1) widespread public opposition to the rollout of 5G;
2) revision of national and international radio frequency radiation exposure limits, and
3) cell phones that exceed the safety limits.
4) Berkeley's cell phone "right to know" law survives 2nd U.S. Supreme Court challenge
5G Deployment
The fifth generation of cellphone technology, 5G, was
launched this year with fanfare and considerable hype. Hundreds of scientists and medical doctors
opposed the rollout of this new technology due to the
absence of safety testing.
Thousands
of wireless safety advocates in the U.S.
and many other nations have organized opposition to the deployment of this
technology which requires installation of millions of “small cell” antennas.
In addition to
microwaves, in many countries 5G for the first time will expose the population and environment to millimeter waves from cell antennas in their neighborhoods as well as a new generation of wireless devices.
For more information see:
Radio Frequency Radiation Exposure Limits Revised by the ICNIRP and the FCC
This year the International Commission for Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
proposed revised safety limits for radio frequency radiation
(RFR) exposure that ignore
or dismiss most of the research published since the original
guidelines were adopted in the 1990's. The revised exposure limits fail to regulate
low intensity RFR exposures that have been found to cause harm to humans and
other species in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies.
More than 240 scientists who have published over 2,000 papers and letters in professional journals on electromagnetic fields believe that national and international RFR exposure limits are inadequate to protect human health.
As part of a project called, “The 5G Mass Experiment,”
Investigate Europe, a team of investigative journalists from the European Union
(EU), examined the risks of deployment of 5G and the adequacy of
electromagnetic field (EMF) safety guidelines promoted by the International
Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
The journalists
published sixteen articles about the ICNIRP "cartel" in newspapers and magazines in eight EU
countries including France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
and the United Kingdom. The articles reported conflicts of interest among
members of the ICNIRP and efforts to bias national reviews of the
health effects of RFR.
Investigate Europe. Mobile phones and health: Is 5G being rolled out too fast? Computer Weekly, April 2019.
Louis Slesin. Will WHO Kick Its ICNIRP Habit? Non-Thermal Effects Hang in
the Balance. Microwave News,
November 4, 2019.
For more information see:
FCC: Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation
Regulations--Key Testimony
FCC: Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation Regulations--Research Papers
FCC: Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation Regulations--Research Papers
Cell Phone Testing in the U.S. and
France
A year-long investigation by the Chicago Tribune
found that some popular cell phones purchased over-the-counter including the
iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 failed the FCC's safety test when tested following the
manufacturers' recommended separation distance from the body of 5-15
millimeters. Many phones failed the test when kept close to the body
resembling how most people use their phones. Following the publication of this
study, three legal firms filed a class action lawsuit against Apple and
Samsung.
In December, the FCC completed an investigation which found
that the phones it sampled passed the FCC safety test. However, the FCC used
different procedures than the Tribune. Most of the FCC's phones were
provided by the manufacturers along with software and ancillary equipment for
testing. Moreover, the FCC did not test phones next to the body.
Marc Arazi, Devra Davis, Annie Sasco. Scientists
call for the recall of millions of mobile phones.
Press release. Paris, June 28, 2018
Sam Roe. We
tested popular cellphones for radiofrequency radiation. Now the FCC is
investigating. Chicago Tribune, August 21, 2019.
Joe Mahr. Lawsuit
filed against Apple, Samsung after Chicago Tribune tests cellphones for
radiofrequency radiation. Chicago Tribune, August
29, 2019.
FCC. Resolution
of notice of inquiry, second report and order, notice of proposed rulemaking,
and memorandum opinion and order. FCC 19-126. December
4, 2019.
FCC. Results
of Tests on Cell Phone RF Exposure Compliance. Office of Engineering and Technology. December 19, 2019.
Joe Mahr. FCC
says tests find cellphones comply with federal limits on radiofrequency
radiation. Chicago Tribune, December 20, 2019.
For more information see:
What's Wrong with Cell Phone Radiation Exposure Limits? (SAR)
Children are more exposed to cell phone radio-frequency radiation than adults
Children are more exposed to cell phone radio-frequency radiation than adults
iPhone
8 Models: Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) or RF Exposure
iPhone 7 Models: Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) or RF Exposure
iPhone 7 Models: Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) or RF Exposure
Berkeley's Cell Phone "Right to Know' Law Survives 2nd Supreme Court Challenge
In a major victory for consumer rights and public health, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a free speech challenge filed by the CTIA--The Wireless Association against the City of Berkeley's"cell phone right to know law."
Thus, the ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that the law is constitutional enables the city to continue to enforce its ordinance which requires cell phone retailers to notify prospective customers about cell phone manufacturers' safety guidelines to ensure consumer safety. The ordinance was adopted by a unanimous vote of the city council in May, 2015.
In refusing to review the case, the Supreme Court ignored the pleas of six pro-business organizations that submitted amicus briefs in support of the CTIA's position.
Other popular posts on Electromagnetic Radiation Safety in 2019
Recent Research on Wireless Radiation and
Electromagnetic Fields
Berkeley Cell Phone "Right to Know" Ordinance
Berkeley Cell Phone "Right to Know" Ordinance: Media Coverage
Recent Research on Wi-Fi Effects
Berkeley Cell Phone "Right to Know" Ordinance
Berkeley Cell Phone "Right to Know" Ordinance: Media Coverage
Recent Research on Wi-Fi Effects
