Rancho Santa Fe: Author discusses wireless dangers

By Karen Billing/Staff Writer

Kerry Crofton, Ph.D., is a big advocate for wired over wireless, corded over cordless. She uses long corded phones in her home, her computer is linked to the Internet by cable and she uses her cell phone so sparingly that her monthly bill is miniscule. Crofton, the author of the book “Wireless Radiation Rescue,” recently visited a private Rancho Santa Fe home to speak on the adverse affects of electro-magnetic radiation of our increasingly wireless world.

Crofton, a health educator, set out on her mission to send a “Wireless wake-up call” about six years ago.

“I’m deeply committed to this issue,” Crofton said. “ I’m deeply concerned for my family and for your family. … We can’t fix the global situation, the government and the industry are not as yet receptive so it calls on us to take the lead, take care and safeguard our families from electro-pollution.”

She acknowledged that there is a lot of controversy and debate surrounding the issue of wireless radiation as the science and evidence is still coming in. The 2010 Interphone study showed that 30 minutes of exposure a day over a 10-year period would equal a “heavy user” and increase the risk of brain cancer by 40 percent. Another study cited in her book, showed that 30 minutes a day over 10 years could increase brain cancer risk by 140 percent. The same study predicted that the risk increased five-fold if a person begins using a cell phone before the age of 20.

“Maybe not all the evidence is in but at least enough evidence is in to take caution,” said Crofton.

On the cover of Crofton’s book is a child on a cell phone, with red wireless waves emanating from the phone. Crofton said that represents the intense sphere of radiation that comes off the antenna and can penetrate into the skull, particularly the eye tissue and brain.

Symptoms of electro-magnetic radiation include sleep deprivation, cognitive impairment, tingling in hands, dizziness, ear ringing, vertigo, increased agitation and headaches. Evidence of harm includes DNA damage and disruption of DNA repair, suppression of the immune system and disruption of normal neurological functions. She compared electromagnetic radiation to rapid aging syndrome.

“If we only knew, each phone call, what it’s really costing us,” Crofton said.

Crofton worries most for children, who are more susceptible to the damage.

A group called Doctors for Safer Schools has formed to fight having wi-fi in schools due to concerns about children’s vulnerability to wireless radiation. She’d like to see schools use hardwire Internet connections or fiber optics if they can afford it.

Warnings are out there— new smart phone instructions come with guidelines that phones should be held .9 inches from the head or it might exceed government levels. Even signs on cell phone towers in Rancho Santa Fe read, “Emissions radiating beyond this point may exceed federal guidelines.”

Crofton said the question we need to be asking is if federal guidelines are up to date. The U.S. guidelines were last updated in 1997 and she fears with the advancements made in technology since then that the standards are out of date and inaccurate. Additionally, she said the federal guidelines are based on a 200-pound male, not taking into account the effect on children. Only short-term exposure and thermal effects were monitored.

Cell phones are not the only culprits of wireless radiation — it’s anything that transmits data. Other sources include airport scanners, baby monitors, microwaves, diagnostic x-rays, plasma TVs, laptops—“the last place you want to place a laptop is in your lap.” She also warns of the effects of fluorescent bulbs.

“Use incandescent light bulbs and look for other ways to reduce your energy consumption,” Crofton said.

Cordless digital phones can also pose a danger, Crofton said, noting the new 6.0 cordless phones have a very high level of radiation, as the base is radiating the entire time, not just when a call is coming in. She suggests a corded phone or using older cordless phones that are only 900 megahertz and not digital.

There are some precautionary steps people can take and still remain connected. Crofton offers some in her book:
• Choose a low SAR (specific absorption rate)-level phone.
• Keep cell phones powered off as much as possible.
• Hold phone away from your body and use the speakerphone option.
• Put phones in airplane mode so they’re not sending or receiving data.
• Create a safe sleep sanctuary; don’t keep wireless technology near your bed. Don’t use a cell phone as a bedside alarm clock without disabling the wireless mode.
• Use Ethernet cables instead of wi-fi and make sure to disconnect a computer’s airport or Bluetooth functions. Use a wired router.
• “Texting is better than talking but it’s still not safe, the only safe use is a corded land line,” Crofton said.
To learn more, visit radiationrescue.org. The book, “Wireless Radiation Rescue” is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Posted by Scott Reeder on Jan 12 2011. Filed under Rancho Santa Fe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry