| If you think your cell phone's low SAR rating | | | | - changes in calcium metabolism affecting |
| will keep you safe from your phone's radio | | | | communication between cells |
| frequency/microwave radiation, think again. | | | | |
| Several studies have shown that even | | | | - changes in brainwave patterns as seen on |
| low-intensity radiation, up to 200,000 lower | | | | EEG's |
| than existing safety standards, produces | | | | |
| biological effects.What is SAR, | | | | - plus effects observed on many different |
| anyway?Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a | | | | systems of the body.Researchers are cautious |
| measure of the amount of radio frequency | | | | in drawing any conclusions that these effects |
| energy absorbed by the body when using a | | | | are directly linked to major health problems |
| mobile phone. The FCC has adopted limits for | | | | like cancer and neurological conditions. They |
| safe exposure to radio frequency and requires | | | | are, however, plausible precursors to such |
| cell phone manufacturers to ensure that their | | | | conditions, and some evidence suggests there |
| phones comply. Any cell phone at or below | | | | may be an association. Even conservative |
| these SAR levels (that is, any phone legally | | | | researchers who have looked into these |
| sold in the U.S.) is a "safe" phone, as | | | | nonthermal effects express concern that this |
| measured by these standards. The FCC limit | | | | radiation is a "probable" cause of health |
| for public exposure from cellular telephones | | | | problems.Given that bioeffects have been seen |
| is an SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram | | | | in exposures as low as 0.000021 W/Kg (Kwee |
| (1.6 W/kg). (You can request your cell | | | | study on Changes in cell cycle and cell |
| phone's SAR information from the manufacturer | | | | proliferation, 1997) when the FCC limit is |
| or your carrier.)When radio frequency energy | | | | 1.6 W/Kg, the safety guidelines need to be |
| impinges upon your body tissue, part of it is | | | | re-evaluated. Some scientists, for instance, |
| absorbed and converted to heat due to ionic | | | | are calling for a new measure that would |
| conduction. This heat manifests itself as a | | | | indicate the total energy absorbed by a |
| temperature increase inside the tissue. | | | | tissue, not just the radio frequency energy |
| Earlier on the government and the industry | | | | as it is with SAR.Filling the GapIn the |
| have come to the conclusion that if this | | | | meantime, what do you, as the consumer, do? |
| heating is below a certain level, then the | | | | If the whole tobacco controversy was any |
| radiation level is safe.Biological Effects | | | | indication, it could take several more years |
| from Low ExposureBut several laboratory | | | | before there develops any clear consensus |
| studies show that nonthermal (non-heating) | | | | about this issue. The everyday cell phone |
| effects, including those occurring at levels | | | | user cannot afford to wait. Every time you |
| way below the current SAR standards, can be | | | | make a call with your cell phone, radio |
| dangerous. During the past several years | | | | frequency waves penetrate into your head and |
| three out of four independent (non-industry | | | | potentially put your health at risk.To |
| sponsored) research studies worldwide have | | | | address concerns of the public becoming more |
| been showing these nonthermal effects, which | | | | aware of such dangers, there has grown a |
| include: | | | | market to fill the need for protective |
| | | | solutions. Promising new technologies that |
| - DNA damage and nonrepair | | | | have passed scientific testing are proven to |
| | | | be effective in preventing biological stress |
| - breakdown of the blood-brain barrier | | | | caused by electromagnetic frequencies. |
| (allowing chemical toxins and pathogens to | | | | Scientists and health professionals concerned |
| reach the brain) | | | | about public health recommend these |
| | | | scientifically validated devices and you |
| - lowered immunity | | | | ought it to yourself to investigate them.It |
| | | | took two decades of study, 100 years of |
| - decreased melatonin levels | | | | consumer use, and untold millions of |
| | | | casualties before the U.S. Surgeon General's |
| - effects on stress proteins (indicating | | | | warning label was placed on cigarette packs. |
| cell damage) | | | | A time will come when the government becomes |
| | | | satisfied with the voluminous data it needs |
| - formation of micronuclei (aberrations in | | | | to establish the health risks of cell phone |
| cell nuclei which are often markers for | | | | use and set new safety standards. Until then, |
| cancer) | | | | make sure you do not become a number in the |
| | | | statistics. Don't wait. |