Massachusetts, United States of America
2017 Legislative Update on Bills on Wireless and Health

In 2017, Massachusetts introduced five bills to address wireless radiation and public health:

• S.1268 Resolve creating a special commission to examine the health impacts of electromagnetic fields (Senator Karen E. Spilka).
• S.1864 An Act relative to utilities, smart meters, and ratepayers’ rights (gives people the no-fee choice of keeping their non-radiation-emitting water, gas and electrical meters instead of "smart" utility meters; Senator Michael O. Moore).
• S.107 An Act relative to disclosure of radiofrequency notifications (requires warning labels on radiation-emitting products; Senator Julian Cyr).
• S.108 An Act relative to the safe use of hand-held devices by children (requires specific language on packaging as modeled by an ordinance unanimously passed in Berkeley, California; Senator Julian Cyr).
• H.2030 An Act relative to best management practices for wireless in schools and public institutions of higher education (asks the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to set wi-fi standards for all schools; Representative Carolyn Dykema).

2015 Massachusetts State House Briefing organized by the Environmental Health Trust on the latest scientific evidence of human health impacts from exposure to wireless radiation, including cell phones, wireless routers, baby monitors, smart meters and other devices. The briefing includes remarks by Environmental Health Trust founder Dr. Devra Lee Davis, and Mr. Frank Clegg of Canadians for Safe Technology (C4ST).

In 2016 Massachusetts Department of Health Staff Advised the Public on Minimizing Exposure to RF.

“Cell Phone Radiation is Likely a Human Carcinogen.”

"The Precautionary Principle must be applied now.”

Dr. Anthony Miller
Israel Institute for Advanced Study EHT Expert Forum Working Group

At the Israel Institute for Advanced Study Dr. Anthony Miller presented a plenary lecture with a summary and analysis of recent epidemiological case-control studies on cell phone radiation, including the Interphone study, studies performed by Hardell, and the CERENAT study. Dr. Miller concluded that the body of evidence has increased since the World Health Organization International Agency for the Research on Cancer  classified radiofrequency fields (RFR) in 2011. The current research evidence in 2017 indicates that RFR should be considered a probable human carcinogen and the public should take cautionary steps to reduce exposures.

“Even if the risk per individual is low, it is widely distributed and could become a major public health problem. The Precautionary Principle must be applied now”.

Anthony Miller,  MB, MRCP, MD, FRCP, FRCP (C), FFPH, FACE, Professor Emeritus, Dalla Lana School of Public Health; Senior Medical Advisor, Environmental Health Trust, USA; Previous Director of Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute of Canada, Full Bio

Epidemiology of Cell Phones and Other Wireless Transmitting Devices - An Update

PDF of January 25, 2017 IIAS Presentation

Dr. Anthony Miller’s Bibliography on RF and Cancer

During the Conference, working groups reviewed the evidence and the epidemiology working group concluded that  the current research evidence indicates that RFR should be considered a probable human carcinogen. Please see a video of the working group report below.

Please watch more lectures from the Israel Institute for Advanced Study EHT Expert Forum Working Group at this link.

The video below is a compilation of clips from the conference:

The National Toxicology Program has posted a draft of the research results. Click here for PDF.

News Coverage

Mother Jones: Game-Changing” Study Links Cellphone Radiation to Cancer

Wall Street Journal: Cellphone-Cancer Link  in Government Study

Fortune Magazine: U.S. Government Study Links Cellphone Radiation With Cancer (In Rats)

Read EHT Press release

Doctors Present Evidence of Wireless Radiation Impacts on Children

Press Contact: Janet Vasquez, JV Public Relations NY (212) 645-5498

Background: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified both microwave radiation and radio frequency radiation as Group 2B (possible) human carcinogens. Brain models and computer simulations show that children absorb more microwave radiation than adults. A child's skull, which is thinner and smaller, absorbs ten times more radiation than that of an adult. International studies provide significant evidence on the effect of cell phone radiation on acoustic neuroma and glioma. The PAS symposium will highlight new clinical findings about the impact of wireless radiation on the infant and child brain, and propose practical clinical advice on how to reduce exposures.

Dr. Taylor will discuss Pregnancy and Wireless Safety: What Experimental Studies Tell Us About Learning Disabilities and Clinical Practice. Dr. Davis will reveal new modeling of microwave exposures to the child brain and body and the latest international policies to reduce and control microwave exposures to children. Dr. Herbert will present the Rationale for Research and Precautionary Clinical Intervention Regarding Autism-EMF Link. Dr. Steiner-Adair will discuss The Big Disconnect: How Technology Can Undermine Parenting in the Modern World. Dr. Shetreat-Klein will discuss How to Protect the Brains of the Future.

This is an unprecedented opportunity to hear and interview experts on children's exposure to wireless radiation, obtain state of the art video modeling of radiation exposures to the young brain and copies of practical advice to clinicians and parents about why and how to reduce exposures.

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Media Contact for the Environmental Health Trust

Janet Vasquez/JV Public Relations NY

212-645-5498

jvasquez@jvprny.com

Could wifi-enabled devices be harmful to our health? You cannot see it or hear it but Wi-Fi blankets our homes, our schools and our cities. Australia's safety agency says there's no evidence of harm, but that's not the same as saying its safe. A growing number of scientists are concerned that the widespread use of Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi-enabled devices could be slowly making us sick. In this Catalyst investigation, Dr. Maryanne Demasi explores whether our wireless devices could be putting our health at risk.

Devra Davis PhD MPH delivered the Dean’s Lecture at Melbourne School of Engineering on November 30, 2015 entitled, The truth about mobile phone and wireless radiation: what we know, what we need to find out, and what you can do now. Speaking before the deans of the colleges of engineering medicine and law at the University of Melbourne on Monday November 30, 2015 visiting professor of medicine from the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center Devra Davis PhD, MPH revealed stunning new animations showing the greater exposure of the young developing brain to mobile phone radiation. Current standards for mobile devices are nearly 2 decades old, Davis told the interdisciplinary conference.

Discussing the complex policy history of mobile devices in her newly released book--Disconnect--the truth about mobile phone radiation-- Davis explains that the nations of Israel, India and France--and other high tech countries--require that all devices be sold with headsets and safety information. In Belgium, it is against the law to sell or design mobile phones for children ages 7 and younger. 20 countries have enacted various precautionary policy to reduce cell phone exposure and protect public health. Secondary insurers will not insure companies against health damages from mobile phones and other wireless devices.

"As recognition grows about the need to produce products that emit the lowest amounts of radiation, opportunities to innovate in design and technology will expand greatly," she added. Dr. Davis has been giving lectures across Australia this month and most recently was featured in the Australian 9JumpIn Today Show where she shared  scientists concerns about children  and detailed how families can reduce exposures.

Davis is calling for the creation of major public educational programs to inform the public about why and how to use technology safely. “The public needs to be informed that mobile devices emit a type of radiation which could have serious health consequences. As children are more vulnerable to this radiation, parents need to know how to reduce exposures and in their commmunity. Policy makers worldwide are taking policy actions to lower radiation levels in schools and in the community.” Davis states that  a two cents a month fee on every mobile or wireless device user, manufacturer and provider for a period of 8 years would create funding for training in bioelectromagnetics and engineering and would develop and support research.

This Dean's Lecture was presented by the Melbourne School of Engineering, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, the Faculty of Science and the Melbourne Networked Society Institute, at the University of Melbourne.

The slides for this lecture can be viewed here.

ABOUT DEVRA DAVIS PhD MPH

Devra Davis,PhD MPH, is President of the Environmental Health Trust, a non-profit scientific and policy think tank. Currently Visiting Professor at The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School and Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, she was founding director of the Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology of the U.S. National Research Council (1983-93) and Founding Director, Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (2004-2010). President Clinton appointed Dr. Davis to the newly established Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (1994-2000), and she is a former advisor to the United Nations Development Program, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.

RELATED LINKS

Melbourne University Webpage on the Dean’s Lecture: The truth about mobile phone and wireless radiation: what we know, what we need to find out, and what you can do now

Dr. Davis is featured on 9 Jump In Today Show in Australia: Smart Phone Radiation Concerns

Hilary Harper Interviews Devra Davis On ABC 774 Primetime AM Radio In Australia. Listen to the interview:

Dr. Davis is featured on The Today Show in the USA: The Today Show Pediatricians’ New Warning: Limit Children’s Exposure to Cellphones. View segment here.

The Environmental Health Trust Recommendations: Super-Smart and Safe Technology Holiday Shopping Tips for Parents