In May 1996, in response to growing public concern over possible health effects from exposure to an ever increasing number of EMF sources, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an international project to assess the health and environmental effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields, which became known as the International EMF Project
The primary goal of the International EMF Project is to assess the health risks from EMF within the frequency range 0 to 300 GHz and to develop policy options for protection of people from EMF exposure. The key scientific objectives of the Project are to:
- facilitate the development of internationally acceptable standards for EMF exposure,
- provide information on the management of EMF protection programs for national and other authorities, including monographs on EMF risk perception,communication and management, and
- provide advice to national authorities, other institutions, the general public and workers, about potential hazards resulting from EMF exposure and possible mitigation measures.
The Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized agency of WHO, based in Lyon, France, has strong links with the International EMF Project. Its mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control. The Agency is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.
In May 2011 cell phone radiation was categorized as group 2B carcinogen, based on increasing risk of Glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This added cell phone radiation to a list of possible human carcinogens, putting excessive cell phone use in the same category as lead and chloroform.
The Full EMF Project Progress Report for June 2013-2014 is available from this link:
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/project/IAC_2014_Progress_Report.pdf
Government Agencies Regulating Public Health In USA Take Advice of IARC and WHO Precautionary Health Warnings!
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued precautionary health warnings about cell phone radiation and offers tips on how to reduce one’s risk from exposure. (See The RF Safety Tips Below)
On June 9, 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Frequently Asked Questions about cell phones and health on the CDC web site.
CDC now asserts that “Along with many organizations worldwide, we recommend caution in cell phone use.” As the lead Federal health action agency, CDC provides tips to the public on how to “reduce radio frequency radiation near your body.”
CDC: Radiation and Your Health
Frequently Asked Questions about Cell Phones and Your Health
Most of us depend on cell phones every day. Some people wonder if cell phones can cause health problems. Here’s what you should know about cell phones and your health.
Can using a cell phone cause cancer?
There is no scientific evidence that provides a definite answer to that question. Along with many organizations worldwide, we recommend caution in cell phone use. More research is needed before we know for sure if using cell phones causes cancer.
Do cell phones give off (emit) radiation?
Yes – cell phones and cordless phones use radio-frequency radiation (RF) to send signals. RF is different from other types of radiation (like x-rays) that we know can be harmful. We don’t know for sure if RF radiation from cell phones can cause health problems years later. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF radiation as a “possible human carcinogen.” (A carcinogen is an agent that causes cancer.)
Should people stop using cell phones?
Scientific studies are ongoing. Someday cellphones may be found to cause health problems we are not aware of at this time. However it is also important to consider the benefits of cell phones. They can be valuable in an urgent or emergency situation– and even save lives.
If you are worried about cell phone use, follow the tips below.
Cell phone tips
To reduce radio frequency radiation near your body:
• Get a hands-free headset that connects directly to your phone.
• Use speaker-phone more often.
• If you have a pacemaker, keep cell phones at least 8 inches away from it.Do cell phones cause health problems in children?
It’s too soon to know for sure. Children who use cell phones – and continue to use them as they get older – are likely to be around RF for many years. If RF does cause health problems, kids who use cell phones may have a higher chance of developing these problems in the future.
What research is being done to learn more about cell phones and health?
Scientists are continuing to study the possible health effects of cell phone use. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) is currently looking into how cell phones may affect:
• Some types of tumors (a lump or growth)
• Our eyes
• Sleep
• Memory
• HeadachesIn the News: Acoustic Neuroma
Scientists are looking into a possible link between cell phone use and certain types of tumor. One type is called an acoustic neuroma (“ah-COOS-tik nur-OH-ma”). This type of tumor grows on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. It doesn’t cause cancer, but it may lead to other health problems, like hearing loss. Another type scientists are looking into is called a glioma (“glee-OH-ma”). This is a tumor found in the brain or central nervous system of the body.
Where can I get more information about cell phones and health?
For more information, visit:
The Federal Communications Commission
World Health Organization
The Food and Drug Administration
Page last updated: June 9, 2014
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director, Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley, says “Health authorities at the Federal, state, and local level should follow CDC’s lead and disseminate precautionary health warnings to ensure that the public is adequately informed about the potential health risks of cell phone use and has the know-how to reduce exposure to the radiofrequency radiation emitted when carrying or using cell phones.”
FORCING THE USE OF SAFER ANTENNA TECHNOLOGY
The know-how to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation needs to be the next big issue at hand for government agencies to address with the wireless industry. High-tech Smartphone antennas designed by Silicon Valley start-up, Vortis Technology Inc, have already proven the benefits of controlling cell phone radiation to the FCC during hearings held on July 10 2003, which changed FCC antenna design rules for the hearing impaired to comply with the ADA. The technology for safer cell phones has been available for over a decade, but the FCC makes no effort to force the wireless industry into using it.
Have you ever heard a buzzing noise when your phone is near a speaker? Now, just imagine that speaker was your hearing aid and that buzzing was in your ear. Vortis Technology has a solution that controls cell phone radiation so precisely that it allows hearing aid users access to cell phones without the buzzing of microwave radiation going through their head or hearing aid.
FORCING THE FUNDING OF NON-BIAS RESEARCH
Moskowitz, along with most of the independent scientific community wants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take notice of the CDC’s new position in light of the Commission’s obsolete regulatory standard for cell phone radiation. SAR guidelines were adopted in 1996 when few adults used cell phones, much less children and does not take into consideration any health effect other than what results from heating only.
CDC indicates that more research is needed to understand the health risks of exposure to cell phone radiation. However, Moskowitz claims to have considerable evidence that the U.S. has been negligent in supporting research on wireless radiation health effects and the wireless industry has undermined much of the research it has funded in the past. Either is putting the public’s health in grave danger.
Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D. is an advocate for a research initiative which is conducted independent of the wireless industry with a proposal of funding it through a major government research initiative that could be launched with as little as a nickel-a-month fee on wireless subscriptions.
