1. The Tech Generation...taking action
to protect our kids
SHARON M. WEINSTEIN, MS,
RN, CRNI, FACW, FAAN

2. Objectives
 Discuss the inherent dangers associated with
connectivity
 Identify safety measures that parents can take to
mitigate cellular damage
 Describe the impact on students’ health – long and
short-term

3. Abstract
 iPad, iPhone, Droid, Tablet, Video games – are signs
of the times and can we live without them? WiFi and
cellular technology may be the most devastating
challenge to our health and that that industry,
government and consumers do not like to
acknowledge. We’ll address signs and symptoms as
well as corrective actions.

4. Sources
 Cell phones
 Cell towers
 Cordless phones
 PDA’s – Blackberry, Treo, iPhone
 Wireless games (Wii)
 Baby monitors
 Smart Meters
 WiFi and more

5. Scientific Evidence
 “…results indicate changes in the response
characteristics of the nervous system with
repeated exposure, suggesting that the effects are
not ‘forgotten’ after each episode of exposure”
 “Neurological Effects of Radiofrequency
Radiation, Dept. of Bioengineering, school
of Medicine, University of Washington
 Soviets scientists warn of cumulative effects of
non-thermal radiation doses, including
reproductive and genetic effects

6. Scientific Evidence
 All studies show increased brain tumor risk
after 10 years
 Malignant brain tumors – 40% increase 30
mins/day after 10 years – Interphone
 Heavy cell phone use by teens show four to five
times more brain tumors by late 20’s – Dr.
Lennart Hardell, Sweden

7. Why is it Dangerous?
 It constantly transmits at full power – doesn’t
decrease power when not in use
 It is on 24/7
 Exposure to full power microwave pulses from
router every few seconds even if computer off.
 Scientifically proven biologically active
 Evidence of cumulative effects

8. Cumulative Effect
 “…results indicate changes in the response characteristics
of the nervous system with repeated exposure, suggesting
that the effects are not ‘forgotten’ after each episode of
exposure”
 “Neurological Effects of Radiofrequency
Radiation, Dept. of Bioengineering, school of
Medicine, University of Washington
 Soviets scientists warn of cumulative effects of non-
thermal radiation doses, including reproductive and
genetic effects

9. EMF Sensitivity
 Electromagnetic sensitivity recognized
internationally – growing health disaster
 Chronic condition/disability of hyper-sensitive
reactions to EMR
 Can only be reversed by reducing exposure
 Some people no recognizable symptoms, but does
not mean they are unaffected.

10. Symptoms
Dizziness Arrhythmia
Headaches Racing heart/palpitations
Fatigue & Anxiety Digestive changes
Sleep problems High blood pressure
Skin disorders Blood sugar levels
Tinnitus (ringing ears) Joint & muscle pain
Restless leg syndrome Memory & concentration
Thyroid disorders difficulties

11. What is radiation?
 The word ‘radiation’ means
 Anything which ‘radiates’ on ray-like paths
 Could be
 Sound
 Radio
 Light
 Infra-red light
 Particles or waves emitted from the nuclei of
atoms
 Nuclear Radiation

12. How does my phone work?
• Each color represents a
 Mobile Phones are base station operating at a
‘radio’ phones slightly different frequency
 Operating at
microwave frequencieshexagonal cells
Roughly
 Handset power
minimized by having a
network of local
transmitters and
receivers
Mast

13. Technology
 Each cell has a transmitter and receiver mast
 Notice the typical three way structure

14. Vulnerability
 “The developing organs of a child are the most
sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to
electromagnetic fields.” –University Pittsburgh
Cancer Institute
 “The consequence of prolonged exposures to
children, whose nervous systems continue to
develop until late adolescence is unknown at this
time. This could…result in diminished capacity
for thinking, judgment, memory, learning and
control over behavior.” – BioInitiative Report

15. The Risks
 Electromagnetic fields are likely to penetrate the
brain more deeply for children than adults…due
to smaller sized brains and softer brain tissue. –
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Inst
 Living tissue is vulnerable to EMF within the
frequency bands used by cell phones, even below
the threshold of power imposed by most safety
standards, notably an increase in the permeability
of the blood brain barrier and increased synthesis
of stress proteins.” – U of P Cancer Inst.

16. Waves and Matter
 When an electromagnetic wave interacts with
matter…
 Some absorption
 Some reflection
 Some transmission

17. Summary
 Electromagnetic waves interacting with matter can be
 Reflected, absorbed or transmitted
 What happens depends on
 the frequency of the electric field
 the natural frequencies of the atoms and molecules
 Microwaves emitted by mobile phone systems
 Are absorbed by human tissue

18. What are the risks?
 Basic safety assumption is that the main effect of
exposure to microwaves is thermal
 Are there ‘non-thermal’ effects?
Ifso are they harmful?
Normal thermal vibrations are much larger than
vibrations induced by microwaves emitted by
mobile phones.

19. How it all fits together…
Electricity
Atoms
Heat
Electromagnetic
waves

20. What could we do?
 Ban mobile phones ?
 The ‘Precautionary principle’
 Could there be some harm caused?
 How many lives are saved by mobile phones?
 Reduce mobile phone power ?
 Increase the number of mobile phone masts
 Reduce mast power ?
 Increase the mobile phone handset power
 Increase the number of masts
 Ban mobile phone use while driving ?
 Done: has it been effective?
 Nothing ?

21. What will YOU do?
TAKE ACTION NOW!
THANK YOU