Parochial Positions in Risk Assessments
Current IEEE-ICNIRP risk assessments regarding wireless radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure lead to insufficient protection measures being implemented, despite the availability of practical engineering solutions. These solutions include blocking the phone’s RFR emissions when close to the head or body, modifying antenna emission patterns, and limiting call durations based on effective radiated power emitted over a specific period. However, the industry has often not implemented these solutions or even fought against exposure abatements and public education about RFR exposures.
Other Blind Spots in RFR Exposure Assessment
Several other blind spots exist in the assessment of RFR exposure, including an inappropriate focus on heat, reliance on short-term experiments, overlooking time/amplitude characteristics of RFR signals, and ignoring carcinogenicity, hypersensitivity, and other health conditions. Additionally, measuring cellphone-specific absorption rates (SAR) at arbitrary distances from the head and averaging SAR doses at volumetric/mass scales irrelevant to health further limit the accuracy of RFR exposure assessments. Addressing these blind spots and updating guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence is essential for a better understanding of potential health risks associated with RFR exposure.
Blind Spot #1 refers to the parochial positions adopted in the IEEE-ICNIRP risk assessments regarding wireless radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure. This blind spot leads to insufficient protection measures being implemented, despite the availability of practical engineering solutions to reduce cell phone users’ RFR exposure.
Three practical approaches to cell phone exposure abatement include blocking the phone’s RFR emissions (but not its reception) when it is positioned close to the head or body, modifying the antenna emission pattern to radiate away from the head and body, and limiting call durations based on an estimation of effective radiated power emitted over a specific period.
One notable patent was filed by RF Safe’s founder, which uses electromagnetic waves that cannot enter human cells to cause disruption. Engineering solutions discussed in the paper include cell phone emission blocking, improved antennas, improved communication procedures, and limiting call durations.
Cell phone emission blocking can be achieved using proximity sensors that detect the to shut off RFR emissions when close to the human body. Improved antennas can incorporate Artificial Magnetic Conductors (AMC) and Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures to reduce SAR exposure by roducing a hemispherical emission pattern.
Improved communication procedures can involve automatic switching to Wi-Fi calling when available, reducing handshake transmissions with the cell tower, and having airplane mode as the default setting. Limiting call durations can be managed by cell phone resident software that controls cumulative dose, which is the product of effective radiated power and time.
Despite the availability of these engineering solutions, the industry has often not implemented them, or even fought against exposure abatements and public education about RFR exposures.
Blind Spot #2: Inappropriate Focus on Heat
The IEEE and ICNIRP guidelines focus primarily on thermal effects of RFR, overlooking the fact that biological systems are fundamentally different from metallic electrical conductors. Living tissues contain both free electrons and free protons (those of pH), while metals only allow for the movement of electrons. The perturbation of charged particles in living tissues by RFR fields can disrupt metabolism, leading to a multitude of downstream consequences. The focus on heat alone fails to consider the non-thermal interactions between RFR fields and the free electric charges present within living tissues.
Blind Spot #3: Reliance on Short-Term Experiments
IEEE’s risk assessment for human exposure to radiofrequency radiation relies on experiments performed over very short times. This approach fails to consider the long-term effects of RFR exposure, which may lead to a different outcome than short-term studies. Long-term studies are necessary to fully understand the potential health risks associated with RFR exposure, especially given the widespread use of wireless devices and the increasing number of people exposed to RFR.
Blind Spot #4: Overlooking Time/Amplitude Characteristics of RFR Signals
The time/amplitude characteristics of RFR signals have been largely overlooked in the assessment of RFR exposure. The interaction between RFR fields and living tissues depends on factors such as the frequency, amplitude, and duration of exposure, as well as the time-dependent nature of the signals. Overlooking these characteristics may lead to an incomplete understanding of the potential health risks associated with RFR exposure.
Blind Spot #5: Ignoring Carcinogenicity, Hypersensitivity, and Other Health Conditions
The current guidelines for RFR exposure fail to consider numerous studies that have emerged in recent years, linking RFR exposure to various health issues, such as cancer, DNA damage, neurological effects, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The formation of the Task Group on Radiofrequency Fields and Health Risks signifies a crucial step towards change in the realm of RF exposure regulations.
Blind Spot #6: Measuring Cellphone Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) at Arbitrary Distances from the Head
The measurement of cellphone SAR at arbitrary distances from the head does not accurately represent the potential health risks associated with RFR exposure. SAR measurements should be taken at a more appropriate distance from the head, taking into account the varying distances at which people typically use their cellphones.
Blind Spot #7: Averaging SAR Doses at Volumetric/Mass Scales Irrelevant to Health
Averaging SAR doses at volumetric/mass scales irrelevant to health further limits the accuracy of RFR exposure assessments. A more appropriate method of averaging SAR doses should be employed, considering factors such as the distance from the head and the duration of exposure.
The blind spots in the IEEE-ICNIRP evaluation of the biological effects of RFR exposure have led to inadequate safety guidelines and an incomplete understanding of the potential health risks associated with RFR. It is essential to address these blind spots and update the guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. The formation of the Task Group on Radiofrequency Fields and Health Risks and the kick-off meeting mark the beginning of a much-needed change in the regulatory landscape surrounding radiofrequency fields. The updated guidelines resulting from the task group’s work will help bridge the gap between the outdated regulations and the ever-evolving landscape of wireless technology.
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Cell Phone Emission Blocking:
- Uses proximity sensors to detect the presence of the human body
- Shuts off RFR emissions when close to the head or body
- Reduces SAR exposure significantly
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Improved Antennas:
- Incorporates Artificial Magnetic Conductors (AMC – with negative magnetic permeability) and Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures
- Reduces SAR exposure by creating a hemispherical emission pattern
- Provides energy attenuations ranging from 2- to 100-fold
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Improved Communication Procedures:
- Automatic switching to Wi-Fi calling when available
- Reduces radiation exposure and battery usage by lowering cell phone transmitter power
- Utilizes position-sensing capabilities (accelerometer and GPS) to reduce handshake transmissions with cell towers, only occurring when the cell phone has changed position
- Sets airplane mode as the default setting for cell phones
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Limiting Call Durations:
- Uses cell phone resident software to control cumulative dose (product of effective radiated power and time)
- Protects users from high RFR exposure by limiting call durations, especially when base stations are remote
- Applications can display and log exposures and control transmissions in high-exposure areas
Cell Phone Radiation Exposure Limits and Engineering Solutions
Revealing the Blind Spots: A Comprehensive Look at RFR Exposure Risk Assessments
Wireless Radiation Risks: Uncovering the Flaws in Current Safety Guidelines
Radiofrequency Radiation: The Unaddressed Dangers of Parochial Risk Assessments
The Hidden Dangers of Radiofrequency Exposure: Reevaluating Safety Standards
Examining the Shortcomings of Current RFR Exposure Guidelines: What You Need to Know
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