Cell Phone Radiation Standards: Acceptable Risk?

What are cell phone radiation standards? Who determined them and how? Do mobile phones comply with the standard?

Are the standards enough? Is there a safe level of cell phone radiation or are we just living with ‘acceptable risk’? What is ‘acceptable risk’?

Wow. That’s a lot to tackle in one blog post, but we’ll give it a go.

Safe mobile phone radiation levels were determined by the International Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, a worldwide,multi-disciplinary team of researchers and scientists studying the effects of non-ionizing radiation such as that emitted by cell phones. Non ionizing simply means that the energy is not strong enough to break ionic bonds. Initially thought to be harmless because of that fact, but eventually found to cause biological effects in lab research and in humans as well. See the full report here.

This team of experts determined that 2 miliwat/kg of exposure was a safe level, or at least a standard to hold the cell phone manufacturers to. What this means is that per kilo of tissue, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) must be 2 miliwat or below – that is, no more than 2 mw of energy absorbed by the exposed tissue.

Is is enough? Well, in a word – NO. Here’s why: at least one study has shown blood-brain barrier leakage of proteins from exposure levels of .02-4 miliwat/kg. In short, what this means is that the barrier between our blood supply and our brain can be breached by toxins and other molecules that are not meant to enter brain tissue and can wreak havoc there. For instance, a smoker is in danger of cancerous chemicals directly entering his brain tissue through the compromised blood-brain barrier.

These rates are determined by using rubber mannequin heads and probes to see how far the various levels of radiation penetrate into the brain. For an adult anyway, that radiation must first penetrate the hard skull, so there is a bit of protection there; unlike for a child.

Are cell phone companies compliant with the standard? Yes, most cell phone radiation levels fall well below the standard. They do so voluntarily as there are few countries with laws requiring compliance as yet. I believe this will change.

Is there an acceptable level of exposure? In short, no. At least not according to experts like Dr. Don Maisch, who is one of the leaders at the forefront of the battle to protect the public health. His website is an excellent resource: www.emfacts.com. Also Dr. Neil Cherry, New Zealand, (www.neilcherry.com) who was one of the first environmental scientists to sound the alarm regarding cell phone radiation saying there is no safe level of exposure.

If the mobile phone danger could be reduced such that it would take at least 100 years to accumulate enough exposure to be dangerous, then maybe it would be acceptable. The problem is that there are consequences and other implications along the way. Just like a smoker doesn’t smoke for 30 years and suddenly get cancer. Along the way, he’s wasting money, more susceptible to other illnesses like bronchitis, and other upper respiratory problems; reduced stamina, premature aging and other side effects are present from early on in the addiction.

Mobile phone radiation weakens the immune system making us more susceptible to other illnesses. Children are at risk for all kinds of developmental problems; teens more inclined to aggressive behavior and restlessness.

Are these acceptable risks? Driving a car is a risk, but an acceptable one. And with that, we take all possible precautions: buckling, driving cautiously; avoiding driving when we’ve been drinking or when we’re tired. Acceptable risk assumes a fairly certainly low level of risk, statistically. Using a cell phone does not carry that low level of risk. I’d say it’s safer to drive a car, fly in planes, and possibly even sky-dive proportionately as much as you use a cell phone and not incur the damage you will with a mobile phone.

Cell phone radiation exposure is not an acceptable risk. It just isn’t. So now you’re sitting there saying, “Ok, but what can I do about it? It’s here and it’s here to stay.” True, and even if you choose not to use a cell phone or limit its use (as I do) you are still being exposed by those around you as well as the presence of the cell phone towers.

The solution, then, is to get a seatbelt – that is, get protected any way and every way you can. My family and I all have SafeCell cell phone protection chips on our phones. I also wear a Q-Link wherever I go to protect me from the ambient radiation that is all around us. I avoid being near people who are speaking on a cell phone, in addition to the other Wise Cell Phone Use Tips posted previously.

I’m going to wrap it up here as I feel this post is quite long. I’d love to hear from you – especially to get you and your family protected. Don’t delay. Every day counts. Call me: (it’s a free call) 1-866-820-3431. Now. Just do it!