I've just been making a rhubarb and orange cake for our pud tonight I hope it tastes as good as it looks! I thought before I go and get involved elsewhere it would be a good time to come and chat.
I have been reading a rather alarming article about the association of increased exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in cell phones and other sources including power lines. A recent study in America documents scientific evidence that links childhood leukemia to
exposure to power lines as well as brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease
associated with the prolonged use of cell and cordless phones. For at least the last two years, scientists have warned about health
impacts caused when people are exposed to electromagnetic radiation and
cautioned the existing safety limits are actually too high and need to
be lowered.
There is evidence that EMF is a risk factor for both childhood and
adult cancers,” said public health expert and co-editor of the Report
Dr. David Carpenter. “Good public health planning is needed now to
prevent cancers and neurological diseases linked to exposure to power
lines and other sources of EMF. We need to educate people and our
decision makers that 'business as usual' is unacceptable."
Dr Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment
at the University of Albany, New York and founder of university’s
School of Public Health, estimates that EMFs are a contributing factor
in 20 to 35 percent of child cancers. "In my mind the evidence is
overwhelming", he said.
Dr. Haberman puts it more strongly: "Recently I have become aware of
the growing body of literature linking long-term cell phone use to
possible adverse health effects including cancer. Although the evidence
is still controversial, I am convinced that there are sufficient data
to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on
cell phone use."
The problem is that the demand for electricity is growing worldwide and
public exposure has multiplied. Stand-by power is also adding to our
exposure since many household appliances are plugged in to receive
voltage but not necessarily turned on. In 2007 British scientists
discovered that electrically-charged particles increase risks of asthma
because they stick to lung and respiratory tract tissue.
The BioInitiative Report also found a 20 percent increased risk of
malignant glioma brain tumours with ten years of cell-phone use and a
200 percent risk for tumours on the same side of the brain where cell
phones are held.
Hundreds of medical studies have also linked various sources of EMFs to
numerous ailments and diseases, ranging from depression to skin, eye
heart, reproductive and neurological problems.
A very alarming report I think you would agree. The World Health Organisation have sounded a note of caution on some of the risk factors identified but acknowledge that further research is needed on EMFs, they said that
"the use of precautionary approaches is warranted ...exposure limits
should be based on a thorough examination of all the relevant
scientific evidence." It also stated that the number of cases of
childhood leukemia attributable to (EMF) exposure represents 0.2 to
4.9% of the total worldwide.
I don't want to be too alarmist because I know that it is very easy to take a scientific report out of context but I think there is definitely food for thought here.
Linda
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