When you look at this history of science and of business, you'll find that the dangers of radiation have always been underestimated, and those dangers have also typically been misrepresented and seen through rose-colored glasses. Company propaganda almost always wins the war with scientific fact.
That applies whether you're talking about X-rays, radar guns, cell phones, power lines, television and radio towers, or any other source of radiation. Keep that historical fact in mind, as you read this column about cell phone and power transmission lines and their safety.
You may think cell phones and their base stations (antennae) are perfectly safe, but he World Health Organization (WHO) disagrees. You may think those giant electrical transmission lines are perfectly safe, but the WHO also disagrees. If you start investigating the subject, you'll find all kinds of studies and experts questioning the safety of both, but you won't find much of that view in the national media. You'll also find all kinds of evidence to the contrary, often paid for or greatly influenced by those with financial benefits from the promotion of the technology in question.
CELL PHONE DANGERS.
Recent press releases gave the misleading impression that WHO pronounced the use of cell phones to be safe. But in an October 10, 2001 press release, WHO said such press reports are a "distortion" of its position.
WHO says it stands by its fact sheet issued last year that said there are too many gaps in our knowledge and that until ongoing research is completed in the next 3 to 4 years, WHO (and anyone else) can't say whether or not cell phones can be safely used. Cell phones may cause brain tumors, cancer of the brain, and other medical problems.
WHO takes the position that "none of the recent reviews have concluded that exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields from mobile phones or their base stations cause any adverse health consequences." But it refuses to vouch for cell phone radiation (what it calls "radiofrequency fields") and says the health risks really can't be assessed until further research is completed. My own view is that there is certainly enough evidence to suggest some real risks from cell phone use, as have many eminent scientists and governmental bodies. Further, from what I've seen of the behavior of the cell phone manufacturers, they are not interested in finding the truth or conducting the necessary research. So cell phones should not be treated as safe at the present time, and appropriate precautions should be adopted.
We've been reporting on the cover-up of cell phone risks for years, noting that the cell phone industry pronounced its product to be safe (based on inadequate evidence) while dragging its feet on needed research, and while attempting to come up with questionable safety standards. It does that by placing industry representatives on scientific bodies such as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. Those industry representatives then proceed to demonstrate that the product of their masters is safe (in order to keep their jobs safe).
You don't see much about this controversy in the mainstream national media, so you have to rely on other sources. The leading authority on the safety of cell phones (as well as power lines, radio and television transmitters and other forms of non-ionizing radiation - other than from sources such as X-rays - is the Microwave News, published by Louis Slesin in New York City. That is the publication I've relied on over the years, and I've found it to be reliable and objective, as is its web site, www.microwavenews.com.
The latest edition of Microwave News (September/October 2001) reports on new cell phone safety developments. It reports that AT&T wireless is now offering all of its customers a hands-free kit at no charge. These sets are recommended to avoid cell phone brain radiation when a cell phone is hand-held right up against the brain. A class action lawsuit filed in Philadelphia and Baltimore by attorneys Kenneth A. Jacobsen and Peter Angelos is asking all cell phone manufacturers to do this, and alleges that the cell phone manufacturers have failed to disclose the dangers of their products.
POWER LINE DANGERS
The same issue of Microwave News also has an update on the safety of electrical power lines, another matter on which the mainstream national media has kept the public in the dark. These power lines put out EMFs, electro-magnetic fields, a form of radiation.
On October 3, 2001, WHO recommended that when decisions are made on siting power lines, utilities should "consider ways to reduce people's exposure." In other words they have adopted the policy of prudent avoidance - doing everything that is reasonable to minimize exposure to these electrical transmission lines.
WHO acted after an expert panel of the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the emissions of power lines as "possible human carcinogens." Other nations, Germany and the U.S. among others, also advocate prudent avoidance, based on the risk of childhood leukemia from exposure to the radiation from these lines. Switzerland and Italy go beyond prudent avoidance and have promulgated strict exposure limits.
POLICY OF PRUDENT AVOIDANCE
The policy of prudent avoidance makes sense. Germany's Radiation Protection Commission, in recommending the policy, calls for "minimizing" exposure to the various kinds of electro-magnetic fields (including those of power lines as well as cell phones) to the extent "technically and economically reasonable," especially when there will be exposure over extended periods. That means adults should minimize their use of cell phones and children should avoid them altogether except in case of emergency. If they are used precautions should be taken such as using hands-free sets to avoid most of the radiation, or minimizing it by extending the antenna and keeping calls short. The German Commission would also restrict base station antennas for cell phones by keeping the away schools and hospitals.
In my view and that of many others, the power line, cell phone, and entire radiation controversy comes down to public safety or corporate bottom lines. As the Microwave News put it, "We expect power and phone companies to argue for looser standards; they are trying to make money for shareholders. But if the scientific community also worries about corporate profits, who then will argue for public health?" Unfortunately, the answer is no one, and we're close to that reality right now.
That's why the public is likely to continue to be radiated by cell phones, power lines, and related devices without adequate warning, protection or information. So protect yourself by adopting, on your own, the policy of prudent avoidance when it comes to radiation. Start with cell phones and power lines, but remember the policy makes sense for all forms of radiation including those from medical and dental X-rays, radar guns, television and radio transmitters, and other sources.
Herb Denenberg is a former Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, professor at the Wharton School, and
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National
Academy of Sciences and is a board member of the Center for Safe Medication Use. He is an adjunct
professor of insurance and information science and technology at Cabrini College. You can write Herb
at POB 7301,St. Davids, PA e-mail him at hdenenberg@aol.com or reach him at his two Web sites:
thedenrep_archive.org or denenbergsdump.org