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Reduce Exposure to Radiation
Non-Ionizing Radiation (Electromagnetic Fields)Continuous daily exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is a fact of life for everyone living in the industrialized world. EMF is a type of low-intensity non-ionizing radiation that has insufficient energy to break off electrons from their orbits around atoms and ionize (charge) the atoms. EMF includes extremelylow frequency radiation (ELF-EMF) from electrical appliances and power linesand radiofrequency (RF) radiation from wireless technologies such as cellphones, cordless phones, personal data assistants, laptops, the towers andantennas that support these technologies and broadcast transmission towers.Decades of research indicate that exposure to EMF is associated with manyadverse health effects including breast cancer (in both men and women) andother cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and impaired immune function.Existing public exposure standards for EMF are inadequate to protect publichealth because they assume that unless heating of tissue occurs within 30minutes, no harm can result.There are no federal guidelines for non-thermal effects or long-term chronicexposure. A growing body of international research challenges thatassumption and experts around the globe are debating the need tostrengthen the standards based on newer science showing health risks of chronic, widespread low-level exposure. In September 2007, Germany’sFederal Office for Radiation Protection advised citizens to avoid Wi-Fiwherever possible because of the risks it may pose to health. In the samemonth, the European Environmental Agency (EEA) called for immediateaction to reduce exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi, mobile phones and their masts based on an international scientific review which concluded that safetylimits set for these types of radiation are “thousands of times too lenient.”In the U.S. there has been little federally funded research on EMF despite theexplosion of wireless technologies, particularly cell phones. Rapid expansionand deployment of wireless technologies are outpacing the policy decisionsnecessary to protect public health.Breast Cancer Fund supports
statement that thescientific evidence is sufficient to warrant regulatory action for extremely lowfrequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), and it is substantial enough towarrant preventive actions for radiofrequency (RF) radiation.Existing government limits do not protect the public from adverse healtheffects of electromagnetic radiation emanating from devices such as power lines, cell phones, wireless Internet, radar and TV and FM broadcast towers.
Most of the existing limits on this form of radiation are 1,000 to 4,000 timestoo lenient to prudently protect humans from cancers in children and adults,and from Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, reproductiveproblems, immune function disruption, electrohypersensitivity and symptomssuch as insomnia, headaches, memory loss, concentration and attentiondifficulties.Federal Policy Recommendations
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Based on the scientific evidence set forth in
anda growing body of additional research, exposure limits for electromagnetic radiation should be set at the federal level for:
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Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF)including power lines, appliances, interior electric wiring and other devices; and
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Long-term and cumulative radiofrequency (RF) radiation fromoutdoor pulsed sources including cell phone antennas, radar, TVand FM broadcast antennas and wireless Internet antennas; andfrom indoor sources including cell phones, wireless Internetequipment and radiation that permeates buildings from outdoor sources.
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With the setting of federal limits for non-ionizing radiation, specialprotections should be required for homes, schools and places wherechildren spend large amounts of time.Research Required
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Research is needed to quantify and monitor the levels andcharacteristics of ELF-EMF and RF radiation present in schools,workplaces and residential neighborhoods now and into the future.
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Research is needed to determine the effects of chronic exposure toELF-EMF on women recovering from breast cancer and other cancers.For references, see
.Read More...http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=3959151Submitted by Dr. David FancyInformant: Martin Weatherall
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