Cell Phone/Wifi Radiation and Your Health

By Marcie Barnes

Summarized from an assignment I completed for:
JOMC 710 "Computing Concepts and Issues: Power Tools for the Mind"
Professor Deb Aikat, Ph. D
April 9th, 2009
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

THE ISSUE

Most of us are familiar with the possible dangers of radiation from things such as nuclear power plants, microwave ovens, x-rays, and power lines. New technology has introduced a few more devices that have entered the debate over what levels of radiation are harmful: the cell phone, and more recently, the wireless network. Because cell phones are used by 83% of Americans, and by some for the majority of their day, exposure to cell phones and the radiation they omit should be a top-of-mind issue. Similarly, wireless networks, commonly known as wifi, are popping up all over the country and the world, including public schools, in order to connect laptop and web-enabled phone users to the Internet. Both of these technologies may be causing a greater health risk via the radiation they emit.

FIVE FEARS OF THE ISSUE

1) General decline in public health: There are a bevy of research-proven illnesses attributed to overexposure to radiation, including: asthma, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, autism, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, cataracts, hypothyroidism, diabetes, malignant melanoma, cancer, heart attacks and strokes (including in young people) and "radio wave sickness". The more people are exposed to these devices and the towers associated with them, the higher the chances are that illness may ensue at some point.

2) Forest die-off, reproductive failure and population decline - these things have been found in many species of birds, as well as ill health and birth deformities in farm animals near microwave towers. Possible implications could include disruption of the food chain that could lead to extinction, contaminated food supply via direct exposure or from the birth defects and degradation of the animal's genetic material.

3) Privacy concerns - Some people are beginning to feel "invaded" by the proliferation of microwave radiation in our cities and towns, and even some of the most rural areas are no longer safe havens for those who may choose to live or spend time away from towers. Lawsuits could become more prevalent if more people fall ill and the link between radiation from wireless devices and illness is proven.

4) Major loss of productivity and well-being - Non-diagnosed, symptomatic effects of radiation sickness including things such as nausea, headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression could vastly effect the productivity and well-being of Americans.

5) Increased risk for children and teens - Those who are using these devices at a faster and faster pace are those perhaps most susceptible -- most likely because of their thinner skulls and developing tissues. This youtube video shows a study done in 1997 that reveals the higher amount of penetration in children: (Paul Fitzgerald: EMF expert and founder of the Research Center for Wireless Technology)


HELPFUL RESOURCES

1) Cell Phone Radiation News Bureau
http://cprnews.com/World-News

2) Electromagnetic Frequencies Blog
http://cellphonesafety.wordpress.com".
3) Wikipedia Entries on Mobile Phone Radiation and Health and Wireless Electronic Devices and Health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_electronic_devices_and_health

4) Techdirt.com
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061212/080748.shtml
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080728/1034471811.shtml
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080325/002149639.shtml
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20071203/003533.shtml
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070725/095038.shtml

5) C-Net's Quick Guide: Cell Phone Radiation Levels
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-radiation-levels

6) The dangers of Wi-Fi radiation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2007/may/21/thedangersof
7) 5 tips to limit your cell phone risk
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/07/31/ep.cell.phones.cancer/index.html

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

*Air on the side of caution - Use an earpiece instead of holding the device to your head, particularly for longer conversations. Bluetooth devices are a better alternative to holding the phone up to your head, but a wired headset with a ferrite bead or a hollow-tube device are the expert's choice. Keep conversations to a minimum. This simple yet effective piece of advice can save you quite a bit of radiation. Think back to the days when cell calls were .80/minute, and this one's easy to do. Avoid long conversations in locations, such as rural areas or enclosed areas, where a cell phone's network signal is weak. A weak signal makes the phone emit more power so it can connect to a faraway cell tower.

* If you buy your preteen or young teenager a phone, make sure he or she follows the above precautionary measures. Parents should be vigilant about their children's using speakers or hands-free devices, and about limiting the number of calls and amount of time their children spend on the phone. A comprehensive list of strategies (for both young and old) is found here: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/reduce-your-risks-from-cellpho.html

* File complaints to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, and your local government officials about your concerns about lack of space to go to be "free" of technology radiation.

Posted via email from Marcie's posterous

Eat Fat to Lose Fat, Part Deux

By Marcie Barnes

I've been wanting to expound upon my first post about this notion for quite some time, but since my colleague Timothy Ferriss posted this yesterday, I figure "why re-invent the wheel?" I've been a proponent of the "a calorie is not a calorie" mindset for quite some time, and Tim explains it well along with Dr. Michael Eades in the interview.

Basically, although fat is the highest in terms of calorie count by weight, I don't believe the body stores fat as fat. Instead, it uses fats for cell repair/regeneration, etc. That's pretty important stuff. This is also why I think there is an epidemic of psychological disorders in Westernized nations (to include depression and ADHD) - because of the "low fat" diets that have been so popular for years. To clarify: I said I don't believe the body stores the fat you eat, it stores the unused carbohydrates you eat as fat. Why do you think farmers feed their pigs and cows grain in order to fatten them up as quickly as possible for slaughter? If the fat we consume turns to fat, why aren't farmers feeding their livestock….fat? If you're overweight, there's a very good chance your diet consists of too much sugar and other refined white carbs like flour. Think about it.

I am a vegetarian (I do eat dairy and seafood) so I feel compelled to say that while we are essentially promoting a low-carb diet here, that doesn't have to mean eating a lot of meat to compensate for the lack of carbs. My diet largely consists of vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains. I always choose the full-fat version of dressing (or sour cream or whatnot) and use healthy oils such as olive and coconut liberally (yes, coconut oil is saturated - not all saturated fats are bad, either.) Fats and oils help make you feel full in the same way meats do. And by the way, once you start eating this way on a regular basis, you won't miss the other stuff after awhile. Go cold turkey on the sugar - it can be as addictive as cocaine.

This link will take you to all four fascinating posts by Tim on this important topic.

Flaws in an International Nutrition Icon: The USDA Food Pyramid

(This post is part of an assignment for the class I am taking, Global Impact of New Communication Technologies at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is the abstract for and link to my final essay.)

By Marcie Barnes

Abstract

The familiar Food Guide Pyramid and the newer MyPyramid from the United States Department of Agriculture are widely used graphical representations of what the government agency deems to be appropriate proportions of different kinds of foods for the American public. These icons are used to educate people, including children, on what they should be eating. The International community and press also frequently reference this source. This paper examines the flaws in the old and new food pyramids by investigating scientific research, including that which the Pyramid’s critics use to back up their claims, and explores the reasons why the government agency is seemingly ignoring the science. In addition, this paper proposes a new “food continuum” as a better way to graphically represent the dietary needs of the human body in a way that is easy to understand for the unhealthiest segment of our population: the poor.

To read the paper in its entirety, click here.

What is Facebook Suicide?

By Marcie Barnes

(This post is part of an assignment for the class I am taking, Global Impact of New Communication Technologies at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I will be posting articles about things I read on my classmates' blogs, and talking about how they relate to health, if possible!)

I was perusing my classmate Joe's blog: Joereco’s Weblog and found this entry on Facebook Suicide. I have never been to facebook, and I am now keenly aware that I need to stay away! I am no stranger to Internet addiction and the dangers of forming bonds with people in an online forum. Although this seems to be the wave of the future, the article referenced in Joe's post from Fox news does a great job of giving an example of how online addiction can be harmful to your most important real-life relationships.

I am proud of Stephanie, who as the article describes, recognized the pain and betrayal her boyfriend felt by her relationships with virtual people (some from her real past) and deactivated her facebook account. Addicts can easily become so engrossed in the endorphins and other "feel good" aspects of their drug of choice that they completely deny the pain they are causing people who love them. If it's hurting someone else, stop.

(For more information on Internet Addiction here's a resource: http://psychcentral.com/netaddiction/)