Toxins in Our Environment Are Making Us Sick
by David O. Carpenter, M.D.
From "Your Health First" with Dr. Galati
This week, Dr. David Carpenter will join Dr. Galati and discuss environmental toxins and human health and wellness. Dr. Carpenter is the Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at University at Albany, Albany, NY. An expert in this field, he will discuss the safety of cell phones, and other environmental toxins.
The Institute for Health and the Environment was created with the primary purpose of promoting interdisciplinary research and grants in this broad area. Our faculty is drawn from several schools and colleges of the University, and other local
universities and medical centers. Faculty who have research interests in environmental health, environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental law, ecology, geographical information systems, hazardous waste management, occupational health, risk assessment, risk management, risk communication and social and psychological aspects of environmental pollution regarding human behavior are encouraged to join.
Regarding cell phone safety, Dr. Carpenter has the following to say:
What is radiation, and what are the most common sources? Radiation refers to energy that occurs in the form of electromagnetic waves (produced by man-made sources, such as X-rays) or particles (found in natural radioactive substances, such as uranium). All radiation is part of an electromagnetic spectrum that has various frequencies and wavelengths, ranging from high to low. Scientists agree that high-frequency (ionizing) radiation, such as that found in X-rays, can break chemical bonds in the body and damage DNA, potentially causing cancer and birth defects. Ultra-violet (UV) rays from the sun, another form of ionizing radiation, are known to increase skin cancer risk. But there is controversy about the health effects from lower-frequency (nonionizing) radiation. This includes radio-frequency radiation from cell phones and extremely low-frequency radiation from power lines and electrical appliances.
Why don’t scientists agree about the health effects of exposure to nonionizing radiation? In my view, there are many reasons, from the economic and political clout of the communications and electrical power industries to our society’s heavy reliance on technologies that emit these types of radiation. But one primary reason for the controversy is the assertion by many physicists that nonionizing radiation cannot have a biological effect because it does not have enough energy to heat tissue -- what is called a “thermal” effect. Cell phones, for example, must use radio-frequency radiation levels that do not cause measurable heating. However, there now is scientific evidence suggesting that nonionizing radiation can have biological effects -- even if radiation levels do not produce a thermal effect. These include breakage of DNA structure, which can lead to cell mutations and, in turn, to cancer. In addition, studies have linked cell-phone radiation to poor sperm quality and/or reduced sperm count.
What is the scientific evidence linking cellphone use to cancer? Earlier this year, the American Journal of Epidemiology published findings from researchers in Israel who compared the lifetime cell-phone use of 1,300 healthy adults with 500 adults who were newly diagnosed with benign or malignant tumors of the salivary gland. The researchers found a 50% greater risk for such a tumor in heavy cell-phone users who usually held the phone on the side of the head where the tumor developed. Also recently, Swedish researchers who analyzed several studies found a doubling of risk for acoustic neuroma (a tumor of the auditory nerve) and glioma (a potentially deadly brain tumor) after 10 years of heavy cell-phone use.
Why do you believe this research is more credible than that cited by the wireless industry and some doctors who say there is no proof that cell phones are harmful? It’s true that there are no definitive studies showing that cell phones cause cancer or other health problems, but there also is no proof that cell phones are absolutely safe. The existing evidence is based on observational studies that look for health effects associated with certain behaviors, including cell-phone use.
The research results have been mixed -- that is, some studies have found no health risks associated with cellphone use, while some other studies (especially the more recent and longer-term ones) have. A definitive study -- though admittedly impractical -- would have to measure all aspects of electromagnetic field exposure (including that from power lines, appliances, cell phones and radio and television transmission) over a decade or more.
Based on the current evidence, do you believe that people should take steps to limit their exposure to nonionizing electromagnetic radiation? Yes. There is no reason to wait until scientists have dotted every “i” and crossed every “t” before you take action to minimize your exposure. Young children -- whose brains and bodies are still developing and therefore are more vulnerable to electromagnetic exposure -- are particularly at risk.
What are your recommendations for cell phones? The key principle to remember is that exposure to electromagnetic radiation declines as you increase your distance from the source.
For cell phones, I recommend using these devices only when absolutely necessary and when a corded landline phone is not available. Cordless phones use electromagnetic technology similar to that of cell phones.
Read more about Electromagnetic Sensitivity
Read more about the WHO findings on EMF sensitivity and electro-smog and how it may be impacting your life.
These findings bring the entire issue finally to a new level of credibility. Until now it was far too easy for warnings to be dismissed as implausible or even silly. But that's no longer the case, WHO, Parliamentary Council and our own FCC have made statements that there are serious health concerns from cell-phone, wi-fi and all wireless or "always on devices".
If you've been trying to explain the dangers to people and they're turning a deaf ear, please pass these articles on. Statements from WHO, the FCC and the Parliamentary Council finally bring this subject into the main stream, and it's no longer just us pioneers out there beating our drums.
Steps to Staying Safe
- Wear an EMF Protection Pendant What Level of Protection will fit your lifestyle? Consult our EMF Protection and your Lifestyle Chart
- Put it on speaker. Because your exposure drops exponentially as you move the phone away from your head, you don’t have to keep the phone very far away to reduce your exposure by 1,000 to 10,000 times.
- Put Cellular Phone radiation protection directly on your cell phone. This will redirect some of the radiation. If you are wearing a BioElectric Shield AND use the WaveShield you have extremely strong protection from the cellular phone radiation.
- Store it. Unless you’re on it, stow the phone in your purse or bag. If you keep it on your waist, keep it turned off. Studies have shown that keeping a cell phone in your pocket can decrease sperm count.
- Save it for a strong signal. When reception is bad (such as in rural areas or when you’re driving) use your phone for emergencies only. The weaker the signal, the more the radio frequency has to boost itself to get connected, increasing your exposure.
- Protect the kids. Do not let children use cell phones next to their heads. For older kids, it shouldn’t take much encouragement to get them to text more than they chat.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSITIVITY (EMS) IS A WORLDWIDE EPIDEMIC
Christiane Tourtet B.A. – American Chronicle – February 19, 2009
Millions of people all over the world have developed the painful and devastating illness of Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) as a direct result of massive global electromagnetic pollution.
The disease has spread, and is spreading daily at an alarming rate worldwide, in the US, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Brazil, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Czech Republic, India, Pakistan, Japan, China, and numerous other countries.
People, from all over the world report to have developed EMS, following exposures to cell phone towers, installed near their residences, computer screens, cell phones, WiFi video games and more.
Click here to read some of the symptoms and Causes of Electromagnetic Radiation Illness (electrosensitivity)
The dangerous world of technology has made it almost impossible for persons with EMS to be able to survive, since electromagnetic radiations are everywhere, worldwide, in the form of computers, cell phone towers, cell phones, portable phones, power lines, televisions, recorders, remote controls, telephones, car electronics, radios. pagers, audio and video recorders, digital cameras, airports, aircrafts, marine radars and radio transmitters, irons, refrigerators, washing machines, electric clocks and watches, VDU and countless other electronics.
Contrary to the worldwide public belief that cell towers, cell phones, video games and computer screens, laptops, and numerous other wireless technologies do not present any health dangers, they do emit radiations quite hazardous to health, resulting in many diseases, such as EMS, and in an increase in cancerous brain tumors for cell phone users, and in childhood leukemia for those who live near cell phone towers.
People using their cell phones not only put themselves at risk, but like second hand smoke, put other people around them at risk of developing EMS, cancerous brain tumors and other diseases.
As a matter of fact, the doctors from the Physicians Association for Life, Vienna (Austria) genuinely concerned about the terrible health hazard of cell phones, have given the following information on radiations:
"Radiation from cell phones is far from being as harmless as we have been told by cell phones companies.
Therefore, in order to act responsibly, the Chamber of Doctors, in Vienna, Austria, has decided to inform people about potential medical risks".
10 HEALTH RULES Concerning mobile phone use.
- As a rule, use your cell phone as little and as briefly as possible. Children and teenagers under 18 should never use one!
- Never hold the handset near your head when calling!
- Never use in vehicles (car, bus, train…radiation is higher)!
- Hold your cell phone as far as possible from your body when sending a SMS!
- Always keep meters distant from other people when calling, in order not to irradiate them!
- Never keep your cell phone in your pocket, radiation may affect fertility!
- Always switch your cell phone off at night and never keep it near your head!
- Never use your cell phone to play games!
- Headsets may also be unsafe; cables may conduct radiation!
- All wireless networks, local networks, WiFi and/or UMTS produce high level of radiations - either get wired, or turn off your WiFi at night!
(We have expanded this list - Read our Ultimate Cellphone Safety Guide)
For additional information on the BioInitiative Report
Unfortunately and tragically, the majority of Health Officials at Health Agencies worldwide, who are supposed to protect the health of the public, have been for years siding with the industries, and have been denying the reality of the disease of Electromagnetic Sensitivity, (EMS), cancer and other diseases caused by the harmful radiations, emitted by computers screen, cell phones, WiFi, cell phone towers, and other modern wireless technologies.
For more numerous years, the industries have spread powerful campaigns of misinformation about EMS in the entire world, to doctors, hospitals, clinics, the public, the media, Health Agencies, so that this disease does not get medically recognized, with , in most instances, the full support of some of the highest public health officials. Industries are in control of what scientific studies will be published, or not, what health reports on Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) and other diseases such as the increase in brain tumors, leukemia, should say, and have mislead the public on the safety of their products. For money and profit they have suppressed scientific studies/findings from sources other than their own, and present to the public, to the media, to doctors, and Health Officials worldwide, their own studies, which of course, as one will expect, contradict the findings of scientific studies from other sources that show the terrible health dangers of their products, and mislead the entire world, on the safety of their technologies.
With millions of cell phones, computers, and other technologies, which the public, (unaware of the terrible dangers to their health), are buying, their business is blooming more than ever, at the expense of millions of people who have developed Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS), and countless others who have developed cancerous brain tumors, leukemia, and other serious diseases as a result of the dangerous radiation emitted by the products of the wireless technology. Since they are making sure that the public, media, doctors, health agencies and their officials, the Judicial system, have access to scientific/medical information that are only to their advantage, they are escaping liabilities, and potential huge loss of profit.
And as mentioned earlier, whenever scientific studies showing the health dangers of their products are available, they suppress them and debunk them by coming up with the argument that their own scientific studies or other studies, (which of course are financed by them) do not show the same results, and they falsely claim that these studies show that their products do not present any health hazards to the public.
At present time, public manifestations are taking place, all over the world to put a stop to the endless proliferation of cell phone towers, the harmful radiations from computer screens and cell phones, radio frequencies and other technologies, and there is a petition on line, to support the Worldwide Bioinitiative Report´s recommendations for Electromagnetic Radiations, (EMR) exposure limits, to protect the public from EMR hazards.
The public is shaken worldwide upon knowing, through the BioInitiave Report of the health hazards of electromagnetic radiations they are exposed to, in their daily lives. To protect yourselves, your children, and others, please read and sign the petition at: petition.next.or
To read the entire BioInitiative report and to get yourself acquainted with the terrible health hazards of Electromagnetic radiations, please visit the award-winning site : MCS Homepage, International MCS/EMS Awareness at: MCS Homepage
The symptoms of Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) are painful, numerous, and can vary with each individual. Computers screens and cell phone towers, are on the top of the list to induce EMS. Even though the symptoms of EMS can be numerous, there is a worldwide pattern of symptoms most reported upon electromagnetic radiation exposures, and they are as follows: (Note: see above for a more comprehensive, up-to-date listing)
Dermal changes/dermatitis, characterized by severe tingling, burning pin and needles sensations all over the body, a very unpleasant feeling of warmth/burning sensation to the head similar to a severe sunburn, pressure in the head, heart rate changes, such as tachycardia, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, headaches, profound malaise, visual changes, blurred vision, nausea, tiredness, exhaustion, tinnitus, loss of concentration and memory, tightening in the head, neurological and respiratory difficulties, gastric problems.
Other important symptoms have also been reported such as: noise sensitivity, vertigo, restlessness, alteration of sleep patterns and of appetite, moods swings, tearfulness and eye pain.
Clinical observations include: Pupil dilation, perspiration, changes in respiration, heart rate changes, muscular weakness, speech difficulty, convulsions, loss of consciousness, loss of visual acuity.
Shield Yourself. Tens of thousands of people have been relying on their BioElectric Shields since 1990 - See wearer reports.
Read even more articles about EMS Sensitivity
Cell Phones
Critical EMF News
If you're sensitive to EMF you may also be sensitive to other people's energy and stress
EMF may be harming your children and even a factor in ADD/ADHD or Autism