Back in October 2014, I wrote a post ‘Prevention is Better‘ in which I touched briefly (deliberately) on a controversial subject. Having mentioned our findings to various friends and been told not to be paranoid and that it was complete nonsense, we have since been careful to discuss only with those who we feel are likely to take the matter seriously. I’m talking about EMR – electro-magnetic-radiation. A piece in Le Monde has filled us with hope that we’re not nuts and gullible. There are politicians in the French government who have become aware of the dangers to public health, particularly that of children, and have passed an initial law to protect their citizens. There’s still a long way to go but this is a start.
Whilst I am obviously no expert, I feel I should point out to readers that there is a very real chance that the amount of EMR in today’s environment, may be dangerous to our health and well-being. This view is held by a number of those who have no connection to companies or organisations who profit from the technology available to large numbers of us in the West.
As someone who spends a good deal of time researching issues that worry me, I have learned that for all those who claim this, that or the other is dangerous or undesirable, there are as many claiming the opposite. These latter can frequently be traced back to those with vested interests in debunking the concern. They may be scientists funded by a corporation that wants a result that does not threaten their profits, scientists who have publicly taken a stance that is now being contested, employees of concerned corporations or even those whose sole purpose is to write debunk sites for whoever will hire them. If the stakes are high enough, special websites that look totally authentic will be created. Corporations whose profits are threatened if ‘certain information’ is made public, will spend millions on debunking. EMR is no exception.
When we think about our lifestyles in the modern world and do a bit of research, we will soon realise how much EMR is in the air. At home we have cordless phones, Wi-Fi, tablets, microwave ovens, for instance. Plus, of course, that mobile that has become an essential accessory. This is where many of us will turn off – not the equipment, but our will to find out there may be serious dangers attached. We may simply ignore it, deny that there is any truth in it or declare we cannot change our lifestyle, it would now be too inconvenient. Or we can look into the subject further and adapt as far as we can.
The fact that the French government has become the first to take steps, albeit small ones for the moment, should give us the indication that it is a matter to take seriously. It is no surprise that there are as many groups pressuring for more action as there are those who see the restrictions as getting in the way of their profits, regardless of the dangers their product users may be exposed to.
Admittedly a lot more research needs to be done to ascertain just how badly we can be affected but, as with so much research involving the health of the public, little can be considered proven in the short-term. The body rarely reacts overnight to a threat, it can take years, even decades before the adverse effects show themselves. And these effects can be devastating.
I suggest therefore, that we would be well advised to look into the subject and take it from there. We will be convinced or we won’t. If we feel there is good reason to act, what can we do? There is much:
• reduce our mobile phone use to a minimum – particularly important for children and teenagers whose brains are still developing. Better still …
• … not to succumb to pressure and buy our kids mobiles without thoroughly researching the effects
• replace our cordless phones with corded ones
• connect to our livebox with an Ethernet cable
• ditto our devolo if we have one
• replace our cordless mouse/keyboard with a corded ones (much cheaper anyway)
• chuck out the microwave – this article gives one perspective on these
• as for any product with the word Smart in front of it, we should know to whose benefit the smartness will be. But this is not the only reason to be wary, this video will underline my point. There is talk of Smart Meters which will report back to the electricity company what we’re up to in our homes!!
There are protective products on the market but they can be very pricey and there is no guarantee that they will work. However, it’s a good idea to have a surf for, say, mobile phone protectors and laptop mats.
Research has shown that EMR can seriously affect the navigating skills of birds, bees and other insects. This could be disastrous, they already have enough to deal with – pesticides, destruction of their habitats and trigger-happy hunters for example.
It’s mportant to stress that we are unlikely to be free of EMR unless we live on a desert island with no phone, computer, microwave or TV. Leaf and I are currently looking for an affordable one – island that is!
ps it might interest readers to have a look at this – the guys in the know keeping the info to themselves!