Study Suggests Wi-Fi Exposure More Dangerous To Kids Than Previously Thought
Most parents would be concerned if their children had significant exposure to lead, chloroform, gasoline fumes, or the pesticide DDT. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRIC), part of the United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO), classifies these and more than 250 other agents as Class 2B Carcinogens. Another entry on that same list is radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF/EMF). The main sources of RF/EMF are radios, televisions, microwave ovens, cell phones, and Wi-Fi devices.
Uh-oh. Not another diatribe about the dangers of our modern communication systems? Obviously, these devices and the resulting fields are extremely (and increasingly) common in modern society. Even if we want to, we can’t eliminate our exposure, or our children’s, to RF/EMF. But, we may need to limit that exposure, when possible.
Do the benefits of immersive learning applications outweigh the dangers of increased Wi-Fi exposure for children? (Image credit: Intel Free Press via Wikipedia)
That was among the conclusions of a report published in the Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure entitled “Why children absorb more microwave radiation than adults: The consequences.” From an analysis of peer-reviewed studies, the authors argue that children and adolescents are at considerable risk from devices that radiate microwaves (and that adults are at a lower, but still significant, risk). The following points were made:
Children absorb a greater amount of microwave radiation than adults.
Fetuses are even more vulnerable than children. Therefore pregnant women should avoid exposing their fetus to microwave radiation.
Adolescent girls and women should not place cellphones in their bras or in hijabs (headscarf).
Cellphone manual warnings make clear an overexposure problem exists.
Government warnings have been issued but most of the public are unaware of such warnings.
Current exposure limits are inadequate and should be revised.
Wireless devices are radio transmitters, not toys. Selling toys that use them should be monitored more closely, or possibly even banned.
Children and fetuses absorb more microwave radiation, according to the authors, because their bodies are relatively smaller, their skulls are thinner, and their brain tissue is more absorbent.
Do the benefits of immersive learning applications outweigh the dangers of increased Wi-Fi exposure for children?
More generally, the studies cited in the paper found RF/EMF exposure is linked to cancers of the brain and salivary glands, ADHD, low sperm count, and, among girls who keep cell phones in their bra, breast cancer. They also noted that the average time between exposure to a carcinogen and a resultant tumor is three or more decades.
Hopefully, more longitudinal studies will be done to verify or contradict the findings so far. In the meantime, are the government’s current regulations adequate? The exposure levels they warn against haven’t seem to have been updatedfor more than 19 years.
In a Network World opinion article ominously titled “Is Wi-Fi killing us…slowly?” columnist Mark Gibbs makes the point that “… laws and warnings are all very well but it’s pretty much certain that all restrictions on products that use microwave technology will err on the safe side; that is, the side that’s safe for industry, not the side of what’s safe for society.”
Gibbs then added this ominous closing question, “Will we look back (sadly) in fifty or a hundred years and marvel at how Wi-Fi and cellphones were responsible for the biggest health crisis in human history?”
But, short of that worst-case scenario, the topic certainly merits more scrutiny, and perhaps some common sense limits on what devices our children use, and for how long.
Wi-Fi Exposure Is Dangerous To Kids
Children absorb a greater amount of microwave radiation than adults.
Follow Rob Szczerba on Forbes, Twitter (@RJSzczerba), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Dr. Robert J. Szczerba ‘s BIO-
I explore the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business. As the CEO of X Tech Ventures, I focus on applying game-changing technologies from multiple, diverse domains to revolutionize healthcare. Previously, I was a Senior Fellow Emeritus and the Corporate Director of Global Healthcare and Life Sciences at Lockheed Martin. I’ve worked on a wide variety of advanced technologies in such areas as autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles, virtual environments, data analytics, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and social networking. I received my doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in Computer Science and Engineering, am a prolific author and inventor, and have served on advisory boards of leading universities and corporations. I tend to look at the world a little differently than others and am an unabashed technology geek. As an advocate for children with special needs, the role I’m most proud of is being the father of a wonderful little boy with autism. Every day is a new adventure.http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertszczerba/
And…
Dr. Robert J. Szczerba is the Chief Executive Officer of X Tech Ventures, an innovative company focused on solving some of today’s most challenging problems through the integration of technologies from multiple, diverse domains. One of his current initiatives applies game-changing technologies from the aerospace and defense sectors to improve the healthcare industry. Dr. Szczerba is also a columnist for both Forbes and The Huffington Post, where he writes about the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and technology.
Previously, Dr. Szczerba was the Corporate Director of Global Healthcare and Life Sciences and a Senior Fellow Emeritus for Lockheed Martin, the nation’s largest defense contractor. He has a proven track record of strategic planning, program management, and new market exploration with a focus on transformational technology, business innovation and global growth.
Lockheed Martin designated Dr. Szczerba a Senior Fellow Emeritus, the highest technical leadership recognition in the corporation, based on an exceptional record of sustained technical achievement with significant business impact. Responsibilities included providing guidance and direction for Lockheed Martin’s technical vision across multiple, diverse business areas. He served as the Chief Engineer or Program Manager on collaborative programs between government, academia, and industry, and has extensive experience assessing, developing, and adapting emerging technologies and accelerating their transition into practice. These efforts involved many diverse technology domains, including Autonomous Systems, Modeling and Simulation, Data Management and Analytics, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Applied Artificial intelligence, and Social Networking.
Dr. Szczerba has more than 100 publications and 30 patents / patents pending in multiple emerging technology domains with both federal and commercial applications. He has received more than 100 formal awards and recognitions for excellence in program performance, project management, innovation and publication. As an active member of multiple professional societies in the academic, aviation, defense, and healthcare domains, he participates on advisory panels, chairs conference sessions and reviews papers for publication. Additionally, he has served on Advisory Boards for Johns Hopkins Medicine (Armstrong Institute), University of Southern California (Schaeffer Center), Cornell University, Binghamton University, UC Davis Medical Center (School of Nursing), and the Mars Corporation.
Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Dr. Szczerba attended the University of Notre Dame where he earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Doctorate in Computer Science. While at Notre Dame, he served as a Research Associate, University Instructor, and led post-doctoral research with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During this time, he founded a successful consulting company providing technical, operational, and venture funding guidance for start-up organizations. Additionally, Dr. Szczerba is personally interested in causes related to special needs children, with a focus on autism spectrum disorders. He currently lives in upstate New York with his wife Ellen and son Andrew. http://www.xtechventures.com/about-us/robert-j-szczerba-ph-d/
ABOUT XTECH: We provide strategic consulting services and technology incubation/ acceleration capabilities for a variety of businesses, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to start-ups. We evaluate growth opportunities, help companies develop strategic alliances, design and develop new products and shape opportunities where technology can make the biggest impact. http://www.xtechventures.com/about-us/robert-j-szczerba-ph-d/
Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, Jan 13, 2015
“More generally, the studies cited in the paper seek to link RF/EMF exposure to different types of cancer, low sperm count, and other disorders.”
NEW ADDITION:
However, it is important to note that studies such as these need to be taken in their proper context. This particular study is one group’s perspective. It was published in a relatively new and minor journal with limited data sets. They also note that the average time between exposure to a carcinogen and a resultant tumor is three or more decades, thus making it difficult to arrive at definitive conclusions.
This is not a call to throw out all electronic devices. However, at the very least, it should open up the discussion about different safety levels for adults versus children.
Here is the link to the industry changes in the article.www.forbes.com/sites/robertszc
Time to start writing a few more letters and one of them to FORBES magazine!
https://www.facebook.com/
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley
#1 by Anonymous on January 13, 2015 - 9:07 pm
Finally, mainstream coverage of an issue that affects us all. Joe, the truth marches on. Thank you for all you do.