One hundred and ninety concerned scientists from 39 different nations filed a global appeal on May 11 to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN), requesting a review of the current guidelines about wireless technology and electromagnetic fields (EMF). Their goal is the creation of appropriate protective measures against the electromagnetic radiation that greatly affects humans and the environment.
A team of experts came up with the appeal after cooperatively filing approximately 2,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers on the biological and health effects of non-ionizing radiation on human bodies. Based on the data of the scientists, the EMF emission is posing a widespread threat to human health and has developed into a significant environmental pollutant all over the planet.
The now viral "International EMF Scientist Appeal" requests the UN associated bodies, Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director General of WHO and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to boost precautionary actions to reduce EMF exposures as well as inform the general public about the health risks of EMF radiation, especially to pregnant women and children.
"WHO continues to ignore its own agency's recommendations and favors guidelines recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These guidelines, developed by a self-selected group of industry insiders, have long been criticized as non-protective," one of the concerned scientists said in a statement.
Martin Blank, scientist with over 30 years of experience on EMF research at Columbia University, mentioned that international exposure procedures for EMFs must be reinforced to reveal the truth of their effects on the human bodies, particularly on the cellular DNA.
The scientists who signed the appeal are sincerely requesting that the United Nations and UN Member States defend the global wildlife and human population from EMF emissions.
While the most acute exposures to harmful levels of electromagnetic radiation are immediately realized as burns, the health effects due to chronic or occupational exposure may not manifest effects for months or years.
The effect of cellular phone radiation on human health has been a subject of study and interest, as an outcome of the continuing massive surge in mobile phone subscriptions all around the planet. As of November 2011, there were more than six billion consumers worldwide. Cellular phones use electromagnetic radiation similar to the microwave range. Some digital wireless systems, like the ones in data communication networks, generate similar radiation.
Some international agencies have concluded that no available data collected that would warrant a recommendation to limit usage of mobile phones and that they will continue to recommend a reduction of call time by using hands-free devices or loudspeaker options or by using texting functions.
Photo: Michael Coghlan | Flickr
