Is Wi-FI Technology a Public Health Threat?

EMF 0 Comments March 2, 2018June 27, 2018 EMF-home-inspection

Massachusetts Leads the Nation with Five Bills to Protect Citizens

Contributed by Cece Doucette

(Ashland, MA) Massachusetts legislators have introduced five bills this session to address public exposure to wireless radiation. Lisa Lavine Nagy, M.D., government liaison for the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, explains, “Scientific literature[1] has proven that exposure to wireless radiation is responsible for numerous medical symptoms  and conditions. A landmark study[2] by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has proven that DNA damage as well as brain and heart tumors develop in mice exposed to cell phone radiation. Other studies report lowered sperm count[3] in men as well as damage to the fetal brain when a pregnant woman uses the cell phone[4]. A leading autism researcher at Harvard[5] has observed links between wireless radiation exposure and autism.”

The science documenting negative health effects of smart meters[6] and Wi-Fi[7] is also emerging. Many people are already experiencing radiation related symptoms in schools, homes, and workplaces. Effects can include insomnia, headaches, fast heartbeat, dysautonomia, anxiety, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), tingling, nausea, skin rashes, cognitive impairment, depression, and behavioral issues. Non-industry funded scientists[8] indicate children and fetuses are especially vulnerable.

Says Dr. Nagy, “We must apply the precuationary principle[9] and protect the public from potential harm with safe practices. These practices should be based on new data as well as the health experiences of people worldwide who are using these technologies.

As happened in the case of tobacco, EMFs (electromagnetic fields) are all too slowly being recognized as having negative health impacts. The science on EMFs has existed for decades, and other countries[10] have already established more protective radiation exposure limits. Many physicians in the United States are seeing patients every day with electrical intolerance induced by overexposure in their environment.

The five Massachusetts bills are the first steps in taking action and educating the public on responsible use of today’s technology:

• S.1268[11] Resolve creating a special commission to examine the health impacts of electromagnetic fields will look at non-industry-funded science and recommend public protections. Sponsored by Senator Karen E. Spilka and referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health[12]. Co-sponsored by Jack Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Kevin J. Kuros, and Bruce E. Tarr.

• S.1864[13] An Act relative to utilities, smart meters, and ratepayers’ rights gives utility customers the no-fee choice of retaining non-wireless radiation-emitting water, gas and electrical meters and refusing installation of “smart” utility meters. Sponsored by Senator Michael O. Moore and referred to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy[14]. Co-sponsored by Diana DiZoglio, David Paul Linsky, Linda Dean Campbell, Kate Hogan, Jack Lewis, Marjorie C. Decker, Solomon Goldstein-Rose, and Jennifer L. Flanagan.

• S.107[15] An Act relative to disclosure of radiofrequency notifications requires manufacturer warnings be prominently displayed on product packaging of wireless radiation-emitting devices. Sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr and referred to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure[16]. Co-sponsored by Timothy R. Whelan and Sarah K. Peake.
• S.108[17] An Act relative to the safe use of handheld devices by children requires specific language be included on product packaging, as modeled by an ordinance[18] unanimously passed in Berkeley, California. Sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr and referred to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure[19]. Co-sponsored by Timothy R. Whelan.
• H.2030[20] An Act relative to best management practices for wireless in schools and public institutions of higher education requires the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish wireless technology standards to protect the health and safety of public school students and staff. Sponsored by Representative Carolyn C. Dykema and referred to the Joint Committee on Education[21]. Co-sponsored by Jack Lewis, Michael O. Moore, and Angelo J. Puppolo.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Electromagnetic+Fields/adverse+effects%22%5bMAJR
2. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx1bmRlcnN0YW5kaW5nZW1mc3xneDo0ZjU2MDRlMDY3ZTI3OWU3
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22112647
4. http://www.ewg.org/research/cellphoneradiation/executivesummary#.WNnhEipzfHo.mailto
5. http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/sec20_2012_Findings_in_Autism.pdf
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=%22Electromagnetic+Fields%2Fadverse+effects%22+smart+meters
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Electromagnetic+Fields%2Fadverse+effects+wi-fi
8. https://www.emfscientist.org/
9. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/91173/E83079.pdf
10. https://ehtrust.org/policy/international-policy-actions-on-wireless/
11. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1268
12. https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J16/190
13. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1864/CoSponsor
14. https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J37/190/CoSponsor
15. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S107
16. https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J17/190
17. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S108/CoSponsor
18. https://3a4786cd-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/understandingemfs/world-response/Berkeley%202015-05-12%20Item%2029%20Requiring%20Notice.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7coiFMo-ZKIn-P4UTjuMbeAy718wF6ndGcSdzrrjwdYoFseUUfj7e3FQPPl2F3OPfXevhIiwZrBaEgEldn8ppslvQEOpognmviHh8Yqtao5tRtQeQdhqSTc3fPR6AEpLp1pdYZ8bopXcS0DEUI12ikvkPzwVSmISWyUFZ4hMCPutD9bTKNXF34Fp7yFYGme_b6Rv38IjaJqDY_KALyG8egbDXJYyc05JkRuig7b6TTjiCf5XkA9gCeVFrYzAI5bnPx8gPv_rIh7soPMm1zvwy7KFEOaXwwKbTqhWa-Lf7mX9Ydseopc%3D&attredirects=0
19. https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J17/190
20. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H2030/BillHistory
21. https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J14/190/BillHistory