Headaches in Sweden, films & recent stuff collected together.

Go to www.scram.uk.com for new information on the front page which also includes approx 5 minutes of a film produced by students for the University of Central England (UCE), it takes time to download but is worth viewing. If anyone wants a CD showing the full version, please send a stamped addressed padded envelope including a small donation to SCRAM to cover the cost of a DVD copy. You will find the address for scram on the contact page of the website.

I would like to thank the students from UCE for producing an excellent film.

Best wishes

Eileen O’Connor

Also take a look at the following short film link from our friends in Canada.

http://ca.share.geocities.com/factsnow/emfc/jan2006.mov

There is a full version of the 8 minute film from the students of the
University of Central England (UCE) now available on the scram website.

It features:

Eileen O'Connor, founder of SCRAM and trustee EM Radiation Research Trust,

Lynn Insley, SCRAM Vice Chair and founder of SCRAM

Andrew Mitchell Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield and Shadow Overseas
Development Minister

Dr Rob Pocock Labour Party candidate for Sutton Coldfield

Grab yourself a cuppa and take a tea break while you watch the movie.

Thanks once again for the tremendous feed back from people who have already
viewed the preview film and thanks to the UCE students for making an
excellent film.

Also take a look at the enclosed information which is worth a read

The Largest Biological
Experiment Ever

http://www.eldoradosun.com/Firstenberg.htm

by Arthur Firstenberg

Best wishes
Eileen

From Martin Weatherall:

----- Original Message -----

From: Sue Fusco

To: dmckeown@toronto.ca

Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 2:13 AM

Subject: Re: Protecting Children's Health

Dear Dr. McKeown,

As the Toronto Medical Officer of Health, I thank you for dedicating your September /05 advisory to the report on Environmental Threats to children at:

http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/0/1a5b31b855e597968525707d0063d3bd?OpenDocument

I have had the opportunity to read Dr. Havas' comments below as well as your Sept /05 report and agree with Dr. Havas that the environmental exposures need to include EMF also. I wanted to know if you would be willing to review the concerns detailed in Dr. Havas' correspondence? I to would like to meet with you to discuss pursuing the best Preventative Measures for our children. I strongly encourage you to meet with Dr. Havas as she may further elaborate on the elements of the electrical pollution spectrum and how it applies and is present in a variety of different settings.

I have been committed to raising awareness of the concerns of electrical pollution to the public during the past 18 months through the work of our community group S.T.O.P. Stop Transmission Lines Over People was involved in a power line upgrade proposal with Hydro One. We lobbied all government levels for alternative methods of delivering power and more environmentally principles in power planning. More information can be found at www.stop-emf.ca . Our case includes an elementary school adjacent to the corridor and an existing residential community on the opposite side. The potential for long term exposure at home and school for children is an alarming and increasing trend which could have serious repercussions for the future.

I have continued to raise the current EMF concerns of our school site and schools in general with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health toxicologists for the Province, York Catholic School Board, York Region Health Services and the Ministry of Labour. Needless to say the issues I have raised as a Health and Safety concern on behalf of students and staff have been neglectfully disregarded. The School Board has been the worst offender and is failing to take into account the health and welfare of those involved in a responsible or timely fashion. Our group is still awaiting replies from the various Health Officials for recommendations.

I am a parent of this school (St. Monica CS) and have been an advocate for the children at this school; but without demanding attention to this matter and seeking intervention from outside health authorities I have little faith that these concerns will be given high regard promptly and effectively based on the responses to date by our Board.

The YCDSB declines to provide access for an independent EMF survey to be conducted. They took one EMF reading of the portable cables strung over the school yard and communicated it to the school community. There is a discrepancy with this reading . It is underestimated. I asked for board Representatives to join me in verifying it with similar instrumentation in my presence. My request continues to be dismissed . I have to question the credibility of the readings analyed of the hydro corridor also.

As a parent I feel my child's rights are being abandoned. All school Boards have a responsibility to provide a safe school environment and to fully disclose what readings have been taken and collected. This involves agreeing to a comprehensive, detailed EMF survey of indoor and outdoor locations. Including a lateral profile of the lines adjacent to the school which have been identified through the Ontario Power Authority consultation process to be incorrectly configured for typical Distribution voltage resulting in a much larger EMF field than normally expected/present because of the horizontal line placement. No one has taken responsibility in correcting this. There has been no accountability in rectifying this problem. We are attempting to meet with Town and Utility staff to rectify this.

I agree that the vulnerability of children is greater than adults to contaminants and EMF is a carcinogen that is emitted in schools and the environment and remains uncontrolled. School boards need to be ordered not to open schools in close proximity to lines or substations. By not developing a National policy such as the California Children's Electromagnetic Field Risk Reduction Act (1993) the quality of children's health will be continually compromised. This is totally unacceptable. Until prudent policies are developed and enforced by Health Canada the health effects you quoted such as asthma, leukemia, tumours, learning problems will continue to increase.The evidence Dr. Havas provided will lend a good understanding of the association being made and linked to these exposures and these diseases. We are a community with evidence of these conditions presenting themselves in our children. How many more cases around the country do we need to attribute to this before we take notice?

Premier McGuinty and Health Canada have been deficient in answering the public's appeals to assist also.

The Canadian Standards for EMF exposure are currently set at 833 mG. They should be reduced to the most protective level that being 2 mG to protect the public . Exposures in public settings should be strictly enforced so that the unassuming public is not placed at further increased risk. I agree our legislation is inadequate and there is a significant void in leadership in this respect.

Dr. Havas has clearly outlined the extent of the concerns to various facets of electrical pollution and how they relate to children's exposure. While we procrastinate we are doing irreversible harm on the immune systems of children & the public. There is great value in acting with precaution for our children's well being. I would love to hear of your interest in collaborating with York Region Health Services or other elected officials so that our City does come up with effective and appropriate measures that serves the public health well. We require more individuals such as yourself to initiate and follow through on the position you have proposed. I acknowledge Dr. Basrur, Dr. Havas and Dr. Helena Jaczek's attempts and efforts to raise the issue locally and with other officials.

I would be glad to assist by linking you with other citizens committed in acting as liasons to further distribute the much needed information to schools and establishing policies in schools that reflect an investment in protecting our children's future and health.

I would appreciate to hear any new news you may have. Citizens of Toronto, York Region and municpalites across the country have demonstrated that more protective action must be taken than what W.H.O. & Health Canada is providing. A more distinct position has to be taken that benefits the public rather than the Industry Culprits responsible for preventable exposure.

The lack of a National EMF Policy should be a prime public interest issue in this Federal election with all candidates regardless of Party name. These concerns were repeatedly raised by community and scientific representatives across Canada and Internationally. Other countries such as Sweden, Italy, UK, Spain, Australia, Germany, Austria, France,Finland, Holland, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland and certain U.S. states have risen to the occassion by addressing these concerns with updated legislation, ordinances or policies. I can provide you with a listing of notable International Precedents .

Canada hangs its hat on finding inconclusive proof and allowing the industry offenders to gain further momentum in practicing negligence. The existing research has been enough for other countries to heed and recognize the implications involved. Instead our government is not sharing this information through education programs. The information of the hazards is being suppresssed and directed by a politically induced uncertainty. EMF affects all Canadians at home, school, and work. Some more than others. Our children need and deserve this consideration.

Would you be committed to reviewing current research that Dr. Havas has conducted? Would you review the research by Dr. Draper, Dr. Anthony Miller, and Don Maisch and countless others that have lended their expert testimony on the subject? Dr. Havas can connect you with the experts in the field of EMF and has travelled the world to consult with other governments. It is scandalous that our government locally, provincially and Federally has not tapped into an important and knowledgeable resource.

I hope you do respond and look forward to your reply. I extend my assistance in sharing the wealth of references gained over the past year and a half of my experience to date.

Regards,

Sue Fusco

Director, S.T.O.P. Committee

905-887-2173

----- Original Message -----

From: Magda Havas

To: dmckeown@toronto.ca

Cc: Magda Havas ; Ronald Macfarlane

Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 12:18 PM

Subject: Children's Health

Dr. McKeown

I recently read your September 2005 report on the Environmental Threats to Children, which is a very good document for the public. However, I was disappointed to see that electromagnetic fields and radio frequency radiation were not mentioned in this document. This is a serious oversight since we are now exposing children to more electromagnetic energy in the form of cell phones, computers, video games, television, and radio frequency guided toys (air planes, cars).

1. Radio Frequency Radiation: The Stewart Report in the UK a few years ago recommended that children not use cell phones except for critical calls. Several studies report increased incidents of brain tumors among adults who have used a cell phone for greater than 10 years. These tumors occur on the same side of the head that they use to talk on their cell phone. Children are much more vulnerable since they have a thinner skull, a small head size so the RF penetrates more deeply into the brain, and they are growing more rapidly. Brain tumors in Australia are increasing rapidly especially among children. People who live near antennas are reporting various symptoms that have now been classified as "Electrical Hypersensitivity" (EHS). The symptoms for EHS are similar to what was report as "Radio Wave Sickness" among radar workers after the Second World War.

Symptoms of radio wave sickness (Firstenberg 2001)

Neurological : headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, irritability, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, weakness, tremors, muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, altered reflexes, muscle and joint paint, leg/foot pain, "Flu-like" symptoms, fever. More severe reactions can include seizures, paralysis, psychosis and stroke.

Cardiac : palpitations, arrhythmias, pain or pressure in the chest, low or high blood pressure, slow or fast heart rate, shortness of breath.

Respiratory : sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma.

Dermatological: skin rash, itching, burning, facial flushing.

Ophthalmologic : pain or burning in the eyes, pressure in/behind the eyes, deteriorating vision, floaters, cataracts.

Others : digestive problems; abdominal pain; enlarged thyroid, testicular/ovarian pain; dryness of lips, tongue, mouth, eyes; great thirst; dehydration; nosebleeds; internal bleeding; altered sugar metabolism; immune abnormalities; redistribution of metals within the body; hair loss; pain in the teeth; deteriorating fillings; impaired sense of smell; ringing in the ears.

2. Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: Studies show an increased risk for children developing leukemia when they are exposed to magnetic fields above 2-4 mG. Because of these studies ELF EMF are classified as "potential carcinogens" by various international agencies. There is evidence of a dose-response relationship and night-time exposure seems to be the most critical. I've attached a document that reviews these studies in more detail.

3. Dirty Electricity: Because of computers and other electronic equipment we have more high frequency transients and harmonics on our electrical wiring resulting in poor power quality. This poor power quality has been a problem for industry for decades and they often install large capacitors to clean the electricity before they use it. People are also reacting to poor power quality. When capacitors are used to clean up a home or school environment the occupant's health improves in a variety of ways. Diabetics and people with MS also respond to poor power quality or dirty electricity. Their symptoms become more severe when they are living or working in an environment with dirty electricity.

I am attaching some research that I've conducted in this area. Ronald MacFarlane at Toronto Public Health is familiar with this research if you would like to discuss it with him.

Dr. McKeown, this is such a serious concern not only for children but also for adults. Our Health Authorities are in an ideal position to inform the public and to help individuals minimize their exposure (just as they were for lead by removing it from paint etc.). Individuals (www.stop-emf.ca) are fighting the placement of transmission lines in their communities (York region for example) and many don't want to live near cell phone towers that are sprouting like mushrooms. Teachers and parents are trying to keep these antennas away from schools and they are being silenced by the School Board. Dr. Sheela Basrur was concerned about cell phone antennas when she was the MOE for Toronto and she organized a public meeting to discuss this serious issue. I was one of the speakers she invited to that meeting. Her staff also proposed a lowering of the federal guideline to truly protect public health. That proposal has to be brought back to the table for further discussion and implementation.

I would be willing to discuss these issues with you and your staff if you are interested.

Sincerely,

-magda havas
____________________________________________________
Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc., Ph.D.
Environmental and Resource Studies Program, Trent University
Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, CANADA
email: mhavas@trentu.ca
phone: 705-748-1011 x1232
fax: 705-748-1569