Cancer risk for mobile phones - Front Page local paper report - Cornwall, England

[Guest guest]

Today, FRONT PAGE from our Western Morning News. Devon/Cornwall, England

- featuring BOTH low and high frequency risks!

Good to see such articles emerging - pretty well written too :-)

(Also supported by a good Comment Column: mobile phones, a vital part of

life, but are they safe? But that's not online)

www.wavegoodbye.info <http://www.wavegoodbye.info/>

'Cancer risk for mobile phones'

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cancer-risk-mobile-phones/story-13405145-det

ail/story.html

The boss of one of the Westcountry's leading food companies has called for

more research into claims that mobile phones could cause cancer.

Stein says early research is increasingly indicating the danger of

excessive mobile phone use and Wi-Fi networks to some users, especially

children.

Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified radiation

emitted by mobile phones as a possible cancer risk, with a similar threat to

lead and the banned pesticide DDT.

And the European Commission also issued a warning saying that individuals

should be protected from low-frequency radiation emitted by cell phones,

masts and Wi-Fi systems.

Mr Stein, 62, said: " Much more research is needed.

" Meanwhile, people should be protected from this potential hazard in public

places, schools and their homes. "

Mr Stein, the chief group executive of Samworth Brothers, a partner company

of Tamar Foods and Gingsters in Callington, South East Cornwall, began

suffering the effects of low-frequency radiation six years ago when he

experienced pain when using his mobile phone.

" I began getting weird sensations in my ear if I went near a computer or TV,

any electrical equipment with a microchip " he said.

" I took the view that I was a freak and kept quiet, but it was difficult

because I couldn't drive a modern car with computers on board. "

Mr Stein's research eventually led him to the diagnosis that he is

electro-sensitive, a condition he shares with several thousand people in the

UK.

Electro sensitivity is caused by the thousands of magnetic fields that

surround us, from mobile and cordless phones to other wireless devices,

including car sat-nav kits. The symptoms include sleep problems, headaches,

tinnitus and earache, chest pains, loss of memory, poor concentration and

depression.

Fellow sufferer and top DJ Steve , who lives near Falmouth, says he

has had to cancel lucrative gigs around the world due to the condition,

including sets this year at Glastonbury and Ibiza.

Mr , known to fans of club music as Afterlife, gets headaches and

dizziness near Wi-Fi signals and now carries a detector grading the danger

levels from one to five.

He said: " A Wi-Fi signal between one and two causes me to feel depressed and

irritable, but between three and five gives me a splitting headache followed

by dizziness and slight nausea. If I walk down the main street these days I

feel light-headed and can't stop or go into any of the shops so have decided

to give that part of town a wide berth. "

According to Mr Stein, who spoke at the annual conference of support group

Electrosensitivity UK on Saturday, the issue is taken more seriously in

Europe and other parts of the world.

In May the European Parliamentary Assembly issued a report which recommended

the use of Wi-Fi be restricted in public places and schools. It urged a

precautionary approach and a revision of the current thresholds in order not

to repeat past mistakes made with asbestos, leaded petrol and tobacco.

The declaration that low-level radiation is a cancer risk was based on

evidence in published studies that intensive use of mobile phones might lead

to an increased risk of glioma, a malignant form of brain cancer.

Luxembourg Socialist MEP Huss said the resolution " delivered a clear

wake-up call " that EU member states should take precautionary measures.

The UK Health Protection Agency (HPA), while acknowledging the previous

international studies, has stopped short of admitting that low-level

radiation causes cancer.

An HPA spokesman said there was " no clear scientific evidence " of a cancer

risk at levels below international guidelines, but admitted that " the

possibility remains " .

" Given the possibility of long-term cancer effects, excessive use of mobile

phones by children should be discouraged, " the spokesman added.

" Exposures from Wi-Fi are much less than from mobile phones, and well within

international guidelines, so there is no reason why schools and others

should not continue to use the technology. "

Mr Stein said he was not calling for a ban on mobile phones or Wi-Fi

networks, but that sensible precautions are taken, including the siting of

mobile phone masts.

" In many European countries Wi-Fi is banned from schools. Children can still

access wireless, but it is hard-wired into their classrooms, so they are not

exposed to radiation.

" When we officially recognise that electromagnetic fields do cause cancer,

then we may find a solution. "