EHS Legally Recognized in Australia February 2013

28 February 2013 Judgment Administrative Appel Tribunal of Australia Dr Alexander McDonald and Comcare

Legal acknowledgement of the condition of EHS in Australia For the first time in Australia, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of the Australian Federal Court has provided legal recognition of the health effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) also known as electromagnetic frequencies (EMF).

In a workplace compensation case, handed down on 28 February 2013, the Tribunal found that Dr Alexander McDonald suffered a workplace injury of a worsening of his sensitivity to EMR, as a result of him being required, by his employer, to trial the use of electronic equipment.

The judge ruled that he was '... satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Dr McDonald has suffered either:

• an aggravation of his sensitivity to EMF; or
• an aggravation of his symptoms by reason of his honest belief that he suffers from the condition of EMF sensitivity…’

Judgment: See in particular sections 1 - 2 - 16 – 21 – 37 – 38 – 39 – 71 – 81 – 83 – 95 – 111 - 112

COSMOS - Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health

The cohort study on mobile communications (COSMOS) forms part of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme. The international study will run for 20-30 years and will follow the health of at least 250,000 participants aged 18-69 in five European countries. The UK arm of COSMOS is being led by a research team from Imperial College London.

There are currently over six billion mobile phone devices in use worldwide, with over 70 million in use in the UK, which has a population of 61 million people.

Studies of short term use of mobile phones and health have been reassuring, other than well known associations with risk of motor accidents. However, there are still some uncertainties about the health effects of mobile phone use, since some diseases take many years to develop and so far few people have been using mobile phones for that period of time.

Dr Mireille Toledano, co-Principal Investigator of the study from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "For the benefit of current users and for future generations, it is important for us to carry out long-term health monitoring of a large group of mobile phone users so that we can identify if there are any possible health effects from this new and widespread technology that has become so central to our everyday lives."

Professor Paul Elliott, Principal Investigator of the study from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "Scientists have been looking at the effects of mobile phones on health for several years and so far, reviews of the research have been reassuring with respect to mobile phone use and health problems in the short term. However, as mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time, we haven't been able to carry out long-term studies until now.

The Imperial team aims to recruit 100,000 mobile phone users to the COSMOS study

"COSMOS aims to fill in important gaps in our knowledge of mobile phones and health. By looking at large numbers of people across Europe over a long period of time, we should be able to build up a valuable picture of whether or not there is any link between mobile phone use and health problems over the long term," added Professor Elliott.

Through four major mobile phone operators, the COSMOS project team from Imperial College London is inviting 2.4 million mobile phone users in the UK to take part in the study.

"We can only do this study and find out whether mobile phones are affecting our health in the long term with the help of the public willing to take part. Through contributing a small amount of time to this study, participants will make a big difference to our understanding of mobile phones and health. Anyone who wants to find out more and get in touch with us can visit our website at www.ukcosmos.org," said Dr Toledano.

Participants who agree to take part in the study will complete an on-line questionnaire about their mobile phone use, health and lifestyle. The researchers will monitor participants' mobile phone use and any health problems they might develop, e.g., cancers and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, for at least the next 20 years. They will also analyse whether any changes in the frequency of symptoms, such as headaches and sleep disorders, are related to mobile phone usage.

"Over the past decade, mobile phones have become a normal part of everyday life for the majority of people in Britain. The COSMOS study is the largest research study worldwide investigating mobile phone use and health and is a very important step towards finding out whether there are health implications of using a mobile phone over a long period of time," said Dr Toledano.

Professor Lawrie Challis from the MTHR Programme Management Committee said "We still cannot rule out the possibility that mobile phone use causes cancer. The balance of present evidence does not suggest it does but we need to be sure. The best way of doing this is through a large cohort study such as COSMOS and I am very pleased that the UK is to play an important part in this international endeavour."

Source: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_22-4-2010-13-52-53

More info: http://www.ukcosmos.org/aboutus.html

The 20 highest radiation producing cell phones in the United States

This is a list compiled by the technology website CNET of the 20 mobile phones producing the highest radiation in the USA as of October 2012.  A cell phone's SAR, or its Specific Absorption Rate, is a measure of the amount of radio frequency (RF) energy absorbed by the body when using the handset.  In the United States, its maximum SAR level must be 1.6 watts per kilogram. In Europe, the level is capped at 2 watts per kilogram, while Canada allows a maximum of 1.6 watts per kilogram.

Rank	Model	SAR (digital)	Carrier
1	RIM BlackBerry Curve 9310	1.58	Boost Mobile
2	Motorola Razr HD	1.56	Verizon Wireless
2a	Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD	1.56	Verizon Wireless
4	Nokia Astound	1.53	T-Mobile
5	RIM BlackBerry Curve 9350	1.5	Sprint Nextel
6	Nokia Lumia 900	1.49	AT&T
7	Motorola Defy XT	1.48	U.S. Cellular
7a	HTC Trophy	1.48	Verizon Wireless
9	Motorola Atrix 4G	1.47	AT&T
9a	RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360	1.47	T-Mobile
11	ZTE Score M	1.45	MetroPCS
11a	ZTE Score	1.45	Cricket Wireless
11b	Motorola Droid Razr	1.45	Verizon Wireless
11c	Motorola Droid Razr Maxx	1.45	Verizon Wireless
15	RIM BlackBerry Torch 9810	1.44	AT&T
16	Samsung Rugby Pro	1.42	AT&T
17	ZTE T-Mobile Concord	1.38	T-Mobile
17a	RIM BlackBerry Bold 9930	1.38	Verizon Wireless
19	Motorola Atrix HD	1.34	AT&T
20	Motorola Droid Razr M	1.3	Verizon Wireless

Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/2719-6602_7-291-2.html

Italian court rules mobile phones can cause tumours

It’s not often I’ll refer to rag newspapers like the Sun from the UK, but it has an interesting and important story I wanted to share with you.

MOBILE phones CAN cause brain tumours, according to a landmark court ruling.

Italian businessman Innocente Marcolini, 60, fell ill after using a handset at work for up to six hours every day for 12 years.  Now Italy’s Supreme Court in Rome has blamed his phone. Experts have predicted a flood of legal actions from victims.  Stricken Mr Marcolini last night warned: “People must be told the risks.”

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour after complaining of head and chin pains.

And yesterday his country’s Supreme Court stated there was a “causal link” between his heavy phone use and the growth.  British scientists have claimed there is insufficient evidence to prove any link to mobiles.  But after the Rome court ruling, Mr Marcolini said: “This is significant for very many people. I wanted this problem to become public because many people still do not know the risks.  “I was on the phone, usually the mobile, for at least five or six hours every day at work. I wanted it recognised that there was a link between my illness and the use of mobile and cordless phones.  “Parents need to know their children are at risk of this illness.”

Respected oncologist and professor of environmental mutagenesis Angelo Gino Levis gave evidence for Mr Marcolini — along with neurosurgeon Dr Giuseppe Grasso.  They said electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile and cordless phones can damage cells, making tumours more likely. Prof Levis told The Sun: “The court decision is extremely important. It finally officially recognises the link.  “It’ll open not a road but a motorway to legal actions by victims. We’re considering a class action.  “Tumours due to radiation may not appear for 15 years, so three to five-year studies don’t find them.  “We’ll only realise in years to come the damage phones can cause children.” Mr Marcolini’s tumour was discovered in the trigeminal nerve — close to where the phone touched his head. It is benign but threatened to kill him as it spread to the carotid artery, the major vessel carrying blood to his brain.

His face was left paralysed and he takes daily morphine for pain.  Alasdair Philips of Powerwatch, which campaigns for more research on mobile use, said: “This is an interesting case and proves the need for more studies.  “People should limit mobile and cordless use until we know more.”  The World Health Organisation urged limits on mobile use last year, calling them a Class B carcinogen. But a spokesman for Britain’s Health Protection Agency said: “The scientific consensus is that mobile phones do not cause cancer.”  International radiation biology expert Michael Repacholi said: “Studies show no evidence of cancer. But if you are worried, use a headset, hands-free or loudspeaker.”  Media lawyer Mark Stephens said the verdict could “open the floodgates” — even though there is no direct obligation on British courts to follow the Italians’ lead.  He said: “It is possible people will begin legal action here, but I think the chances of success are less. I think they’ll join any class action in Italy.”

Jury out for last 12yrs on EMF radiation from mobile phones:

May 2000: Government’s Stewart Report warns kids to avoid mobiles due to unknown effects of microwave radiation.

October 2005: British Journal of Cancer says no substantial risk of brain tumours in first ten years of mobile use.

October 2007: Britain’s Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme finds no link to ill health.

May 2011: Council of Europe warns mobiles should be banned from classrooms over “potentially harmful” effects.

June 2012: World Health Organisation says “some” cancer risk.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4597109/Mobiles-can-give-you-a-tumour-court-rules.html#ixzz2O4l9mOVY

Possible Cell Phone Link to Breast Cancer

Could there be a link between cell phones and breast cancer?  More and more anecdotal evidence is starting to emerge, which points towards it being a very strong possibility.

In December 2009  Donna James, a vigorous, healthy and athletic woman with no pre-disposing factors for cancer, was found to have a multi-focal breast cancer.  The only factor her doctor Robert Nagourney MD, could find was that Donna had a habit of tucking her cell phone into her right bra strap to carry it.

Having found three tumors, they realised that the location of the phone related to the 3 tumor locations.

While there is no direct proof that the cell phone caused her cancer, it should certainly serve as a very potent warning not only to other women who might tuck their phones in their bras, but also to anyone who keeps their phones in trouser or shirt pockets as well.

Always keep your cell phone away from your body.  Avoid carrying it whenever possible.  Turn it off when you do have to carry it and only switch it on when you need to make a quick call or to pick up messages.  When you've finished...DISCONNECT!

Resonance: Beings of Frequency - A Documentary

RESONANCE is a sensational eye opening documentary which reveals the harm we are doing by existing in an ocean of man made wireless frequencies.

Two billion years ago life first arrived on this planet; a planet, which was filled with a natural frequency. As life slowly evolved, it did so surrounded by this frequency and Inevitably, it began tuning in.

By the time mankind arrived on earth an incredible relationship had begun; a relationship that science is only now beginning to understand.

Research is showing that being exposed to this frequency is absolutely integral to us. It controls our mental and physical health, it synchronizes our circadian rhythms, and it aids our immune system and improves our sense of well being.

Not only are we surrounded by natural frequencies, our bodies are filled with them too. Our cells communicate using electro-magnetic frequencies. Our brain emits a constant stream of frequencies and our DNA delivers instructions, using frequency waves. Without them we couldn’t exist.

This delicate balance has taken billions of years to perfect. But over the last 25 years the harmony has been disturbed. and disturbed dramatically.

Mankind has submerged itself in an ocean of artificial frequencies. They are all around us, filling the air and drowning out the earth’s natural resonance.

To the naked eye the planet appears to be the same. But at a cellular level it is the biggest change that life on earth has endured; the affects of which we are just starting to see and feel.

This documentary explores our bio resonance and it's place in the world.

The Influence of Being Physically Near to a Cell Phone Transmission Mast on the Incidence of Cancer - A Report

The Influence of Being Physically Near to a Cell Phone Transmission Mast on the Incidence of Cancer

Horst Eger, Klaus Uwe Hagen, Birgitt Lucas, Peter Vogel, Helmut Voit

Published in Umwelt·Medizin·Gesellschaft 17,4 2004, as:

‘Einfluss der räumlichen Nähe von Mobilfunksendeanlagen auf die Krebsinzidenz’

Summary

Wolfram König

Following the call by Wolfram König, President of the Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (Federal Agency for radiation protection), to all doctors of medicine to collaborate actively in the assessment of the risk posed by cellular radiation, the aim of our study was to examine whether people living close to cellular transmitter antennas were exposed to a heightened risk of taking ill with malignant tumors.

The basis of the data used for the survey were PC files of the case histories of patients between the years 1994 and 2004. While adhering to data protection, the personal data of almost 1,000 patients were evaluated for this study, which was completed without any external financial support. It is intended to continue the project in the form of a register. The result of the study shows that the proportion of newly developing cancer cases was significantly higher among those patients who had lived during the past ten years at a distance of up to 400 metres from the cellular transmitter site, which has been in operation since 1993, compared to those patients living further away, and that the patients fell ill on average 8 years earlier.

In the years 1999-2004, ie after five years’operation of the transmitting installation, the relative risk of getting cancer had trebled for the residents of the area in the proximity of the installation compared to the inhabitants of Naila outside the area.

See the report here: http://blog.cat/gallery/17983/17983-97698.pdf

A Scientific Meeting about EMF Exposure and Public Health - A Report

In November, 2009, a scientific panel met in Seletun, Norway, for three days of intensive discussion on existing scientific evidence and public health implications of the unprecedented global exposures to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). EMF exposures (static to 300 GHz) result from the use of electric power and from wireless telecommunications technologies for voice and data transmission, energy, security, military and radar use in weather and transportation.

The Scientific Panel recognizes that the body of evidence on EMF requires a new approach to protection of public health; the growth and development of the fetus, and of children; and argues for strong preventative actions. New, biologically-based public exposure standards are urgently needed to protect public health worldwide.  This is their report:

http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Seletun-Statement-2010.pdf