3/2020, Byron Shire Council is the first locality to pass a moratorium on 5G. Watch video of Council.
8/9/ 2019: The Austrian parliament commissioned a study on 5G health effects
While the government has recommended children reduce exposure in various ways over the years (watering down the verbiage substantially), the government also says that 5G is safe and government reports on non-ionizing radiation conclude that “although studies have reported a range of biological effects at low levels, there has been no indication that such effects might constitute a human health hazard.”
Mobile Phones and Health Factsheet Recommends Parents Reduce Exposure to Children
“It is recommended that, due to the lack of sufficient data relating to children and their long term use of mobile phones, parents encourage their children to limit their exposure by reducing call me, by making calls where reception is good, by using hands-free devices or speaker options, or by texting.” Mobile Phones and Health Webpage (saved on WayBackMachine as of 2019) , Mobile Phones and Health Factsheet
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has issued several Factsheet on Wireless over the years and made substantial changes to these factsheets- downgrading the concern.
They have an online radiation survey page that summarizes studies and they provide commentary.
Feb 2013 How To Reduce Wireless Exposure Factsheet 14 August 2013 How To Reduce Wireless Exposure Factsheet 14
“How to Reduce exposure from mobile phones and other wireless devices.”
- Reduce the risk from WiFi devices by “keeping them at a distance, for example placing the wireless router away from where people spend time”, and “reducing the amount of time you use them”.
- ARPANSA recommends that parents encourage their children to limit their exposure stating that “It is recommended that, due to the lack of sufficient data relating to children and their long term use of mobile phones, parents encourage their children to limit their exposure.”
- by reducing call time, by making calls where reception is good, by using hands-free devices or speaker options, or by texting.”
- Factsheet saved on WayBack Machine 9/2019
Current March 2015 How To Reduce Exposure Factsheet * Cautionary advice further minimized. Recommendations to parents minimized
“There is no established scientific evidence that the use of mobile phones causes any health effects. However the possibility of a small risk cannot be ruled out. There are things one can do to substantially reduce exposure.
Overall, the evidence suggests that the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME) emissions of mobile phone handsets are not harmful to the user. However, it’s impossible to be completely sure there isn’t some risk. This is particularly true for children where there is little research evidence. One way to exercise caution is to reduce unnecessary exposure from your handset and to encourage your children to do this. This can be done easily. Remember, it doesn’t have to be for every phone call and in an emergency there are better things to worry about.”
ARPANSA still recommends that parents encourage their children to limit their exposure stating that “It is recommended that, due to the lack of sufficient data relating to children and their long term use of mobile phones, parents encourage their children to limit their exposure.” March 2015 Factsheet
Past Factsheets
2008 Mobile Phones and Children FactSheet 11
Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment – 2015 “Guide to Safe Technology”
- It’s not only physical hazards you need to consider when thinking about health and safety issues at work or home — you should also think about how you use technology. When using a computer, you need to think about: ergonomics and posture, radiation, vision impacts and harmful lack of exercise (DVT).
- “Wireless devices — smart/mobile phones, tablets, slates, monitors etc — all emit low levels of electromagnetic radiation and should be used correctly. When using electronic devices, the department recommends you follow WiFi/3G/4G best practice:
- Follow the manufacturer’s usage guideline operate from a table or bench — not on your lap
- Use ‘hands-free’ devices to keep smart/mobile phones away from your head and body during phone calls limit the number and length of calls
- Position the device antenna away from your body
- Do not sit within 0.5 m of a wireless router use smart/mobile phone in areas of good reception to reduce exposure.”
ARPANSA Website Mobile Phones and Health
Other Factsheets
How to Reduce Exposure from Mobile Phones and Other Wireless Devices March 2015
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity “The scientific evidence does not establish that EHS symptoms are caused by exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields.”
Government Reports
- 1/2020 5G is Safe
- 1/2020 Non-Ionising Radiation Protection in Australia “Although studies have reported a range of biological effects at low levels, there has been no indication that such effects might constitute a human health hazard.“
Past Reports
Current Issues Brief 26 1996-97
Rod Panter Science, Technology, Environment and Resources Group
Contents
The Electromagnetic Spectrum – Radiofrequency Range
Thermal Effects of Radiofrequency EMR – Relation to Standards
Energy of RF Radiation from TV and Mobile Phone Towers
Non-Thermal Effects of RF Radiation
“Possible behavioural changes or indirect promotion of cancer is a principal focus of low-power radiofrequency (microwave) studies. As stated earlier, the RF spectrum is not energetic enough to cause mutation damage to cell genetic material (DNA) and thus directly initiate cancer. However, among the hundreds of reports of RF effects there are some which can be interpreted as possibly assisting the spread of cancer.
Firstly, some experiments (e.g. Ref. 7) have indicated radiation-caused changes in the so-called blood-brain barrier. The healthy brain is an exclusive organ which does not admit entry of many types of chemical and biochemical substances. The research has measured abnormal passage across the blood-brain barrier of protein-bound dyes, radioactively labelled sugars or peroxidase enzyme in irradiated rats and hamsters.
Secondly, there are examples of disturbances to foetal development (teratogenic effects) in mice, chicks and rats at low RF power. Retarded development (low birth weight), eye malformations, reduction in organ weight and embryonic death have been observed.
Experiments with RF radiation and cultured cells are thought by some scientists to demonstrate low power (non-thermal) effects on the cell membrane. The best-known work, that of Professor Ross Adey, has shown a consistent increase of calcium loss from brain tissue. This indicates that the membrane permeability has been changed. Calcium is known to be a highly significant biochemical regulator, e.g. it controls the division of certain cells. The RF waves may be creating free radicals or changing the physical characteristics of fats in the cell membrane.
Non-thermal treatment which increases the rate of division of cell lines or increases cancers in whole animals is of particular interest. Lymphocytes, a line of white blood cells, have been reported to proliferate more rapidly under what are claimed to be non-thermal conditions of irradiation. Spontaneous mammary cancers and artificially induced lung and skin cancers in mice have been said to increase under low power RF radiation applied over varying periods up to ten months. Another study has found that the number of spontaneous cancers in irradiated rats increases significantly.”
