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Help stop nomination of Thomas Wheeler to Chair FCC
USA	Created: 14 May 2013
Dear Supporters - Thank you for signing our petition to Hold hearings to fire FCC and hire EPA to set RF radiation safety limits. Thomas E. Wheeler, a former lobbyist for CTIA who opposed meaningful RF safety limits in the 1996 Telecommunications Act, has been nominated to be Chairman of the FCC. Please help us to educate the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation about the serious conflicts of interest that Mr. Wheeler has that mean he is unfit to be Chairman of the FCC. Below you will find a sample letter, please personalize it by inserting a statement about your own experience between paragraph 4 and 5 or delete reminder placeholder, and add your name and address at the top and your name at the bottom. A brief first-hand experience illustrating the need for biologically-based RF safety limits and maintaining the landline phone system would add power to your letter. Please send your letter AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Mr. Wheeler's confirmation hearings begin soon. Below is a list of email addresses to send your letter to. Please copy and paste it into the TO line of your email. If you have not already done so, please promote the petition on twitter, facebook, websites, and in newsletters, links below. Thank you for your continued support, The EMRadiation Policy Institute Here's the petition link: http://www.change.org/petitions/chairman-rockefeller-senate-committee-on-commerce-science-transportation-hold-hearings-to-fire-fcc-and-hire-epa-to-set-rf-radiation-safety-limits-4 On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/EMR-Policy-Institute/188070864579167 On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/@emrpolicy Sample Letter: ***Your name and address*** Dear Chairman Rockefeller and Commerce Committee Members: I urge you to reject the nomination of Thomas E. Wheeler for Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In his position as President of the Cellular Telephone and Internet Association (CTIA) from 1992-2004, Mr. Wheeler was the chief lobbyist for the wireless telecommunications industry. Presently he sits on the board of various telecommunications companies. His glaring inherent conflict of interest will lead to the laxer RF limits the industry desires, resulting in even greater threat to the public health, and the loss of the landline phone system at a time when governments around the world are cautioning citizens to use wired phone and internet systems preferentially to wireless due to the health hazards. The FCC has already exhibited industry bias detrimental to the public health by not enforcing its existing inadequate thermally-based RF safety limits. The FCC has no established procedure for filing violations complaints, responding to complaints received in spite of the lack of procedure, for verifying compliance, or meaningful penalties for violations. Please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oICZOtMwPo for a short summary of the investigation conducted by The EMRadiation Policy Institute which includes findings of violations up to and in excess of 600%. Mr. Wheeler's past history suggests that enforcing RF radiation limits to protect public health would not be a priority. These violations are particularly dangerous because the current FCC RF safety limits are only thermally-based, not biologically-based. These RF limits are in need of serious revision. The biological effects people are experiencing can be serious and life-threatening. Please watch this short video about women who got breast cancer from their cellphones http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/special-report-keeping-cell-phone-in-bra-may-lead/vhPF8/ this video about cardiac arrhythmia being caused by DECT cordless phones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mw_nCJWs4 and this video about RF health effects on public health http://www.heartmdinstitute.com/v1/wireless-safety/cordless-phone-use-can-affect-heart . You can also watch this short video about the radiation in our homes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAnrmJ3un1g ****Insert your personal statement here.*** The FCC has opened a docket to examine whether it should revise its RF limits, potentially to relax them as requested by industry. Even in the Notice of Inquiry (NOI), the FCC exhibits bias toward industry and away from protecting Americans. From the FCC's docket language: Given the complexity of the information on research regarding non-thermal biological effects, taking extra precautions in this area may fundamentally be qualitative and may not be well-served by the adoption of lower specific exposure limits without any known, underlying biological mechanism. Additionally, adoption of extra precautionary measures may have the unintended consequence of “opposition to progress and the refusal of innovation, ever greater bureaucracy,... [and] increased anxiety in the population.” This is a perfect example of why the EPA, a public health agency without statutory obligation to promote the very technology it is supposed to regulate, should be in charge of setting RF safety limits to protect the public health. Mr. Wheeler's appointment would greatly exacerbate the glaring conflict of interest inherent in having an agency promote and regulate a technology due to his many ties to industry and industry interests. Finally, Mr. Wheeler can be expected to move further toward dismantling the landline phone system at a time when governments around the world are urging use of wired phones and wired internet due to the evidence of harm caused by wireless. Please reject the nomination of Thomas E. Wheeler for Chairman of the FCC. Sincerely, ***
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Source: EMRadiation Policy Institute, via email, 14 May 2013

An alarming "hidden epidemic" caused by Environmental changes, f.inst rise in background non-ionising radiation
United Kingdom	Created: 14 May 2013
Modern life causing dementia earlier, study finds. Modern life is causing people to suffer dementia earlier than ever before, a study has found, with PCs, mobile phones, chemicals and electronic devices to blame. Researchers found a sharp rise in the deaths from dementia and other neurological disease in under-74s, and believe that the figures cannot be explained away by the fact we live longer. Instead the “epidemic” is down to the environmental and social changes in the modern world, the authors claim. Of the 10 biggest Western countries the US had the highest increase in all neurological deaths between 1979 and 2010. The UK hadthe fourth largest increase, according to World Health Organisation statistics, with men up 32 per cent and women up 48 per cent – representing a rise from 4,500 deaths to 6,500. Within the figures there is an alarming "hidden epidemic" of deaths in adults under 74, especially the UK, according to the study published in Public Health Journal Total neurological deaths in both men and women rose significantly in 16 of the countries covered by the research, which is in sharp contrast to the major reductions in deaths from all other causes. Women's neurological deaths rose faster in most countries. Professor Colin Pritchard, from Bournemouth University, said: "These statistics are about real people and families, and we need to recognise that there is an 'epidemic' that clearly is influenced by environmental and societal changes.” That people suffer more brain diseases, and from younger ages, is illustrated the creation of two new charities - The Young Parkinson's Society and Young Dementia UK – which would have been inconceivable 30 years ago, he said. "Considering the changes over the last 30 years - the explosion in electronic devices, rises in background non-ionising radiation - PCs, microwaves, TVs, mobile phones; road and air transport up four-fold increasing background petro-chemical pollution; chemical additives to food, et cetera,” Professor Pritchard said. "There is no one factor rather the likely interaction between all these environmental triggers, reflecting changes in other conditions." By Hayley Dixon http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10052486/Modern-life-causing-dementia-earlier-study-finds.html
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Source: Agnes Ingvarsdottir.

Brain Diseases Affecting More People and Starting Earlier Than Ever Before
USA	Created: 13 May 2013
Professor Colin Pritchard's latest research published in journal Public Health has found that the sharp rise of dementia and other neurological deaths in people under 74 cannot be put down to the fact that we are living longer. The rise is because a higher proportion of old people are being affected by such conditions -- and what is really alarming, it is starting earlier and affecting people under 55 years. Of the 10 biggest Western countries the USA had the worst increase in all neurological deaths, men up 66% and women 92% between 1979-2010. The UK was 4th highest, men up 32% and women 48%. In terms of numbers of deaths, in the UK, it was 4,500 and now 6,500, in the USA it was 14,500 now more than 28,500 deaths. Professor Pritchard of Bournemouth University says: "These statistics are about real people and families, and we need to recognise that there is an 'epidemic' that clearly is influenced by environmental and societal changes." Tessa Gutteridge, Director YoungDementia UK says that our society needs to learn that dementia is increasingly affecting people from an earlier age: "The lives of an increasing number of families struggling with working-age dementia are made so much more challenging by services which fail to keep pace with their needs and a society which believes dementia to be an illness of old age." Bournemouth University researchers, Professor Colin Pritchard and Dr Andrew Mayers, along with the University of Southampton's Professor David Baldwin show that there are rises in total neurological deaths, including the dementias, which are starting earlier, impacting upon patients, their families and health and social care services, exemplified by an 85% increase in UK Motor Neurone Disease deaths. The research highlights that there is an alarming 'hidden epidemic' of rises in neurological deaths between 1979-2010 of adults (under 74) in Western countries, especially the UK. Total neurological deaths in both men and women rose significantly in 16 of the countries covered by the research, which is in sharp contrast to the major reductions in deaths from all other causes. Over the period the UK has the third biggest neurological increase, up 32% in men and 48% in women, whilst women's neurological deaths rose faster than men's in most countries. Professor Pritchard said, "These rises in neurological deaths, with the earlier onset of the dementias, are devastating for families and pose a considerable public health problem. It is NOT that we have more old people but rather more old people have more brain disease than ever before, including Alzheimer's. For example there are two new British charities, The Young Parkinson's Society and Young Dementia UK, which are a grass-roots response to these rises. The need for such charities would have been inconceivable a little more than 30 years ago." When asked what he thought caused the increases he replied, "This has to be speculative but it cannot be genetic because the period is too short. Whilst there will be some influence of more elderly people, it does not account for the earlier onset; the differences between countries nor the fact that more women have been affected, as their lives have changed more than men's over the period, all indicates multiple environmental factors. Considering the changes over the last 30 years -- the explosion in electronic devices, rises in background non-ionising radiation- PC's, micro waves, TV's, mobile phones; road and air transport up four-fold increasing background petro-chemical pollution; chemical additives to food etc. There is no one factor rather the likely interaction between all these environmental triggers, reflecting changes in other conditions. For example, whilst cancer deaths are down substantially, cancer incidence continues to rise; levels of asthma are un-precedented; the fall in male sperm counts -- the rise of auto-immune diseases -- all point to life-style and environmental influences. These `statistics' are about real people and families, and we need to recognise that there is an `epidemic' that clearly is influenced by environmental and societal changes."
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Source: Science Daily, 10 May 2013

Cancer incidence in Korea has increased rapidly
South Korea	Created: 13 May 2013
Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival and Prevalence in 2010. Abstract Purpose This article gives an overview of nationwide cancer statistics, including incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence, and their trends in Korea based on 2010 cancer incidence data. Materials and Methods Incidence data from 1993 to 2010 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, and vital status was followed until 31 December 2011. Mortality data from 1983 to 2010 were obtained from Statistics Korea. Crude and age-standardized rates for incidence, mortality, prevalence, and relative survival were calculated. Results In total, 202,053 cancer cases and 72,046 cancer deaths occurred during 2010, and 960,654 prevalent cancer cases were identified in Korea as of 1 January 2011. The incidence of all cancers combined showed an annual increase of 3.3% from 1999 to 2010. The incidences of liver and cervical cancers have decreased while those of thyroid, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers have increased. Notably, thyroid cancer, which is the most common cancer in Korea, increased by 24.2% per year rapidly in both sexes. The mortality of all cancers combined showed a decrease by 2.7% annually from 2002 to 2010. Five-year relative survival rates of patients who were diagnosed with cancer from 2006 to 2011 had improved by 22.9% compared with those from 1993 to 1995. Conclusion While the overall cancer incidence in Korea has increased rapidly, age-standardized cancer mortality rates have declined since 2002 and survival has improved.
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Source: Cancer Research & Treatment, Young-Joo Won, PhD et al, 31 Mar 2013

Cell Phones Linked to Acoustic Tumors for the Fourth Time
United Kingdom	Created: 13 May 2013
If you still doubt that cell phone tumor studies are free of political agendas, take a look at a new paper from the U.K. This is the fourth epidemiological study to show arisk of developing an acoustic neuroma, a tumor of the auditory nerve, following long-term use of a cell phone. Yet, the authors neglect to highlight this keyfinding in the conclusion section of their abstract, focusing instead on the absence of an increase in brain cancer. The research team, which includes Valerie Beral of Oxford University and Joachim Schüz of IARC, also touts the study as prospective. We disagree. It is really no better than previous retrospective studies. The controversy continues, with no end in sight. Read our latest post at: http://microwavenews.com/uk-study-points-acoustic-neuroma Best, Louis Slesin
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Source: Microwave News, Louis Slesin, 10 May 2013

Secrets of 27m mobile phones offered to police
United Kingdom	Created: 13 May 2013
THE data of 27m mobile phone users has been offered for sale to the Metropolitan police, private companies and other bodies, enabling them to track users’ movements. Ipsos Mori, one of Britain’s biggest research firms, has been caught offering text and call records for sale. The company has claimed in meetings that every movement by users can be tracked to within 100 metres. This weekend the Met, which has been in talks with Ipsos Mori about paying for some of the controversial data, shelved any deal after being contacted by The Sunday Times. Documents to promote the data reveal that it includes “gender, age, postcode, websites visited, time of day text is sent [and] location of customer when call is made”. They state that people’s mobile phone use and location can be tracked in real time with records of movements, calls and texts also available for the previous six months. Richard Kerbaj and Jon Ungoed-Thomas Published: 12 May 2013
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Source: Agnes Ingvarsdottir.

Pupils given free iPad minis
United Kingdom	Created: 12 May 2013
A school is giving a tablet computer worth £269 to all of its 1,200 pupils. Cherry Ridgeway, headteacher at Pleckgate High School in Blackburn, said it was hoped that the iPad mini scheme would improve results at the comprehensive by "bridging the gap between the classroom and home study". Parents will be asked to make a £30 contribution to insure their child's iPad and for a case, which usually retails at £40, to keep it protected. The rest of the money is coming from the school's reserves and this year's budget. Extra funding may also come from grants. When children leave the school, if the iPad is more than two years old and the pupil has good behaviour and attendance, they will be allowed to make a contribution and keep the tablet. Mrs Ridgeway said: "Rest assured, this is not a gimmick. "We are giving our pupils access to modern technologies that will allow them to learn independently and prepare them for life in the modern world.
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Source: Agnes Ingvarsdottir.

Judge gaves church in Kilburn the green light to install nine mobile phone antennae
United Kingdom	Created: 12 May 2013
A judge has given the go-ahead for a mobile phone antennae to be installed in a church in Kilburn and branded opposition to the plan as “ludicrous and ill-informed.” Despite fierce opposition, the Church of England’s Consistory Court judge gave the controversial plans for nine antennae to be installed at the Grade I listed church of St Augustine in Kilburn Park Road, the go ahead today. Judge Nigel Seed QC, the Chancellor of the Diocese of London, said the scheme will provide a much needed boost to church funds and the opposition bore the hallmarks of an orchestrated and ill-informed local campaign. He said in his decision that the church had very limited income with which to maintain “an important Grade I listed building.” Rejecting fears that emissions from the antennae will impact on local residents in nearby homes and schools, he said : “There was nothing to distinguish this application from 11 others I have granted over the last two years, two of them in the City of Westminster, where the City Council had raised no objections or queries. “I point this out to put some of the ludicrous and ill-informed correspondence with which the registry was bombarded in this case into context as complaint is made about the proximity of this installation to schools and residential units”. He added that the emails and other correspondence “bore all the hallmarks of having been orchestrated as part of some ill informed local campaign”. He also, despite objection from Westminster City Council, gave the go-ahead for replacement of existing lead covered oak louvres with glass reinforced plastic louvres. In March 2012, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) resolved to enter into negotiations with the proposed licensee, New Edge Telecommunications (NET) Limited, but the works required final approval from the Consistory Court.
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Source: Agnes Ingvarsdottir.

Phone for 4-year-olds launched, kids' groups are unsure
United Kingdom	Created: 12 May 2013
A mobile phone aimed at four-to-nine-year-olds has gone on sale, promising to help protect nippers from being bullied or exposed to harmful images and videos. Called the 1stFone, it's the size of a credit card, doesn't have a screen, and can't connect to the Internet. It costs just £55, and is made by OwnFone, the company that also makes phones for the elderly. Sounds like a good idea? Some people aren't so sure. Because of 1stFone's basic functionality, its maker believes it'll reduce the risk of its owner being cyberbullied, sexted, seeing what they shouldn't online, or being mugged. For example, parents can enter 12 numbers into the memory, along with an entry for 999, and the child won't be able to call anyone else. "In a world dominated by smart phones, parents face a difficult choice when it comes to finding a first phone for their child," said Tom Sunderland, founder of OwnFone. "We wanted to design a fun product that appeals to children but puts parents in complete control and minimises usage while still providing a vital connection between parent and child." Critics like Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood, acknowledge kids do want phones, and that a more limited mobile could be a positive step. But she told the Telegraph that marketing a phone to kids so young is "just another way of trying to make money out of children and their parents."
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Source: Agnes Ingvarsdottir.

Scientists Conclude There Are Grounds to Designate Cell and Cordless Phone Radiation a PROBABLE Carcinogen
USA	Created: 11 May 2013
In May 2011 the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared that radio frequency (RF) radiation was a possible carcinogen. Based on new evidence not available to IARC a just published science paper finds there is sufficient evidence to declare cell and cordless phone radiation is a Probable carcinogen. Studies showing statistically significant risks for cancers resulting from cell and cordless phone use include brain cancer, tumors of the acoustic nerve, salivary gland cancers in the cheek, and leukemia. Adding to the strength of the evidence that cell and cordless phone radiation is a probable carcinogen is the highest risks of brain cancer, acoustic nerve tumors and salivary gland cancers is on the side where the cell or cordless phone was used. Children, because the brains are more absorbent, absorb twice the amount of cell and cordless phone radiation that do adults resulting in an even higher risk of cancer. The paper cites a letter to Congress from the American Academy of Pediatrics expressing particular concern of cell and cordless phone induced cancer in children “Children are disproportionately affected by environmental exposures, including cell phone radiation. The differences in bone density and the amount of fluid in a child’s brain compared to an adult’s brain could allow children to absorb greater quantities of RF energy deeper into their brains than adults. It is essential that any new standards for cellphones or other wireless devices be based on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable populations to ensure they are safeguarded through their lifetimes.” Contacts: Dr. Devra Davis, ddavis {-at-} ehtrust.org, (202) 427-2206 Dr. Anthony Miller, ab.miller {-at-} utoronto.ca, 416-487-5825 Dr. Santosh Kesari, skesari {-at-} ucsd.edu, (858) 876-5142
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Source: Environmental Health Trust, 10 May 2013

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