Cancer risk for mobile phones - Front Page local paper report - Cornwall, England

Today, FRONT PAGE from our Western Morning News. Devon/Cornwall, England

 - featuring BOTH low and high frequency risks!

Good to see such articles emerging - pretty well written too :-)

 

(Also supported by a good Comment Column: mobile phones, a vital part of
life, but are they safe? But that's not online)

 

John
www.wavegoodbye.info <http://www.wavegoodbye.info/>  

 


'Cancer risk for mobile phones'


 

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cancer-risk-mobile-phones/story-13405145-det
ail/story.html

 

The boss of one of the Westcountry's leading food companies has called for
more research into claims that mobile phones could cause cancer.

Brian Stein says early research is increasingly indicating the danger of
excessive mobile phone use and Wi-Fi networks to some users, especially
children.

Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified radiation
emitted by mobile phones as a possible cancer risk, with a similar threat to
lead and the banned pesticide DDT.

And the European Commission also issued a warning saying that individuals
should be protected from low-frequency radiation emitted by cell phones,
masts and Wi-Fi systems.

Mr Stein, 62, said: "Much more research is needed.

"Meanwhile, people should be protected from this potential hazard in public
places, schools and their homes."

Mr Stein, the chief group executive of Samworth Brothers, a partner company
of Tamar Foods and Gingsters in Callington, South East Cornwall, began
suffering the effects of low-frequency radiation six years ago when he
experienced pain when using his mobile phone.

"I began getting weird sensations in my ear if I went near a computer or TV,
any electrical equipment with a microchip" he said.

"I took the view that I was a freak and kept quiet, but it was difficult
because I couldn't drive a modern car with computers on board."

Mr Stein's research eventually led him to the diagnosis that he is
electro-sensitive, a condition he shares with several thousand people in the
UK.

Electro sensitivity is caused by the thousands of magnetic fields that
surround us, from mobile and cordless phones to other wireless devices,
including car sat-nav kits. The symptoms include sleep problems, headaches,
tinnitus and earache, chest pains, loss of memory, poor concentration and
depression.

Fellow sufferer and top DJ Steve Miller, who lives near Falmouth, says he
has had to cancel lucrative gigs around the world due to the condition,
including sets this year at Glastonbury and Ibiza.

Mr Miller, known to fans of club music as Afterlife, gets headaches and
dizziness near Wi-Fi signals and now carries a detector grading the danger
levels from one to five.

He said: "A Wi-Fi signal between one and two causes me to feel depressed and
irritable, but between three and five gives me a splitting headache followed
by dizziness and slight nausea. If I walk down the main street these days I
feel light-headed and can't stop or go into any of the shops so have decided
to give that part of town a wide berth."

According to Mr Stein, who spoke at the annual conference of support group
Electrosensitivity UK on Saturday, the issue is taken more seriously in
Europe and other parts of the world.

In May the European Parliamentary Assembly issued a report which recommended
the use of Wi-Fi be restricted in public places and schools. It urged a
precautionary approach and a revision of the current thresholds in order not
to repeat past mistakes made with asbestos, leaded petrol and tobacco.

The declaration that low-level radiation is a cancer risk was based on
evidence in published studies that intensive use of mobile phones might lead
to an increased risk of glioma, a malignant form of brain cancer.

Luxembourg Socialist MEP Jean Huss said the resolution "delivered a clear
wake-up call" that EU member states should take precautionary measures.

The UK Health Protection Agency (HPA), while acknowledging the previous
international studies, has stopped short of admitting that low-level
radiation causes cancer.

An HPA spokesman said there was "no clear scientific evidence" of a cancer
risk at levels below international guidelines, but admitted that "the
possibility remains".

"Given the possibility of long-term cancer effects, excessive use of mobile
phones by children should be discouraged," the spokesman added.

"Exposures from Wi-Fi are much less than from mobile phones, and well within
international guidelines, so there is no reason why schools and others
should not continue to use the technology."

Mr Stein said he was not calling for a ban on mobile phones or Wi-Fi
networks, but that sensible precautions are taken, including the siting of
mobile phone masts.

"In many European countries Wi-Fi is banned from schools. Children can still
access wireless, but it is hard-wired into their classrooms, so they are not
exposed to radiation.

"When we officially recognise that electromagnetic fields do cause cancer,
then we may find a solution."

 



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