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