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October 10, 2003
3G radiation problems
My friend Mark Anderson (sns@tapsns.com) Strategic News Service - Home Page, in his recent newsletter has a very interesting piece on the potential issues with 3G base stations. I have put the entire section here with credit to Mark. He is absolutely right about one spooky aspect of airwave regulation, the fact that health effects are not even considered. He rightly points out that you are basically introducing a very large amount of new stuff into our environment without testing the consequences. If someone wanted to add something to the water supply, there would be endless hearings and studies. But the airsupply? The ionisphere? Just because you can't see or hear it, doesn't mean it can't kill you.
From Mark:
3G Base Station Radiation Issues
Having early predicted the biological dangers of 2G cellphones, we are now entering a new phase of interest and concern: as operators and users rush to new global 3G standards, will they be at risk for biological radiation effects?
Let's begin by noting the complete lack of any initiative taken by governments, almost universally, worldwide, on this and related issues. If I were to start a company whose business was to add a special secret sauce to U.S. drinking water, you can imagine how many minutes it would take until 50 government agencies were breathing down my neck. But exposing all U.S. citizens to the unknown potential effects of radiation is not cause for the slightest concern - or testing.
On that note, we can now thank the more rational Dutch for at least asking the question, as 3G users move into the millions. Specifically, we should note a report issued this week by the Dutch ministries of Economic Affairs, Health and Telecommunications, noting stastically significant negative (and positive) effects caused by exposure to radiation like that emitted by 3G cell towers.
The double-blind study, done by the Dutch technological institute TNO, found exposure to expected average levels of radiation caused tingling sensations, headaches and nausea, as well as boosting cognitive functions and memory. (Earlier work in England also found these "beneficial" results, together with radiative heating of brain tissue; it is possible that both of these benefits are directly proportional to the heating itself, and/or to related increased bloodflow.)
Summary: Here is what matters from this first study on 3G health effects:
1. The double-blind test produced statistically significant changes in users; no base station test has done this before. Therefore, 3G may warrant more attention than 2G, in terms of health effects.
2. The type of 3G examined was in the GSM standard; this group currently has the largest user base in the world, and therefore provides another reason for caution.
3. The modeling used presumed that base station exposure would be more constant in amplitude, and weaker, than exposure caused by 3G handsets. No studies have been done on 3G handsets, but if the lower levels of base station radiation received are problematic, this should be prioritized.
Prediction: We will now watch the cellular industry again do all it can to obscure and obfuscate, instead of improve designs, to assist in avoiding health problems. If you are a 3G phone user, you already know you should use an earmike. If you live near a tower about to be upgraded, you probably should have new concerns about negative physiological responses, at the least.
Posted by Martin at October 10, 2003 12:34 AM
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Comments
Hello, i was wondering if anybody would be able to answer these questions;
What are the affects of using bluetooth technology (the ear piece)? Is it bluetooth safer than using handsfree? Overall, is our at risk by using these devices, and what precautions should be taken?
thanks, Chris.
Posted by: Chris at December 3, 2003 5:59 AM
I asked that question directly to the researcher at the conference I attended. He said the problem comes from the power required to boost the signal from your handset to the antenae miles away. The damage actually goes up logrythmically as the power increases. The power increases as the signal strength decreases (in order to reach the tower).
Bluetooth on the other hand is not trying to jump miles. It is VERY low power transmitter. And a different frequency. When it gets out of range, instead of boosting the power, it simply cuts out. The researcher said although he had not specfically tested bluetooth, he thought there would not be the same issues.
Posted by: Martin at December 3, 2003 2:50 PM
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