The Problem
Wireless radiation can impact your health. Most people are unaware of this.
Wireless is not harmless
Wireless gadgets (mobile phones, WiFi-enabled laptops, tablets, smart meters, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc) use microwave radiofequency (RF) radiation to transmit information. Wireless technologies are the main sources of RF radiation in modern environments. These sources are constantly growing in number and field strength.
A substantial body of scientific research indicates that the long-term effects on health of exposure to RF radiation at currently permitted levels are detrimental. Further evidence of potentially harmful effects on health and the environment from such radiation continues to accumulate, although biological effects from man-made RF radiation have been documented since as far back as the 1930s.
Current outdated 'safe' exposure levels protect us from short-term heating (i.e. thermal) and shock effects but provide no protection against non-thermal or biological effects, which have been shown to occur at very low levels of exposure. They also take no account of cumulative, long-term exposures.
Health Impacts
In 2015 more than 200 scientists from around the world signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal. It called on the UN, its Member States and the WHO to develop more protective EMF (electromagnetic field) guidelines, to encourage more precautionary measures and to educate the public about health risks, particularly those to children and to foetal development. The Appeal stated that effects from RF radiation include:
- increased cancer risk
- genetic damage
- structural and functional changes of the reproductive system
- learning and memory deficits
- neurological disorders
- cellular stress
- increase in harmful free radicals
- negative impacts on general well-being in humans
The Appeal also indicated that harm is not limited to human health: “Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.”
Cancer
Most people do not know that radiofrequency (RF) radiation was classified as a possible human carcinogen in 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO.
This classification was based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer. According to the charity Brain Tumour Research, brain tumours now kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. Recently published raw data also shows that glioblastoma multiforme, the most virulent and deadly type of brain cancer (a form of glioma), is going up in the UK. Its incidence increased by almost 10 times between 1985 and 2014. (Source: microwavenews.com/short-takes-archive/changing-mix-uk-bts). Exposure to RF radiation may be contributing to these trends.
The European Environment Agency has noted governments’ lack of precautionary advice to their citizens on mobile phone use in the wake of the IARC classification:
“It is remarkable that the IARC carcinogenic classification does not seem to have had any significant impact on governments’ perceptions of their responsibilities to protect public health from this widespread source of radiation, especially given the ease with which exposures can be reduced (i.e. texting, handsfree devices and better phone design).”
Electrohypersensitivity
Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is a condition which causes people to experience adverse reactions to man-made electromagnetic fields, especially in the form of microwave RF radiation from wireless devices. It makes life very difficult in today’s wireless world and can be completely disabling for some people, resulting in total social exclusion. Common symptoms include:
- headaches
- insomnia
- memory loss and forgetfulness
- concentration problems
- irritability
- tinnitus
- facial redness and burning sensations
- palpitations and chest pains
- digestive problems
- feeling constantly tired and ‘under the weather’
(Note: All living beings can be thought of as 'electrosensitive', with many biological processes relying on tiny electromagnetic fields. It therefore shouldn't come as a surprise that artificial EMFs can affect our biology or that some people prove hypersensitive to man-made electromagnetic fields. Electrohypersensitivity is a physiological condition and should not be confused with electrophobia, a psychological condition.)
For more information we recommend you consult the websites of charities Electrosensitivity UK and PHIRE. As GPs have no training in recognising or treating electrohypersensitivity, it is often misdiagnosed as burn-out, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression or stress, when simply reducing exposure to RF radiation in the home could considerably alleviate symptoms and improve well-being.
We urge the Welsh Government to ensure that we and future generations in Wales live in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment.