Electrical fields can make you sick
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1774586,00.html
It's unbelievably GOOD NEWS. Imelda
I hope you will agree that this most heartwarming report, transcribed below--"Electrical fields can make you sick"-- for all EHS/ES sufferers on the formal acknowledgement by the UK's HPA (Health Protection Agency in today's THE SUNDAY TIMES deserves its own special release to all immediately.
May I add that some really momentous/magnificent things are issuing forth from Belfast and N. Ireland. Dr Neil Irvine who has chief responsibility for this HPA/RPD report is a Belfast epidemiologist. OUR--EHS sufferers globally-- DAY HAS COME!
Best, Imelda, Cork.
THE SUNDAY TIMES, SEPTEMBER 11, 2005. Page 7, print edition
"ELECTRICAL FIELDS CAN MAKE YOU SICK
[by] Sarah-Kate Templeton
Medical Correspondent
A BRITISH government agency has acknowledged for the first time that people can suffer nausea, headaches and muscle pains when exposed to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, electricity pylons and computer screens. The condition known as electrosensitivity, a heightened reaction to electrical energy, will be recognised as a physical impairment in Britain. A report by the Health Protection agency (HPA), to be published next month, will state that increasing numbers of people are suffering from the syndrome. While the total figure is not known, thousands are believed to be affected to some extent. The report, by the agency's radiation protection division, is expected to say that GPs do now not know how to treat sufferers and that more research is needed to find cures. It will give a full list of the symptoms, which can include dizziness, irregular hearbeat and loss of memory. Although most European countries do now not recognise the condition, Britain will follow Sweden where electrosensitivity was recognised as a physical impairment in 2000. About 300,000 Swedish men and women are sufferers. In Ireland, a number of doctors have argued that up to 5% of the population may be suffering ill health as a result of radiation from mobile phones and masts. The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) recently urged the government to adopt a cautious approach to the technology, and to ensure that people who claim to have related illnesses are monitored. In a study, the doctors said they had identified 16 people whom they believe have been adversely affected by radiation. The condition is not recognised by the Irish government, however. The Irish medical report concluded that "sensitive individuals" suffer "devastating effects" from exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The IDEA's co-founders Philip Michael and Elizabeth Cullen, said more people were reporting severe health effects linked to radiation. The association's claims were strongly refuted by the industry and government. The Irish government's Department of Communications has said that tests on mobile-phone base stations in the country found that none exceeded internationally recognised guidelines on radiation levels. Mobile-phone operators also dismissed claims that radiation from masts or phones could be harmful. The British acknowledgement may fuel legal action by those who claim mobile phone masts have made them ill. In January Sir William Stewart, chairman of the HPA and the government's adviser on mobile phones, warned that a small proportion of the population could be harmed by exposure to electromagnetic fields, and called for careful examination of the problem. The HPA has now reviewed all scientific literature on electrosensitivity and concluded that it is a real syndrome. The condition has previously been dismissed as psychological. The findings should lead to better treatment for sufferers. In Sweden people who are allergic to electrical energy receive government support to reduce exposure in their homes and workplaces. Rod Read, chairman of Electrosensitivity UK, said this heralded "awareness of a new form of pollution from electrical energy."
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I've discovered that the Irish edition of THE SUNDAY TIMES article is not identical with the UK Sunday Times edition. When one googles "Electrical fields can make you sick" it is the UK edition that becomes available. Consequently, you might like to also post on your website the Irish edition which I have transcribed below.
Best, Imelda, Cork, Ireland
THE SUNDAY TIMES, [Republic of Ireland edition] SEPTEMBER 11, 2005. Page 7, print edition
"ELECTRICAL FIELDS CAN MAKE YOU SICK [by] Sarah-Kate Templeton Medical Correspondent
A BRITISH government agency has acknowledged for the first time that people can suffer nausea, headaches and muscle pains when exposed to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, electricity pylons and computer screens. The condition known as electrosensitivity, a heightened reaction to electrical energy, will be recognised as a physical impairment in Britain. A report by the Health Protection agency (HPA), to be published next month, will state that increasing numbers of people are suffering from the syndrome. While the total figure is not known, thousands are believed to be affected to some extent. The report, by the agency's radiation protection division, is expected to say that GPs do not know how to treat sufferers and that more research is needed to find cures. It will give a full list of the symptoms, which can include dizziness, irregular hearbeat and loss of memory. Although most European countries do not recognise the condition, Britain will follow Sweden where electrosensitivity was recognised as a physical impairment in 2000. About 300,000 Swedish men and women are sufferers. In Ireland, a number of doctors have argued that up to 5% of the population may be suffering ill health as a result of radiation from mobile phones and masts. The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) recently urged the government to adopt a cautious approach to the technology, and to ensure that people who claim to have related illnesses are monitored. In a study, the doctors said they had identified 16 people whom they believe have been adversely affected by radiation. The condition is not recognised by the Irish government, however. The Irish medical report concluded that "sensitive individuals" suffer "devastating effects" from exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The IDEA's co-founders Philip Michael and Elizabeth Cullen, said more people were reporting severe health effects linked to radiation. The association's claims were strongly refuted by the industry and government. The Irish government's Department of Communications has said that tests on mobile-phone base stations in the country found that none exceeded internationally recognised guidelines on radiation levels. Mobile-phone operators also dismissed claims that radiation from masts or phones could be harmful. The British acknowledgement may fuel legal action by those who claim mobile phone masts have made them ill. In January Sir William Stewart, chairman of the HPA and the government's adviser on mobile phones, warned that a small proportion of the population could be harmed by exposure to electromagnetic fields, and called for careful examination of the problem. The HPA has now reviewed all scientific literature on electrosensitivity and concluded that it is a real syndrome. The condition has previously been dismissed as psychological. The findings should lead to better treatment for sufferers. In Sweden people who are allergic to electrical energy receive government support to reduce exposure in their homes and workplaces. Rod Read, chairman of Electrosensitivity UK, said this heralded "awareness of a new form of pollution from electrical energy."
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Thanks, Robert!!!!
Ironic that this announcement comes exactly one year from time-period for Children With Leukaemia Conference. I am pretty sure it was a person from the NRPB that Cindy Sage "held her own against" during an interesting panel discussion at the 2004 Conference. I do have notes, etc. but not enough time right now to check.
We all know the U.S. and at least Australia had plenty of evidence of potential harm from EMR prior to organizing the $46 mil EMR RAPID rip-off even tho relationship to many of those effects were not and have not been acknowledged.
What is criminal (my opinion) is the fact that the EMF RAPID Interagency Committee which does connect Leukemia and EMF's as well as immune deficiency, has never been presented to Congress!!!
I will eventually get back to my letter to Health & Human Services here in the U.S. and will keep pressure on candidates for the next election. As you know, I have many projects waiting.........
I am very concerned about press releases that do not emphasize sleeping areas and close proximity of electrical appliances/devices but, of course, am still grateful for any progress. The recent study re electric stoves in the U.K. does not "tell the story" re what occurs when persons sleep in close proximity to electric appliances such as electric clocks, electric clock radios, power supplies for cordless phones and other telephone equipment, fans, etc. and, of course, also does not address the issue of high frequencies on electrical wiring.
As with most EMR work including cell phone and antennae health problems, the facts and information can be addressed separately but I know from increasing numbers of contacts, the public, in general, are aware that effects may be the same regardless of the source. Take care - Joanne
Joanne C. Mueller Guinea Pigs R Us
731 - 123rd Avenue N.W. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55448-2127 USA Phone: 763-755-6114 Email: jcmpelican@aol.com
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The Israeli newspaper "Maariv" translated into hebrew the below Sunday Times article that NRPB's recognized the radiation as the cause for EHS. Very important as Maariv is read widely, and now people meet for the first time with this term of EHS.
Notice the sentence "The HPA has now reviewed all scientific literature on electrosensitivity and concluded that it is a real syndrome. The condition had previously been dismissed as psychological."
Sorry about the cynicism, it IS a very important step forward, but it looks like the idea is to produce more jobs for the drug industry than to really help reduce the exposure. They recognize it but they are also not going to stop the spread of more antennas and new technologies (Wi-Fi etc) that increase the EHS. It is dangerous that they will use it as red herring to find a pill for every single symptom instead of encouraging reduction of exposure: everything that is recognized as "syndrom" is going to make profits for the drug industry. I think the emphasis needs to be - using this recognition in order to bring it back on the authorities: spreading this technology causes people to develop EHS and no magic bullet with give the answer but the solution is to focus on the cause. Until you don't remove the cause of the problem one can take pills forever and still suffer, moreover, one gets sicker from the side effects of the drugs.
Iris Atzmon.
--------
Please, have a look at:
"Electrical fields can make you sick"
by Sarah-Kate Templeton, Medical Correspondent, The Sunday Times - Britain,
September 11, 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1774586,00.html
and
"Phones CAN make you ill"
by Fiona McRae, Daily Mail - Britain, September 12, 2005
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=362073&in_page_id=1774
Best regards
Olle Johansson, assoc. prof.
The Experimental Dermatology Unit
Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institute
171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
--------
In the recent Press Statement (see below) from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of England and Wales, a serious mistake can be found (see below at [***]).
(START OF COPY)
12 September 2005 Forthcoming Review on Electrosensitivity
Recent newspaper articles about a forthcoming report from the Health Protection Agency are speculative, and various assertions about its contents are inaccurate. (Sunday Times, 11 Sept 2005; Daily Mail, 12 September 2005).
The report will be a scientific review of the topic of electrosensitivity with a public health perspective. It will not be a definitive statement of policy from the Board of the Health Protection Agency. The Board of the Agency is not in a position to make a decision on whether electrosensitivity is a "medical condition" or not. This is for the medical profession to decide on an international basis.
The report will be published next month with a press release summarising its contents. This will be available to news media under embargo.
http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2005/050912_electrosensitivity.htm
(END OF COPY)
[***] In Sweden, under various international and national handicap laws and regulations - such as the UN 22 Standard Rules and the Swedish action plan for persons with impairments (prop. 1999/2000:79 "Den nationella handlingplanen för handikappolitiken - Från patient till medborgare"), the Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS-lagen), the Swedish Social Services Act (Socialtjänstlagen), and the Human Rights Act of the EU - or elsewhere in the world among all UN nations, impairments are NOT "for the medical profession to decide on an international basis". Persons with impairments are NOT "a medical condition". This is very important to realize and understand.
Best regards
Olle Johansson,
assoc. prof. The Experimental Dermatology Unit Department of Neuroscience Karolinska Institute
171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
--------
Is the tide slowly turning against ICNIRP’s “end of history” ideology?
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=209
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HPA report recognises EHS
This report, I would predict, is going to have less impact than we would like. Key issues in its long preparation for release will be how to assess degrees of EHS in order to secure assistance, proof of EMF dose sufficient to cause EHS in court cases relating to masts, and lack of mechanism with regard to precaution in siting. EHS will be seen as a minority issue, not yet ready for influencing decisions.
I predict that the message on masts will be the very least aspect drawn attention to. Power lines, computers and strong fields will be given most attention. The fact that the pre-release says "thousands are believed to be affected to some extent" shows that it is not really taken seriously with regard to masts.
I recognise a fundamental aspect to this development, which I have written about here:
http://www.tetrawatch.net/links/links.php?id=nolink
Basically,
1) if EHS is recognised and has a diversity of symptoms, then there is likely to be a common cause.
2) If the common cause is identified and has further causes beyond EHS, then precaution needs to be taken against not only EHS but the further causes.
3) I predict that one of the common causes lies in EMF effects on enzymes, perhaps at skin-deep level, notably nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase and acetylcholinesterase, all of which have been shown to be affected by mobile phone EMFs.
4) These enzyme effects predict thyroid disease, CFS, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, neurological diseases including MS and MND, and cancer.
5) These predicted outcomes have already been identified as associated with mobile masts.
This is not the whole story, but recognition of EHS presents more than a reason to seek palliative medicine.
Andy
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I'm pretty sure the population of Sweden is only about 5 - 6 million too so according to the quoted figure of 300,000 EMS sufferers there that makes 5% of the population minimum.
That would mean 3.25 million people suffering in the UK.
And what about the numbers of people who live with this as lower level suffering - ie a level too low for them to bother to do anything about? Maybe they attribute it to stress? Maybe they drink to quell the discomfort? Maybe they just think it's the way they are? Could be many, many more sufferers and I bet there are.
Gary
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You could well be right, Andy - but surely the point is that the link has been made! That's pivotal. If 300,000 people are affected in Sweden, it's likely that a greater number will be affected here - Britain being more densely populated and suffering higher levels of EMR pollution. The article mentions that in Sweden there are funds for protective measures for sufferers, and suggests research here to look for a 'cure'. Those are very emotive terms. Wouldn't a good human rights lawyer be able to argue that it is against human rights protocol to force citizens to sleep under Faraday cages, line their walls with tin foil, and carry protective boxes around with them, just to keep themselves safe from harmful technology? Perhaps I'm being over optimistic, but I think it would be a good idea to investigate that angle. Also the lawyer who was at the Tetra and Phone Mast Forum was going to look into the possibility of legal actions. She may be interested in this latest development. I do agree though, they will do their level best to quash this, so how effectively we use it, is really down to us. So that everyone is quite clear and for those who may be concerned about me expressing these views, can I state that this is a purely personal opinion.
Jenny
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Gary .
The population of Sweden was estimated at : 9,001,774 in July 2005.
300.000 is still a very large number from that number.
Think about it, the Health system regards HIV as a disaster.
How many Brits have HIV?
I am sure the % is a lot smaller if you count heads.
Human form of BSE was and is a disaster.
How many % of the population do they account for?
I have heard the number 130.000 masts mentioned.
All the masts have close neighbors, and not just 1 or 2, but whole neighborhoods, nurseries, schools, hospitals, old peoples homes, villages, whatever.
I am sure that there are tens or hundreds of people who are affected by each mast.
So, I would not be surprised if your count is understated.
Best regards.
Agnes
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Brief comment on the future of masts.
Estimates are up to 130,000 additional for 5 x 3G networks.
Baseline (non-capacity) calculation based on residential hectares and mast range between 1.5 and 5km is in excess of 80,000.
MOA seem completely confused: one MOA representative wrote to me personally saying they only needed 5,000 more. This is completely erroneous.
Qinetiq (yesterday's email) is the privatised arm of MoD and has come up with "rescue technology" for antenna (not mast) sharing. They say this alleviates the requirement for 100,000 additional masts, and I am sure they will have done their sums pretty well.
Most people will in the next 2-3 years be within the 400m zone described in the Naila report.
My earlier comments on what EHS signifies in terms of wider consequences of even one of its likely causes, says it all.
3-5% are canaries. The rest are miners.
Andy
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Hi Agnes
Yes I wasn't really thinking. The idea of EMS and that only a very small percentage of people are EMS also implies that the overwhelming majority of people are "normal" and won't be affected, so people will just breathe a sigh of relief when the idea of EMS becomes widely accepted and just carry on using their mobiles and god knows what else. They'll just think "Oh it's only a tiny minority of people with something wrong with them who'll suffer from mobile use etc".
Gary
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It appears we now have two official proofs of damage from phones and masts. First, the recent research that proved mobiles could cause irreparable damage to eyes. This research was specifically and directly linked to mobiles, ie the causal link had been established beyond doubt. That is, if the newspaper articles etc reported correctly - and since there were verbatim quotes from the scientists themselves, there is no reason to doubt their validity. Sadly, very little was made of this.
Secondly, the HPA Report. The Government / Industry cannot be allowed to sweep this under the carpet, or pretend that it will only affect a small minority. I believe MS should put them right on their estimations of how many people could suffer ill health. Sweden's whole population is roughly comparable to the population of London, and their emissions are much lower! So, 300,000 in Sweden (hardly an insignificant number) would be just a fraction of what we could expect in the UK. Add to this the number of sufferers whose eyes could be permanently damaged, plus the risk to children as stated by Stewart, and it's obvious there are some powerful arguments that the Government should be asked to act on. Of course it's important to include all the other research on links to cancer etc. but these latest 'proofs' on EMS and eyesight are very significant because unlike the others there are no 'get out' clauses or ambiguities that the Operators can twist to their advantage.
Jenny.
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From Karen Barratt (see below just received at Mast Sanity Press Office)
Sounds as though we can expect more fence-sitting.
----- Original Message ----- From: Press Office To: Press Office Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 3:24 PM Subject: HPA Press Statement on the HPA Forthcoming Review on Electrosensitivity
Dear all, Advance media coverage of the forthcoming HPA RPD Report on electrosensitivity in various newspapers over the weekend and today has lead to considerable follow-on media interest. As such, we felt it beneficial to issue a holding press statement. This will appear on the HPA website shortly ( http://www.hpa.org.uk ). The RPD Report is scheduled for publication at the beginning of October.
Press Office Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Health Protection Agency Chilton, Didcot Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ Tel: (01235) 822744/5 Fax: (01235) 822746 Email: pressoffice@hpa-rp.org.uk Website: http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation
HPA PRESS STATEMENT ( 12 September 2005 )
Forthcoming Review on Electrosensitivity
http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2005/050912_electrosensitivity.htm
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Though much as I expected. Remember Rubin & Wessley for the MTHR published a paper a few months ago saying that EHS had nothing to do with EMFs according to all the "best" conducted research ever.
That sort of stance is so at odds with the much lesser power of masts as a cause of problems, that it would be very difficult for them to say "masts cause EHS" !
This is where we need to jump up and down on the DoH, to make a medical statement and take the argument on.
Andy
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With regard to the below, according to the Israeli news they will write a full list of symptoms in the report, and the medical community will have to study this more in order to find drugs. Just today I read that 40 companies are trying to find the magic bullets for memmory loss. They want to create "a better brain", they don't care that cell phones can create "a worse brain". It's in the new issue of "popular science" Sep. 2005, there are pills for concentration, sleep, cognitive performance etc.
Iris Atzmon
It's unbelievably GOOD NEWS. Imelda
I hope you will agree that this most heartwarming report, transcribed below--"Electrical fields can make you sick"-- for all EHS/ES sufferers on the formal acknowledgement by the UK's HPA (Health Protection Agency in today's THE SUNDAY TIMES deserves its own special release to all immediately.
May I add that some really momentous/magnificent things are issuing forth from Belfast and N. Ireland. Dr Neil Irvine who has chief responsibility for this HPA/RPD report is a Belfast epidemiologist. OUR--EHS sufferers globally-- DAY HAS COME!
Best, Imelda, Cork.
THE SUNDAY TIMES, SEPTEMBER 11, 2005. Page 7, print edition
"ELECTRICAL FIELDS CAN MAKE YOU SICK
[by] Sarah-Kate Templeton
Medical Correspondent
A BRITISH government agency has acknowledged for the first time that people can suffer nausea, headaches and muscle pains when exposed to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, electricity pylons and computer screens. The condition known as electrosensitivity, a heightened reaction to electrical energy, will be recognised as a physical impairment in Britain. A report by the Health Protection agency (HPA), to be published next month, will state that increasing numbers of people are suffering from the syndrome. While the total figure is not known, thousands are believed to be affected to some extent. The report, by the agency's radiation protection division, is expected to say that GPs do now not know how to treat sufferers and that more research is needed to find cures. It will give a full list of the symptoms, which can include dizziness, irregular hearbeat and loss of memory. Although most European countries do now not recognise the condition, Britain will follow Sweden where electrosensitivity was recognised as a physical impairment in 2000. About 300,000 Swedish men and women are sufferers. In Ireland, a number of doctors have argued that up to 5% of the population may be suffering ill health as a result of radiation from mobile phones and masts. The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) recently urged the government to adopt a cautious approach to the technology, and to ensure that people who claim to have related illnesses are monitored. In a study, the doctors said they had identified 16 people whom they believe have been adversely affected by radiation. The condition is not recognised by the Irish government, however. The Irish medical report concluded that "sensitive individuals" suffer "devastating effects" from exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The IDEA's co-founders Philip Michael and Elizabeth Cullen, said more people were reporting severe health effects linked to radiation. The association's claims were strongly refuted by the industry and government. The Irish government's Department of Communications has said that tests on mobile-phone base stations in the country found that none exceeded internationally recognised guidelines on radiation levels. Mobile-phone operators also dismissed claims that radiation from masts or phones could be harmful. The British acknowledgement may fuel legal action by those who claim mobile phone masts have made them ill. In January Sir William Stewart, chairman of the HPA and the government's adviser on mobile phones, warned that a small proportion of the population could be harmed by exposure to electromagnetic fields, and called for careful examination of the problem. The HPA has now reviewed all scientific literature on electrosensitivity and concluded that it is a real syndrome. The condition has previously been dismissed as psychological. The findings should lead to better treatment for sufferers. In Sweden people who are allergic to electrical energy receive government support to reduce exposure in their homes and workplaces. Rod Read, chairman of Electrosensitivity UK, said this heralded "awareness of a new form of pollution from electrical energy."
--------
I've discovered that the Irish edition of THE SUNDAY TIMES article is not identical with the UK Sunday Times edition. When one googles "Electrical fields can make you sick" it is the UK edition that becomes available. Consequently, you might like to also post on your website the Irish edition which I have transcribed below.
Best, Imelda, Cork, Ireland
THE SUNDAY TIMES, [Republic of Ireland edition] SEPTEMBER 11, 2005. Page 7, print edition
"ELECTRICAL FIELDS CAN MAKE YOU SICK [by] Sarah-Kate Templeton Medical Correspondent
A BRITISH government agency has acknowledged for the first time that people can suffer nausea, headaches and muscle pains when exposed to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, electricity pylons and computer screens. The condition known as electrosensitivity, a heightened reaction to electrical energy, will be recognised as a physical impairment in Britain. A report by the Health Protection agency (HPA), to be published next month, will state that increasing numbers of people are suffering from the syndrome. While the total figure is not known, thousands are believed to be affected to some extent. The report, by the agency's radiation protection division, is expected to say that GPs do not know how to treat sufferers and that more research is needed to find cures. It will give a full list of the symptoms, which can include dizziness, irregular hearbeat and loss of memory. Although most European countries do not recognise the condition, Britain will follow Sweden where electrosensitivity was recognised as a physical impairment in 2000. About 300,000 Swedish men and women are sufferers. In Ireland, a number of doctors have argued that up to 5% of the population may be suffering ill health as a result of radiation from mobile phones and masts. The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) recently urged the government to adopt a cautious approach to the technology, and to ensure that people who claim to have related illnesses are monitored. In a study, the doctors said they had identified 16 people whom they believe have been adversely affected by radiation. The condition is not recognised by the Irish government, however. The Irish medical report concluded that "sensitive individuals" suffer "devastating effects" from exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The IDEA's co-founders Philip Michael and Elizabeth Cullen, said more people were reporting severe health effects linked to radiation. The association's claims were strongly refuted by the industry and government. The Irish government's Department of Communications has said that tests on mobile-phone base stations in the country found that none exceeded internationally recognised guidelines on radiation levels. Mobile-phone operators also dismissed claims that radiation from masts or phones could be harmful. The British acknowledgement may fuel legal action by those who claim mobile phone masts have made them ill. In January Sir William Stewart, chairman of the HPA and the government's adviser on mobile phones, warned that a small proportion of the population could be harmed by exposure to electromagnetic fields, and called for careful examination of the problem. The HPA has now reviewed all scientific literature on electrosensitivity and concluded that it is a real syndrome. The condition has previously been dismissed as psychological. The findings should lead to better treatment for sufferers. In Sweden people who are allergic to electrical energy receive government support to reduce exposure in their homes and workplaces. Rod Read, chairman of Electrosensitivity UK, said this heralded "awareness of a new form of pollution from electrical energy."
--------
Thanks, Robert!!!!
Ironic that this announcement comes exactly one year from time-period for Children With Leukaemia Conference. I am pretty sure it was a person from the NRPB that Cindy Sage "held her own against" during an interesting panel discussion at the 2004 Conference. I do have notes, etc. but not enough time right now to check.
We all know the U.S. and at least Australia had plenty of evidence of potential harm from EMR prior to organizing the $46 mil EMR RAPID rip-off even tho relationship to many of those effects were not and have not been acknowledged.
What is criminal (my opinion) is the fact that the EMF RAPID Interagency Committee which does connect Leukemia and EMF's as well as immune deficiency, has never been presented to Congress!!!
I will eventually get back to my letter to Health & Human Services here in the U.S. and will keep pressure on candidates for the next election. As you know, I have many projects waiting.........
I am very concerned about press releases that do not emphasize sleeping areas and close proximity of electrical appliances/devices but, of course, am still grateful for any progress. The recent study re electric stoves in the U.K. does not "tell the story" re what occurs when persons sleep in close proximity to electric appliances such as electric clocks, electric clock radios, power supplies for cordless phones and other telephone equipment, fans, etc. and, of course, also does not address the issue of high frequencies on electrical wiring.
As with most EMR work including cell phone and antennae health problems, the facts and information can be addressed separately but I know from increasing numbers of contacts, the public, in general, are aware that effects may be the same regardless of the source. Take care - Joanne
Joanne C. Mueller Guinea Pigs R Us
731 - 123rd Avenue N.W. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55448-2127 USA Phone: 763-755-6114 Email: jcmpelican@aol.com
--------
The Israeli newspaper "Maariv" translated into hebrew the below Sunday Times article that NRPB's recognized the radiation as the cause for EHS. Very important as Maariv is read widely, and now people meet for the first time with this term of EHS.
Notice the sentence "The HPA has now reviewed all scientific literature on electrosensitivity and concluded that it is a real syndrome. The condition had previously been dismissed as psychological."
Sorry about the cynicism, it IS a very important step forward, but it looks like the idea is to produce more jobs for the drug industry than to really help reduce the exposure. They recognize it but they are also not going to stop the spread of more antennas and new technologies (Wi-Fi etc) that increase the EHS. It is dangerous that they will use it as red herring to find a pill for every single symptom instead of encouraging reduction of exposure: everything that is recognized as "syndrom" is going to make profits for the drug industry. I think the emphasis needs to be - using this recognition in order to bring it back on the authorities: spreading this technology causes people to develop EHS and no magic bullet with give the answer but the solution is to focus on the cause. Until you don't remove the cause of the problem one can take pills forever and still suffer, moreover, one gets sicker from the side effects of the drugs.
Iris Atzmon.
--------
Please, have a look at:
"Electrical fields can make you sick"
by Sarah-Kate Templeton, Medical Correspondent, The Sunday Times - Britain,
September 11, 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1774586,00.html
and
"Phones CAN make you ill"
by Fiona McRae, Daily Mail - Britain, September 12, 2005
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=362073&in_page_id=1774
Best regards
Olle Johansson, assoc. prof.
The Experimental Dermatology Unit
Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institute
171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
--------
In the recent Press Statement (see below) from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of England and Wales, a serious mistake can be found (see below at [***]).
(START OF COPY)
12 September 2005 Forthcoming Review on Electrosensitivity
Recent newspaper articles about a forthcoming report from the Health Protection Agency are speculative, and various assertions about its contents are inaccurate. (Sunday Times, 11 Sept 2005; Daily Mail, 12 September 2005).
The report will be a scientific review of the topic of electrosensitivity with a public health perspective. It will not be a definitive statement of policy from the Board of the Health Protection Agency. The Board of the Agency is not in a position to make a decision on whether electrosensitivity is a "medical condition" or not. This is for the medical profession to decide on an international basis.
The report will be published next month with a press release summarising its contents. This will be available to news media under embargo.
http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2005/050912_electrosensitivity.htm
(END OF COPY)
[***] In Sweden, under various international and national handicap laws and regulations - such as the UN 22 Standard Rules and the Swedish action plan for persons with impairments (prop. 1999/2000:79 "Den nationella handlingplanen för handikappolitiken - Från patient till medborgare"), the Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS-lagen), the Swedish Social Services Act (Socialtjänstlagen), and the Human Rights Act of the EU - or elsewhere in the world among all UN nations, impairments are NOT "for the medical profession to decide on an international basis". Persons with impairments are NOT "a medical condition". This is very important to realize and understand.
Best regards
Olle Johansson,
assoc. prof. The Experimental Dermatology Unit Department of Neuroscience Karolinska Institute
171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
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Is the tide slowly turning against ICNIRP’s “end of history” ideology?
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=209
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HPA report recognises EHS
This report, I would predict, is going to have less impact than we would like. Key issues in its long preparation for release will be how to assess degrees of EHS in order to secure assistance, proof of EMF dose sufficient to cause EHS in court cases relating to masts, and lack of mechanism with regard to precaution in siting. EHS will be seen as a minority issue, not yet ready for influencing decisions.
I predict that the message on masts will be the very least aspect drawn attention to. Power lines, computers and strong fields will be given most attention. The fact that the pre-release says "thousands are believed to be affected to some extent" shows that it is not really taken seriously with regard to masts.
I recognise a fundamental aspect to this development, which I have written about here:
http://www.tetrawatch.net/links/links.php?id=nolink
Basically,
1) if EHS is recognised and has a diversity of symptoms, then there is likely to be a common cause.
2) If the common cause is identified and has further causes beyond EHS, then precaution needs to be taken against not only EHS but the further causes.
3) I predict that one of the common causes lies in EMF effects on enzymes, perhaps at skin-deep level, notably nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase and acetylcholinesterase, all of which have been shown to be affected by mobile phone EMFs.
4) These enzyme effects predict thyroid disease, CFS, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, neurological diseases including MS and MND, and cancer.
5) These predicted outcomes have already been identified as associated with mobile masts.
This is not the whole story, but recognition of EHS presents more than a reason to seek palliative medicine.
Andy
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I'm pretty sure the population of Sweden is only about 5 - 6 million too so according to the quoted figure of 300,000 EMS sufferers there that makes 5% of the population minimum.
That would mean 3.25 million people suffering in the UK.
And what about the numbers of people who live with this as lower level suffering - ie a level too low for them to bother to do anything about? Maybe they attribute it to stress? Maybe they drink to quell the discomfort? Maybe they just think it's the way they are? Could be many, many more sufferers and I bet there are.
Gary
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You could well be right, Andy - but surely the point is that the link has been made! That's pivotal. If 300,000 people are affected in Sweden, it's likely that a greater number will be affected here - Britain being more densely populated and suffering higher levels of EMR pollution. The article mentions that in Sweden there are funds for protective measures for sufferers, and suggests research here to look for a 'cure'. Those are very emotive terms. Wouldn't a good human rights lawyer be able to argue that it is against human rights protocol to force citizens to sleep under Faraday cages, line their walls with tin foil, and carry protective boxes around with them, just to keep themselves safe from harmful technology? Perhaps I'm being over optimistic, but I think it would be a good idea to investigate that angle. Also the lawyer who was at the Tetra and Phone Mast Forum was going to look into the possibility of legal actions. She may be interested in this latest development. I do agree though, they will do their level best to quash this, so how effectively we use it, is really down to us. So that everyone is quite clear and for those who may be concerned about me expressing these views, can I state that this is a purely personal opinion.
Jenny
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Gary .
The population of Sweden was estimated at : 9,001,774 in July 2005.
300.000 is still a very large number from that number.
Think about it, the Health system regards HIV as a disaster.
How many Brits have HIV?
I am sure the % is a lot smaller if you count heads.
Human form of BSE was and is a disaster.
How many % of the population do they account for?
I have heard the number 130.000 masts mentioned.
All the masts have close neighbors, and not just 1 or 2, but whole neighborhoods, nurseries, schools, hospitals, old peoples homes, villages, whatever.
I am sure that there are tens or hundreds of people who are affected by each mast.
So, I would not be surprised if your count is understated.
Best regards.
Agnes
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Brief comment on the future of masts.
Estimates are up to 130,000 additional for 5 x 3G networks.
Baseline (non-capacity) calculation based on residential hectares and mast range between 1.5 and 5km is in excess of 80,000.
MOA seem completely confused: one MOA representative wrote to me personally saying they only needed 5,000 more. This is completely erroneous.
Qinetiq (yesterday's email) is the privatised arm of MoD and has come up with "rescue technology" for antenna (not mast) sharing. They say this alleviates the requirement for 100,000 additional masts, and I am sure they will have done their sums pretty well.
Most people will in the next 2-3 years be within the 400m zone described in the Naila report.
My earlier comments on what EHS signifies in terms of wider consequences of even one of its likely causes, says it all.
3-5% are canaries. The rest are miners.
Andy
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Hi Agnes
Yes I wasn't really thinking. The idea of EMS and that only a very small percentage of people are EMS also implies that the overwhelming majority of people are "normal" and won't be affected, so people will just breathe a sigh of relief when the idea of EMS becomes widely accepted and just carry on using their mobiles and god knows what else. They'll just think "Oh it's only a tiny minority of people with something wrong with them who'll suffer from mobile use etc".
Gary
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It appears we now have two official proofs of damage from phones and masts. First, the recent research that proved mobiles could cause irreparable damage to eyes. This research was specifically and directly linked to mobiles, ie the causal link had been established beyond doubt. That is, if the newspaper articles etc reported correctly - and since there were verbatim quotes from the scientists themselves, there is no reason to doubt their validity. Sadly, very little was made of this.
Secondly, the HPA Report. The Government / Industry cannot be allowed to sweep this under the carpet, or pretend that it will only affect a small minority. I believe MS should put them right on their estimations of how many people could suffer ill health. Sweden's whole population is roughly comparable to the population of London, and their emissions are much lower! So, 300,000 in Sweden (hardly an insignificant number) would be just a fraction of what we could expect in the UK. Add to this the number of sufferers whose eyes could be permanently damaged, plus the risk to children as stated by Stewart, and it's obvious there are some powerful arguments that the Government should be asked to act on. Of course it's important to include all the other research on links to cancer etc. but these latest 'proofs' on EMS and eyesight are very significant because unlike the others there are no 'get out' clauses or ambiguities that the Operators can twist to their advantage.
Jenny.
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From Karen Barratt (see below just received at Mast Sanity Press Office)
Sounds as though we can expect more fence-sitting.
----- Original Message ----- From: Press Office To: Press Office Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 3:24 PM Subject: HPA Press Statement on the HPA Forthcoming Review on Electrosensitivity
Dear all, Advance media coverage of the forthcoming HPA RPD Report on electrosensitivity in various newspapers over the weekend and today has lead to considerable follow-on media interest. As such, we felt it beneficial to issue a holding press statement. This will appear on the HPA website shortly ( http://www.hpa.org.uk ). The RPD Report is scheduled for publication at the beginning of October.
Press Office Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Health Protection Agency Chilton, Didcot Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ Tel: (01235) 822744/5 Fax: (01235) 822746 Email: pressoffice@hpa-rp.org.uk Website: http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation
HPA PRESS STATEMENT ( 12 September 2005 )
Forthcoming Review on Electrosensitivity
http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2005/050912_electrosensitivity.htm
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Though much as I expected. Remember Rubin & Wessley for the MTHR published a paper a few months ago saying that EHS had nothing to do with EMFs according to all the "best" conducted research ever.
That sort of stance is so at odds with the much lesser power of masts as a cause of problems, that it would be very difficult for them to say "masts cause EHS" !
This is where we need to jump up and down on the DoH, to make a medical statement and take the argument on.
Andy
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With regard to the below, according to the Israeli news they will write a full list of symptoms in the report, and the medical community will have to study this more in order to find drugs. Just today I read that 40 companies are trying to find the magic bullets for memmory loss. They want to create "a better brain", they don't care that cell phones can create "a worse brain". It's in the new issue of "popular science" Sep. 2005, there are pills for concentration, sleep, cognitive performance etc.
Iris Atzmon
Starmail - 11. Sep, 14:43
