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Tobacco science and the art of spin

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    • 30 JAN 16

    Report from the Science and Wireless 2015 event in Australia

    This, must read, report analyzing the various presentations from SCIENCE & WIRELESS 2015 was prepared for the Pandora Foundation and for the Kompetenzinitiative by Dariusz Leszczynski, PhD, DSc (biochemistry) & Kirsti Leszczynski, PhD (physics). Science and Wireless 2015 was hosted at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on December 8, 2015.
    Excerpt:

    Dariusz concludes in part:

    Unfortunately, enthusiastic opinion of the Science & Wireless event has vanished. The S&W events organized in 2014 at the Wollongong University and in 2015 at the RMIT have not much to do with the community interaction between scientists, industry and users. S&W events in 2014 and 2015 were just presentations of science by scientists for the benefit of the industry. The real users of wireless technology, some of whom are concerned with possible/probable health risks, were clearly marginalized in 2014 and 2015. The community participants had no presentations to express their views and opinions and the opportunity to voice opinions in the discussion was severely limited by the time constraints. As of now, the Science & Wireless event cannot be called anymore a ‘Community Interaction’ event.

    Read more →
    • 04 NOV 15

    Goodbye to the “Smart Grid” and hello to the “Hello Grid”

    It had to come: The smart grid industry’s slick public relations campaign to make the smart grid (read: smart meters) more palatable to the uninformed public. To this end, their public relations spin merchants have come up with a brilliant new term for the smart grid. Now its called the “Hello Grid”. Perhaps we can even now call the troublesome smart meter the ‘hello meter’.

    My suggestion is to simply drop the “o”….. Read on.

    NOTE: If the link to this posting does not work please just go to my website www.emfacts.com to access the post.

    Don

    Excerpt:
    Hello Grid is an initiative to share with the community more about the way energy networks across Australia work, and of the exciting changes that are taking place in the system. This intricate system of transmission towers, substations, transformers, poles, wires and smart technology, along with all the people who maintain and manage the infrastructure provides an important service to the community – and is likely to be the vital gateway to a smart and clean energy future.

    SNIP

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    • 16 OCT 15

    Here we go again: Science and Wireless Spin 2015

    Playing to the well-worn retro tune of ‘thermoregulatory effects only’ the usual band of thermalists are hosting another so called Science and Wireless conference in Melbourne this year. And to top it all off we have the panel discussion chaired by none other than the eminent Professor Michael Repacholi. Expect the usual whirling dervish spin from this group. Why don’t they ever invite people such as Lennart Hardell to present? The answer to that is obvious.

    Oh! And as for the topic of electrosensitivity expect the answer to be that its all just a psychosomatic disorder by needlessly worrying people.

    Nothing new here….just more Procrustean bullshit.

    SNIP

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    • 25 AUG 15

    Science Is No Longer Truth: Death of Democracy and Knowledge (and the next US election)

    From the Dr Mercola web site:

    Following is an excerpt from the end of the excellent article

    When Science Is No Longer the Truth…

    Our society is largely built on the idea that science can help us make good, solid decisions. But now we’re facing a world so rife with problems caused by the very sciences that were supposed to keep us healthy, safe, and productive, it’s quite clear that we’re heading toward more than one proverbial brick wall. In a sense, the fundamental role of science itself has been hijacked for selfish gain. Looking back, you can now see that the preferred business model of an industry was created first, followed by “scientific evidence” that supports the established business model.

    When the science doesn’t support the company’s economic gains, it’s swept under the rug, even if people are dying and the planet is becoming irreparably poisoned as a result. Today we live in a world where chemical companies and biotech giants can easily buy and pay for their own research studies, as well as the lobbying to support whatever legislation they need passed in their favor. Conflicts of interest have become the norm within virtually all fields of science, which creates a completely unworkable – and dangerous – situation in the long run.
    SNIP
    And after you read the above article Google “Hillary Clinton and Monsanto”. For example:

    Read on………

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    • 04 AUG 15

    SCENIHR’s Procrustean Approach exposed!

    For some months the International EMF Alliance (IEMFA) has been examining the activities of the SCENIHR working group on Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. This supposedly expert group has given the all-clear to telecommunications technology. What stands out with SCENIHR’s risk assessment process is a striking lack of pluralism and transparency. The analysis by a number of IEMFA members has found that SCENIHR’d expert opinion is strongly biased towards corporate, military and economic interests with a strategic need for wireless techniques.- Or as I would put it, SCENIHR follows a classic Procrustean Approach.

    Following are links to IEMFA’s assessment of the SCENIHR spin.
    SNIP

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    • 03 MAR 15

    Dariusz Leszczynski: The Power of the Industrial Lobby: The case of tobacco – how about telecom?…

    Excerpt:

    On February 24, 2015, BMJ published document ““Massive” tobacco industry third party lobbying for revised European Directive” about industry lobbying efforts to affect EU legislation. The full document is available here with additional links in it. The BMJ document deals with tobacco, classified by IARC to be human carcinogen (Group 1). According to the IARC monograph there are 1 billion of smokers.Knowing that the tobacco smoke is carcinogenic, the enormous efforts of the tobacco industry, successfully lobbying against EU regulation of tobacco, are astonishing and shocking. Money talks, even if it is against human health. What is more, the EU law was not about forbidding of smoking but but merely about “…an increase in the size of graphic health warnings, a ban on certain flavourings, restrictions on the size and shape of cigarette packs, and regulation of e-cigarettes…” This reminds the cell phone package labeling-wars with the telecom industry – e.g. San Francisco… Industry makes profit but the costs of health care for the people made sick by the industry product is left for us – the taxpayers.
    SNIP

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    • 16 FEB 15

    WHO follows the procrustean approach!

    Looks like time is approaching for a need to update my 2010 thesis, especially considering Dariusz Leszczynski’s latest blog.

    Don
    ******************************************************************************************************************

    Excerpt

    Handling an Inquiry – The WHO-style
    Posted on February 15, 2015
    Dariusz Leszczynski

    On December 27, 2014, I sent an e-mail message to Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the WHO. In this message I expressed my concern about the process of preparation of the Environmental Health Criteria by the WHO EMF Project.

    Today, on February 15, 2015, I received response to my message. However, my surprise was great when it appeared that the response was sent to me by the Head of the WHO EMF Project, Dr. Emilie van Deventer.

    It seems “strange” that, at the WHO, when expressing concern about the actions of a person, the person in question handles the response to the inquiry/complaint… This means that, of course, the response will “clearly demonstrate” that there is absolutely no reason for any concern.

    Matter closed – the WHO-style.

    SNIP

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    • 17 JAN 15

    Forbes Magazine Caves to Industry Pressure

    From Joel M. Moskowitz

    Joel’s comment: An annotated version of the original Forbes article (Jan 12, 2015), “Study Suggests Wi-Fi Exposure More Dangerous To Kids Than Previously Thought,” is available on the The “Take Back Your Power” web site if you wish to compare the original version of this article with the revised version that now appears on the Forbes web site (updated on Jan 14, 2015).

    Forbes Magazine Caves to Industry Pressure

    Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, Jan 13, 2015

    An example of how industry influences news. Two days ago I sent out the original version of an article by Forbes saying that a study showed that wifi could be more dangerous to children than previously thought. Here is the original version of some parts along with the “updates” and a new ending version that is now on the web:

    “More generally, the studies cited in the paper found RF/EMF exposure is linked to cancers of the brain and salivary glands, ADHD, low sperm count, and, among girls who keep cell phones in their bra, breast cancer….

    CHANGED TO:

    “More generally, the studies cited in the paper seek to link RF/EMF exposure to different types of cancer, low sperm count, and other disorders.”

    NEW ADDITION:

    “However, it is important to note that studies such as these need to be taken in their proper context. This particular study is one group’s perspective. It was published in a relatively new and minor journal with limited data sets. They also note that the average time between exposure to a carcinogen and a resultant tumor is three or more decades, thus making it difficult to arrive at definitive conclusions.”
    SNIP

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    • 14 DEC 14

    Louis Slesin on the current industry spin over powerline safety

    Excerpt from Microwave News:

    No Cancer Risk from Power Lines,
    Says the New York Times
    Big Score for Industry Scientists
    December 1, 2014
    Last updated
    December 12, 2014

    Still worried about power lines and cancer? That’s so retro, says the New York Times. You’re just stuck in the 1980’s.

    This is what the “newspaper of record” wants you to know about the risk of childhood leukemia from power lines: A “fairly broad consensus among researchers holds that no significant threat to public health has materialized.”

    The full message is told in a new 7+ minute video, produced by the Times’ RetroReport, which boasts a staff of 13 journalists and 10 contributors, led by Kyra Darnton. The video even credits a fact checker. What’s missing is the common sense to do some digging when reporting on a controversial issue.

    If Darnton’s crew had done its homework, they would have realized that their view is based on two industry-friendly researchers, David Savitz and John Moulder. Savitz, now VP for research at Brown University, has come a long way since he first reported that power lines are linked to childhood leukemia back in 1986. Power line EMFs have been very, very good for Savitz’s career. He parlayed that study into a multimillion contract from the electric power industry to study cancer risks among electric utility workers. He found a link to brain tumors. A couple of years later, he paid the industry back by renouncing his own work and that of many others. Now he’s done it again with his original power line study in the new Times video.
    SNIP

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    • 14 DEC 14

    Paul Brodeur on the current industry spin over powerline safety

    Conflicts of Interest in Coverage of a Health Issue by the New York Times

    Paul Brodeur, Huffington Post, Dec 12, 2014

    In recent days, employees of The New York Times have posted no fewer than three pieces on the newspaper’s website, asserting that the risk of harm from the electromagnetic fields (EMF) given off by power lines is negligible, and that fears of it are unfounded. Among the postings is a seven-minute video produced by Kyra Darnton for Retro Report, entitled “Long After an 80’s Scare, Suspicion of Power Lines Prevails.” An accompanying article with the same title has been posted by a reporter for Retro Report named Clyde Haberman, and a third piece entitled “A Fresh Look at Power Lines, Cancer and the Dread-to-Risk Ratio” has been put up by a reporter for the newspaper named Andrew C. Revkin.

    The video produced by Darnton and some colleagues at Retro Report relies preponderantly on the testimony of two researchers — David Savitz, who is vice-president for research at Brown University, and John Moulder, director of radiation biology at the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
    SNIP

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    • 06 DEC 14

    Microwave News: No Cancer Risk from Power Lines, Says the New York Times

    From Louis Slesin, Microwave News:

    No Cancer Risk from Power Lines, Says the New York Times
    Big Score for Industry Scientists

    Excerpt

    Still worried about power lines and cancer? That’s so retro, says the New York Times. You’re just stuck in the 1980’s.
    This is what the “newspaper of record” wants you to know about the risk of childhood leukemia from power lines: A “fairly broad consensus among researchers holds that no significant threat to public health has materialized.”

    The full message is told in a new 7+ minute video, produced by the Times’ RetroReport, which boasts a staff of 13 journalists and 10 contributors, led by Kyra Darnton. The video even credits a fact checker. What’s missing is the common sense to do some digging when reporting on a controversial issue.
    SNIP

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    • 05 DEC 14

    The WHO’s ‘consultation’ on Radio Frequency fields: Environmental Health Criteria Monograph

    Bearing in mind that Rodney Croft has already inadvertently “spilled the beans” by his ill-timed announcement that the WHO’s forthcoming EHC for RF concludes that there is “no evidence of health effects”, people can still ‘consult’ with the folks drafting the criteria until December 15.

    Rumor has it that Dynamo has just been drafted to the WHO’s team. Never know when a little bit of conjuring is needed when dealing with “conflicting research” as Rodney calls it.

    SNIP

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    • 26 NOV 14

    Presentations now online from the ICNIRP/ARPANSA/ACEBR Workshop (But where’s Croft’s?)

    Forwarded on by Mary Redmayne who attended the Wollongong meeting:

    Please find below the links to the pdf files of the presentations held at the ICNIRP/ARPANSA/ACEBR Workshop on RF Health Effects and Standards, Wollongong, Australia, 11 November 2014.

    Thank you again for your participation and contribution,

    Kind regards,
    Workshop Secretariat

    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_Larsson.pdf
    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_VanDeventer.pdf
    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_Feychting.pdf
    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_Sienkiewicz.pdf
    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_VanRongen.pdf
    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_Lin.pdf
    http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/presentations/rf/RFWshop_Anderson.pdf

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    • 24 NOV 14

    Andrew Marino philosophizes on “EMF Experts”

    Quoting from the website of Andrew Marino:

    EMF experts sound erudite, but when they make mistakes they do so in characteristic ways, so they always betray themselves. The environmental science of EMFs consists of both knowledge and justice, so each element should be reflected in the character of anyone who is truly an expert. We can classify the different kinds of mistaken experts based on what they lack.

    There are industry experts who make their living by providing negative judgments, irrespective of what environmental science requires. These experts love money, which they seek above everything else. They see themselves as completely free to say anything in pursuit of money and prestige. Their minds are formless in the sense that they have no idea what truth is.
    SNIP

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    • 17 NOV 14

    A must read posting from Dariusz Leszczynski on the recent, ICNIRP, ACEBR and ARPANSA all too obvious spin at Wollongong

    But first my comments: On October 8th I mentioned a forthcoming “Networking Evening/Public Forum” to be introduced by Rodney Croft, as head the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR) and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (ihmri)

    I said in that blog, among other things, that the speakers are all well known proven stalwarts of ICNIRP orthodoxy: Rodney Croft, Eric van Rongen, Michael Repacholi and Emilie Deventer. All who have built their reputations steadfastly defending ICNIRP’s viewpoint. That is; the only ‘proven’ effects of RF exposure are thermal and anything else must be psychosomatic.

    Was I being unfair and premature in my estimation?

    Well, read on for Dariusz Leszczynski’s evaluation of the proceedings. Also see the nice picture of Rodney Croft presenting his slide denying everything, as usual……..

    SNIP

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    • 29 SEP 14

    ICNIRP Workshop to be held at Wollongong University

    Perhaps it is somewhat ironic that it was through the University of Wollongong where I wrote my 2010 PhD thesis; The Procrustean Approach: Setting exposure standards for telecommunications frequency electromagnetic radiation. Chapters 4 and 5 examined the limitations of ICNIRP’s blinkered understanding of the science. Now 4 years later we see the University hosting an ICNIRP conference where ICNIRP’s Procrustean Approach to all things RF will be regurgitated for the attendees. Expect nothing new except for some finely crafted PR spin to maintain the status quo.
    Don

    ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection), ACEBR (Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research) and ARPANSA (Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency) are jointly organizing the Workshop on Radiofrequency Field Health Effects & Standards, 11 November 2014. It is hosted by the University of Wollongong, Australia (Innovation Campus, Building 230, Level 2, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow, NSW 2519).

    The aim is to discuss the latest evidence of health consequences from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields, and their relationship to ICNIRP’s current updating of the HF guidelines.
    SNIP

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    • 30 JUL 14

    Lessons not learned: UK govt. and industry to mount massive spin campaign to promote smart grids

    Contrary to the claim below that the British energy industry has “learned from mistakes in the USA and Australia” just the opposite is true. What about the many reports on health effects coming from Australia and the U.S. Absolutely nothing is mentioned below. Its all about “lifestyle changes” with part of the spin using cartoon characters Gaz and Leccy spreading the supposed benefits of smart meters. Perhaps appropriately like to the cartoon character Joe Camel featured in those old cigarette commercials.

    Wouldn’t it be nice if the money was instead spent on investigating those health effects? A bit like believing in the Easter Bunny…..

    I recommend downloading the report mentioned at the end of the article.

    Don

    **********************************************

    From Smart Grid Australia

    UK Energy industry unveils £85m plan to tout smart meter benefits

    Having learned from mistakes in the USA and Australia, the British energy industry has joined forces for a nationwide campaign that seeks to rally support for smart meters by touting the devices as a platform for future lifestyle changes in households. Cartoon versions of gas and electricity (Gaz and Leccy) will star in ads nationwide later this month.

    Smart Energy GB, an organisation set up by the Government and funded by energy companies, has just launched the first phase of the £85 seven-year marketing plan. It was first revealed in March and the campaign will play a key role in the Government’s £11bn plan to install the devices in every home by 2020.

    SNIP

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    • 12 MAY 14

    STUK and Finland, where only a single opinion is permitted…

    From the blog of Dariusz Leszczunski, Between a Rock and a Hard Place:

    Excerpt

    This post was updated on May 10, 2014…

    European Union is in an economic crisis. In Finland the official (=government) opinion is that the one and the only way to survive is to remain in EU and retain common currency. There are voices that disagree with this official opinion.

    Several scientists from the University of Helsinki formed in the autumn 2013, the EuroThinkTank. This group of 12 scientists analyzed advantages and dis-advantages of the Finnish membership in the EU. The report of the EuroThinkTank was published on May 6, 2014, unfortunately only in Finnish language.

    The leader of the EuroThinkTank, Professor Vesa Kanniainen, in his explanation why the EuroThinkTank was formed, said the following:

    ”…Yritykset kyseenalaistaa virallinen totuus on nähty vaiettavana toisinajatteluna…” [Attempts to question the official truth were seen as discordant opinions needed to be silenced; free translation DL].

    Professor Kanniainen was also quoted in the news report as saying:

    ”…Suomi on aina yhden totuuden maa, meillä ei ole sellaista traditiota, että arvioitaisiin avoimesti ja analyyttisesti vaihtoehtoisia näkemyksiä…” [Finland is always the place of the single truth only, we have no tradition of an open minded analytical evaluation of different options; free translation DL]

    I do agree with this opinion…..

    SNIP

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    • 09 MAY 14

    Further critique of the SCENIHR spin

    From Mona Nielsson,the Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation:

    Excerpt

    April 16, 2014

    Comments on the SCENIHR preliminary opinion on ‘ Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) approved at the 4th plenary of 12 December 2013

    We hereby submit the comments from the Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation, a non-profit organization with the aim of informing and protecting citizens from health hazards of EMF. Our comment focus mainly on the content of the SCENIHR 2013 report on “Health Effects from RF-fields (chapter 3.5) Summary This section of the SCENIHR preliminary opinion provide false, in accurate, misleading and biased information about available research and results from both epidemiological studies on neoplastic diseases (cancer) and studies on other health risks. There is even evidence of scientific fraud or misconduct.

    SNIP

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    • 01 MAY 14

    Breaking News: Industry bias exposed in SCENIHR’s scientific assessment

    From Eileen O’Connor, UK Radiation Research Trust

    Excerpt

    Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) member Dr Kjell Hansson Mild has exposed control of science within the SCENIHR group. SCENIHR excluded many studies from the latest scientific review, including five studies by the Hardell Group, published in 2013. Dr. Mild was a co-author with Dr. Hardell. At the same time SCENIHR excluded Dr. Hardell’s and Dr. Mild’s key scientific papers, they promoted Dr. Mild’s participation in SCENIHR as giving balance and transparency to this process. These studies from the Hardell Group are the longest studies on mobile phones and brain cancer. Of even greater significance is Hardell’s conclusion that the proof of mobile phones causing an increase in gliomas — the deadliest of brain tumours, and acoustic neuromas tumours on the auditory nerve.

    The SCENIHR Report fails to do a thorough review of hundreds of papers on non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) and biological health effects, and excludes literally hundreds of papers containing new information in the field concerning adverse EMR impacts.

    SNIP

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