Human health effects of EMFs: The cost of doing nothing

Abstract

Abstract. Everyone is exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from electricity (extremely low frequency, ELF), communication frequencies and wireless devices (radiofrequency, RF), as well as naturally occurring EMFs. Concern of health hazards from EMFs has increased as the use of mobile phones and other wireless devices has grown in all segments of the population, especially children. While there has been strong evidence for an association between leukemia and residential or occupational exposure to ELF EMFs for many years, the standards in existence are not sufficiently stringent to protect from an increased risk of cancer. ELF EMFs also increase risk of at least two types of neurodegenerative diseases. For RF EMFs, standards are set at levels designed to avoid tissue heating, in spite of many reports of biological effects at intensities too low to cause significant heating. Recent evidence demonstrates elevations in risk of brain cancer and acoustic neuroma only on the side of the head where individuals used their mobile phone. Individuals who begin exposure at younger ages are more vulnerable. These data indicate that the existing standards for radiofrequency exposure are not adequate. While there are many unanswered questions, the cost of doing nothing may result in an increasing number of people, many of them young, developing these diseases.

On the Biological Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

“…«Limited evidence» означает, что причинно-следственная связь считается возможной, но другая интерпретация данных (случайность, систематическая ошибка, мешающие факторы) не исключена. Действительно, в некоторых эпидемиологических исследованиях было показано повышение риска глиомы и акустической невромы под действием ЭМИ РЧ [21, [24][25][26]55]. В других работах подобная связь не найдена или отмечено снижение риска [37,39,54,69,74,79,82], что может быть связано с систематической ошибкой (bias) и/или гормезисом.…”

Health Effects of Mobile Phone Usage

“…Even so, our analysis already reveals a clear increase in tumor risk, and, even if partly proven, shows that MP use could undoubtedly lead to a dramatic health crisis. Today there is sufficient evidence to warrant application of the Precautionary Principle, aimed at substantial reduction in RF exposure limits: 1) risks from MP exposure should be publicized; 2) the spread of wireless technologies in schools should be limited; 3) MP use by minors should be discouraged; 4) prudent low-cost voluntary options should be encouraged (BioInitiative, 2012;EEA, 2008EEA, , 2013European Parliament, 2009;Khurana, Teo, Kundi, Hardell & Carlberg, 2009;Lloyd-Morgan, 2009;Radiation Research Org., 2009;Carpenter, 2010;Council of Europe, 2011;Gandhi et al, 2011). To this purpose, a 10-point list of simple personal actions designed to substantially reduce exposure to MP radiation was produced by a group of Viennese medical officers in 2006, and later adopted by the Ministère des Affaires Sociales et de la Santé (2012), A.P.P.L.E., as well as by several other groups such as BioInitiative 2012, and Environmental Health Trust (2014).…”