siting masts, particularly masts, particularly where children are where children are affectedaffected

ChildrenChildren

Because of their growing bodies and rapidly Because of their growing bodies and rapidly multiplying cells, children may be 10 times more multiplying cells, children may be 10 times more vulnerable to health effects from exposure to vulnerable to health effects from exposure to microwave radiation than adultsmicrowave radiation than adults(US Environmental Protection Agency)(US Environmental Protection Agency)The county of Palm Beach, FL, the state of The county of Palm Beach, FL, the state of California, the Vancouver School Board and the California, the Vancouver School Board and the countries of New Zealand and Greece have all countries of New Zealand and Greece have all prohibited cellular antennas near schools due to prohibited cellular antennas near schools due to safety concernssafety concerns

Electrohypersenstivity (EHS)Electrohypersenstivity (EHS)Symptoms include: cognitive dysfunction, balance, Symptoms include: cognitive dysfunction, balance, dizziness & vertigo; facial flushing, skin rash; chest dizziness & vertigo; facial flushing, skin rash; chest pressure, rapid heart rate, depression, anxiety, pressure, rapid heart rate, depression, anxiety, irritability, frustration, temper; fatigue, poor sleep; body irritability, frustration, temper; fatigue, poor sleep; body aches, headaches; ringing in the ears and are consistent aches, headaches; ringing in the ears and are consistent with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.Defined as:Defined as:". . . a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse ". . . a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields emanating electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields (EMFs). . .EHS is a real and sometimes a debilitating (EMFs). . .EHS is a real and sometimes a debilitating problemproblem……Their exposures are generally several orders of Their exposures are generally several orders of magnitude under the limits in internationally accepted magnitude under the limits in internationally accepted standards. " standards. "

Recognized by the World Health Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Canadian Human Organization (WHO) and Canadian Human Rights Commission Rights Commission Approximately 3% of the population are Approximately 3% of the population are severely affected and another 35% are severely affected and another 35% are moderately affectedmoderately affectedWiFi will worsen the symptoms of WiFi will worsen the symptoms of individuals already affected by EHS and individuals already affected by EHS and may increase the number of new casesmay increase the number of new cases

Bio Initiative ReportBio Initiative Report

Written by 14 (fourteen) scientists, public health and public policy experts to assess scientific evidence on health impacts from electromagnetic radiation below current public exposure limits Looked at over 2000 peer-reviewed and published studies

August 2007

Report available online at: www.bioinitiative.org

Bio Initiative ReportBio Initiative ReportConclusionsConclusions

“RF can cause inflammatory reactions, allergy reactions and change normal immune function at levels allowed by current public safety standards.”


“…bioeffects and health impacts can and do occur at exquisitely low exposure levels that can be thousands of times below public safety limits.”


“The scientific evidence is substantial enough to warrant preventative actions for RF.”

Studies dealing with plants and Studies dealing with plants and animalsanimals……..

Back to Safety Code 6Back to Safety Code 6Allows 1000uW/cmAllows 1000uW/cm22

The following studies all show effects at The following studies all show effects at MUCH lower levelsMUCH lower levels

2.7 million times below SC 62.7 million times below SC 6

Smaller tree growth ringsSmaller tree growth rings--Balodis, 1996Balodis, 1996

Growth rings are a sign of health – thick growth rings mean good growing conditions while thin rings indicate poor growing conditions.

2.7 million times below SC 62.7 million times below SC 6

--Selga, 1996Selga, 1996

Premature aging of pine needlesPremature aging of pine needles

50 million times below SC 650 million times below SC 6

Effect on cell growth in yeastEffect on cell growth in yeast

--Grundler, 1992Grundler, 1992


Conditioned Conditioned ““avoidanceavoidance”” reflex in reflex in ratsrats

--Kositsky, 2001Kositsky, 2001


Effects on immune system in miceEffects on immune system in mice

--Bundyuk 1994Bundyuk 1994


Stimulation of ovulation in Stimulation of ovulation in chickenschickens

--Kondra, 1970Kondra, 1970

ConclusionConclusionThe people living in Thorold are already The people living in Thorold are already exposed to several sources of radiation: exposed to several sources of radiation: cell phone antennas, broadcast antennas, cell phone antennas, broadcast antennas, and essential services such as police, fire, and essential services such as police, fire, and ambulance communicationand ambulance communicationSchmonn tower at Brock University Schmonn tower at Brock University transmits over 75 different signalstransmits over 75 different signalsAdding yet one more type of exposure Adding yet one more type of exposure (WiFi) may contribute to many individuals (WiFi) may contribute to many individuals becoming sickbecoming sick

RecommendationRecommendation

Given the existing scientific literature Given the existing scientific literature surrounding exposure to RF, Thorold surrounding exposure to RF, Thorold should follow the precautionary principle:should follow the precautionary principle:

Where an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.

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