“Clear Evidence” of Cancer Risk: NTP Cell Phone Study Results Complete and Reproducible

Posted by cindyleerussell

“The NTP does the best animal bioassays in the world. Their reputation is stellar. So if they are telling us this was positive in this study, that’s a concern.” Dr. Christopher Portier, former Director U.S. CDC

The results of the most comprehensive study of cell phone radiation and cancer by the National Toxicology Program to date are in and they are raising awareness and serious concerns. After 10 years and $25 million spent in funding, this rigorous study found “Clear evidence” of carcinogenicity in malignant tumors of the heart with non-thermal whole body exposure to non-ionizing radiation, in addition to significant increase in malignant gliomas of the brain, DNA damage and cardiomyopathy (heart disease). The well-conducted NTP study is supported by 2 other life-span studies (Chou et al 1992 and Falcioni et al 2018) demonstrating similar findings with long term exposure to cell phone radiation.  https://mdsafetech.org/ntp-study-2016/

Whole Body Exposure Affects Internal Organ Systems

Many physicists have argued this type of radiofrequency radiation cannot cause adverse biological effects.  An NTP  peer review panel of 11 toxicologists and pathologists, however, concluded on March 28, 2018 at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, that there are significant positive findings for malignant schwannomas of the heart, gliomas of the brain and tumors of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma). They also found increases, although not statistically significant, in tumors of other organs including malignant lymphoma, the skin (fibrous histiocytomas and sarcomas), pituitary gland, prostate gland, pancreas, lung and liver compared to sham control groups. In addition, there was evidence of DNA damage in both the rat and mice research. https://ehtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/NTP-DNA-Damage-Abstract-from-Sept-2017-Presentation-.pdf .

Cardiomyopathy: An Aging heart

Another unusual and unexpected finding was a statistically significant increase in cardiomyopathy in male rats, which they stated indicated an aging heart.  “Cardiomyopathy was characterized by degeneration and necrosis of myofibers with a mild inflammatory response of macrophages and lymphocytes with occasional neutrophils.” Page 95 NTP Final Technical Report https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/trpanel/2018/march/tr595peerdraft.pdf.  This indicates that as the non-ionizing radiation passes through the body it can target several organ systems along it’s path, causing broad cellular damage.

Dr. Lennart Hardell, a renowned oncologist in Sweden, underscored the importance of the NTP long term study results, showing an increase in schwannomas and gliomas. This NTP study corroborates carefully done epidemiological studies on cell phone use, which found an increase in similar types of brain tumors in humans with long term use of cell phones on the ipsilateral (same) side of the head.

Dr. Ronald Melnick, who led the design of the rodent NTP study on cell phones and cancer, remarked that the incidence of prostate epithelial hyperplasia was increased in all exposure groups indicating the prostate gland should be specified as a target organ for RFR. He also highlighted that the control rats had significantly reduced incidence of neoplasia compared to historical controls as they were housed in, “uniquely designed reverberation chambers which were fully shielded from external electromagnetic fields.” This may be one of the most significant findings indicating a carcinogenic effect of RFR, as the absence of the radio frequency radiation seemed to offer protection from the development of cancer.

Reducing Exposures

This important study, along with the Falconi research on long term effects and Dr  Li’s prospective Kaiser  study, on miscarriage and everyday EMR exposures adds to the significant weight of evidence of harm from radio frequency microwave radiation. These recent studies are a call to action to reduce not expand wireless networks and consider expanding a safer and more private alternative fiberoptic broadband networks.

See also

News Stories NTP Study

Invisible Hazards: State of the Science on EMF Impacts and Steps for Policy Change

Posted by cindyleerussell

The Collaborative for Health and the Environment sponsored an enlightening CHE Webinar with expert scientists called “Invisible Hazards: State of the Science on EMF Impacts and Steps for Policy Change”, in an effort to unmask the myths, science and hazards of wireless radiofrequency radiation. The May 9, 2018 event featured *  Dr. Frank Barnes, Distinguished Professor in the Biomedical Group of the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering at the University of Colorado, discussing the biological effects of RF EMR including carcinogenicity, * Dr. De-Kun Li, Senior Research Scientist at the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California and reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist who discusses his research on radiofrequency radiation and miscarriage and * Dr. Joel Moskowitz, Director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley, discussing his involvement in policy around cell phone and wireless safety and the California Department of Public Health Cell Phone Recommendations which were recently released.

To hear the  1 hour and 10 minute Webinar go here

Dr. Joel Moskowitz Wins Journalism Freedom of Information Award

Posted by cindyleerussell

 

On March 27, 2018, Berkeley professor Dr. Joel Moskowitz, was presented with the James Madison Freedom of Information Award by the Society for Professional Journalists for his work uncovering the California Department of Public Health(CDPH) Recommendations  on How to Reduce Exposure to Radiofrequency Energy from Cell Phones.

Dr. Moskowitz, who is the director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, knew of the CDPH guidelines since 2013, however they had never been published. He found out that the CDPH had been working on safe cell phone guidelines since 2009. After many requests to the CDPH for release of these recommendations he filed a lawsuit in 2016 against the CDPH through the Freedom of Information Act. After the successful lawsuit, a Sacramento judge ordered that the CDPH release the documents and a 2 page draft copy, not to be released to the public was sent to Dr. Moskowitz in March 2017.

In a March 2017  SF Gate article  about the CDPH draft release, it was noted that Superior Court Judge  Shelleyanne Chang stated the CDPH does have an obligation to inform the public about public health issues gathered by it’s own scientists.

Dr. Moskowitz has been involved in educating others about the science indicating harm from wireless radiation for almost a decade. He, along with over 230 other international EMF peer reviewed scientists, have signed a petition, calling for the UN to issue new standards for non-ionizing electromagnetic that are protective of human and environmental health.

Professor Moskowitz was also instrumental in passing Berkeley’s Cell Phone Right to Know ordinance, the first in the Nation to require cell phone sellers to post a brief warning in their stores about the hazards of cell phone radiation. This is similar to the warning cell phone manufacturers include in the fine print of their phone manuals and that few people ever read.  Despite appeals and lawsuits by the telecommunications industry the Berkeley ordinance so far has prevailed, however,  it may be challenged in the Supreme Court.

The Berkeley cell phone ordinance required posting reads “To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. This potential risk is greater for children. Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely.”

Dr. Moskowitz has his own website https://www.saferemr.com with up to date information for the public, scientists and officials.

Related Articles

 

How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe

Posted by cindyleerussell

The Nation journalists, Mark  Hertsgaard and Mark Dowie, have written a modern powerful expose of industry influence  in the science of wireless safety that closely resembles tobacco tactics. Their article, How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe: A Special Investigation is an in-depth investigation highlighting the twists and turns of the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) as it suppressed the results of its own research.  Their studies aimed to show that this non-ionizing radiation was safe. The findings by epidemiologist George Carlo were not what industry expected or liked. The industry financed Wireless Technology Research project (WTR), directed by George Carol, found “The risk of rare neuro-epithelial tumors on the outside of the brain was more than doubled…in cell phone users…” . They also found, “the ability of radiation from a phone’s antenna to cause functional genetic damage [was] definitely positive….”. George Carlo was publicly discredited by then president of CTIA, Tom Wheeler, who later became chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  The efforts of industry successfully calmed concerns of harm by creating doubt and mounting a campaign of controversy.

 This investigation of the telecommunications industry comes on the heels of the release of the California Department of Public Health Guidelines  to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Cell Phone Radiation and Cancer and the NTP study Peer Review Conclusions  found “Clear Evidence” of carcinogenicity of cell phone radiation.      See also– https://mdsafetech.org/ntp-study-2016/

  • How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe: A Special Investigation: The disinformation campaign—and massive radiation increase—behind the 5G rollout.  The Nation. March 29, 2018. By Mark Hertsgaard and mark Dowie.  How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe
  • Captured Agency: How the Federal Communications commission is Dominated but the Industries it Presumably Regulates. By Norm Alster. Harvard University Center for Ethics.  Captured Agency

Health Experts Urge Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Discontinue Messenger Kid App

Posted by cindyleerussell

A social media firestorm has erupted to protest the introduction of Facebook’s new Messenger Kids App. The company states that the app, designed for children ages 6 to 12, allows them to connect with family and friends from their tablet or smartphone. Similar to Snapchat, kids can create their own videos and decorate photos.  The message however does not disappear and parents can approve the contact list.

Nineteen organizations and almost 100 health experts, including psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians and professors, were not convinced of the need for, nor the safety of this new social media app, pointing out the risks to childhood development. Their letter, organized by the  Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood  (CCFC), points out that Messenger Kids would likely be most children’s first social app and widely used by elementary students. They highlight that excessive social media is already harming teens. The letter argues that the downsides of the children’s app would be broad and affect both individuals and society at large. The authors note:

  • Younger children are not psychologically ready to have social media and navigate complex online relationships
  • Younger children do not understand the concept of privacy
  • Studies show that with more social media use by teens, the more unhappy they are
  • Digital device use will increase and direct face to face communication will decrease
  • Development of healthy human relationships including delayed gratification is harmed
  • It will normalize social media use in young children
  • It will create peer pressure stress in young children
  • Facebook is not responding to a need but creating one and targeting young children

Dear Mark Zuckerberg: Please Discontinue Messenger

 In a separate letter , Gloria DeGaetano, Founder and Director of Parent Coaching Institute, places her concerns more bluntly on the table.  She asks that CEO Mark Zuckerberg read the research presented carefully and ponder the long term consequences of this app. She questions not only the nature of the advocacy groups  used to create Messenger Kids but also if an industry billionaire tech culture is now superseding a healthy nurturing human culture.  DeGaetano is concerned that these types of apps for younger children normalize a “trans-human” agenda with a man-machine merger and without thoughtful knowledge of its perils, including the loss of human identity. She implores Facebook to discontinue  Messenger Kids app for the best interests of children and society, both present and future.

News Stories Digital Addiction and Distraction

See also  MDSafeTech.org  page on TECHNOLOGY ADDICTION

Re-Inventing Wires: The Future of Landlines and Networks.  Feb 5, 2018, Commonwealth Club, SF

Posted by cindyleerussell

 

Is Wireless Access Being Oversold?

With a tsunami of cell tower infrastructure planned for wireless telecommunications expansion, including 5G and driverless cars, there has been little discussion of the access, reliability, privacy, health and environmental benefits of maintaining and expanding our current sophisticated wired communications system. This novel and important program will feature the costs and benefits of our landlines intermixed with other innovative wired and cable systems.

The talk on Feb 5, 2018, at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, features among others,  Timothy Schoechle, PhD, author of Re-Inventing Wires: The Future of Landlines and Networks, from the National Institute for Science, Law and Public Policy in Washington D.C.  Re-Inventing Wires

His report asserts that “first and foremost, the public needs publicly-owned and controlled wired infrastructure that is inherently more future-proof, more reliable, more sustainable, more energy efficient, safer, and more essential to many other services. Wireless networks and services, compared to wired access, are inherently more complex, more costly, more unstable (subject to frequent revision and “upgrades”), and more constrained in what they can deliver. “

The Internet is a Defining Technology of Our Society

Dr. Schoechle is a communications technology expert, faculty member of Colorado State University-Global Campus where he develops graduate and undergraduate courses on cyber-security and in addition is Principal Investigator for a research grant to demonstrate innovative electricity management, solar, and control system technologies.  He states, “The Internet has become one of the defining technologies
of our society. It is our central medium for commerce and communication—but more importantly—for our public discourse, engagement, and democratic governance. However, it has been hijacked by the commercial motivations that have come to re-define and constrain the availability, quality, content, and media of high-speed access in the United States.”

In the report, Dr. Schoechle asks: Why has the Internet been growing in an inefficient, insufficient, and unsustainable direction? Is wireless access being oversold? Why are existing copper phone lines being abandoned when current protocols allow them to deliver data at gigabit speed?

From Deregulation to Reconsolidating of Communications 

He shows how deregulation led to the “reconsolidation of communications monopoly providers dominated by a triopoly that has come to be more limiting and detrimental than the original AT&T Bell System monopoly that was broken up in the mid- 1980s.3 This historical perspective shows why the wires are inescapably a public utility.” The report also describes how copper phone pair, DSL, cable, Ethernet, and optical fiber combinations can have advanced performance and much higher energy efficiency than wireless systems.

Speakers

The speakers will discuss the history of landlines, emerging technologies and their role in the future of landlines as well as public policy choices and opportunities to maintain privacy, security and broad communication access.

Panelists include:

Timothy Schoechle, Ph.D.

Senior Research Fellow, National Institute for Science, Law and Public Policy

Martin Pall, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University

Jim Turner, Esq.

Partner, Swankin & Turner

Duncan Campbell, Esq.

Radio Host, “Living Dialogues

Tickets are $7-$20 through Eventbrite at Reinventing Wires Tickets Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reinventing-wires-the-future-of-landlines-and-networks-tickets-39102052291

Apple Investors Concerned iPhones May Harm Children

Posted by cindyleerussell

Two Apple investors have written an open letter  to ask the company to address the negative impacts of digital technology on children’s development stating, “There is a growing body of evidence that, for at least some of the most frequent young users, this may be having unintentional negative consequences.” Janus Partners and the California State Teachers Retirement System, worth $2 Billion of Apple’s $900 billion market value, cite research showing that digital technology causes a distraction for students as well as anxiety and stress.  A New York Times article  “Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety“,  notes a doubling of hospital admissions for suicidal teens in the last 10 years.

Jana Partners managing director Barry Rosenstein and CalSTRS director of corporate governance Anne Sheehan, who signed the letter, reviewed studies showing a link between use of digital technology and concentration, emotional health, sleep and empathy. They examined, among other data, a collaborative research initiative “Growing Up Digital Alberta”  GUD Alberta which looked at health outcomes and technology use.  They found that “a majority (67%) of teachers from this stratified random sample believe that digital technologies are a growing distraction in the learning environment.” In addition 62% of teachers feel that they themselves  were negatively distracted by digital technology and media.

The Apple letter also states, “It is also no secret that social media sites and applications for which the iPhone and iPad are a primary gateway are usually designed to be as addictive and time-consuming as possible, as many of their original creators have publicly acknowledged… “it is both unrealistic and a poor long-term business strategy to ask parents to fight this battle alone.”

Former Silicon Valley executives like Chamath Palihapitiya have publicly denounced social media sites admitting, “I think we have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works.” Former Facebook Exec says social media is ripping apart society.

To solve this problem Janus and CalSTRS  suggest that Apple, as an innovative leader, help parents by

  1. convening an expert committee, including child development experts, to study this issue
  2.  improve parental controls in their products to help parents limit their children’s cell phone use
  3. hiring or assigning a high-level executive to monitor this issue and develop an annual report

The letter finishes with this insight.  “Increasingly today the gap between “short-term” and “long-term” thinking is narrowing, on issues like public health, human capital management, environmental protection, and more, and companies pursuing business practices that make short-term sense may be undermining their own long-term viability. In the case of Apple, we believe the long-term health of its youngest customers and the health of society, our economy, and the Company itself, are inextricably linked,”

Apple responded stating, “Apple has always looked out for kids, and we work hard to create powerful products that inspire, entertain, and educate children while also helping parents protect them online.”  Apple said it plans new features to help parents control how children use its smartphones.

Articles

Apple Investors Warn iPhones and Other Technology May Be Hurting Children. Jan 8, 2018 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/08/business/apple-investors-children.html

iPhones and Children Are a Toxic Pair, Say Two Big Apple Investors. Jan 7, 2017. https://www.wsj.com/articles/iphones-and-children-are-a-toxic-pair-say-two-big-apple-investors-1515358834

Two large Apple shareholders say it needs to research the impact of smartphones on kids. Jan 7, 2018. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/two-large-apple-shareholders-needs-044819626.html

Apple Investors Shrug Off Child iPhone Addiction Concerns. Jan 8, 2018. https://nypost.com/2018/01/09/apple-investors-dismiss-child-iphone-addiction-concerns/

How Apple Should Respond to Investor Demands to Protect Kids From iPhone Addiction. January 22, 2018. Inc.   https://www.inc.com/bryan-falchuk/should-apple-take-investor-calls-to-do-more-to-protect-kids-from-its-products.html

 

New Study on the Risk of Miscarriage and Electromagnetic Radiation

Posted by cindyleerussell

In a newly released large prospective study headed by Kaiser perinatal epidemiologist Dr. De-Kun Li, researchers found a significant association between high magnetic field exposures from devices emitting non-ionizing radiation exposure and miscarriage risk. The study published in Scientific Reports,  Exposure to Magnetic Field Non-Ionizing Radiation and the Risk of Miscarriage: A Prospective Cohort Study,  examined  the real-world exposures of 913 pregnant women and found after controlling for multiple other factors, women who were exposed to higher everyday electromagnetic radiation levels had 2.72 times the risk of miscarriage. The increased risk of miscarriage associated with high magnetic fields was consistently observed regardless of the sources of high magnetic fields.

Dr Li  notes that this is one of only a few studies which have accurately measured exposure to magnetic fields from  non-ionizing radiation.  Dr. Li said. states “This study provides fresh evidence, directly from a human population, that MF non-ionizing radiation could have adverse biological impacts on human health.” He adds “This finding has made it more difficult to continue to dismiss possible biological effects of MF exposure.”

News Stories

California Department of Public Health Leads in Recommendations for Cell Phone Radiation Protection

Posted by cindyleerussell

On December 13, 2017 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Released its first guidelines on “How to Reduce Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation for Cell Phones”  CDPH Press Release Dec 13, 2017 .  The CDPH notes that cell phone use is increasing dramatically and thus this was an important time to release it. This has been applauded by health and environmental groups, including the Environmental Working Group,  as a huge step in protecting the public from adverse effects of this non-ionizing radiation. This is especially important as children are using wireless devices at much younger ages thus increasing years of cumulative exposure and harm. CBS News Dec 15, 2017

Despite this landmark decision to alert the public about the potential harm from  radio frequency radiation, scientists note that it is long overdue. Dr. Joel Moskowitz, is part of a large group of published scientists working on radio frequency health effects and who are calling for much stricter standards and protective measures by international government agencies. Regarding the CDPH recommendations he states,  “The science is a lot stronger now, but you would not think that reading from this document. It’s underplayed.’’  The Mercury News Dec 16, 2017    notes that Dr. Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, has been involved with this issue for many years.  He learned in 2013 that the CDPH had guidelines since 2009 but did not release them. After a series of failed Public Records Act requests for the document, a lawsuit was filed and Sacramento County Superior Court judge in March, 2017 ordered the release of  CDPH cell phone safety guidelines. 

Additional recommendations to further reduce exposure can be found at Wireless Safety Tips . It is important to note that a cordless phone has about the same radiation as a cell phone thus it is recommended to use a landline for long calls. For scientific information about the risks of cell phone use see also MDSafeTech- Brain Tumors and Cell Phones. 

California Department of Public Health:

How To Reduce Exposure from Radiofrequency Radiation from Cell Phones.

The important new CDPH guidelines  provide valuable practical steps to reduce exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phones. That includes:

  • Keeping the phone away from the body
  • Reducing cell phone use when the signal is weak
  • Reducing the use of cell phones to stream audio or video, or to download or upload large files
  • Keeping the phone away from the bed at night
  • Removing headsets when not on a call
  • Avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy. These products may actually increase your exposure.

Evidence Strengthens for Brain Tumors from Cell Phone Use

Posted by cindyleerussell

Dr. Lennart Hardell has completed an update analyzing the brain tumor case-control studies from 2010 to 2017 and concluded the evidence has strengthened the association between cell phone use and brain tumors on the same side of the head.

“There is a consistent pattern of increased risk for glioma (a malignant brain tumor) and acoustic neuroma with use of mobile and cordless phones” says Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Orebro University, Sweden. He goes on to state,  “Epidemiological evidence shows that radio frequency should be classified as a Group 1 (Known) Human Carcinogen. The evidence for risks to health from brain tumors has substantially increased since 2010. The existing FCC/IEEE and ICNIRP public safety limits are not adequate to protect public health.”  Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation is currently classified as a class 2B probable carcinogen.

Here is the full report. Bioinitiative Hardell and Carlsberg Brain Cancer Cell Phone Update 2017

For  updated Scientific Literature  on cell phones and brain tumors see  Brain tumors and Cell Phone Radiation