Critical responses to NY Times article:
Sep 15, 2015
Dr. Jerrold Bushberg, one of two experts interviewed for this article in the New York Times has consulted for the CTIA, the telecom industry lobbying organization in the U.S., since at least the year 2000 (1). More recently, Dr. Bushberg has represented cell tower companies in many local hearings. Why didn't the Times disclose his conflicts of interest?
Moreover, why didn't the Times interview one of the many researchers who are not in denial about the health effects from exposure to low-intensity, non-thermal levels of cell phone radiation?
(1) Reily Gregson, "Health-related lawsuits on front burner," RCR Wireless, July 31, 2000. http://www.rcrwireless.com/20000731/carriers/health-related-lawsuits-on-front-burner.
July 30, 2015
How the NY Times and CNN Bungled A Basic Cell Phone Safety Story
Press Release, Environmental Health Trust, Jul 30, 2015
"The
Berkeley ordinance simply gives the public its constitutionally
protected right to information currently buried in fine print."
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2629494
July 27, 2015
Paul Brodeur, a former staff writer for The New Yorker who has published numerous books on occupational and environmental health hazards, posted an article today on the Huffington Post entitled, "Leave It to the New York Times."
Mr Brodeur cites the recent article in the New York Times by Carol Pogash as the most recent example of the newspaper's long-standing bias in its reporting about the health effects of exposure to low-intensity microwave radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices.
July 25, 2015
Mitchell Shapiro of the Quello Center at Michigan State University posted a commentary that criticizes the New York Times' coverage of the Berkeley cell phone "right to know" ordinance, "NYT Buries Lead, Muddies Water on EMF Health Issue."
He also sent a message to Margaret Sullivan, the Public Editor at the New York Times, in which he recommends that the author of the article, Carol Pogash, needs to review the research on EMF health impacts.
July 24, 2015
Following is a letter from Drs. Lennart Hardell and Michael Carlberg to the New York Times. Drs. Hardell and Carlberg arguably are the leading epidemiologists in the world who study brain tumor risk from wireless phone use.
I wrote the earlier posts below (July 21-22).
Ms. Margaret Sullivan, Public Editor July 24,
2015
Ms. Carol Pogash, Reporter
The New York Times
Published online July 21, 2015
Dear Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Pogash,
We have read this article in the New York Times with
interest. However, there are several mistakes, and even wrong statements, on
the health hazards from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF)
from cell phones in the article. In the following we want to correct some of
the false statements.
The brain is
the primary target organ for exposure to RF-EMF during the use of the handheld
wireless phone. This has given concern of an increased risk for brain tumours.
The carcinogenic effect of RF-EMF on humans was evaluated at a meeting during
24 – 31 May 2011 at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at
WHO in Lyon, France. One of us (LH) was part of the expert group. The Working
Group categorised RF-EMF from mobile phones, and from other devices that emit
similar non-ionising electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 30 kHz–300 GHz, as a Group 2B, i.e. a possible, human carcinogen (http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol102/mono102.pdf
Since then more studies have been published that strengthen the association
between use of wireless phones (mobile
and cordless phones) and increased risk for brain tumours. We have performed
long-term research in this area and in the following we give a short up-dated
summary of our findings based on research since the 1990’s. In our publications
relevant information can be found also on other studies, as well as discussions
of the current scientific evidence.
Glioma:
Glioma is a malignant brain tumour (“brain cancer”), and the most common type
is glioblastoma multiforme with a poor prognosis. We have published a
statistically significant increased risk for glioma among users of both mobile
and cordless phones. The risk increased with latency (time from first use of
the phone) and cumulative number of hours for use. Highest risk was found in
the area of the brain with highest exposure to RF-EMF. All these results are of
biological relevance; that is what would be expected for a causal association.
The full paper can be read here:
Meningioma:
Menigioma is mostly a benign brain tumour and accounts for about 30 % of
all intracranial tumours. The incidence is approximately 2-times higher in
women than in men. No conclusive evidence of an association between
use of mobile and cordless phones and meningioma was found in our study.
However, taking the long latency periods that have been reported for the
increased meningioma risk associated with exposure to ionizing radiation it is
still too early to make a definitive risk assessment. Results for even longer
latency periods of wireless phone use than in our study are desirable, see more
details here:
Acoustic
neuroma:
Acoustic neuroma or Vestibular Schwannoma is
a rare benign tumour in the eighth cranial nerve that leads from the inner ear
to the brain. It grows slowly and does not undergo malignant transformation,
but may give compression of vital brain stem centres. Tinnitus and hearing
problems are usual first symptoms of acoustic neuroma. We published a clear,
statistically significant, association between
use of mobile and cordless phones and acoustic neuroma. The risk increased with
time since first use. For use of both mobile and cordless phones the risk was highest
in the longest latency group. Tumour volume increased per 100 hours of
cumulative use and year of latency for wireless phones indicating tumour
progression from RF-EMF. The whole study can be read here:
Brain
tumour incidence:
Due to the well-known under-reporting of
brain tumours to the Swedish Cancer Registry we studied brain tumour rates
using the Swedish National Inpatient Register and the Causes of Death Register.
In summary we found a statistically significant increasing rate of not
specified brain tumours from 2007 in the Inpatient Register and from 2008 in the
Causes of Death Register. Our study indicated that several of these tumours
were never reported to the Swedish Cancer Register. Thus, the Swedish Cancer
Register data cannot be used to dismiss an increased risk for brain tumours
associated with use of wireless phones. On the contrary our study is consistent
with an association considering a reasonable tumour induction period, see more
here:
Mechanistic aspects:
It is correct that RF-EMFs do not cause
direct DNA damage. On the other hand numerous studies have shown generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause oxidative damage of DNA. This is a
well-known mechanism in carcinogenesis for many agents. The broad biological
potential of ROS and other free radicals makes radiofrequency radiation a
potentially hazardous factor for human health, not only cancer risk but also
other health effects. A recent update can be read here:
Causality:
To further evaluate strengths of evidence Bradford Hill wrote in the 1960’s
a famous article on association or causation at the height of the tobacco and
lung cancer controversy. Hill offered a list of nine aspects of an association
to be considered when deciding if an association is causal. However, he did not
request all nine viewpoints to be fulfilled for causality. We used the Hill criteria to evaluate the causality on brain tumor risk
from RF-EMF emitted from wireless phones. We concluded that based on the Hill
criteria, glioma and acoustic neuroma should be considered to be caused by
RF-EMF emissions from wireless phones and regarded as carcinogenic to humans,
classifying it as Group 1 according to the IARC classification. Current
guidelines for exposure need to be urgently revised. See more here:
Conclusion:
Our
results are in agreement with other studies such as the international
Interphone -study and the French so-called CERENAT study. This is discussed in
e.g. our article on glioma risk. In summary, there is consistent evidence of
increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma associated with use of mobile
phones and cordless phones. Furthermore, the risk is highest for persons with
first use before the age of 20, which is of special concern. Our conclusion is
that RF-EMF should be regarded as a human carcinogen. The IARC classification
should be updated to at least Group 2A, a probable
human carcinogen. It is necessary to give the public correct information on the
cancer risk. The precautionary principle should be used to minimize exposure to
RF-EMF. Media have an important role to inform in a balanced way. Unfortunately
this article in the New York Times is biased towards the no risk assumption. It should be corrected based on facts and not wishful
thinking.
Yours
sincerely,
Lennart
Hardell, MD, PhD Michael
Carlberg, MSc
Department of Oncology Department
of Oncology
University Hospital University
Hospital
SE-701 85 Örebro, Sweden SE-701
85 Örebro, Sweden
July 24, 2015
A version of the Times article appeared in print on July 24, 2015, on page A14 of the New York edition with the headline: "Berkeley Offers Safety Guidance on Carrying Phones."
July 22, 2015
The lead paragraph of the New York Times article published today, “Cellphone Ordinance Puts
Berkeley at Forefront of Radiation Debate," reveals the paper’s bias:
“Leave it to Berkeley: This city, which has led the nation
in passing all manner of laws favored by the left, has done it again. This
time, the city passed a measure — not actually backed by science — requiring
cellphone stores to warn customers that the products could be hazardous to
their health, presumably by emitting dangerous levels of cancer-causing
radiation.”
The article overlooks the fact that the Berkeley ordinance is
simply a consumer disclosure law which brings to the consumer's attention safety
information that the Federal Communications Commission requires cell phone manufacturers
provide to consumers. Few consumers ever see these warnings because manufacturers
hide them in the user manual or in some instances in the smart phone.
Despite the article’s allegation, Berkeley is not the first
city to adopt a cell phone “right to know” law. The Berkeley ordinance is more
conservative than the cell phone “right to know” ordinance that San Francisco adopted
in 2010.
The Berkeley ordinance was written by Harvard Law Professor Lawrence
Lessig and Yale Law Professor and Dean Robert Post to withstand legal
challenges from the CTIA—The Wireless Association because this industry
association threatened the City with a law suit even before the
ordinance was drafted.
San Francisco
adopted a more far-reaching ordinance in 2010. The San Francisco ordinance required
cell phone retailers to issue a fact sheet that mentions potential
cancer-causing radiation from exposure to cell phone radiation. In contrast, the Berkeley safety notice does
not mention cancer or any other health effects.
When the CTIA-The Wireless Association sued challenging the constitutionality
of the ordinance, Deputy City Attorney Vince Chhabria represented the City of
San Francisco. Mr. Chhabria, now a Federal District Judge,
strongly believed that the ordinance was constitutional.
The case was heard by Federal District Judge William Alsup. Judge Alsup ruled that the ordinance was intrusive as it required cell phone retailers to label cell phones, post a
warning in their stores, and provide consumers with a fact sheet. However, the Judge decided it was legal to
require cell phone retailers to provide customers with a fact sheet as long as
the facts were not controversial.
Judge Alsup negotiated with lawyers from the CTIA and the
City of San Francisco about the language for a revised
fact sheet. Following is the language from the revised fact
sheet which the Judge approved:
City and County of San Francisco notification language
"You can limit exposure to Radio-frequency (RF) Energy from your cell phone."
"Although all cell phones sold in the United States must comply with RF safety limits set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), no safety study has ever ruled out the possibility of human harm from RF exposure."
“RF Energy has been classified by the World Health
Organization as a possible carcinogen rather than as a known carcinogen or a probable carcinogen) and studies continue to assess the potential health effects of cell phones. If you are concerned about potential
health effects from cell phone RF Energy, the City of San Francisco recommends:”
”
limiting cell phone use by children ...”
“using a headset, speakerphone, or text ...”
“using belt clips and purses to keep distance between your phone and body ...”
“avoiding
cell phones in areas with weak signals ...”
“reducing the number and length of
calls ...”
In contrast to the San Francisco ordinance, the notification language for Berkeley's cell phone "right to know" law does not raise health issues. It reads simply as follows:
City of Berkeley notification language
A Cell phone retailer shall provide to each customer who buys or leases a Cell phone a notice containing the following language:
"The City of Berkeley requires that you be provided the following notice:
To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. This potential risk is greater for children.
Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely."
Although the Berkeley ordinance does not address the science, more than 200 scientists recently signed a petition calling for precaution in using cell phones and other wireless devices and the need for stronger wireless radiation regulations.
In 1977, Berkeley adopted the nation’s first clean indoor
air law. That ordinance set a precedent emulated by cities across the nation.
As a result, today the majority of people in the U.S. are protected from secondhand smoke in
work places and most public settings.
The
nation needs more cities like Berkeley and San Francisco willing to
challenge the status quo to protect public health and promote the public interest.
For more information about the ordinance and links to media coverage see http://bit.ly/berkeleycellordinance. The text of the ordinance is available at http://bit.ly/Bklyordinance.
July 21, 2015
In my opinion, the story that the New
York Times will publish tomorrow in its print edition about the
Berkeley cell phone ordinance is a travesty if it reads like the online article
it published today, "Cellphone Ordinance Puts Berkeley at Forefront of Radiation Debate."
Over the past six years, the New York Times has
failed to cover many major news stories about cell phone radiation and health.
If the Times considers the story below to be a balanced and
objective analysis, then it would be better if the paper does not cover this
topic at all.
On July 1, I was interviewed for
this story by Carol Pogash, the author of this article. She said she had seen
my ongoing blog about the Berkeley ordinance
and had read the story in The Guardian. I
explained to her why The Guardian covered the International EMF Scientist Appeal
as part of the story about the Berkeley ordinance.
Ms. Pogash informed me that she was not interested in the science. I responded
positively as the ordinance is really not about the science (although the CTIA
wants to argue the science). The Berkeley cell phone "right to know"
ordinance is simply a consumer disclosure law which brings to the consumer's
attention the cell phone manufacturers' safety information that the FCC
mandates manufacturers provide to consumers.
Throughout our conversation, Ms. Pogash requested several times that I not
provide additional information as she could only write 1,000-1,200 words. I did
share with her my concerns that the Times may publish a biased
article. These concerns stemmed from the few pieces that the paper published on
wireless radiation. I mentioned how the Times treated Nick
Bilton's column in March ( "Wireless Technology Health Risks
--The New York Times Fuels the Debate").
After our conversation I emailed Ms. Pogash several messages over the next week
as I was concerned that she might change her mind and write about the science.
I offered to discuss the science with her and sent her the following links
which I thought were most relevant to the Berkeley cell phone ordinance:
International EMF Scientist Appeal
https://emfscientist.org/
https://emfscientist.org/index.php/emf-scientist-appeal
https://emfscientist.org/images/docs/International_EMF_Scientist_Appeal_Spokespersons.pdf
https://vimeo.com/123468632
https://emfscientist.org/images/docs/International_EMF_Scientist_Appeal_2015_signed_5-11-2015_rev_6-19-2015.pdf
https://emfscientist.org/index.php/emf-media
https://emfscientist.org/index.php/emfscientist-about-us
Effect of Mobile Phones on Sperm Quality: Summary of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
http://www.saferemr.com/2014/12/effect-of-mobile-phones-on-sperm.html
Doctors Caution Pregnant Women About Wireless Radiation Health Risks
http://bit.ly/1GMY4Nk
Gandhi, Om. Yes the Children are more exposed to radio-frequency energy from mobile telephones than adults. IEEE Spectrum. PP(99):1. Jun 23, 2015.
http://bit.ly/childRF
"Captured agency: How the Federal Communications Commission is dominated by the industries it presumably regulates”
http://www.saferemr.com/2015/06/an-expose-of-fcc-agency-captured-by.html
Update on Berkeley Cell Phone "Right to Know" Ordinance
http://bit.ly/berkeleycellordinance
Why did the New York Times
publish such a biased review of the science today in the article that is linked to below? Is this just poor journalism or does the Times have
conflicts of interest in covering this topic?
In the first quarter of 2015, the
Times' total advertising revenue amounted to $150 million or 39%
of its total revenue. How much of this was due to telecommunications
advertising?
Read the article below and decide
for yourself whether this news story is consistent with the Times'
motto, "All the News That's Fit to Print."
Online version of the New York Times story: http://bit.ly/NYTcellphone
This biased article appeared in print on July 24, 2015, on page A14 of the New York edition with an unbiased headline: "Berkeley Offers Safety Guidance on Carrying Phones."
