Source:  EMFscientist.org

New York, NY, May 11, 2015.  Today 190 scientists from 39 nations submitted an appeal to the United Nations, UN member states and the World Health Organization (WHO) requesting they adopt more protective exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields (EMF) and wireless technology in the face of increasing evidence of risk.  These exposures are a rapidly growing form of environmental pollution worldwide.

The “International EMF Scientist Appeal” asks the Secretary General and UN affiliated bodies to encourage precautionary measures, to limit EMF exposures, and to educate the public about health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.

In summary, the International EMF Scientist Appeal calls upon the United Nations, the WHO, and the UN Member States to:

• Address the emerging public health crisis related to cell phones, wireless devices, wireless utility meters and wireless infrastructure in neighborhoods; and

• Urge that the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) initiate an assessment of alternatives to current exposure standards and practices that could substantially lower human exposures to non-ionizing radiation.

Selected Quotations from Signatories for the International EMF Scientist Appeal: 

Albert Manville, USA:

“While we like our electronic gadgets, the worldwide demand for these technologies of convenience only grows, as do the gargantuan profits that come from selling the devices and their services.  While human health and safety continue to be dismissed by many, growing scientific evidence is showing a dark side to cell phone, WiFi, smart meter and point-to-point technologies.  Migratory birds – incredibly important to the global economy and for the ecological services they provide – now appear to be negatively affected by non-ionizing radiation.  This alarm sounds a call to action acknowledging that electromagnetic radiation is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed.”

Dr. Albert Manville, Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University; Senior Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), Emeritus/Retired; and Wildlife Consultant, WHCS LLC.,USA

Don Maisch, Australia:

“We are now entering the era of the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ where all our appliances will be Wi-Fi enabled, endlessly communicating with each other and us through so-called smart devices.  This ‘brave new world’ dictates that human exposure to radiofrequency radiation must greatly increase in order to accommodate the technology.  This is a planned world being created by technocrats totally ignorant of the reality of our biology, an ignorance fostered by the existing thermal-effects only standards/guidelines.  Now, more than ever, we need new, biologically relevant standards to meet the challenge of the future.”

Don Maisch, Ph.D., Australia.

Dariusz Leszczynski, Finland:

“Evidence of health hazard is here since IARC 2011.  It surely was enough time to introduce new safety standards and Precautionary Principle.”

Dariusz Leszczynski, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Member of the IARC Working Group that classified cell phone radiation as possible carcinogen.

Other selected quotations from scientists who signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal

The International EMF Scientist Appeal

We are scientists engaged in the study of biological and health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF).  Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices.  These include–but are not limited to–radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF).

Scientific basis for our common concerns

Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.

These findings justify our appeal to the United Nations (UN) and, all member States in the world, to encourage the World Health Organization (WHO) to exert strong leadership in fostering the development of more protective EMF guidelines, encouraging precautionary measures, and educating the public about health risks, particularly risk to children and fetal development. By not taking action, the WHO is failing to fulfill its role as the preeminent international public health agency.

Inadequate non-ionizing EMF international guidelines 

The various agencies setting safety standards have failed to impose sufficient guidelines to protect the general public, particularly children who are more vulnerable to the effects of EMF.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) established in 1998 the “Guidelines For Limiting Exposure To Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz)”^[1].  These guidelines are accepted by the WHO and numerous countries around the world.  The WHO is calling for all nations to adopt the ICNIRP guidelines to encourage international harmonization of standards.  In 2009, the ICNIRP released a statement saying that it was reaffirming its 1998 guidelines, as in their opinion, the scientific literature published since that time “has provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic restrictions and does not necessitate an immediate revision of its guidance on limiting exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields^[2].  ICNIRP continues to the present day to make these assertions, in spite of growing scientific evidence to the contrary.  It is our opinion that, because the ICNIRP guidelines do not cover long-term exposure and low-intensity effects, they are insufficient to protect public health.

The WHO adopted the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) in 2002^[3] and radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in 2011^[4].  This classification states that EMF is a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B).  Despite both IARC findings, the WHO continues to maintain that there is insufficient evidence to justify lowering these quantitative exposure limits.

Since there is controversy about a rationale for setting standards to avoid adverse health effects, we recommend that the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) convene and fund an independent multidisciplinary committee to explore the pros and cons of alternatives to current practices that could substantially lower human exposures to RF and ELF fields.  The deliberations of this group should be conducted in a transparent and impartial way.  Although it is essential that industry be involved and cooperate in this process, industry should not be allowed to bias its processes or conclusions.  This group should provide their analysis to the UN and the WHO to guide precautionary action.

Collectively we also request that:

1. Children and pregnant women be protected;
2. Guidelines and regulatory standards be strengthened;
3. Manufacturers be encouraged to develop safer technology;
4. Utilities responsible for the generation, transmission, distribution, and monitoring of electricity maintain adequate power quality and ensure proper electrical wiring to minimize harmful ground current;
5. The public be fully informed about the potential health risks from electromagnetic energy and taught harm reduction strategies;
6. Medical professionals be educated about the biological effects of electromagnetic energy and be provided training on treatment of patients with electromagnetic sensitivity;
7. Governments fund training and research on electromagnetic fields and health that is independent of industry and mandate industry cooperation with researchers;
8. Media disclose experts’ financial relationships with industry when citing their opinions regarding health and safety aspects of EMF-emitting technologies; and
9. White-zones (radiation-free areas) be established.

1) http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPemfgdl.pdf 2) http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPStatementEMF.pdf 3) http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol80/ 4) http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol102/

EMF Scientist Appeal and Full List of Signatories