Press Release: New evidence of cell phone health risks highlights the need for public health warnings
New evidence of cell phone health risks highlights the need for public health warnings
By Don Maisch PhD, EMFacts Consultancy, January 14, 2013
Hobart, Tas “” Since 2011, when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified cell phone radiation as a possible human carcinogen, a number of important developments that strengthens the IARC ruling have recently occurred. These developments strongly suggest that it is now time to issue public health warnings to advice Australians on how to reduce or eliminate cell phone health risks.
“¢ On January 7, 2013, a report was released by the Bioinitiative Working Group that reviewed over 1800 new scientific studies. The 21 chapter report, written by 29 scientists and public health experts concluded, in part, that there is a consistent pattern of increased risk of malignant brain tumours with prolonged use of cell phones and cordless phones.
“¢ On January 3, 2013 A Swedish meta-analysis of previous data on brain tumour risk and the use of cell phones concluded that the existing radiofrequency exposure standards are not adequate to protect public health.
“¢ December 2012: A study of cell phone users in Saudi Arabia, where cell phone use is one of the highest in the world, found that prolonged use of cell phones was associated with a number of health problems, including fatigue, headaches, dizziness, tension and sleep disturbance.
“¢ In December 2012 the American Academy of Pediatrics, a medical organization of around 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical specialists and surgeons called for action to protect children and teenagers from possible cell phone hazards.
“¢ In October 2012 the Italian Supreme court ruled that a businessman”™s brain tumour was caused by his use of a cell phone for 12 years. That ruling is not reversible and stands.
“¢ In August 2012 the Australian government established a $2.5 million fund for a Centre of Research Excellence to continue research on the possibility of health risks from cell phone use.
A report has just been written which advises people on steps to take to reduce the risks to their health. This advice, in part, includes:
* Use a hands-free device. Use text messaging.
* Keeping the phone away from the user head with a minimum of 15mm as recommended by Apple in the user manual page 6 iPhone and 25mm by Blackberry.
* Purchase a low radiation phone (low Specific Absorption Rate-SAR).
* Use a Cellsafe case to further reduce the SAR level.
A copy of the report and all recommendations is available at: http://www.emfacts.com/download/Cell_phone_paper_jan_25.pdf
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