A new report warns against the harmful\u00a0effects of using mobile phones, citing an\u00a0increased risk of getting a brain tumor – while male users risk\u00a0sperm damage.<\/p>\n
The report, conducted by the BioInitiative Working Group 2012, warns that evidence for risks to health has “substantially” increased since 2007 from electromagnetic fields and wireless technologies (radiofrequency radiation).<\/p>\n
In 2012,\u00a0a report commissioned by the UK Health Protection Agency concluded that there was still no convincing evidence that mobile phone technologies caused adverse effects on human health.<\/p>\n
The new report, which reviewed over 1,800 new scientific studies, says that mobile phone users, parents-to-be, young children and pregnant women are at particular risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a consistent pattern of increased risk for glioma (a malignant brain tumor) and acoustic neuroma with use of mobile and cordless phones,\u201d said Lennart Hardell, MD at Orebro University, Sweden.<\/p>\n
\u201cEpidemiological evidence shows that radiofrequency should be classified as a human carcinogen. The existing FCC\/IEE and ICNIRP public safety limits and reference levels are not adequate to protect public health.\u201d<\/p>\n
The publishers of the report point to a dozen new studies linking mobile phone radiation to sperm damage.<\/p>\n
“Even a cell phone in the pocket or on a belt may harm sperm DNA, result in misshapen sperm, and impair fertility in men. Laptop computers with wireless internet connections can damage DNA in sperm,”\u00a0the BioInitiative Working Group 2012 said.<\/p>\n
Based on strong evidence for vulnerable biology in autism, EMF\/RFR can plausibly increase autism risk and symptoms.<\/p>\n
“While we aggressively investigate the links between autism disorders and wireless technologies, we should minimize wireless and EMF exposures for people with autism disorders, children of all ages, people planning a baby, and during pregnancy,\u201d said Martha Herbert, MD, PhD.<\/p>\n
Wireless devices such as phones and laptops used by pregnant women may alter brain development of the fetus. This has been linked in both animal and human studies to hyperactivity, learning and behavior problems, the group adds.<\/p>\n
David Carpenter, MD and co-editor, said:\u00a0\u201cThere is now much more evidence of risks to health affecting billions of people world-wide. The status quo is not acceptable in light of the evidence for harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study covers EMF from powerlines, electrical wiring, appliances and hand-held devices; and from wireless technologies (cell and cordless phones, cell towers, “smart meters”, WI-FI, wireless laptops, wireless routers, baby monitors, and other electronic devices).<\/p>\n
Health topics include damage to DNA and genes; effects on memory; learning; behavior; attention; sleep disruption; cancer; and neurological diseases, like Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0BioInitiative Working Group 2012 calls for urgent new safety standards to guard against EMF and wireless exposures that now appear everywhere.<\/p>\n
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