Further study, review, needed on health risks of microwaves, experts say

OTTAWA—Further study and review is needed of the health risks associated with radiation from wireless devices, Health Canada and wireless industry officials told Commons health committee Tuesday. The House Standing Committee on Health is holding hearings on the impact of microwaves on human health emitted by cell towers and wireless devices. The committee study comes after Bloc Québécois MP Luc Malo presented a 1,100-signature petition in Parliament last month, asking the government to “protect the population from microwaves.” Beth Pieterson, Health Canada director general of environmental and radiation health sciences, told the committee that her department has reviewed several studies on the impact of microwaves and has determined there are insufficient grounds to review Canada's current standards. “It is the opinion of Health Canada that there are insufficient grounds to revise our views on the electromagnetic frequency health risk assessment at this time,” she said. But under questioning about a controversial body of evidence on the adverse health risks related to microwaves—pointing to everything from arrhythmia to cancer—Pieterson said Health Canada should take into consideration more studies. “Numerous scientific studies have failed to make an adequate association between electromagnetic radiation and the effects themselves. The causes of the symptoms themselves are unclear from a scientific point of view … Yes, there should be more studies,” she said. Pieterson said Health Canada is currently conducting two studies on microwaves: one on the thermal effects of radiation on the body, and another on its genomic effects. Bernard Lord, president and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), told the committee that while microwaves are safe under current standards, there should be a willingness to conduct further review. Dr. Magda Havas, associate professor of environmental and resource studies at Trent University, told the committee that a central problem is not a lack of willingness to conduct studies, but a lack of willingness from the government to fund independent research. “If we are going to try to resolve this issue, it’s absolutely essential that we have funding for independent research that is done in North America,” she said. “Considering our exposure to this microwave radiation from wireless technologies inside our homes, and from wireless technology outside our homes, it’s amazing that we don’t have funding for independent research.” The principal study under debate at the hearing was the controversial 2007 Bionitiative Report, which Malo and a group called Save our Children from Microwaves (SEMO) point to as evidence that electromagnetic fields and radio frequency radiation are harmful to humans. The report was self-published by a group of international scientists and recommends reducing exposure limits. But Lord challenged the study. “The findings in this report are not supported by the vast majority of other scientific studies on this topic around the world. The conclusions drawn by the authors of the Bioinitiative Report are not representative of the massive body of evidence emanating from the international scientific community,” Lord said. Lord said there are “health benefits” from mobile technology, arguing that more than 50 per cent of phone calls to 911 services in Canada are made using cellular phones. But François Therrien, SEMO spokesman, said Lord’s response to the study represented a “typical denial” from industry. “The industry, the CWTA, want time. If we push back precautionary measures even by two years, they will be able to sell cellphones and all kinds of gadgets microwaves to children,” he told reporters following the meeting. Jack Rowley, director of research and sustainability for public policy at the GSM Association, representing the international mobile communications industry, told the committee that it is impossible to run a mobile network while meeting the radiation standards recommended by the Bioinitiative Report. “Measurements done for the Swiss regulator confirm that you cannot build a mobile network and provide wireless services at the limits recommended in the Bioinitiative Report,” he said. “What do is reinforce people’s concerns.” Following the meeting, Therrien said some regions of France are imposing regulations that meet the Bioinitiative Report’s recommendations. Havas and Therrien suggested Canada take a precautionary approach to deal with microwaves. Havas, who works with patients who suffer from electro-hypersensitivity, suggested that doctors receive better training to recognize and treat the symptoms she identifies as related to over-exposure to radiation. She also argued the government drastically reduce its radiation standards. Havas said an easy way to reduce exposure to radiation is to install shielding under antennas that sit on top of buildings. Therrien suggested that the government concentrate on protecting children from microwaves associated with cellphones and antennas, as well as from WiMax networks. Lord, however, said he is skeptical. “We have to make sure that we look at the evidence and we don’t succumb to fear over reason,” he said. The health committee passed a motion Tuesday reissuing a request for Industry Canada representatives to participate in the microwave study. Industry Canada had declined the committee’s initial request. kfournier@thewirereport.ca

Further study, review, needed on health risks of microwaves, experts say

News | April 27, 2010

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