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POSTED BY
February 07 2008
Why Your Cell Phone Can Hurt Your Children

cell phone danger, emf, rf, radio waves, radio frequenciesThe U.S. National Research Council has advised that researchers should study children and pregnant women in order to determine if cell phones or other wireless devices could be causing health damage.

The U.S. FDA had asked the National Research Council, which advises the federal government on scientific matters, to recommend some future lines of study. Most studies of cell phones to date have looked only at short-term effects on healthy adults.

The Council noted that, "Although it is unknown whether children are more susceptible to RF exposure, they may be at increased risk because of their developing organ and tissue systems."

The Council also identified a number of other overarching issues that merit further study, such as differences between long- and short-term exposure, and possible biological mechanisms, other than simple heating, by which wireless radiation could affect cells.



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:

Children today will experience previously unimaginable exposure to information-carrying radio waves from mobile phones because they start out using them at a very early age.

I am absolutely convinced that the explosion of cell phone usage around the world is a health disaster in waiting, and contributing to the rapid rise in several neurological epidemics, such as autism and early-onset of Alzheimer’s.

One reason for this is that the information-carrying radio waves from cell phone base stations and cell phones make children’s exposure to vaccines and heavy metals much more dangerous than they typically are. EMR can actually trap heavy metals inside your cells, causing cellular damage and hindering your body from detoxifying. For this reason -- while I realize that most people will not get rid of their cell phones because of their convenience -- I would still urge you to not let your kids use them. 

I am so convinced this danger is real, on par with the dangers of tobacco, which all the “experts” claimed was safe, that I’m writing an entire book on the subject, due out in 2009.  

And, I’m not alone in trying to educate the public. In fact, some European countries are already working on public health campaigns designed to warn school-age children of the dangers, by putting up posters in schools and community halls.  

Will Europe Ban Cell Phones for “Under-age” Use? 

The Vienna Medical Association is demanding the removal of zero tariffs and the banning of mobile phone advertising targeting children and adolescents. Says Erik Huber, environment advisor for the association: “Children under the age of 16 should never use a mobile phone.” 

Many scientists and government agencies in Europe have already accepted that EMF from cell phones does pose health risks, reflected in Huber’s statement, “Scientists do not argue anymore whether mobile phones are harmful, but how harmful they are.” 

Don’t be Deceived – SAR is Not an Indication of Safety 

Although the National Research Council’s report states that Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) for children are likely to be higher than for adults, let’s not get confused.

Because the danger from most land-based portable phones, cell phones and WiFi routers is NOT from the magnetic radiation or the microwave carrier wave for which typical SAR ratings are given on phones. Unless you have massive exposures like you might expect in a microwave oven, these thermal effects are insignificant.

So simply lowering the allowable SAR will NOT make cell phones safer.

Instead, nearly all the biological damage comes from the modulated signals that are carried ON the carrier microwave. These modulated information carrying radio waves resonate in biological frequencies of a few to a few hundred cycles per second, and can stimulate your cellular receptors causing a whole cascade of pathological consequences that can culminate in fatigue, anxiety, neurological decline, and ultimately cancers.

The density of your child’s skull is also far less than yours, and therefore their brain is far more susceptible to these information-carrying radio waves.  

This Deserves Your SERIOUS Attention

The studies showing the long-term risks of cell phone use are just beginning to come in because cell phone use didn’t become widespread until the late 1990s. It typically takes at least 10 to 20 years for cancers to show up, so now is the time when these risks will become apparent.

It is almost as if NO ONE was smoking and then all of a sudden nearly 90 percent of the planet started. Of course, we would not see any spectacular increase in major damage for more than 10 years. It takes time for this damage to accumulate and be noticed.

Unfortunately, most people fail to correlate common symptoms and health problems to their exposure to cell phones and other radio frequencies, perhaps because these conditions can so easily be attributed to other causes (including so-called “unknown” causes) as well.  

Take a look at these common illnesses and ailments, which have all been scientifically linked to cell phone information carrying radio waves: 

  • Alzheimer’s, senility and dementia
  • Parkinson’s
  • Autism
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Sleep disruptions
  • Altered memory function, poor concentration and spatial awareness 

Although cancer and brain tumors are most often cited as the potential health risks from cell phone radiation, as you can see, cancer is not the only, or most common danger that you and your children face.

Protecting Yourself and Your Children From Dangerous RF

The best way to protect yourself would be to simply not use a cell phone and revert back to a corded phone. At the very least I would urge you to not let your kids use them or severely limit their use. Their developing nervous systems and thinner skulls are simply too vulnerable to cell phone damage.

If you choose to keep your cell phone, make sure you use a non-Blue Tooth headset. Also remember, even when you’re not using your phone, keep it as far away from your body as possible. Do not keep it on your belt or in your pocket as the radiation WILL penetrate your body wherever the phone is attached. According to a scientific study published in Fertility and Sterility in May 2007, statistically significant changes were found in men’s sperm count and health of the sperm, based on cell phone use.  

Their conclusion?  

“Use of cell phones decreases the semen quality in men by decreasing the sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology. The decrease in sperm parameters was dependent on the duration of daily exposure to cell phones, and independent of the initial semen quality.” 

So, make sure you stow your cell phone in a bag, briefcase, or your car’s glove compartment.

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Community Comments ( 22 )
Comment on this Article
  
  
Pat Ormsby
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on February 6, 2008 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Savvy User

I hadnユt heard about the connection with Parkinsonユs as well, but am not surprised.  The brain and nervous system seems to be particularly vulnerable to EMF.  Iユm glad Dr. Mercola mentioned that it is the modulation of the signal that is the biggest problem, as it disrupts natural rhythms.  The list he provides of related health issues leaves out much, such as decreased immune function and hormone disruption.  I compiled the following list from Paul Doyonユs メDo You Have Microwave Sickness,モ (see http://omega.twoday.net/):

Symptoms known to be caused by exposure to microwave radiation: insomnia, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, hypoxia (lack of oxygen getting to your tissues), inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, dizziness, irritability, nausea, hyperactivity, fatigue, vision problems, weakened immune system, etc.  Also included are triggering or exacerbation of allergic reactions; mitochondria dysfunction, linked to fatigue and possibly even obesity; depolarization of the body's red blood cells, which can cause symptoms similar to altitude sickness: nausea, dizziness, inability to concentrate, and so on; a decrease in the numbers of Natural Killer (NK) cells, resulting in longer than normal recover time from day-to-day infections; abnormalities in the T-lymphocyte ratio, causing sore throats, low-grade fevers, weakness, persistent fatigue, and swollen lymph glands; increased viruses, bacteria, mold, parasites, and yeast in the blood; subliminal stress, causing the adrenal glands to excrete an abnormally greater amount of cortisol and adrenaline and eventually leading to adrenal exhaustion; low levels of serotonin, linked to anxiety and depression; decreased dopamine, linked with depression; decreased acetylcholine, linked to a number of neurological and neuromuscular disorders, including Alzheimer's; restlessness; altered cerebral blood flow; heart disease; (continued below)

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 6, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

(Continued from above) an abnormal increase in nitric oxide (NO), resulting in a damage-producing free radical or oxidant called peroxynitrite; and opening of the blood brain barrier (BBB), which may lead to viral and bacterial infections of the brain one would normally not get.  Since the advent of mobile telephony, brain tumors have become the number two cause of death in children followed by leukemia.  There have been numerous confirmed cases of deformities in animals and plants near cell phone towers.

As you can see, the problem is not limited to hand sets.  The level of ambient microwave radiation from cell phone towers necessary to provide mobile communication can also cause these problems.  I have never owned a cell phone, but in Tokyo I and my friends became progressively sicker, contracting age-related disorders not at the same age, but at the same time as our parents.  Taking charge of my EMF environment (measuring it and taking steps to shield or avoid unhealthy fields) has helped me recover.  I cannot say メthis isnユt rocket science.モ  It IS rocket science.  It takes a determined effort to make a difference, but it is worth it.

  
  
proatc
[ Joined on 12/06 ] [ Posted on January 23, 2008 ]
9 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Hasn't anyone figured out that if all males, females and children did everything the MD's want pregnant females to do, we might be a healthier population?  Pregnancy vitamins, no exposure to mercury, fluoride, or other chemicals, cell phones, caffeine, fast-food, sodas...the list goes on and on. 

Be healthy.......DUH!

on the flip side....

How did anyone ever give birth crossing the US in the 1800's in a very bumpy covered wagon, or on the Mayflower after months at sea and harsh conditions?  Amazing resiliency and whole natural foods.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 6, 2008]
       
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

In military survival training, I was told that if I had a wound and it got maggots in it, to leave them there.  They'd eat up the gangrenous and infected matter and furthermore, if you got hungry, you could eat them.  Insects, it seems are amazingly nutritious!

  
  
Russ Bianchi
[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on January 23, 2008 ]
7 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Cell phones near fetuses, infants or children are the moral equivalent of sticking them in a microwave (both induce DEATH).
 [ Reply ]
  
  
pnorris
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User
Dr. Mercola get big kudos for continuing to bring information about cell phones and EMF's to the public's awareness......cell phones never resonated with me and now, I certainly use them as little as possible and never held to my head.....go to http://www.safewireless.org/   to get more great info and the latest research....I'm getting closer to the day that I just get rid of the cell phone altogether...also, talking on those portable home phones are not wise either, I currently use some 40 year old corded phones that have vastly superior tone quality and none of the health concerns....
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 6, 2008]
       
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Dear Pnorris, you might do what a friend of mine in Japan did who was working as a salesman until he could arrange to retire from that (he found it was seriously harming his health).  He got an old Bakelite rotary phone and attached the mobile to that.  He reports the sound quality was much better and his symptoms were much improved.  Like many people who discover the effects of microwave radiation for themselves, he was angry that no one had warned him, and the Bakelite phone really emphasized the point.

  
  
New to Natural
[ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
4 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Notice how this subject is being questioned in the US about two weeks after Europe studied it?  At least it's being looked at:  better late than never. 

 [ Reply ]
  
  
magicfigers
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Novice User
Is anyone else getting tired of headlines that do not march the content?
magicfingers
 [ Reply ]
  
  
curious7
[ Joined on 03/07 ] [ Posted on February 5, 2008 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User

As we add more high tention wires, WiFi, cell phones, and many more modern conveniences to our enviroment, things such as Autism, Alzheimers, and the like are very much apart of life.  Anything that generates the dangerous EM fields is to be avoided.

We must research, find ways to make our homes, our work enviroments as safe as can be, and no we are not paranoid.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
bmc
[ Joined on 02/07 ]  [ Posted on February 5, 2008]
       
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

This also gives us even more reason not take drugs, or vaccines, and to eat organic.  

  
  
mama bear
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on February 5, 2008 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User

Most teens I know do not actually do much talking on their cell phones.  They are constantly texting.  Does anyone have any info on the dangers of texting vs. talking (ie having the phone up to your head).

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 6, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

There is no real data on this that I can point to.  Texting is probably better than holding the phone to your head, but it is not ideal.  A lot of the effects occur at very low field strengths.  "Window effects" have also been reported, in which, ironically, lower field strengths cause an effect that is absent at higher field strengths.  (The Soviets knew of these and used them to stymie the US Embassy workers.  People working nearer the source of the radiation had fewer effects than those sitting further away.  Wave phenomena, including EMF can defy our understanding.)  In other words, I'm afraid I cannot answer your question very well.  Try http://www.powerwatch.org  They might have more on this subject.

  
  
mmc88121
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on January 23, 2008 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
Short term exposure poses no clear risks.  What is the definition of short-term.  We do have a cell phone, but leave it in the car most of the time, as that is where we use it.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
banEMR
[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on February 5, 2008]
6 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Mary:

Hopefully you DON'T allow your children (or anyone else's children) in the car when you are using it.  Using a cell phone anywhere within an enclosure only increases the radiation exposure.  In a car, elevator, bus, train or other area where metal surrounds you, the reception is partially blocked, causing the cell tower to instruct your phone to "power up" even more!  Then the metals around you will reflect (or "bounce") those signals back and forth, saturating anyone who is within the space.

Using a cell phone anywhere near a child should be classified as child abuse.

Studies have shown that DNA strand breaks can occur as far as 10 meters from an operational cell phone, so how can using a headset help?.  Brain waves (EEG) are altered from 90 meters away! (Per studies by Dr. L. Von Klitzing from Lübeck (Germany))

“My advice to all parents is not to allow children to use mobile phones.”

                                                                                                  Dr. Michael Klieeisen (Germany)

“If I were a parent I would now be extremely wary about allowing my children to use a mobile even for a very short period.  My advice would be to avoid mobiles.”          

                                                                                                                 Dr. Gerard Hyland (United Kingdom)

“It is reprehensible to even consider that someone would allow a child to use a cell phone.  The danger is far too great.”  

Dr. Joseph Mercola

“Microwave radiation is about to turn young cell phone users into premature senile weaklings within this decade.”                                                        

Dr. Miguel Muntané (Spain)

“Electromagnetic fields and radiation is a matter of dose – and it accumulates over the years, as present studies show us.  Therefore children should categorically not use mobile phones.”                                                      

The Austrian Medical Association  

Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 6, 2008]
1 Points