UK medical doctors call for ‘immediate action’ against wireless technologies
Open letter by UK medical
doctors:
Health and safety of Wi-Fi and mobile phones
We
wish to highlight our concern over the safety of exposure to microwave radiation
from wireless technology, particularly for vulnerable groups like children,
pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised health.
There
is growing concern that chronic (long-term) exposure to radiofrequency/microwave
radiation from wireless technologies causes damage, particularly genetic damage,
cognitive damage, cancer and decreased fertility. There is now
substantial evidence of a link between mobile phone use and brain cancer. This
was recognised by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)’s
30-strong panel of scientists, which in 2011 classed radiofrequency radiation as
“possibly carcinogenic”.
Additionally,
doctors are encountering a significant and growing number of people presenting
with a range of acute (short-term) symptoms from wireless radiation,
including headaches, palpitations, rashes, fatigue, sleep disturbance, allergies
and memory and concentration problems.
International
medical agencies have recognised the evidence of harm (see appended list) but
these rulings may take many years to be reflected in public health
policy. This controversy is a common characteristic of scientific
understanding when environmental exposures are new.
New
technologies and substances often come with scientific conflict, which can
continue for several decades before consensus is achieved. Commercial pressures
often delay the acceptance of health risks, even when scientific evidence is
compelling. In the case of tobacco, asbestos, x-rays and leaded petrol, for
example, it took many decades before damage was established and accepted by
health agencies and during those decades millions of people suffered ill health
and death as a result of the delay. Now, despite evidence of harm, wireless
technology is being rolled out widely.
We
urge health agencies and the public to act immediately to reduce exposure to
radiofrequency/microwave radiation. This is especially important for children,
who are physiologically more vulnerable to this exposure and for whom adults
have a safeguarding responsibility.
Children’s
health should be put ahead of convenience and commercial
benefits. Children should not use mobile phones except in an emergency,
and WiFi should be replaced with wired alternatives in schools and other
settings where children spend considerable time.
Yours
faithfully,
Dr
Elizabeth Evans MA (Cantab), MBBS (Lond), DRCOG – medical doctor
Dr Andrew Tresidder MRCGP (1989), MBBS (Lond) – medical doctor
Dr Erica Mallery Blythe BM – medical doctor
Dr Andrew Tresidder MRCGP (1989), MBBS (Lond) – medical doctor
Dr Erica Mallery Blythe BM – medical doctor
BCM
SSITA London WC1N 3XX // www.ssita.org.uk
Appendix
– International Rulings
1.
In 2011 the World Health Organization’s scientific panel, the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), reviewed all the evidence on
carcinogenesis (cancer-causing) and categorised electromagnetic radiation from
mobile phones and Wi-Fi as Possibly Carcinogenic (Class 2B).
2.
The Council of Europe has called for member states to take measures to reduce
exposure to electromagnetic fields and give preference to wired internet
connections for children, particularly in schools and classrooms. The
Parliamentary Assembly stated that “the Assembly regrets that, despite calls for
the respect of the precautionary principle and despite all the recommendations,
declarations and a number of statutory and legislative advances, there is still
a lack of reaction to known or emerging environmental and health risks and
virtually systematic delays in adopting and implementing effecti ve preventive
measures. Waiting for high levels of scientific and clinical proof before taking
action to prevent well-known risks can lead to very high health and economic
costs, as was the case with asbestos, leaded petrol and tobacco.”.
3.
The BioInitiative Report, updated in 2012 by 29 scientists, states that
biological effects are clearly established and occur at very low levels of
exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation from just
minutes of exposure to mobile phone masts (cell towers), WI-FI, and wireless
utility ‘smart’ meters.
4.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine stated in a 2012 Position Paper
that “Multiple studies correlate RF exposure with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disease, reproductive disorders, immune dysfunction, and
electromagnetic hypersensitivity.”
5.
International Society of Doctors for the environment (ISDE) and Irish Doctors’
Environmental Association (IDEA) state that “there is sufficient scientific
evidence to warrant more stringent controls on the level and distribution of
electromagnetic radiation [EMR]. The joint statement and recommendations are
part of a call by medical and scientific experts for safe technologies in
schools.”
6.
The Safe Schools Report 2012 lists statements by other doctors and medical
associations raising concerns over children’s exposure to electromagnetic fields
from Wi-Fi and other wireless technology.
