Advancing Sound Public Health Policy on the Use of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

Blind Faith in Wireless Technology —

Facts Everyone Should Know

         Humans are electromagnetic beings. Our cells continuously communicate with each other through electrical micro currents. Wireless technology (i.e. cell phones, WiFi and WiMax wireless internet, radar, radio/television broadcast) transmits information through the use of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). This ever-increasing background radiation has the ability to disrupt the communication between our body’s cells, resulting in abnormal functions in the developing cells of children, as well as adults and other living creatures.

           Even though some radiation is natural, the emissions coming from these technologies contain characteristics that are very different from anything that exists in nature, at levels much higher than the earth's natural background. The intensity level of 900 Megahertz radiation required to operate a cellular telephone is 2 billion times higher than the earth’s natural radiation or the levels at which human beings evolved.

            People who live in close proximity to a transmitting facility (such as roof-mounted antennas or free-standing towers) have already begun to exhibit symptoms of environmental EMR exposure. Symptoms include: short-term memory loss, sleep disturbances, nausea, chronic headaches, skin rashes, fatigue and disorientation.   

              The United States government safety rules for maximum allowable exposure to citizens from an antenna or cell phone do not take scientific studies past 1985 into consideration. The current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards for ambient exposures were established in 1996, but the FCC has thus far refused to revisit them or incorporate 20 more years of pertinent research into their exposure limits. Adverse effects to living cells have been shown worldwide in numerous studies of EMR at levels far below those now allowed by the FCC. For example, studies have found that one two-minute cell phone call made by a child affects his/her brain activity for up to an hour afterward. Children are particularly vulnerable because their cells are still developing.

               Unfortunately because we can’t see EMR, we tend to think it’s not there. But just because you can’t see radio and television waves, doesn’t mean you don’t hear the sounds or see the pictures. You can’t see cell phone transmissions but the phones still ring.

                Contrary to popular belief, wireless technology has not been proven safe by the FCC or the wireless industry itself. This technology has advanced at an unprecedented rate without regard to the impact on the health and well being of the people engaged in its use, or living in the vicinity of antenna sites.  Who will be held responsible?

                For more information and to view many of the international scientific studies on record visit our website www.emrpolicy.org  

See also:  www.bioinitiative.org  The BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF).