Subject: By George Orwell -- Royal Society Press Release (fwd)
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1999 211222 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To: emfguru <rbeavers@llion.org>
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=2E....Can you believe this?????.......
Roy Beavers (EMFguru)......
rbeavers@llion.org.......
=2E....It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness....=
=2E
EMF-L web-site can be found at:
EMF-L archives can be found at:
=2E.................PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROFITS.................=
=2E
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1999 17:35:52 -0400
From: Robert Riedlinger
To: "Roy L. Beavers"
Subject: Royal Society Press Release
MEDIA RELEASE
Royal Society of Canada's Expert Panel Releases its Findings
For Immediate Release
(Ottawa, Ontario May 17, 1999) The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Ass=
ociation (CWTA) today welcomed the release of a report by a Royal Society E=
xpert Panel on the potential health risks associated with radio-frequency f=
ields.
The issue: After a six-month study, an Expert Panel appointed by the Royal =
Society of Canada has issued a report on its review of possible risk factor=
s associated with radio-frequency fields.
Background: Last August, Health Canada asked the Royal Society of Canada to=
appoint an Expert Panel on potential health risks that might be associated=
with radio-frequency fields from telecommunications technologies, such as =
wireless phones, cell sites and roof-top antennas. The Panel was also asked=
to comment on the adequacy of Health Canada's Safety Code 6,0 which regula=
tes radio-frequency exposure limits.
Safety Code 6 sets safe exposure limits for individuals working on sources =
of radio-frequency fields (8 hours a day) and for the general public who co=
uld be exposed for 24 hours a day. The code also outlines safety requiremen=
ts for the installation and use of devices that emit radio-frequency fields=
=2E
Industry Canada regulates radio communications in Canada and authorizes the=
location of radio-communication facilities. The Canadian wireless industry=
is required to ensure that wireless devices and equipment comply with Heal=
th Canada's Safety Code 6.
Comment: The wireless industry in Canada supports ongoing research and surv=
eillance in the study of health and safety issues related to wireless techn=
ology. The first priority of the industry has always been the health and sa=
fety of customers, employees and the public. The wireless industry around t=
he world has dedicated considerable resources to scientific research projec=
ts related to this issue.=20
The overwhelming evidence in the scientific community, as determined and pu=
blished in numerous studies worldwide, supports the conclusion that exposur=
e to radio-frequency fields at levels within guidelines set by Health Canad=
a's Safety Code 6 will not result in any public health risk. While these fi=
ndings have been confirmed by today's release of the Expert panels report, =
the wireless industry will continue to support research and long term studi=
es that are peer-reviewed by credible, independent organizations. Many of t=
hese studies are currently underway.
The science related to the effects of radio-frequency fields is very comple=
x and can seem confusing. The Canadian wireless industry recognizes that mo=
re public information and communication is needed as new wireless technolog=
ies emerge.=20
To provide the public with accurate and current information on the health a=
nd safety of wireless technologies, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication=
s Association is providing funding and other assistance for the creation of=
a Wireless Information Resource Centre (WIRC). Scheduled to be launched th=
is summer, the resource centre will assemble information and research focus=
sed on health issues relating to wireless phones, base station antennas and=
other wireless technologies. Once established, the Centre will operate aut=
onomously and provide impartial and objective information on health questio=
ns. WIRC will be operated and maintained by an independent staff of scienti=
fic experts and researchers, and supported by a group responsible for the t=
echnical aspects of the site.=20
Points:
1. The health and safety of our customers and the public in general is, and=
always has been, of utmost concern to the Canadian wireless telecommunicat=
ions industry.=20
=A5 We recognize that new technologies, complex science and misinterpretati=
on can create confusion. We hope that today's release of findings by the Ex=
pert Panel will alleviate concerns and reassure the public that there is no=
scientifically accepted evidence of a public health risk related to the us=
e of wireless technology under Health Canada guidelines.
=20
2. Current evidence from the international scientific community supports th=
e conclusion that there is not a public health risk from exposure to radio-=
frequency fields under current safety guidelines.
=A5 The findings by the expert panel reaffirm the opinion of the internatio=
nal scientific community that there is no public health risk associated wit=
h normal wireless phone usage.
=A5 The Expert Panel made two very important comments on the current status=
of science pertaining to RF. First, that there is no scientifically accept=
ed evidence of a public health risk. Second, that Safety Code 6, which prov=
ides the guidelines for the installation and use of wireless technologies, =
is appropriate.=20
=A5 The wireless industry rigorously follows the guidelines of Safety Code =
6. Safety Code 6 is one of the most stringent safety guidelines in the worl=
d. Canadian wireless carriers operate at levels within guidelines.=20
3. The Canadian wireless industry thoroughly endorses continued independent=
, third-party research conducted with scientific rigor and an open process =
in the study of health and safety issues.=20
=A5 The wireless industry was consulted before Health Canada's decision to =
refer this issue to the Royal Society. We applauded and supported their dec=
ision to do so and we continue to endorse the recommendations of the Expert=
Panel for ongoing review of research and long term study of potential heal=
th effects.
=A5 The wireless industry strongly recommends that scientific research be c=
onducted in the context of and in coordination with research being done aro=
und the world.
4. The Canadian wireless industry is committed to providing the public with=
accurate, timely information about the safety of its operations and contin=
ues to dedicate resources to support research.
=A5 The Canadian wireless industry has announced the creation of a Wireless=
Information Resource Centre (WIRC) which will provide the public with accu=
rate, objective and timely information on health and safety. The resource c=
entre will consist primarily of a web site maintained by an independent gro=
up of scientific experts and researchers. WIRC will be a library where peop=
le can access information on research already completed and underway. It wi=
ll also make available fact sheets on health issues, frequently asked quest=
ions and provide links to other resources on wireless health and safety.
=A5 In the summer of 1998, the Canadian wireless industry committed resourc=
es to an independent review of wireless telecommunications and health. The =
report, principally authored by Dr. Brian Habbick, stated (page 38) that al=
l scientific expert panels to date have concluded there is no evidence that=
personal use of a hand-held mobile phone, when used according to safety gu=
idelines, causes cancer or any other adverse health effect. The report, ent=
itled Wireless Telecommunications and Health, is available on CWTA's web si=
te www.cwta.ca.=20
=A5 The wireless industry around the world continues to support major inter=
national research including a five-year study by the United Nations World H=
ealth Organization.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) is the voice of=
the wireless telecommunications industry in Canada. Its members include ce=
llular, PCS, paging, mobile radio, LMCS and mobile satellite carriers, toge=
ther with trade organizations that provide equipment and services to the in=
dustry.
=20
For media information, contact:
Marc Choma, Director of Communications, CWTA, (613) 233-4888 ext. 107.
---559023410-851401618-928462076=:8871--
Archive provided courtesy of WaveGuide, http://www.wave-guide.org
Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html