E.M. Radiation Health Alliance

MEDIA RELEASE (550 words)

Media Liaison: Chris Anderson 250-537-5102 [email protected]

or alternate liaison: Art Joyce 250-358-2666 [email protected]

February 3, 2010: For general distribution

The newly formed citizens’ group E.M. Radiation Health Alliance congratulates the B.C. government for its new law providing traffic fines for those using hand-held cell phones or texting while driving on our roads and highways. We hope this will go a long way toward reducing the soaring death and injury toll proven to come from drivers using these devices. However, a report from the Highway Loss Data Institute this January notes that in American jurisdictions with cell phone driving bans already in place, accident rates are not decreasing. This is due not only to ‘driver distraction’ but also to the fact that hands-free headsets and other alternatives can emit as much or more radiation than regular cell phones. Studies show this radiation alters brain chemistry and thus impairs its ability to function normally.

In accordance with the conclusions of many scientific studies therefore, the E.M. Radiation Health Alliance would like to urge the B.C. Solicitor-General Kash Heed to take the next step in pro-active public safety measures by banning ANY use of wireless devices—including hands-free headsets—while driving. Numerous university studies on the subject of driving while using wireless communications have proven that the net effect on driver competence is the same regardless of whether hand-held or hands-free devices are used.

A recent University of Utah study

http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1 showed that motorists who talk on handheld or hands-free cellular phones are as impaired as drunken drivers. “We found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit” of 0.08 percent, which is the minimum level that defines illegal drunken driving in most U.S. states, says study co-author Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology. “If legislators really want to address driver distraction, then they should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving.” (italics ours) These conclusions are supported by studies published by the Carnegie-Mellon University, New England Journal of Medicine, and many other researchers worldwide.  http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/336/7/453

http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/March/march5_drivingwhilelistening.shtml

A study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health concluded that exposure to pulsed microwave signals (such as those used in cell phones) decreased reaction speed and accuracy for up to 30 minutes after exposure, providing “further evidence for a nonthermal biological effect of pulsed radiofrequency fields.” The weight of evidence contradicts the wireless industry’s assertion that there are no biological effects for non-thermal, low power levels of radiofrequency radiation.  http://www.emf-portal.org/viewer.php?sid=&sform=&aid=14680&l=e

In addition to the “driver distraction” factor, researchers have shown that pulsed microwave radiation actually alters brain structure.  A University of Zurich, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology study conducted by Drs. Peter Achermann and Sabine Regel concludes that “pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF), such as emitted by mobile phones, can alter brain physiology… at intensities even below the international exposure limits.”  http://ursi-test.intec.ugent.be/files/URSIGA08/papers/K02cp1.pdf

We at the EMR Health Alliance note that science has long shown that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of the type produced by cell phone technology causes a marked diminishment and impairment of reaction time, coordination, and brain function in general. This radiation has been shown in studies to cause moderate to severe brain damage of a permanent nature depending on exposure. Allowing hands-free phone technology will provide no safety advantage over hand-held phones. We therefore urge the government of BC to ban entirely the use of wireless devices in all operating motor vehicles.

OTHER RESOURCES:

http://www.bioinitiative.org

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/29/cellphone.study/index.html?hpt=T2

VIDEO : BC DRIVING LAW ANNOUNCED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIBHIXSujs

VIDEO : Study on safety explains the risk of using cell phones while driving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx3NIjA1tEQ