The Precautionary Principle in the Context of Mobile Phone andBase Station Radiofrequency Exposures

From: JCMPelicanTo: steinme1@niehs.nih.gov, merkle@niehs.nih.govCC: norbert.hankin@epa.gov, Micahsmission, dfdouda@wcco.cbs.com,dgshelby@wcco.cbs.comSent: 5/20/2009 5:52:02 A.M. Central Daylight TimeSubj: Mobile & Base Station RF Exposures..NIEHS EHP Dolan/Rowley2009

Subject: Mobile & Base Station RF Exposures..NIEHS EHP Dolan/Rowley 2009

To:Bill SteinmetzNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesEnvironmental Compliance Officer Tel (919) 541-4234steinme1@niehs.nih.govScott MerkleNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesChief, Health and Safety BranchTel (919) 541-7933merkle@niehs.nih.gov

Gentlemen: Please review paper titled: "The PrecautionaryPrinciple in the Context of Mobile Phone and Base StationRadiofrequency Exposures" - Mike Doland and Jack Rowley -Online 18 May 2009 -http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0900727/abstract.pdf .......

Both authors are employed by trade associations representing themobile communications industry. The first author presented thispaper at the IEEE International Symposium on Technology andSociety, Rome, Italy, 6-8 September 2000.

A quote from Conclusions: " .....There are common sensemeasures that can be adopted by individuals, governments andindustry to address public concern while ensuring that mobilenetworks are developed for the benefit of society........"

Almost a decade has passed since an industry spokesperson at an

IEEE international conference suggests in a scientific paper that"common sense measures can be adopted........"I ask, wouldn't more "common sense" be applied if industry andgovernment

informed the

public

via public service announcementsthat they just might need to consider what "common sense" meansregarding reducing mobile phone and base station radiofrequencyexposures?What about teenage moms and moms-to-be of any age who carrycell phones close to their bodies or the men who father thesechildren who carry cell phones in their pockets? Deformities,autism-spectrum disorders, brain cancer, leukemia, etc. in their newborns? Breast cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer, ovariancancer, etc. in young parents who may die an early death only toleave children to an already over-burdened system?Are the aging parents of the dysfunctional, dying and dead youngparents going to take care of these impaired grandchildren whenthe aging parents themselves are also adversely affected bymobile phone and base station radiofrequency radiation that islikely placing the grandparents in facilities due to what is and/or being referred to as "Alzheimers?" I suggest a more appropriateterm may be "Reactive Dementia!"

Where is the "common sense" when it comes to helping personsmake informed, intelligent, "common sense" decisions?Wouldn't public service announcements be a major step towardthat end?Note: NIEHS Environmental Health Topics - EnvironmentalAgents- Electric and magnetic fields are on this list.http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/......

Would you please advise what you are doing or have done toinform the public they may want to take some measures to reduceradiofrequency exposures due to mobile phones and base stationsin close proximity to their bodies during the day and also nightlybedroom exposures?Our local newspaper carries weekly advertisements by the EPAabout asthma that feature pictures of a stuffed animal andsometimes a fish with a caption "...trying to catch breath," etc.Asthma, along with cancer, reproductive problems, etc. are listedas health concerns on your "Environmental HealthTopics -Environmental Agents" page above.From my experience and "common sense," it would seem to me