Tuesday, October 1, 2019

California’s Cell Phone Safety Guidance: Media Coverage

December 23, 2017 update

 To date more than 100 domestic and 130 foreign news stories have been published regarding the California Department of Public Health's cell phone radiation safety guidance. The safety warnings have received media coverage in 48 countries.

For more information about the cell phone safety document see my post, "Cell Phone Safety Guidance from the California Public Health Department."

 Following are links to the news stories.


News Media Coverage
(Updated October 1, 2019)

Domestic

Did California’s Health Dept. Help Lobbyists Fight Lead Bill? How an agency charged with protecting public health gave talking points to the lead-battery industry
Joe Rubin, Capital & Main, Oct 1, 2019

 The Dark Side of Wireless Technology
Conan Milner, Epoch Times, Jan 9, 2018

 More data emerges about radiation risks and smartphones
Tim Sandle, Digital Journal, Jan 9, 2018

California Issues Warning on Cell Phone Radiation
Environment News Service, Jan 9, 2018

California Releases Cell Phone Radiation Reducing Guidelines
Blake Powers, KLUV (Dallas, TX), Jan 5, 2018
Russel Davis, Natural News, Jan 4, 2018

B.N. Frank, Activist Post, Jan 4, 2018

 Boundaries for the Internet of Things: How to Control Our Connectedness
Daphne Stanford, Cultural Weekly, Jan 3, 2018

Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star (CA), Jan 2, 2018

How to Decrease Exposure to Your Smartphone's Radiation
Matt D'Angelo, Business News Daily, Jan 2, 2018

20 Odd Facts About the Smartphones in Our Pockets

Nina Zipkin, Entrepreneur, Jan 2, 2018


 The Important Reason You Shouldn’t Sleep with Your Phone in the Bed
Brooke Nelson, Reader's Digest, Jan 1, 2018

A California public health report suggests that cellphone exposure is bad for us — but the scientific community isn't so sure
Stephen Schmidt, Public Radio International, Dec 31, 2017

Arianna Gael, File Hippo News, Dec 28, 2017

New guidance issued for avoiding cell phone radiation
Bob Segall, WTHR (Indianapolis, IN), Dec 26, 2017

California to mobile phone owners: use a headset to avoid radiation
Brittany A Roston, Slash Gear, Dec 26, 2017

Editorial: Smartphone users should minimize risk
San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board, Dec 24, 2017 (print edition, Dec 26, 2017)

 California takes a first step on cellphone health hazard
Trillions.biz, Dec 25, 2017

 5 Bad Cell Phone Habits You Should Break
April M. Short, Salon, Dec 24, 2017

In Your Bag, Not Your Bra, Says California Cell Phone Advisory
Jean Yamamura, Santa Barbara Independent, Dec 23, 2017

 Tips And Tricks To Reduce Your Risk Of Cancer From Cell Phone Radiation
Dennis Bedoya, Infosurhoy, Dec 23, 2017

Here’s Why You Should Never Sleep Near Your Mobile
Tech Caption, Dec 23, 2017

 California says the only safe way to talk on your cell phone is to text
Zoe Schlanger, Quarz, Dec 22, 2017

 How worried do we need to be about cell phone radiation?
Sean Franklin, WBIR (Knoxville, TN), Dec 22, 2017

Avoiding EMF radiation not as easy as quitting smoking
Caille Millner, San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 21, 2017
Suze Kaufman, Greatist, Dec 21, 2017

 California is worried about cell phone radiation--should you be too?
Rachel Zoldan, WellandGood, Dec 21, 2017

Mike Peterson, iDrop News, Dec 20, 2017

California Releases Cell Phone Radiation Guidelines
WebMD News from HealthDay, undated

California Just Issued A Warning About Cell-Phone Radiation—How Worried Should You Be?
Korin Miller, Women's Health, Dec 19, 2017
Abby Hamlin, San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 19, 2017

Tips for avoiding cellphone radiation
Laura Kelly, Washington Times, Dec 19, 2017

California Issues Health Guidelines For Cellphone Radiation, & Here's What Parents Should Know
Andrea Frazier, Romper, Dec 19, 2017

California Department of Public Health says your phone might be dangerous
Lenyon Whitaker, Metro, Dec 19, 2017

New warning links cell phones to health risks
Good Morning America / ABC News, Dec 18, 2017

Cell Phone Radiation May Be Dangerous, California Health Officials Warn
Ariel Scotti, New York Daily News, Dec 18, 2017

Public health officials are genuinely worried about cell phone radiation
Raquel Laneri, New York Post, Dec 18, 2017

California issues health guidelines on cell-phone use
Gabriel Bell, Salon, Dec 18, 2017

Kent German, c|net, Dec 18, 2017

California Warns That Cell Phone Radiation May Be Bad for Health—Here's What We Know
Stephen Jordan, Digital Trends, Dec 18, 2017

 California warns of cell phone health risks
Stephanie Mlot, Geek, Dec 18, 2017

 Cell phones should be kept away from the body warn California health officials
Dr. Ananya Mandel, News-Medical, Dec 18, 2017

Darren Sweeney, Fox 8 (Cleveland, OH), Dec 18, 2017

California Officials Warn Against Sleeping By Phone Due To Cell Tower Radiation
Denisse Moreno, International Business Times, Dec 16, 2017

California Warns About Cell Phone Exposure And Health Risks
Alice G. Walton, Forbes, Dec 16, 2017

 California issues guidance on cell phones and health
Marketwatch, Dec 16, 2017

 Keep your Smartphone at Arms Length, Health Officials Warn
Jane Gray, Epoch Times, Dec 16, 2017
RT, Dec 16, 2017

New Guidelines On Cell Phone Use To Reduce Exposure To Radio Frequency Energy
Harlem World Magazine, Dec 16, 2017

California: Here’s how to handle unfounded fears of cell phone cancer
Beth Mole, Ars Technica, Dec 16, 2017

 Smartphone radiation dangers recognized
Tim Kirby, Imperia News, Dec 16, 2017

California to set guidelines for limiting cellphone radiation exposure
CBS Evening News (national news), Dec 15, 2017

California activists applaud state’s new cell phone safety advisory
Tracy Seipel and Tom Lochner, Mercury News (San Jose, CA), Dec 15, 2017

Don’t keep cell phones next to your body, California Health Department warns
Sarah Buhr, Tech Crunch, Dec 15. 2017

Keeping your cellphone too close to your body can compromise your health, California officials warn
Najja Parker, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dec. 15, 2017

California Issues Guidelines to Reduce Potential Harm From Cellphones
Danielle Venton and John Brooks, KQED (San Francisco, CA), Dec 15, 2017

California health officials release guidelines on cellphone radiation
Susie Steimle, CBS San Francisco, Dec 14, 2017
CBS News. Dec 14, 2017
CBS Los Angeles, Dec 14, 2017
  
California Warns People to Limit Exposure to Cellphones
Ed Cara, Gizmodo, Dec 14, 2017

California Department of Public Health Warns of Long-Term Use of Cell Phones
Charlie Nash, Breitbart News, Dec 14, 2017

State cell phone exposure guidelines echo Berkeley
Tom Lochner, East Bay Times, Dec 14, 2017

Health department to you: Step away from your smartphone
KGO-TV (San Francisco, CA), Dec 14, 2017
KABC-TV (Los Angeles, CA), Dec 15, 2017

Courtney Kreider, KRCR-TV (Redding, CA), Dec 14, 2017

Miami Herald (Miami, FL), Dec 14, 2017

Suzanne Potter, Public News Service, Dec 14, 2017

Charlie Nash, Breitbart News, Dec 14, 2017

Natalie Brunell, KCRA -TV (Sacramento, CA), Dec 13, 2017
CBS Sacramento, Dec 13, 2017

Sammy Caiola, Capitol Public Radio (Sacramento, CA), Dec 13, 2017

Barbara Anderson, Fresno Bee, Dec 13, 2017

James W Jakobs, KFSN-TV (Fresno, CA), Dec 13, 2017

----

"State kept warnings on cell phones secret" (print version, pg. C-1, May 21, 2017)
Melody Gutierrez, San Francisco Chronicle, published online May 19, 2017

Cal-OSHA Reporter, 44(15):00-11745, Apr 21, 2017

Sammy Caiola, Sacramento Bee, Apr 6, 2017

Editorial, San Francisco Chronicle, Mar 3, 2017

California Health Officials release report on cell phone radiation
Nuala Sawyer, San Francisco Examiner, Mar 3, 2017

Scott Budman, NBC Bay Area, Mar 3, 2017
Scott Budman, NBC Southern California, Mar 3, 2017

Vicki Gonzalez, KCRA (NBC Sacramento), Mar 3, 2017

Jeff Gillan, KSNV (NBC Las Vegas), Mar 3, 2017

Lyanne Melendez, KGO-TV (ABC Bay Area), Mar 3, 2017

Gabe Slate, KRON, Mar 3, 2017

Inland News Today (Riverside, CA) , Mar 3, 2017

Is California Hiding the Risks of Cell Phone Use?
KABC Radio (Culver City, CA), Mar 3, 2017

Study Suggests Your Cell Phone is Actually Quite Dangerous
Scott Hendren, Newstalk 1290 (Wichita Falls, TX), Mar 3, 2017

"Warnings on cell phone use" (print version, front page, Mar 3, 2017)
Melody Gutierrez, San Francisco Chronicle, Mar 2, 2017

Hannah Albarazi, CBS San Francisco, Mar 2, 2017

Reynard Loki, Alternet, Feb 28, 2017

Julie Watts, CBS San Francisco, Feb 26, 2017 

Julie Watts, CBS San Francisco, Feb 24, 2017

First Amendment Project, Jun 16, 2016

The following radio stations reported news about this story: KABC (Culver City), KATD (Sacramento), KCBS (San Francisco), KIQI (San Francisco), KPFA (Berkeley), and KWFS (Wichita Falls, TX).


Foreign

Albania

Argentina
Azerbaijan

Barbados

Canary Islands

Crete

 Croatia
http://pcchip.hr/ostalo/zanimljivosti/dugorocno-koristenje-pametnih-telefona-steti-nasem-zdravlju/
http://www.035portal.hr/vijest/gospodarstvo/ne-drzite-telefone-u-dzepovima-i-smanjite-njihovo-koristenje-kad-je-slab-signal-13606
https://www.jabuka.tv/ne-drzite-mobitele-u-dzepovima/

Czech Republic
https://www.otechnice.cz/kalifornie-upozornuje-na-rizika-spojena-s-pouzivanim-mobilniho-telefonu/

 El Salvador
https://www.laprensagrafica.com/salud/El-inusual-coro-cuyos-miembros-no-pueden-cantar-juntos-porque-podrian-morirse-20171218-0040.html

 Estonia
http://novaator.err.ee/649345/tehnikauudised-hakitavad-kuttesusteemid-ja-sotsiaalne-tukkumisnupp

 France
https://leretouralaterre.fr/accueil/actualites/2018/01/02/telephone-mobile-et-sante-le-departement-de-la-sante-californien-declenche-lalarme/
http://www.bioaddict.fr/article/telephone-mobile-et-sante-le-departement-de-la-sante-californien-declenche-l-alarme-a5844p1.html


Greece
http://bit.ly/2DKHXHx
http://www.athensmagazine.gr/article/news/319044-kyklwnas-sarwsei-tis-hpa-h-katastash-brisketai-ektos-elegxoy
http://m.city.sigmalive.com/article/25274/giati-proeidopoioyn-koino-na-apomakrynei-ta-kinita-apo-soma-toy
http://www.koutipandoras.gr/article/na-giati-oi-eidikoi-symboyleyoyn-na-mhn-exeis-konta-to-kinhto-soy
http://bit.ly/2C6zmhJ
http://bit.ly/2Bx36ay
https://thesspress.gr/index.php/ygeia/item/125343.html
http://www.hallocy.com/2017/12/21/giati-xafnika-idiki-stis-ipa-proidopioun-pos-prepi-na-kratame-ta-kinita-tilefona-makria-apo-to-soma-mas/
http://www.athensmagazine.gr/article/athenstalk/316935-oi-eidikoi-stis-hpa-proeidopoioyn-pws-prepei-na-kratame-ta-kinhta-thlefwna-makria-apo-to-swma-mas-mathe-ti-neo-anakalypsan
https://www.madata.gr/diafora/technology/594915.html
http://en.protothema.gr/california-forced-to-issue-cell-phone-radio-frequency-energy-risk-guidance/
http://gr.pcmag.com/kineta-telephona/29459/news/uperesia-demosias-ugeias-kaliphornia-men-ekhete-to-kineto-ko
http://el.ozonweb.com/health/dont-keep-cell-phones-next-to-your-body
http://www.lifo.gr/now/digital-life/173185
https://thecaller.gr/tech/oi-epistimones-proeidopoioun-krathste/
India
http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-stop-sleeping-with-your-cell-phone-2574154
http://pradeshtoday.com/newsdetails.php?news=Environment-Ministers-unique-initiative-to-avoid-mobile-phone-radiation&nid=184192
https://www.indiatimes.com/health/buzz/can-cell-phone-radiation-really-cause-cancer-336103.html
http://expressnewsline.com/2017/12/16/california-department-of-public-health-warns-of-long-term.html
http://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/cell-phone-radiation-may-cause-cancer-heres-how-to-reduce-your-risk/180437
http://techpeka.com/california-issues-new-guidance-on-cell-phones-and-health/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/tech/us-releases-guidelines-to-minimise-cell-phone-radiation-exposure/story-a8PEXrCZ18HfiV0UEq8ctO.html
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/city-doctors-split-down-the-middle-over-latest-warning-on-cell-phone-exposure/article21829341.ece
https://www.siasat.com/news/keep-distance-mobile-phones-radiations-hazardous-1280909/
http://www.bgr.in/news/dont-keep-cell-phones-next-to-your-body-california-health-department/
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/carrying-your-mobile-phone-pocket-sleeping-next-it-might-be-harmful-cdph-753445
https://www.tuttoandroid.net/news/california-department-of-public-health-le-radiazioni-dei-cellulari-dannose-531738/

Ivory Coast

Japan
https://www.gizmodo.jp/2017/12/108684.html
http://jp.techcrunch.com/2017/12/16/2017-12-15-dont-keep-cell-phones-next-to-your-body-california-health-department-warns/

Malaysia
https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2017/12/15/have-a-cellphone-against-your-ear-you-should-consider-putting-it-down/


Netherlands

Nigeria
http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/womens-health/health-tips-california-just-issued-a-warning-about-cell-phone-radiation-how-worried-should-you-be-id7768859.html
https://guardian.ng/features/sleeping-close-to-cell-phone-causes-cancer-infertility/
https://computerhoy.com/noticias/life/no-duermas-cerca-tu-movil-tu-bien-72969

Sweden
Turkey
https://www.dunyahalleri.com/cep-telefonunuzu-vucudunuza-yakin-tutmayin/

Uganda
http://www.sunrise.ug/news/201712/evidence-of-risks-of-cellphone-use-on-health-grows.html

 United Arab Emirates
http://gulftomorrow.com/california-health-department-warns-to-avoid-phone-contact-from-body/

 United Kingdom
https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/california/articles/this-is-the-reason-you-should-never-use-your-phone-in-bed/
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/heres-shouldnt-sleep-phone-123323384.html
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a14460541/health-dangers-sleeping-phone-radiation/
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/california-health-officials-warn-mobile-phones-could-cause-cancer-and-memory-loss-a3721786.html
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/893893/cancer-symptoms-brain-phone-mobile-radiation
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/sleeping-mobile-phone-cancer-infertility-radiation-health-officials-california-a8116126.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5150022/health-officials-warn-avoid-mobile-radiation/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5184029/Stop-sleeping-cell-phone-California-warns.html

USA (Chinese)



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Sunday, September 1, 2019

Cell Tower Radiation Affects Wildlife: Dept. of Interior Attacks FCC

March 24, 2014 (link to Interior Dept. letter updated 9/3/2019)

 The Department of Interior charges that the FCC standards for cell phone radiation  are outmoded and no longer applicable as they do not adequately protect wildlife.

 The Director of the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance of the United States Department of the Interior sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the Department of Commerce which addresses the Interior Department's concern that cell tower radiation has had negative impacts on the health of migratory birds and other wildlife. 

 The Interior Department accused the Federal government of employing outdated radiation standards set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a federal agency with no expertise in health.  The standards are no longer applicable because they control only for overheating and do not protect organisms from the adverse effects of exposure to the low-intensity radiation produced by cell phones and cell towers:
"the electromagnetic radiation standards used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continue to be based on thermal heating, a criterion now nearly 30 years out of date and inapplicable today." 
The Department  criticized the Federal government's proposed procedures for placement and operation of communication towers, and called for "independent, third-party peer-reviewed studies" in the U.S. to examine the effects of cell tower radiation on "migratory birds and other trust species." 

 Following are excerpts from the letter, dated  Feb 7, 2014:
"The Department believes that some of the proposed procedures are not consistent with Executive Order 13186 Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, which specifically requires federal agencies to develop and use principles, standards, and practices that will lessen the amount of unintentional take reasonably attributed to agency actions. The Department, through the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), finds that the proposals lack provisions necessary to conserve migratory bird resources, including eagles. The proposals also do not reflect current information regarding the effects of communication towers to birds. Our comments are intended to further clarify specific issues and address provisions in the proposals.
The Department recommends revisions to the proposed procedures to better reflect the impacts to resources under our jurisdiction from communication towers. The placement and operation of communication towers, including un-guyed, unlit, monopole or lattice-designed structures, impact protected migratory birds in two significant ways. The first is by injury, crippling loss, and death from collisions with towers and their supporting guy-wire infrastructure, where present. The second significant issue associated with communication towers involves impacts from non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted by them (See Attachment)."
Enclosure A
"The second significant issue associated with communication towers involves impacts from nonionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted by these structures. Radiation studies at cellular communication towers were begun circa 2000 in Europe and continue today on wild nesting birds. Study results have documented nest and site abandonment, plumage deterioration, locomotion problems, reduced survivorship, and death (e.g., Balmori 2005, Balmori and Hallberg 2007, and Everaert and Bauwens 2007). Nesting migratory birds and their offspring have apparently been affected by the radiation from cellular phone towers in the 900 and 1800 MHz frequency ranges- 915 MHz is the standard cellular phone frequency used in the United States. However, the electromagnetic radiation standards used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continue to be based on thermal heating, a criterion now nearly 30 years out of date and inapplicable today. This is primarily due to the lower levels of radiation output from microwave-powered communication devices such as cellular telephones and other sources of point-to-point communications; levels typically lower than from microwave ovens. The problem, however, appears to focus on very low levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. For example, in laboratory studies, T. Litovitz (personal communication) and DiCarlo et al. (2002) raised concerns about impacts of low-level, non-thermal electromagnetic radiation from the standard 915 MHz cell phone frequency on domestic chicken embryos- with some lethal results (Manville 2009, 2013a). Radiation at extremely low levels (0.0001 the level emitted by the average digital cellular telephone) caused heart attacks and the deaths of some chicken embryos subjected to hypoxic conditions in the laboratory while controls subjected to hypoxia were unaffected (DiCarlo et al. 2002). To date, no independent, third-party field studies have been conducted in North America on impacts of tower electromagnetic radiation on migratory birds. With the European field and U.S. laboratory evidence already available, independent, third-party peer-reviewed studies need to be conducted in the U.S. to begin examining the effects from radiation on migratory birds and other trust species."
Radiation Impacts and Categorical Exclusions
"There is a growing level of anecdotal evidence linking effects of non-thermal, non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation from communication towers on nesting and roosting wild birds and other wildlife in the U.S. Independent, third-party studies have yet to be conducted in the U.S. or Canada, although a peer-reviewed research protocol developed for the U.S. Forest Service by the Service's Division of Migratory Bird Management is available to study both collision and radiation impacts (Manville 2002). As previously mentioned, Balmori (2005) found strong negative correlations between levels of tower-emitted microwave radiation and bird breeding, nesting, and roosting in the vicinity of electromagnetic fields in Spain. He documented nest and site abandonment, plumage deterioration, locomotion problems, reduced survivorship, and death in House Sparrows, White Storks, Rock Doves, Magpies, Collared Doves, and other species. Though these species had historically been documented to roost and nest in these areas, Balmori (2005) did not observe these symptoms prior to construction and operation of the cellular phone towers. Balmori and Hallberg (2007) and Everaert and Bauwens (2007) found similar strong negative correlations among male House Sparrows. Under laboratory 'conditions, DiCarlo et al. (2002) raised troubling concerns about impacts of low-level, non-thermal electromagnetic radiation from the standard 915 MHz cell phone frequency on domestic chicken embryos- with some lethal results (Manville 2009). Given the findings of the studies mentioned above, field studies should be conducted in North America to validate potential impacts of communication tower radiation both direct and indirect - to migratory birds and other trust wildlife species."
The full text of the letter, the addendum and citations are available at: http://bit.ly/InteriorletterFCC140207

 Related posts:
Effects of Wireless Radiation on Birds and Other Wildlife

Electromagnetic fields threaten wildlife
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Saturday, July 20, 2019

"Cell Phones, Cell Towers & Wireless Safety" (UC Berkeley)


Berkeley Talks: Joel Moskowitz on the health risks of cell phone radiation

By Public Affairs, UC Berkeley, July 19, 2019

When the first cell phone went on the market in the U.S. in 1984, it was big, clunky and very expensive. The Motorola DynaTAC sold for a whopping $3,995. That’s almost $10,000 today. And, to make it even less worth the investment, it got bad reception because there were very few cell towers in the country at the time.
Photo caption: As of 2017, there were 273 million smartphones in use in the U.S.
But, as we all know, cell phones have come a long way. In addition to making calls on our phones, we can do pretty much everything else on them, too, just like Apple promised we would in 2007, the year the iPhone made its debut.

As of 2017, there were 273 million smartphones in use in the U.S and 5 billion subscriber connections worldwide, according to Joel Moskowitz, director of UC Berkeley’s Center for Family and Community Health at the School of Public Health.

“This is a big, big business,” says Moskowitz, whose research led to the California Department of Public Health publishing cell phone radiation safety guidelines in December 2017. “The industry as a whole spends about $100 million a year lobbying Congress. This is an industry that’s probably been unparalleled by any other industry in the world, in terms of reach.”
Photo caption: Joel Moskowitz is the director of UC Berkeley’s Center for Family and Community Health at the School of Public Health. (School of Public Health photo)
Moskowitz gave a talk last spring called “Cell Phones, Cell Towers and Wireless Safety” for Be Well at Work, a University Health Services program at UC Berkeley for staff and faculty to improve employee health and well-being. The event was co-sponsored by the School of Public Health.

Moskowitz, who has conducted research on disease prevention programs and policies for more than 30 years, says that with the influx of smartphones has come hundreds of thousands of cell towers. These towers receive and transmit radio frequencies called microwaves — the same waves used in microwave ovens.

In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization classified radio frequency radiation as possiblycarcinogenic to humans, based on studies of cell phone radiation and brain tumor risk in humans.

“Currently, we have considerably more evidence that would warrant a stronger classification,” says Moskowitz, an adviser to the International EMF Scientist Appeal signed by more than 240 scientists who publish peer-reviewed research on electromagnetic radiation. “Many scientists today feel that it’s time for IARC to re-review the literature given all the research that’s been published since 2011 to upgrade this to at least ‘probably carcinogenic to humans,’ if not actually ‘carcinogenic.’”

To reduce the risk of harm, Moskowitz recommends that we:
  1. Minimize use of cell phones or cordless phones. Use a landline whenever possible.
  2. Keep cell phones away from our heads and bodies. Ten inches from your body, as compared to one-tenth of an inch, results in a 10,000-fold reduction in radiation exposure. Store your phone in a backpack or purse and text or use a wired headset or speakerphone for calls.
  3. Use cell phones only when the signal is strong. A new study by the California Department of Public Health found up to a 10,000-fold increase in electromagnetic radiation exposure when reception was poor (when you have one or two bars on your phone).

Learn more about Moskowitz’s research on his website: saferemr.com.

 https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/07/19/berkeley-talks-joel-moskowitz-cell-phones-electromagnetic-radiation/

Video:  http://bit.ly/UCBvideo2-27-19 (72 minute YouTube video)

Slides: http://bit.ly/UCB2-27-19jmm (Supplemental slides can be found at end of presentation.)

 Podcast: https://player.pippa.io/berkeley-talks/episodes/cell-phones-and-wireless-safety

 Transcript: https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/07/19/berkeley-talks-transcript-joel-moskowitz-cell-phones-electromagnetic-radiation/ (still needs copy editing - check back for final version)


March 18, 2019

On February 27, 2019, Joel Moskowitz, Ph.D., delivered the keynote presentation, "Cell Phones, Cell Towers and Wireless Safety" for the "Balancing Technology" series offered by University Health Services (UHS) at the University of California, Berkeley. The event was co-sponsored by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health.

Dr. Moskowitz, director of the UC Berkeley Center for Family and Community Health, has been translating and disseminating the research on wireless radiation health effects since 2009. His Electromagnetic Radiation Safety website has had more than two million page views by visitors from over 200 countries since 2013.

The presentation was filmed by UHS and by CNBC. The video, slides, and safety tips can be viewed at the following links:
Safety Tips
Electromagnetic Radiation Safety:           http://bit.ly/EMRsafetytips3
California Department of Public Health:  http://bit.ly/CDPHguidance



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Monday, July 1, 2019

GAO 2001 Mobile Phone Report to the Congress

Telecommunications: Research and Regulatory Efforts on Mobile Phone Health Issues

GAO-01-545: Published: May 7, 2001. Publicly Released: May 22, 2001.


The consensus of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization, and other major health agencies is that the research to date does not show radiofrequency energy emitted from mobile phones has harmful health effects, but there is not yet enough information to conclude that they pose no risk. Although most of the epidemiological and laboratory studies done on this issue have found no adverse health effects, the findings of some studies have raised questions about cancer and other health problems that require further study. The Cellular Telecommunication & Internet Association (CTIA) and FDA will jointly conduct research on mobile phone health affects. Although the initiative is funded solely by CTIA, FDA's active role in setting the research agenda and providing scientific oversight should help alleviate concerns about the objectivity of the report. The media has widely reported on the debate over whether mobile phones can cause health problems. Thus, the federal government's role in providing the public with clear information on this issue is particularly important. FDA has a consumer information update on mobile phone health issues but has not revised that data since October 1999. Consequently FDA does not discuss the significance of major, recently published research studies that have been reported in the press. FDA said that it has not revised the update because the scientific picture has not changed significantly.

Recommendations for Executive Action

  1. Status: Closed - Implemented
    Comments: FDA has used its public web site to report on the extent to which CTIA is following FDA's recommendations in choosing and funding the specific research proposals conducted under the cooperative research and development agreement between FDA and CTIA.
    Recommendation: The Administrator of the Food and Drug Administration should direct the Center for Devices and Radiological Health to publicly report on the extent to which CTIA is following FDA's recommendations in choosing and funding the specific research proposals conducted under the cooperative research and development agreement between FDA and CTIA.
    Agency Affected: Department of Health and Human Services: Public Health Service: Food and Drug Administration
  2. Status: Closed - Implemented
    Comments: The Federal Communications Commission has implemented this recommendation by hiring two additional engineers to work on radiofrequency exposure and testing issues.
    Recommendation: The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission take the following actions: Direct the Office of Managing Director, as part of human capital planning, to develop a strategy for meeting the need for additional expertise in radiofrequency exposure and testing issues.
    Agency Affected: Federal Communications Commission
  3. Status: Closed - Implemented
    Comments: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), working with the Food and Drug Administration, has improved its consumer information on mobile phone safety issues. FCC has also made its data base on radiofrequency emissions from mobile phones more accessible and useful to the public.
    Recommendation: The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should direct the Consumer Information Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology to work together to develop clear, consistent, and easily accessible consumer materials on mobile phone radiofrequency exposure issues. In particular, these offices should modify the product authorization database Web site so that it links consumers to clear, concise information on radiofrequency exposure issues and the meaning of SAR data.
    Agency Affected: Federal Communications Commission
  4. Status: Closed - Implemented
    Comments: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staffs have met to discuss the nature of and reasons for differences in how each agency advises manufacturers on how to incorporate measurement uncertainty in their testing of radiofrequency-emitting devices for compliance with safety standards. FDA staff provided FCC with information and ideas on this matter. FCC is evaluating these ideas and will meet with FDA again to discuss possible modifications to its guidance to manufacturers on mobile phone testing. FCC hopes to make a decision on this issue by the end of 2001.
    Recommendation: The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should direct the Office of Engineering and Technology to consult with FDA on the advisability of adopting FDA's method of incorporating measurement uncertainty in determining compliance with radiofrequency safety limits, and make the results of this communication publicly available.
    Agency Affected: Federal Communications Commission
  5. Status: Closed - Implemented
    Comments: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued revised guidance on procedures to be used by mobile phone manufacturers in testing whether their phones meet safety standards for radiofrequency emissions. The revised guidance will reduce the degree of variation in test results and speed up the FCC equipment authorization process.
    Recommendation: The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should direct the Office of Engineering and Technology to issue revised guidance on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing procedures to reduce variations in test results caused by a lack of standardized procedures. This guidance should be kept current as industry standards evolve.
    Agency Affected: Federal Communications Commission
  6. Status: Closed - Implemented
    Comments: On July 18, 2001, the Food and Drug Administration released a new consumer update on mobile phone health issues. This update is more current, more comprehensive, and more appropriate for a broad consumer audience. As a result, American consumers concerned about mobile phone health issues now have access to more timely and relevant information about this topic.
    Recommendation: The Administrator of the Food and Drug Administration should direct the Center for Devices and Radiological Health to develop a new consumer update document that provides a current overview of the status of health issues and research related to mobile phones. Because the industry trade association requires manufacturers to include the text of this document in the packaging of mobile phones that it certifies, the document should be written with a broad consumer audience in mind. Given the fast pace of developments on these issues, FDA should revise this document as significant research and policy events occur.
    Agency Affected: Department of Health and Human Services: Public Health Service: Food and Drug Administration

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