Just Say No to Big Brother’s Smart Meters by Orlean Koehle


retirement funds from several powerful lobbying organizations are invested in telecommunications. The cell phone industry is doing everything in their power to keep you in the dark about the emerging cell phone research, and the warning signs that wireless communications technologies are not safe. Meanwhile, government agencies, similar to their stance on tobacco before the evidence became overwhelming, have essentially ignored all the danger signs. Just like smoking tobacco, they fail to realize that it can take anywhere from 10 to 30


years for brain tumors to develop from cell phone exposure, so we are just now beginning to see some of the tragic effects of heavy cell phone use. The truth is, many believe we are on the verge of a brain cancer epidemic. Devra Davis, PhD, visiting professor, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, has written a new book -- Disconnect -- in which she exposes research showing that radiation from cell phones has been linked to: • DNA damage • Memory loss • Alzheimer's disease • Cancer • Break down of your brain's defenses • Reduced sperm count But this is all information the cell phone industry does not want you to know.


The First Warnings Have Already Been Issued: It's imperative that you are aware of the early warnings on the dangers of cell phones, as it can help you to stay a step ahead in protecting your health. Though not widely publicized in the United States, several countries, including Finland, Israel and France, have already issued guidelines for safer cell phone use.


The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), while distancing itself from any claims that cell phones cause health problems, also recently released steps you can take to reduce your exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phones. San Francisco legislation to go into effect May 1, 2011 actually requires education about such cell phone risks at the point-of-sale. Educational materials must "inform customers of actions that can be taken by cell phone users to minimize exposure to radiation, such as turning off cell phones when not in use, using a headset or speaker phone and texting." (Lines 15-17 of the final legislation.) Andrea Boland, the Maine State Representative, also wanted warnings especially for children and pregnant women to keep cellular devices away from their head and body, but unfortunately a Maine legislative committee rejected her proposal, citing "inconclusive studies" and a concern about "raising fear in people." In 2008, Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, also issued a warning to his faculty and staff urging them to limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer. So there are plenty of warnings out there … the cell phone industry has just done a fairly good job at making sure they're not widely heard, or if they are heard that they are doubted.


The Best Way to Protect Yourself: When I use my cell phone when I am away from home I always use the speaker phone or our Blue Tube headset. I suggest you take these protective steps, too, as the best way to decrease your exposure to radiation is to use either the speakerphone or a safe headset when speaking on the phone, and to keep your phone as far away from your body as possible whenever it is on. You should never carry your phone in your shirt pocket or on your belt, for example.


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