Whether living near power lines is dangerous or not is still a debatable question. There appears to be conflicting evidence about the issue.

Like with all questions about electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and wireless radiation, you can find experts making adamant claims on both sides of the question.

But the important thing is that there exists plentiful evidence that does clearly correlate EMF exposure with numerous symptoms and serious diseases—and exposure from living near power lines is no exception. Many independent, peer-reviewed studies have linked power lines with several different diseases, including cancer.

Research on Living near Power Lines

Cancer

In 2007, R.M. Lowenthal in Hobart, Australia, conducted a research study published in the “Internal Medicine Journal” focusing on the incidence of cancer and exposure to high power lines. The study established a link between its survey group of 850 Australians and adult onset of lymphatic and bone marrow cancers.  Results showed that the risk of developing cancer increased by 106% for people who lived within 50 meters of a power line, as compared to those who lived 300 meters away. 

Childhood Leukemia

Childhood Leukemia has been even more thoroughly studied in regard to power lines. In 1979, a study published in the “American Journal of Epidemiology” by Wertheimer and Leeper of the University of Colorado Medical Center reported a direct link between electromagnetic field exposure from power lines and childhood leukemia.

Examining the relationship between the incidence of leukemia in children and living near power lines at various distances, they found that there was a higher incidence of leukemia in children who lived closest to power lines.  The findings made headlines and spawned dozens of further studies over the years seeking to replicate the results.

For example, in 2005, the British Medical Journal published a study conducted by Dr. Gerald Draper, et al, which found that children who lived within 200 meters of a high voltage power line at birth were 70% more likely to develop childhood leukemia than those living more than 600 meters away.

Two more studies were published in 2010 linking childhood leukemia with living near high voltage power lines: The first involved 600 children and emphasized that “living close to high voltage power lines is a risk for ALL.” The second was a pooled analysis of seven studies with a total of 10,865 cases and 12,853 controls with similar conclusions.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Senile Dementia 

A study in 2008, conducted by Dr. Anke Huss, et al correlated power lines and the risk of death due to neurodegenerative diseases. It was found that there was a dose-response relation between living by power lines and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and also senile dementia.

Another study by M. Fechting, et al supported the hypothesis that EMF exposure increases the risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and suggests that magnetic field exposure may represent a late-acting influence in the disease process.

Miscarriage 

In 2001, Dr. De-Kun Li, leading a team at Kaiser Permanente’s research division in Oakland, CA conducted an epidemiological study which found an up to six-fold increased risk of miscarriage among women living by power lines. Later, in 2002, Newsgroup Newspapers reported on a study in which it was found that 1 woman in 7 living within 25 meters of a power line suffered from  miscarriage; whereas, those living further than 25 meters only suffered 1 in 29.

Depression, Anxiety and Sleep Disorders

The Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Washington published a study in 1988 that found that EMFs from power lines disrupted circadian rhythm cycles and altered serotonin and melatonin neurotransmitter levels—all of which cause sleep disorders and difficulty in regulating emotions, such as depression and anxiety.

Symptoms

So do you have to wait till someone in your family is diagnosed with one of these diseases to see if you’ve been affected by power lines near your home? No, there are symptoms that people often feel earlier on, such as:     

• dizziness
• sleep disorders
• fatigue
• headaches
• nausea
• digestive disorders

If someone in your family has been experiencing symptoms since you’ve lived near power lines, you might want to consider the lines as a possible cause—or at least a contributing one.

It’s Not Necessary to Move

The good news is it’s not necessary to move. You can get EMF protection and prevent symptoms and diseases caused by living near power lines. The EarthCalm Home EMF Protection System will protect your whole family throughout your entire home.

Are Cordless Phones any Safer than Cell Phones?

If you think you’re avoiding the dangers of cell phone radiation by using your cordless phone—you may want to think again. According to research, cordless phones are just as dangerous, if not more so, than cell phones.   

Dangers of Cordless Phone Radiation

A few years back, cordless phones were mainly analog type phones. Those weren’t much to worry about.

But most cordless phones sold these days are DECT phones (Digital Electronic Cordless Telephones). And these phones broadcast microwave radiation 24 hours/day at an extremely high power. They send a sharp rise of continuous electromagnetic energy broadcasting throughout your home, even when your phone is not in use.

Cell Phones vs Cordless Phones  

Unlike cell phones, DECT cordless phones work at a fixed power. Cell phones turn their power down to the lowest level possible when near a cell tower. But DECT phones continue to generate a high level of radiation constantly no matter where a cell tower may be, so their pulses are far more aggressive than those of mobiles.

In addition, cordless phones can be more dangerous than cell phones because of the frequency of the pulse. DECT pulses at 100 Hz, while a mobile phone generally pulses at 217Hz—and the lower the pulsing frequency, the stronger the biological dangers.  

Sleep Problems due to Cordless Phone Radiation

One of the most important health effects that’s caused by having a cordless phone in your home—especially in your bedroom near your bed—is sleep disturbance and insomnia. The pulse of a DECT phone is in the high alpha range of brain waves. This forces your brain waves to “entrain” to or match that pattern.

This is disturbing enough during the day, when your brain does its best work when you’re wide awake, in beta. But trying to get deep sleep while in the high alpha range is next to impossible. To get truly restorative sleep, your brain needs to access the slow delta range. This is the range in which your body heals and detoxifies itself.

Other Health Effects

Not only do the pulsed waves of a DECT phone prevent you from getting restorative deep sleep, they also disturb many other body rhythms, such as:

• Heart rate variability
• EEG
• EKG
• breathing patterns
• bowel movements
• detoxification   
• 24-hour meridian activity

The DECT pulsed waves also block the blood-brain barrier, allowing circulating toxins to enter into your brain. In addition, they affect endothelial cells in the gut mucosa, disrupting the gut barrier. This, in turn, can cause leaky gut syndrome, leading to food and environmental allergies.

Research on Cordless Phone Radiation

Recently an updated version of the BioInitiative Report was released, documenting that cordless phones are just as dangerous as cell phones when it comes to brain tumors and acoustic neuromas.

An important research team led by Professor Kjell Mild, a Swedish biophysicist, has produced a number of leading papers on cell phone health effects. An early study linked brain tumors to the use of analogue mobile phones. Newer research repeated the test and also looked at digital mobiles and DECT cordless phones. The results showed that all three types of phones were linked to increased tumor rates.

The extra tumors only start to show up after about five years’ use, but there is increasing dose-related-response with minutes of use per month and number of years of use. Mild discussed the results of his studies at an international conference chaired by Alasdair Philips of Powerwatch.

German Medical Doctors are Concerned

Over 1000 medical doctors in Germany have endorsed the Freiburger Appeal, which indicates that people’s exposure to electromagnetic fields (mainly mobile/DECT) is triggering widespread illness.

Out of great concern for the health of our fellow human beings do we—as established physicians of all fields, especially that of environmental medicine—turn to the medical establishment and those in public health and political domains, as well as to the public. We have observed, in recent years, a dramatic rise in severe and chronic diseases among our patients, especially:

• Learning, concentration, and behavioural disorders (e.g. attention deficit disorder)
• Extreme fluctuations in blood pressure, ever harder to influence with medications
• Heart rhythm disorders
• Heart attacks and strokes among an increasingly younger population
• Brain-degenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s) and epilepsy
• Cancerous afflictions: leukemia, brain tumors
   

Moreover, we have observed an ever-increasing occurrence of various disorders, often misdiagnosed in patients as psychosomatic:

•    Headaches, migraines
•    Chronic exhaustion
•    Inner agitation
•    Sleeplessness, daytime sleepiness
•    Tinnitus
•    Susceptibility to infection
•    Nervous and connective tissue pains

Since the living environment and lifestyles of our patients are familiar to us, we can see—especially after carefully-directed inquiry—a clear temporal and spatial correlation between the appearance of disease and exposure to pulsed high-frequency microwave radiation (HFMR), such as:

• Installation of a mobile telephone sending station in the near vicinity
• Intensive mobile telephone use
• Installation of a digital cordless (DECT) telephone at home or in the   neighbourhood

Cordless Phone Radiation Protection

So what are we to do now—not only have serious health effects been correlated with cell phone radiation, but also with cordless phone radiation as well. Of course, we can go back to wired phones—but who in today’s world can realistically do that?

The other option, fortunately, is really easy: get radiation protection for your cordless phone (and also your cell phone, while you’re at it). EarthCalm has provided EMF protection from all sources of electromagnetic fields, including phones for many years.

One Quantum Cell will protect you from all handsets of your cordless phone; you simply stick it on the base station, and all phones are protected. Check EarthCalm’s research done on the Quantum Cell and protect yourself today!

In 2007, a large group of international scientists published a comprehensive report entitled the BioInitiative Report, citing  numerous scientific studies that had been conducted showing the health dangers of electromagnetic radiation exposure. Now an updated version of the BioInitiative Report has been published.

Consisting of 29 independent scientists and health experts from 10 different countries, the BioInitiative Working Group 2012 assessed over 1800 new scientific studies involving power lines, cell and cordless phones, cell towers, smart meters WiFi, laptops, routers, baby monitors and electrical wiring and appliances.

They concluded that evidence for risks to health from electromagnetic radiation has substantially increased since 2007, and that we have far more evidence than necessary to require us to immediately take more precautionary action to protect ourselves and our children.

Of special concern is the fact that the level of daily EMF exposure has become more intensive than ever. There is much greater involuntary exposure now, and it is nearly unavoidable—even for those who choose not to go wireless. Cell phone users, parents-to-be, young children and pregnant women are at particular risk.

Health Issues Linked to EMF Exposure

There is more evidence in this updated report that electromagnetic radiation damages DNA, interferes with DNA repair, and creates greater toxicity in the genes. It also cites studies showing pathological leakage of the blood-brain barrier and altered immune function. Effects on memory and sleep disruptions (especially around WiFi and cell towers) are further noted.

There are also a dozen new studies linking cell phones on standby carried on a belt or in a pocket of men and wireless laptops to sperm damage: quality, motility & death, all affecting fertility and reproduction.

Perhaps even more alarming is the evidence of increased incidence of child & adult brain tumor risks, especially glioma (a malignant brain tumor), that is linked to electromagnetic radiation. Also increased is the incidence of acoustic neuroma with the use of mobile & cordless phones. EMF exposure has been further correlated with other cancers, such as child and adult leukemia and breast cancer in both men and women.

The report also cites studies showing a link between electromagnetic radiation and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s & ALS, miscarriage and a number of cardiovascular effects.

Children and EMFs

The report indicates that EMFs can plausibly increase autism risk and symptoms. Co-author Martha Herbert, MD states:

“While we aggressively investigate the links between autism disorders and wireless technologies, we should minimize wireless and EMF exposures for people with autism disorders, children of all ages, people planning a baby, and during pregnancy.”

Studies have further found that wireless devices such as phones and laptops used by pregnant women may alter the brain development of the fetus. The correlation between wireless technology and the conditions of hyperactivity, learning difficulties, and behavior problems has been seen in both animal and human studies.

Urgent Precautions

The authors of the new BioInitiative Report believe that with this new evidence, new safety standards are now urgently needed for protection against electromagnetic radiation. One co-author, Lennart Hardell MD at Orebro University, Sweden, states:

“Epidemiological evidence shows that radiofrequency should be classified as a human carcinogen. The existing FCC/IEE and ICNIRP public safety limits and reference levels are not adequate to protect public health.”

Read the full BioInitiative Report 2012.

On September 1, 2012, the Indian Government officially set into motion rigorous regulations regarding the dangers of electromagnetic exposure to public health. The government is now regulating radiation emissions from both cell towers and cell phone handsets.

Setting an important example with these new regulations, India joins a select handful of countries in the world that have put stringent standards on the telecom industry. Standards are approximately ten times stronger than those of many other countries.

The new regulations are based on recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, consisting of the Department of Telecom, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Dept of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research. They were produced after a careful study by all these agencies of studies on health hazards from mobile towers and on the effects of electromagnetic exposure from cell phones.

New Standards Addressing Health Hazards from Mobile Towers

The exposure limit has been lowered to one-tenth of the level it had been. Audits on service providers will take place on a random basis (and in all cases in which there is a public complaint). Furthermore, the test procedure of measurement of electromagnetic fields has been revised to create more realistic and accurate records. And there is now a hefty fine for non-compliance of the new standards.

New Standards for Cell Phone Manufacturers

Also addressing the health risks of electromagnetic exposure from cell phones, the regulations have set a lower limit on the specific absorption rate (SAR) on all cell phones manufactured in or imported into India. The SAR must be displayed on all handsets and the information is to be made available to all consumers at the point of sale.

In addition, every cell phone handset booklet must contain safety precautions, and all handsets must be available in hand-free mode. Manufacturers of current models are given one year to comply with the new regulations.

There are numerous other countries in the world, especially in the first-world, that are steeped even more deeply in electromagnetic exposure than India is.  Hopefully, they will take notice and follow India’s lead in taking seriously the health hazards from mobile towers and cell phones—and doing something about them.

I have never much liked bees. Probably because I’ve been stung by them in the past, and it’s always hurt like hell.

So when I began hearing about the decline of bee populations in the world, I found it kind of an interesting phenomenon to contemplate, along with all the other strange changes that seem to be happening in our natural world. But not something to really be concerned about.

Until someone pointed out the obvious to me: that bees are totally essential to the growing of food on this planet—that at least 75% of what we eat is dependent on bee pollination. That got my attention.

Decline of Bee Populations

I began researching it and found that in the last decade, the honey bee population world-wide has taken a huge dive—billions of bees have died for unknown reasons. And what’s known as colony collapse disorder (CCD) has been happening at an unprecedented rate.

Unusually high rates of CCD were first noted in the US about ten years ago. Then reports from Europe began coming in. Soon it was from many different countries, with India now reporting with more and more urgency about its high occurrence, especially in certain Indian states.

Possible Theories

Scientists have pondered the different possible reasons for the decline of the bee populations: pests and predators, diseases, climate change, pesticides. Most concur that the current pests and predators of bees have been around for centuries; nothing new there. And diseases—same thing.

Climate change may have something to do with it, but they’re not clear exactly what. And pesticides—well, good news to some—the use of these has actually decreased in the last few years, presumably due to the rise of organic farming in many countries.

Bees and Cell Phones

So where does this leave us? For an increasing number of scientists researching the decline of bee populations, it’s led to the possible link with the dramatic explosion of cell phone usage that has also happened in the last decade. And the thousands of cell towers that have been erected not only in our cities, but in outlying farmland and forests, as well.

The bees and cell phone theory caught on quickly, once posed. Partly because it was noted that the steepest declines in bee population had been reported in the US and Europe, where cell phone use has been greater than other parts of the world. And partly because, during this last decade, an overwhelming amount of research has surfaced pointing to the link between cell phone radiation and diseases such as cancer.

In general, the research in several different countries finds that the proximity to a hive of either a cell phone or a cell tower causes the hive to lose most of its worker bees–and in many cases, to collapse, sometimes within a surprisingly short period of time.

Different kinds of tests have been conducted. French biologists actually attached tiny microchips to the bees to track their daily behavior patterns in an effort to see what’s killing them. Researchers at both the Panjab University in Chandigarh, India, and at the Landau University in Switzerland fitted cell phones to the beehive and activated them intermittently to see what would happen. All have seen a direct link between the cell phones and the decline of the bee population.

Loss of Navigation Skills

What is it that actually happens to the bees when their hive is near a cell phone or cell tower? Sainuddereen Pattazhy, researcher and dean in the department of Zoology at SN College, Punahur, explains:

“The navigation skill of the worker bees is dependent on the earth’s magnetic properties. The electromagnetic waves emitted by the mobile phones and relay towers interfere with the earth’s magnetism, resulting in the loss of the navigation capacity of the bee. Then it fails to come back.”

When the worker bees become disoriented and fail to find their way back to their hive, then the queen, the eggs, and the immature bees are left to die. No one seems to know exactly what ends up happening to all the disoriented worker bees.

Although he does add:

“Also the radiation causes damage to the nervous system of the bee and it becomes unable to fly.”

What’s interesting is they also find with the hives they’ve put near cell phones, that parasites, wildlife and other bees that normally raid the hive and pollen left behind when a colony dies, refuse to go anywhere near the abandoned hives.”

Increase in “Worker Piping”

Daniel Favre, of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, a researcher who’s conducted over 83 experiments with cell phones and bees, has found that there is also a dramatic increase in noise or what is called “worker piping” when the phones are in use. This piping is always a signal to indicate disturbance in the hive and is a warning for the bees to leave the hive.

Cell Towers and Bees

If cell phones can have this kind of dramatic impact on a hive, then cell towers must create a much greater one. A graphic example can be found in anecdotal form with a columnist, Barbara Hughes, who was visiting a Benedictine abbey near the mission in San Luis Rey in CA. She writes:

“One of the monks who has been a bee keeper at the abbey for 40 years explained how, until numerous cell phone towers were constructed on the back of their property, he had been collecting 100 gallons of honey a week.

“But as the use of cell phones expanded, all of his bees died within a few weeks, until he discovered a small area near the base of a hill where he could not get service. Once he moved his hives to that that particular area, the bees once again began to thrive and reproduce.”

What would happen if honey bees become extinct?

If the decline of the bee population continues as it has, we may eventually end up with a global food crisis of unthinkable proportions. So far, the erection of cell towers has few restrictions. And the usage of cell phones continues to explode. What will it take for people to finally link cell phones and bees—and see the danger we all face?

Laptop radiation dangers may be greater than you realize.

If you use your computer for many hours a day, this may be the greatest source of electromagnetic radiation danger you’re exposing yourself to, even with all the other sources of radiation in the environment today. 

But if your computer is a laptop, you’re facing even more complex dangers. Especially if you use it on your lap.

Ironically, laptops are not safe on laptops.

Although the results of studies about radiation danger from computers are controversial, there is abundant research concluding that laptops are particularly dangerous, especially when used on the lap.

If you look in the small print of your laptop user’s manual, you will probably find wording something to this effect: “Warning: Do not place on lap.” If a user’s manual actually indicates a warning like this, you know this is something you need to pay attention to. And if you research the subject, you’ll find that the FCC report regarding safety from EMFs back in 1996 states that  a laptop needs to be placed at least 20 cm from the body.

Laptop Radiation Values Deemed Risky for Tumor Development

Research recently published in the archives of the Environmental & Occupation Health journal cites a study in which they measured EMF levels in five commonly-used laptops of different brands.

Although they found that the EMF values were within the guidelines put out by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection, they also found them considerably higher than those recommended in recent guidelines put out by two other sources: the Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation (ICNIRP) and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO). The EMF values in laptops were actually deemed risky in these guidelines for tumor development.

The Closer, the More Dangerous

It was also noted that EMF values were alarmingly high when the laptop was close to the body. The power supply induces strong intra-corporal electrical current densities in both adult and fetus subjects—71%-483% and 1882%-263% higher, respectively, than ICNIRP basic restrictions recommend to prevent adverse health effects.

In conclusion, the researchers state:

“Laptop is paradoxically an improper site for the use of a LTC which consequently should be renamed to not induce customers towards an improper use.”

Laptop Radiation Danger Less when using a Table or Desk

Because of studies such as this one, health experts are recommending that if you absolutely have to use your laptop on your lap, you should insert a sturdy pillow of at least 6” thickness between your lap and the laptop. Otherwise, it’s best to use it on a table or desk, as the radiation falls away rather quickly with increasing distance.

What about your Hands on the Keyboard?

Because of the dangers of close proximity to the laptop, even typing on it can be harmful. For safety’s sake, experts suggest keeping at least 30 cm away from laptop—and, if possible, getting an external (non-wireless) keyboard and mouse.

Reproductive Health Endangered

Men need to be especially careful about using a laptop on their lap, especially if they’re concerned about their reproductive health. A study to evaluate the direct impact of laptop use on human sperm was published in January 2012 in Fertility & Sterility, showing a significant decrease in sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation. And this was after just four hours of exposure.

This study is similar to the tests done with men wearing cell phones on a belt or in pants pockets, published earlier in 2008, in Fertility & Sterility, which showed statistically significant changes in the men’s sperm count.

Although these studies on laptops measured non-thermal effects, there are other studies that have showed that sperm may also be damaged through thermal effects when a laptop is used on a lap if a man’s legs are held close together.

Testicular Cancer Linked with Laptop Radiation

According to Cindy Sage, environmental consultant and public policy researcher since 1982,

“Overwhelming evidence shows that RF can cause DNA damage, and DNA damage is a necessary precursor to cancer.”

Somewhat more graphically, David Carpenter, MD, director of the institute for Health & Environment at the University of Albany, states:

“When you hold your laptop on your lap, what you’re essentially doing is radiating your pelvis. So that all the concerns that affect that area are of concern.”

He cites a number of studies that point to a heightened risk of testicular cancer for men who keep RF-emitting devices close to their pelvises.

Carpenter adds a note about women:

“The studies aren’t quite there yet, but I think we can say that anything that might cause cancer almost always causes birth defects, so pregnant women—or those wanting to become pregnant soon—should take extra precautions.”

Which Way is your Laptop more Dangerous—Wired or Wireless?

There are conflicting reports on this question. Some experts claim that using WiFi or 3G connectivity is more harmful because of the microwave radiation from these sources (on top of that coming off the laptop itself). They say it’s better to use cable connection and keep the wireless ability switched off.

Other reports tell us that laptops are even more harmful when they’re plugged in and charging, because computer-charging devices are ungrounded. They claim that the amount of radiation you’re exposed to when your laptop is plugged in compared to that running on a battery is 100x higher.

Avoiding Laptop Radiation Dangers

Either way, it’s clear you should use your computer with care. And if you use your laptop a lot, you might consider getting laptop radiation protection, which is relatively inexpensive, considering laptop radiation health risks.

Is your laptop dangerous? It’s clear it probably is, especially if you use it on your lap. But there’s no reason to stop using it, if you have protection. Just as we use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, and wash our hands to prevent illness in our digestive systems, using laptop radiation protection in today’s world just makes good sense.

Protect Yourself from Laptop Radiation

EarthCalm’s Torus offers effective protection from your laptop’s radiation, wherever you take it. (It also provides protection from radiation from all other wireless devices, such as tablets, eReaders, video games, iPads and baby monitors.)

Protect yourself today and relax.

American Academy of Environmental Medicine Calls for Halt to Smart Meters in Homes & Schools

The Smart Meter controversy continues. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEC) has now weighed in with its position on Smart Meter dangers in a letter to the Public Utilities Commission in CA.

Following in the footsteps of other organizations, such as the World Health Organization (which classified RF as a possible 2B carcinogen—same as lead and DDT) and scientists in hundreds of studies, the AAEM has now added their opinion that the installation of Smart Meters, which emit the same kind of radiation as cell phones, should be halted immediately.

Calling for immediate caution regarding Smart Meter installations due to radiation health risks, the letter cites several peer-reviewed scientific studies, and concludes that

“significant harmful biological effects occur from non-thermal RF exposure, showing causality.”

It further states its opinion that the installation is irresponsible & calls not only for a moratorium on installation, but also immediate relief to those requesting it, including the return of analog meters.

Studies Reviewed by Board

The literature cited in the letter raises serious concerns about the levels of RF and ELF exposures emitted by Smart Meters. The board also states that the existing FCC guidelines for RF safety that have been used to justify installation of Smart Meters only look at thermal damage and are obsolete since many up-to-date studies show metabolic & genetic damage from RF & ELF below the level of intensity which heats tissues.

“The current medical literature raises credible questions about genetic and cellular effects, hormonal effects, male fertility, blood/brain barrier damage and increased risk of certain types of cancers from RF or ELF levels similar to those emitted from smart meters.

“Children are placed at particular risk for altered brain development, and impaired learning and behavior. Further, ELF/RF adds synergistic effects to the damage observed from a range of toxic chemicals.”

It concludes that

“it is unacceptable from a public health standpoint to implement this technology until these serious medical concerns are resolved.”

With all the evidence in the literature of Smart Meter radiation health risks, how did the Public Utilities Commission end up installing them to begin with?

Radiation health risks were not tested based on realistic standards.

RF safety standards set up by the FCC were flawed from the beginning. Aside from measuring only thermal effects and ignoring non-thermal effects, there were other problems in the testing process.

First, the standards were set for only short-term effects (5 & 30 minutes)—which, of course, is different from the actual long-term usage of consumers.

Secondly, they were set based on the effects to an average 6’2”, 200-lb. male, leaving most women and all children out of the equation. It also doesn’t take into account the elderly population or those who are ill.

Also, the meters were assessed for safety compliance in isolation—not in a mesh network, in which they are designed to operate. Nor were they assessed in combination with other sources of RF such as Wi-Fi, DECT and cell phones, cell towers, etc.

Will the Smart Meter Controversy ever be solved?

It may still take a while. The wheels of justice seem to turn slowly when issues of this magnitude are involved, despite the fact that the public welfare is endangered. But the AAEM is pushing hard for immediate action on the subject. Dr. Wm J. Rea, member of AAEM & former thoracic surgeon, states that

“By continuing to layer more and more wireless communication within our communities, we are setting the stage for widespread disease.”

Until there’s a definitive answer and national precautions, more and more people are taking precautions by turning to EMF protection for their families. Find out more about smart meter health concerns and solutions.

Cordless phone radiation danger isn’t a subject many people think about. Much has been researched, written, and debated about the health risks of cell phones—and rightly so. But what has been lost in this controversy is the fact that cordless phones are just as dangerous as cell phones. In fact, in 2006, Swedish researchers, Lennart Hardell, et al, found that cordless phones are “far more likely to cause brain tumors than cell phones”.

The transmitter base of a cordless phone blasts out high levels of radiation, even when the phone isn’t being charged or in use.  Radiation from a cordless phone can be as high as 6.5 volts per meter, which is twice as strong as that found within 100 meters of a cell tower—and much research has been done documenting the hazards of living near cell towers. Even two meters away from a charger, the radiation is still as high as 2.5 volts per meter—50 times as high as what scientists regard as a safe level!

DECT Cordless Phones and Radiation

It’s difficult to find a cordless phone today that isn’t a DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phone, as these phones give much improved performance over the older analog version of cordless phones.

Unfortunately, the health risks of DECT phones are even higher than those of their predecessors. A DECT phone base station continuously emits pulsing microwave radiation at full power. If a typical DECT phone is kept on a bedside table, the person in bed is exposed all night long to this pulsing microwave signal.

Sleep Disorders & Chronic Fatigue

In 2005, an epidemiological study was conducted in Schwartzenburg, Switzerland to test the effects of the microwave exposure from a shortwave tower on nearby residents. In 2008, another study was conducted on people living near AM & FM towers in Ouruhia, New Zealand.

Findings in both studies suggested that prolonged radio-frequency exposures were linked with serious sleep disorders and chronic fatigue. What’s pertinent here is that the intensity of exposure from the radio towers and short wave transmitter were much lower than that of a DECT phone charger near a bed.

Heart Rate Abnormalities and Cordless Phone Radiation

Recent research has been done measuring the effects of DECT cordless phone radiation on subjects. In 2010, Magda Havas of Trent University, Canada, published the results of a study in the European Journal of Oncology. The results of her double-blind peer-reviewed study showed that the heart rate in many of her subjects was seriously altered: 40% experienced arrhythmia (erratic heart rate) and/or tachycardia (rapid heart rate).

These symptoms were accompanied by pain/pressure in the chest and also anxiety that appeared each time the microwave exposure was turned on, and then disappeared when it was turned off. Subjects did not know what was happening or when the switch was made.

What to do about Cordless Phones and Radiation?

There are some obvious precautions you can take with cordless phones in your home. First, do not keep a phone near your bed. Try moving it and see if your sleep and fatigue levels improve. Secondly, try finding microwave protection for the phone. Find a device that has some science behind it; it’s probably not safe to trust the myriad of inexpensive stickers, magnets or chips on the market for something as serious as this. And finally, if you can find an old-fashioned wired phone, see if you can adapt to that. As inconvenient as it is, it’s far safer.

Learn more about cordless phones and radiation.

References:

1. Hardell L, Carlberg M. (2009) Mobile phones, cordless phones and the risk of brain tumours. International Journal of Oncology.35(1):5-17.

2.  Hardell L, Carlberg M, and Hansson Mild K (2006). Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on use of cellular and cordless telephonesand the risk for malignant brain tumours diagnosed in 1997-2003. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 79: 630-639.

3.  Hardell L, Carlberg M, and Hansson Mild K (2006). Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003. International Journal of Oncology 28: 509-518, 2006.