EMR Safety Network Submission to Senate Inquiry

Submission to the Senate Inquiry
into Electromagnetic Energy Exposure to the Public

9. INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON N0N-IONIZING RADIATION PROTECTION (ICNIRP) GUIDELINES ARE UNACCEPTABLE

216 President Ave,
Miranda NSW , 2228 Australia
Phone +61 02 9540 3936
E-mail: emrsafety@iform.com.au

Senate Environment, Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts References Committee,
Parliament House,
Canberra ACT 2600.

We appreciate the opportunity to put before the Senate Inquiry our genuine concerns regarding community exposure to Electromagnetic Energy . (EME )

This submission , offered in the interest of the general community, will briefly comment on an important minority group of people within the community.

A process of elimination has revealed that injury to health has occurred due to EME exposure. Increasing numbers of people world-wide, find they can no longer tolerate such exposure in the home or workplace. They have become 'hyper-sensitive' to our artificially generated electric and magnetic field energy. (EME)

Rather than being judged condescendingly as oddities and a minority group of little consequence, this group may well be used as a valid means of gauging the future health status of the general community, with regard to EME exposure. This statement is completely justified, given the proliferation of environmental EME, the unremitting exposure to the community, and the increasing numbers of people succumbing to EME injury, while exposed to the energy associated with electrically operated and radio/microwave transmitting apparatus.

Numerous scientific references exist which clearly reflect the conditions suffered by these people.

Electromagnetic fields can affect the body cells and cause disease. This is shown in a Swedish study released on June 6, 1996. Many electrosensitive persons suffer from fatigue and concentration difficulties their symptoms often dismissed as extreme intolerance to stress or imaginary illness. Professor Per-Arne Ockerman, professor of Clinical Chemistry in Gothenburg, Sweden, has examined what actually happens in the body when an electrosensitive individual is exposed to electromagnetic fields. (i)

There are also serious concerns in regard to the aggregate of EME exposure to the community, especially children, who are repeatedly exposed, simultaneously, to a number of frequencies of electromagnetic energy, at any time of the day or night in the school, home and workplace.

There are newspaper reports from the UK that episodes of epileptic seizures have increased in number in a school since mobile phone use has increased.

EME has been found to cause DNA changes which may lead to genetic abnormalities.

DNA damage and red blood cell damage have been identified as associated with EME exposure.

The work of Dr Henry Lai, and others in the current scientific literature, reinforce the remarks of one researcher who ten years ago said that no one should live near high voltage power lines unless they are certain their parents and grandparents had impeccable genes ! This remark made in relation to the 50 Hertz powerline frequency exposure, equally applies to all EME exposure.

Certainly, there will be people with strong genetic backgrounds who will be unaffected by EME exposure. Conversely, these people may well become the future minority group in regard to EME injury.

EME is implicated in many debilitating and or serious health conditions , which are often immune system related. e.g.

The potential to adversely impact on the immune system function, highlights EME as a notable health hazard. This environmental factor, while linked with the cause of cancer may also inhibit the healing process of those recovering from cancer by impacting adversely on the immune system. This would also apply to the healing process of any disease. EME exposure is known to alter the action of some drugs, inhibiting the action of some, yet potentiating the effect of others.

Patients with breast and prostate cancer, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, brain tumour, with hindsight and when prompted, also report to have been chronically exposed to EME from identical locations as those reportedly associated with EME intolerance.

Heart attacks, high blood pressure, multiple allergies are also reported by people with chronic EME exposure

The recent review of the Dr. Bruce Hocking study where childhood leukemia survival rates were dependant on the distance the patients lived from TV transmission towers, must be heeded. (See ref # 4)

The cause of cancer in its' many forms may well be multi-factorial and includes EME which is beyond doubt involved in the proliferation of cancer cells, if not the actual cause. Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) is known to increase the rate of tumour growth.(i) Bowel cancer cells grow at a faster rate when exposed to EME. (ii) The exact mechanism governing how this occurs does not matter - the fact that it does occur - matters a great deal.

Increasing numbers of people are reporting adverse health effects which have occurred only after commencing the use of mobile phones. Headaches and memory loss reports are common effects clearly traced by users to the exposure of EME produced by the phones.

At present, most of the research into biological effects is centered around those occurring at the head and brain. The range of research should now broaden in order to look at the whole body effects, in view of the fact that people have reported symptoms occurring elsewhere other than on the head, which they can clearly associate with mobile phone use. Pain and discomfort are experienced by some people when in the same room or motor vehicle as a mobile phone user. This can occur whether the phone is either in standby mode or during actual transmission. The effect is akin to the well established passive smoking syndrome.

Scientific research that is now centered around the head only assumes that biological effects manifest from the heating effect only of EME exposure - that the specific absorption rate (SAR) is the only parameter that matters. Dr Michael Repacholi, when questioned on this point, said that the absorption of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) energy could not penetrate deeply enough into the body to affect internal organs. His comment is also based on the assumption that the only parameter of any consequence in regard to RFR is the heating or thermal effects. The following anecdote would appear to contradict the established method of determining biological effects of RFR exposure and their subsequent effect on health:

Recently a man reported having treatment for heart pains. Medical investigation failed to reveal the cause. The pains ceased when he transferred the mobile phone from his shirt pocket to a belt at the waist. He soon developed pain in the kidney area, again, no medical cause found. This condition ceased also after removing the mobile phone from the belt. .

Such reports are barely a glimpse of the impact EME exposure is already having on the community - the increase of national health costs and reduction in production in the workforce.

Chronic stressors are known to contribute to serious ill-health in humans. Exposure to biologically disturbing levels of EMF, of any frequency , constitute a chronic stressor, with the potential for the development of human disease.

Scientific evidence now clearly demonstrates the imperative need for constructive and urgent action to reduce and control RFR/EME exposure to the community.

The emergence of anecdotal evidence of adverse EME/RFR effects reflecting scientific studies showing an adverse biological outcome, should be taken seriously.

Valuable anecdotal evidence, derived from the experiences of real people, in the real world, should be heeded and not summarily dismissed by investigating committees, as is usually the case. Anecdotal evidence is the very basis of scientific study.

At the present time in Sydney , anecdotal evidence is being gathered for a brain cancer/ mobile phone use study. Apparently it's value acknowledged when officially solicited, though not when voluntarily offered. In one Sydney street where both high and low voltage power lines are located, five prostate cancer as well as three other cancer cases have occurred. EME survey results were offered to the Cancer Council on advice from a senior officer of an electricity power authority. To the astonishment of all, the Cancer Council declined to investigate, the reason given, that studies of this kind did not reveal useful results.

Britain appears to have now taken the lead in understanding the nature, scope and implications of the probable health threat posed by the presence of RF/MW electromagnetic radiation in the environment.

Included here, from the final report of Sir William Stewart's Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones ( IEGMP) scientific group are the Main Conclusions on the Possible Effects of Mobile Phone Technology on Human Health.

In all five categories, the group suggests specific changes to the way this problem is/has been treated in the U.K. in the past It is noteworthy that the inclusion of the public and local government input is recommended as a part of the solution.

( U.K. Express Newspapers 3/5/00.) Scientists are now advising parents to discourage children from using mobile phones.)

Thousands of publications are now available on the biological effects of electromagnetic field exposure associated by 50-60 Hz powerline and radio/microwave frequencies. Many more millions of words have been written on the actual and potential threat to human health from such exposure. Scientific evidence now clearly demonstrates the imperative need for constructive and urgent action to reduce/control RFR/EME at levels that have long term biological implications.

The basis for community concerns has been stated clearly and succinctly. The papers and studies cited in this submission are but a sample of relevant papers now available.

On a positive note, a paper titled 'Prudent Avoidance Guidelines for Power Frequency Magnetic Fields' was published in the journal, Radiation Protection in Australia (1999). It provides guidelines for mitigating exposure from 50 Hertz power sites in accordance with a policy of prudent avoidance.

This paper has yet to be seriously adopted within in a code of practice by industry, builders, architects, electricians and others who have connection with planning, construction and installation of electrical equipment and cabling. The Guidelines should be adopted Australia wide without delay. (See attachment #5)

Of immense significance are the contents of a document titled 'Biological Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields" This document, which advocates a 2mG exposure limit, was prematurely released in 1995 and was said to be officially released in Feb 2000. It is yet to appear in the public domain. This document should be referred to and noted in the Inquiry. (See reference #9 )

9. ICNIRP GUIDELINES on 50-60 HERTZ ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION
( International Commission of non-Ionizing Radiation Protection)

The ICNIRP Guidelines, are clearly unacceptable as a basis for health standards.

The Guidelines do not recognise the non-heating biological effects or long term low level EMF/RFR exposure to humans. (See attachments #2Cherry,#3 Hyland, #4Maisch )

If the current, inadequate ICNIRP guidelines are recommended by the present Inquiry, as a basis for a health standard for RFR/MW energy exposure, are we then to expect the same ICNIRP guidelines to be used also as a basis for a 50-60 Hertz powerline frequencies, health standard ? If so, the same public dissatisfaction occur.

We emphasize here that to overlook the considerations outlined in this submission would be a grave oversight by the Senate committee. Any recommendations resulting from this Inquiry would then have, by omission, the potential to impact adversely on the Australian community, for generations to come.

Attachment #2. Dr Neil Cherry Reports (Excerpts only from Cherry report- full Report, citing 262 references, is available on the internet at: emfguru.com

PRUDENT AVOIDANCE GUIDELINES FOR POWER FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS. (1999) Presented at the 32nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Radiation Protection Society Inc., 11-15 October 1999 and published in that Society's Journal, RADIATION PROTECTION IN AUSTRALIA, December 1999, Volume 16, No3.
( A similar paper was also presented at the World Health Organisation's (WHO) conference on EMF, in Geneva in November 1998. ) (WHO website; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/pdfs/ottawa.pdf ) Hard copy is available from Energy Australia Phone 61+ 2 9269 7344

Reference # 7 Barnett, S.B., 1994, CSIRO report on the status of research on biological effects and safety of electromagnetic radiation: telecommunication frequencies. Ultrasonics Laboratory, Radiophysics Division, CSIRO, pp 174, June 1994.

Following the deliberation of 142 written submissions received by the Australian Government Senate Inquiry into Electromagnetic Emissions & Exposure Standard, Public Hearings were held in the cities of Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The authors of 30 submissions were invited to make presentations at these hearings. A supplementary submission was tabled at this meeting, by The EMR SAFETY NETWORK-INTERNATIONAL, at the Sydney Hearing on 12th November 2000.

Excerpts of the address given at the Sydney hearing , by Mr Richard Watkins, for Betty Venables,(Co-ordinator ) who was unable to attend.

Madam Chair and Committee Members,

I commend the efforts of this Inquiry and thank the committee for the opportunity to contribute. Attention to the issues surrounding EMR has been long overdue at government level.

I tender this submission as a private citizen with a background of health problems associated with EMR exposure. I also represent those people who have sought my guidance on how to identify and deal with their EMR problems. Anecdotal evidence of these cases has been documented and similar evidence has been recorded by others in USA and Sweden.

MY BACKGROUND

My knowledge of EMR may not have been derived as a result of a career background , in related industries. However, since early 1989, extensive study of reliable literature and the assistance of people in the medical and technical fields has provided me with a firm understanding of the subject.

In 1988 I consulted a medical specialist regarding multiple allergies. It was suggested and later confirmed, that electric and magnetic fields (EMR) exposure could also be involved., that some allergies may well have been EMR initiated or exacerbated. EMR is believed to interfere with the regulatory process of the human system, e.g., heart rate and brain function.

Investigation of my environment with a Gaussmeter which measures the magnetic field and also an electric field detector, revealed the magnetic field levels which I had been exposed to were well within the range of those officially accepted as safe. However, painful, personal experience revealed that these 'safe' levels were triggering migraine, headaches, insomnia, generalised arthritic type pain, memory loss, carbohydrate caving, giddiness and depression. Medical tests revealed no pathology in my case.

Avoidance and reduction of EMR resulted in recovery from these debilitating conditions. The absence of their recurrence resulted in both immediate and long term, improved health. These remarkable results prompted further study of ;

the abundant literature on the biological effects of EMR
the lack of official attention to low level, non-heating EMR biological effects, which would reasonably be expected to impact adversely on human health.
the range of adverse reactions experienced by many people, during or after exposure to low level EMR.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

I have been active since 1989 in creating public awareness of the potential impact of EMR exposure on health.

I have successfully sought assistance from power authorities to assess EMR levels in homes, where health was a concern. Though it is not official policy of the particular power authority, some officers refer people to me, regarding EMR matters.

I would like to table my self published book Electromagnetic Radiation and Your Health ISBN 0 646 29952 as a supplementary submission. Copies of this are held in the State Parliamentary Library and National Libraries.

TREATMENT OF EMR INDUCED SYMPTOMS

There is advice currently available to General Practitioners on EMR, .contained in a publication titled Information to GPs - Electromagnetic Radiation a 'Cancer Control Bulletin' This bulletin states that readers should see things in proportion namely that concern about EMR should be seen as a distraction in comparison to the known cancer causing agents such as smoking etc.

We may well ponder the length of time it took for cigarette smoking to be recognised as a cancer causing agent. And yet this publication is almost dismissive of the EMR factor in relation to health.

The authors of the paper cite two scientific studies and The Australian Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the other from the World Health Organisation. (WHO) as further sources of information. If that material gives the impression that EMR is merely a distraction, clearly, the source is seriously inadequate.

The responsibility of ARPANSA and WHO is immense, it is essential they be kept up to date with this issue, in the public interest.

EMR NOT CONSIDERED

Many people are experiencing disturbing clinical symptoms that, upon medical investigation no supportive pathology is found. Treated symptomatically for headaches, migraine attacks, insomnia, unexplained tiredness, chronic non-specific pain, skin rashes, depression and irritability, people can be on medication for long periods of time with the attendant risk of undesirable side effects from drug treatment, even becoming allergic to the drugs.

The possibility of EMR exposure being involved in these cases is unlikely to be considered given the degree of knowledge of the EMR health factor, by the general practitioner.

SELF HELP

It has been found that, after simple EMR avoidance measures were taken, in many cases, symptoms abated, occurred infrequently, or not at all, reducing or eliminating the need for treatment. AT NO TIME IS IT SUGGESTED THAT MEDICAL TREATMENT IS TO BE DISCONTINUED WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

RELEASE OF SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Emf's as a Human Carcinogen

In 1998 a working Group under the RAPID program classed EMF's as a 2B possible carcinogen. Now it appears almost certain in 2001 both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) the California Dept of Health Services will each independently classify EMF as a possible carcinogen.

COST TO THE COMMUNITY

National Health care costs are of great concern., that of cancer treatments alone, is enormous. Medical resources are heavily involved in a whole range of health conditions for which no pathology can be found. Depression, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches are conditions often considered to be psychosomatic.

Industrial accidents and stress are rife in the workplace - yet the environmental EMR factor is completely overlooked as a possible cause .

Toxic chemical pollution and EMR exposure are involved as initiators and promoters of cancer. Birth defects, miscarriages have all been linked with EMR exposure.

The EMR health issue, properly addressed, at medical, government, corporate, occupational health and safety levels and by the householder, could create considerable financial savings at government and personal level - not to mention less pain and suffering in the community.

To do so, the EMR health factor must first be openly acknowledged. Current scientific studies revealing biological effects of EMR confirm reported injurious effects on health - as many of us are painfully aware.

Adequate education programs and EMR reduction strategies need to be devised and made readily available to the public

RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION EFFCTS.

MOBILE PHONES There have been recently reported studies of mobile phone radiation linked with heart and kidney disease. In the UK heart disease claims 150,000 lives per year. In Australia 59,000 heart disease deaths occur .

The following anecdotal experiences are noted.

# 1 An electrical contractor recently experienced pains in the heart region for which no pathological cause was found. He recalled an earlier warning to avoid the habit of carrying a mobile phone in a shirt pocket. He moved the phone to a belt at his waist and the heart pains ceased.. A short time later he suffered pains in kidney region. No pathological cause was found. The phone was removed from this location also and the kidney region pain ceased. He has had no further problems.

# 2 A woman experienced mild to severe discomfort up to a few feet away from a mobile phone in standby mode. . When the phone rings, upper back tension, neck pain, breathing difficulty and anxiety occur. The following day muscular stiffness is worse than usual . Her rheumatoid arthritis pain is often triggered by RFR exposure.

Two large Sydney hospitals, the Royal North Shore Hospital and the St George Hospital have policies which advise restricted use of mobile phones by staff members.

SLEEP PATTERNS ALTERED BY RFR

A study conducted at the sleep laboratory of the University of Zurich has found that exposing volunteers to digital mobile phone radiation (GSM) for 30 minutes while awake, resulted in significantly altered EEG activity after they fell asleep. This demonstrates a delay period between exposure and the onset of known radiation effects.

Impaired quality of sleep is known to impact adversely on health.

Worth noting is the case of the changes in habit of a large number of caged exotic birds located about 150 metres from an analogue cellphone antenna. No problems were encountered until the mobile phone antenna was upgraded to the digital system. The following breeding season, most birds refused to breed. Those that did, destroyed most of their eggs, those that hatched were prematurely ejected from the nest.

Two only survived. The birds moulted continuously and were uncommonly aggressive. Veterinary investigation could not find evidence of disease in the birds. The owner of this has moved elsewhere.

At distance of 200 metres from the same base station, the behaviour of racing pigeons changed dramatically, they became disoriented, unable to determine which way to fly. It would appear that the birds could no longer tolerate the change in the EMR environment.

In another Sydney suburb, on a high rise building, a change in habits of a 'resident' flock of crows was observed after a digital mobile base station was installed on the roof. The birds became noisy and restless for a number of days before unexpectedly vacating the area.

Residents in nearby high rise buildings also complained of debilitating changes in health.

These incidents indicate that the stressful environment created by radiofrequency radiation from mobile phone base stations will adversely affect birdlife and humans alike.

There are also reports of cancer development within a three year period of base station installations in residential areas.

The North Shore Times on October 10th reports that breast cancer has a high incidence level in women living on the Sydney's North Shore. Dr Bruce Hocking found high incidence of leukemia in children and how their survival rate was linked with distance from a TV transmission tower. Three major TV transmission towers share this same location. Radiofrequency radiation from these sources could add to the cumulative levels of EMR to residents of that area. Further careful study may well reveal a connection.

ADEQUATE WARNING SIGNS

All radio and microwave transmitters should be indicated with clearly visible signs. The general public have the right to know the extent to which they are exposed to RFR. There are now displayed warning signs for mobile phones to be switched off to prevent interference to computerised equipment. One should wish, indeed demand, that the human system be given the same consideration.

BRAIN TUMOURS

One of the submissions to this very Inquiry is from a young man who has needed surgery

for removal of a mass which developed on the right hand side of the skull. He feels that this is closely connected with his right hand usage of a mobile phone over a 6 year period.

There appears to be an alarming number of brain tumour cases among young people. Their mobile phone habits and other EMR exposures should be investigated.

50 HERTZ EXPOSURE EFFECTS

ANECDOTES:

# 1 A couple had poor sleep patterns resulting in "head noises" and diminished level of concentration. High levels of EMR were found on a recently installed water pipe, located near to an electric cable. Advise to move the bed was taken and after four nights the symptoms vanished. Relocating the water pipe solved the problem.

Due to the nature of the wiring installation in building complexes EMR exposure reduction is limited and would be beyond the control of the majority of people living in villas or unit apartments. This is a major problem and needs to be addressed by an appropriate building code amendment.

Careful study of both the wealth of scientific material available and the anecdotal evidence of EMR effects, clearly indicates an association between EMR of a number of frequencies and many health abnormalities .

Leading epidemiologists have recently found that children exposed to magnetic field levels of 4 milliGauss and upwards, have twice the chance of developing childhood leukemia.

It is now virtually impossible to deny the connection between EMR exposure and human health. Certainly, biological effects seen in the laboratory can reasonably be seen to be involved in health abnormalities.

ELECTRO-HYPERSENSITIVITY

Electro-hypersensitivity (EHS) occurring in both children and adults must also be acknowledged and respected..

These people are not merely a few 'electrophobic' individuals seeking attention and special protection - they are visible examples of the injury that any individual may ultimately sustain due to EMR exposure, occurring at levels well below the now accepted standards based on the ICNIRP guidelines.

At present EHS is believed to be affecting only a minority group.- in my view this is a gross underestimation of the real situation

EHS people may not always present a physically visible condition. The unique physiology and genetic make-up of the individual will determine the degree of adaption to the EMR environment, before injury occurs and to which system of the body.

Many symptoms are of a neurological nature, subjective, hidden from view to the world, yet causing untold pain to the victim - all too easily these people experience a form of discrimination and misdiagnosis, being told that their condition is "all in the mind", adding to the considerable stress of that individual.

Personal experience and careful observation indicate that EMR exposure has adversely impacted on some people and that when action has been taken of a significant measure to avoid exposure, partial or full recovery has taken place. .

HEALTH EFFECTS AT BELOW ACCEPTED STANDARD LEVELS OF EMR

We have on record unsolicited anecdotal evidence provided by over 100 individuals who have experienced acute or permanent injury to health, This has occurred as a result of EMR exposure. This has occurred at levels well under the officially accepted standards of exposure, which are based on the now inadequate ICNIRP recommendations. Organisations worldwide are collecting similar data. In our view these cases could represent but the tip of the iceberg.

STANDARDS

The existing standards of 5,000 milliGauss magnetic field for occupational exposure and 1,000 milliGauss magnetic field for public exposure cannot be accepted in the interest of public health. We need to actively work toward the absolute minimum of less than 2mG exposure as recommended by the expert committee We should not wait for this document to be officially released. This country should take the lead in this vital community health issue.

Betty Venables,(Co-ordinator )12th November, 2000

The majority of the Senate committee members were not in agreement with Chairperson Senator Lynn Allison's final report on the above Inquiry. In fact the Deputy Chairman said the Inquiry was a "waste of money ". Five Labour members of the committee did not believe there was a significant risk based on the evidence presented. This led them to issue a 'minority report' recommending only that there be further research and that the proposed ARPANSA standards were acceptable.

In contrast, Chairwoman Senator Lynn Allison's report, recommends a number of responsible actions be taken to serve the public interest. The full report is available on the Web at: www.aph.gov.au/senate.environment

Environmental Toxicity - the Human Cost
VIETNAM VETERANS - Help for Vietnam Veterans' Children

A new programme has been established to help Vietnam Veterans' families with the medical costs of children with spinabifida manifesta ,cleft lip/palate, adrenal gland cancer and acute myeloid leukemia.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs Bruce Scott and the Minister for Health Michael Wooldridge, announced the Vietnam Veterans' Childrens' Support Programme in November last year. The VVCSP was established after the Vietnam veterans health study indicated a higher prevalence of some conditions among the children of Vietnam veterans than in the general community. Under the programme Vietnam veterans children who have spinabifida, cleft lip/palate adrenal gland cancer and acute myeloid leukemia will receive assistance with their treatment costs and provision of medical aids and appliances. Sufferers of adrenal gland cancer and acute myeloid leukemia are also eligible for assistance with travel accommodation and expenses for medical treatment. The benefits are available to children who suffer from the above conditions, who are birth children of Vietnam veterans, who were conceived after their parents' Vietnam service. The programme is administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Further information on Website, www.health.gov.au/hfs/haf/vvcsp/index.htm
Co-ordinator: Phone 1800 550 504
Reference: Vetaffairs Vol 17, March 2001, ISSN 0819-8934

In ten years we may know ?
From an interview in the New Scientist magazine 20th January 2001, Africa's spokesman on biotech issues at the United Nations, Rewolde Berhan Egziabher, gave an insightful answer to a question - one that should be seriously considered by purveyors of electronic products and governments alike.

Q.. "You argue that we shouldn't use GM (genetically modified ) products until scientists are sure they are safe - possibly for another 10 years. This logic has never applied to other technologies, such as mobile phones . Why is GM different?

A.. Just because we have been committing mistakes in the past doesn't mean that we have to continue to make them. We need to learn from previous mistakes. DDT wasn't immediately seen to be poisonous to humans but it turns out to have a very insidious impact. If mobile phones are useful for only ten years they might as well be scrapped. But if they continue to be useful, a delay of ten years to make sure that they're safe wouldn't be such a major hurdle for humanity".

Laboratory versus Real Life EMR Exposures

From the 1997 EMF Research Review. " Several papers relating to the estimates of induced currents in human organs were presented. These suggested that fields and currents induced in the body were underestimated when organ models were considered in isolation, rather than in situ."

This statement highlights the fact that laboratory results of such experiments are but indicators of, and do not accurately reflect, the 'real world' EME exposure effects on human beings.

We also quote from the Victorian Radiation Advisory Committee's September 1995 Annual report ; " It cannot be too strongly emphasised that epidemiology has met it's limits in regard to the present generation of (EMF health effects) studies and that future work must be based on more meaningful and accurate exposure assessment in individuals."

References:
(i)	Ockerman Study (see attachment #1)
(ii)	Cellular Stress is Induced by Electromagnetic Fields. R. Goodman, H. Lin, L. Han, M. Jin and M. Blank, Departments of Pathology and Physiology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032 U.S.A. It mentions in the Results and Discussion of this paper that data on magnetic field stimulation maybe considered along with other environmental stresses.
(iii)	Poole C, Kavet R, Funch DP, Donelan K, Charry JM, Dreyer NA. Depressive symptoms and headaches in relation to proximity to an alternating-current transmission line right-of-way. American Journal of epidemiology. 1993:137:318-30.
(iv)	Dolk, H., Elliott, P., Shaddick, G., Walls, P., Grundy, G., and Thakrar, G., 1997b: Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain, II All high power transmitters. American J. of Epidemiology, 145(1) pp 10-17.