• 09 JUL 05
    • 0

    Comments from Michael Repacholi to Hans Karow (FYI)

    From Hans Karow:

    Correspondence from Michael Repacholi to Hans Karow

    FYI,
    I suggest your readers first read MicroWaveNews Dr. Louis Slesin’s July 5, 2005 Commentary in http://www.microwavenews.com/fromthefield.html#whoottawa

    Following is a response from the World Health Organisation’s Dr. Michael Repacholi commenting on Dr. Slesin’s Commentary.

    Dr. Repacholi is head/coordinator, Radiation & Environmental Health Protection of the Human Environment, WHO
    Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 2:09 AM
    Subject: RE: MWN Commentary July 5 2005 your position please

    Dear Hans

    Thank you for sending on the commentary from Louis Slesin. Unfortunately Louis has always been a critic of what WHO is trying to achieve, and that is to assess the science in a scientific and unbiased way using criteria that WHO has applied for almost 60 years. As you know WHO has built the highest possible reputation in public health matters among the public and governments world wide and the EMF Project will not be deviating from the sound science course that sustains this high esteem, no matter what the pressures from self interest groups or individuals. Louis appeals to people who do not believe in the scientific method for resolving issues. He, like others who are unable to argue a scientific case always claim WHO decisions are industry biased – a completely untrue position. Our Legal Department has clear rules for funding and inputs to the health risk assessment process. WHO scientists working on the EMF Project are and will continue to be unswayed by any special interest group as long as I have input to the process.

    With respect to the WHO message on the use of precaution, our message is clear. As outlined in our Fact Sheet on mobile phones (see: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/) it states: If individuals are concerned, they might choose to limit their own or their children’s’ RF exposure by limiting the length of calls, or using “hands-free” devices to keep mobile phones away from the head and body. WHO is promoting precaution and particularly the reduction of exposure through its Policy Framework. The Ottawa meeting has been formatted to deliberately challenge all aspects of the Framework. Whatever the outcome of the Ottawa meeting, WHO will continue to promote precaution in public health policy where there is uncertainty in the science. Louis tends to have a short-term memory when criticizing WHO policy.

    With respect to your own situation, WHO held a workshop in Prague late last year. For more information see: http://www.who.int/peh-emf/meetings/hypersensitivity_prague2004/en/index.html. I have met many people with your condition and I do sympathise hugely with your plight because I know how much it affects people and that the symptoms suffered are real. However, the conclusion of the WHO workshop, and a recent solid review of the science, was that there is no evidence to suggest your condition is caused by exposure to EMF. Given the lack of evidence to show a causal relationship between your symptoms and EMF, it is important to communicate this message instead of continuing the myth that low-level EMF is causing various symptoms that may be due to other causes. WHO will be coming out with more information on this very soon.

    If I can provide any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Kind regards

    Mike
    **********************************************************
    Dr Mike H Repacholi
    Coordinator, Radiation & Environmental Health
    Protection of the Human Environment
    World Health Organization
    20 Avenue Appia
    CH-1211 Geneva 27
    Switzerland

    Tel +41 22 791 34 27
    Fax +41 22 791 41 23
    Email repacholim@who.int
    **********************************************************

    From: Hans Karow [mailto:hkarow@shaw.ca]
    Sent: 07 July 2005 01:50
    To: Repacholi, Michael Harry
    Subject: MWN Commentary July 5 2005 your position please

    Dear Dr. Repacholi,

    re: Dr. Louis Slesin’s July 5, 2005 Commentary in MicroWaveNews

    source: http://www.microwavenews.com/fromthefield.html#whoottawa

    May kindly ask for your position to Dr. Slesin’s Commentary, a copy attached below.

    For your information, I am electro-sensitive and thanks to self-educating myself via some independent EMF/EMR experts and their web sites with my precautionary approach I am able to reduce -wherever circumstances allow me- my suffering due to EMF/EMR induced biological effects, however I do not have any control over radio/microwave radiation I am involuntarily exposed to. As far as I know and I have been informed by both sides of the controversial EMF/EMR issue, there have been not yet established/determined safe levels of EMF/EMR exposure levels.

    My electro-sensitivity I can probably blame due to the fact that during my childhood I slept with my head against a “power wall” (main power panel). I am still investigating whether my leukopenia is also a result of this early childhood exposure.

    Since the introduction of the cell-phone industry here in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia/Canada I have been suffering by severe tinnitus in both ears 24 hours a day year round. So far I have still come across replicated studies that EMF/EMR do not affect our delicate body electric, including the ear mechanism.

    Again, I kindly ask you for your position with regards Dr. Slesins July 5, 2005 Commentary.

    Thank you very much in advance,

    Hans Karow

    1215 Poplar Grove Road
    Penticton, BC, V2A 8T6

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