August 30, 2007 — An international working group of renowned scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals (The BioInitiative Working Group) has released its report on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and health, which includes serious safety concerns.
The report raises questions about the safety of existing public limits that regulate how much EMF is allowable from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of EMF exposure in daily life.
The report documents scientific evidence raising worries about health impacts including childhood leukemia (from power lines and other electrical exposures), brain tumors and acoustic neuromas (from cell and cordless phones) and Alzheimer’s disease. The authors of the report say there is evidence that EMFs are a risk factor for both childhood and adult cancers. EMFs from such sources as electric power lines, interior wiring and grounding of buildings and appliances are linked to increased risks for childhood leukemia and may set the stage for adult cancers later in life.
The BioInitiative Report, released Aug. 31, documents the scientific evidence that power line EMF exposure is responsible for hundreds of new cases of childhood leukemia every year in the U.S. and around the world.
The report states wireless technologies that rely on radiofrequency radiation (RF) to send e-mails and voice communication are thousands of times stronger than levels reported to cause sleep disorders, headaches, problems with memory and concentration and other adverse physical symptoms.
“This report stands as a wake-up call that long-term exposure to some kinds of EMFs may cause serious health effects,” said Public health expert and co-editor of the report Dr. David O. Carpenter, director, Institute for Health and the Environment at the University of Albany, New York. “Good public health planning is needed now to prevent cancers and neurological diseases linked to exposure to power lines and other sources of EMFs. We need to educate the public and our decision makers that business as usual is unacceptable.”
For more information: www.bioinitiative.org