Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1445832
www.AbbysHealthFood.com | # 49| Page 21 PROTECTION & SAFETY, HEALTH CONCERNS, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY Advocates for EMF Exposure Guidelines BY DANIEL T. DEBAUN: ENGINEER, AUTHOR & TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE your body. EMF radiation is much more harmful to developing children, pregnant women, those with illnesses or compromised immune systems, and the senior population. 4. While that level of exposure may have been generally acceptable in 1996, it hasn't been updated to take into account our modern lifestyle, where our phones are pressed against our bodies all day and night. Device ownership, usage, and consumption habits have drastically changed in the last few decades. In addition to our lengthened exposure, phones now have extra WIFI and Bluetooth processors and powerful cellular connections. Are Cell Phones Following SAR Standards? Even with this outdated safety standard, cell phone manufacturers don't seem to be following it very well. They self-test and self- report their own phones' SAR values. Most of the time, independent lab testing cannot replicate manufacturers' results. The Chicago Tribune conducted independent lab testing on cell phones, and found that radio frequency radiation exposure from the iPhone 7 measured over the legal safety limit and more than double what Apple has reported to federal regulators. Other popular models like the iPhone X / 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 / S8 also tested high. Recently, an additional independent test done by the same California-based lab, RF Exposure Lab, found that the iPhone 11 Pro has SAR levels measuring at 3.8 W/kg. The results of the Tribune's test and the subsequent public outcry prompted the FCC to conduct its own testing. A couple months later, the FCC said they lab-tested phone models provided directly to them from the manufacturers. All the results showed the phones were in the clear, emitting less than the legal limit of 1.6 W/kg. This information begs two questions: 1. Why are the independent lab tests coming back with different results than a federal regulatory agency? 2. Why doesn't the FCC test phone off the shelf instead of phones supplied from the manufacturer? Regardless of if cell phones actually meet SAR standards or not, there is no question that the standards are outdated. The public should continue to reduce their exposure to EMFs and look into protecting themselves from the potential health effects. Ways to Keep You and Your Children Safe: EMF Protection Measures Efforts to change government regulatory standards may continue to drag on. In the meantime, it is smart to develop healthy habits to decrease EMF exposure. • Choose a device with a low SAR rating. While they may be inaccurate, SAR ratings hold relative value and should be considered. Young children may not need a brand-new smartphone with hundreds of wireless capabilities. • Use shielding products. Always make sure kids have some form of scientific lab-tested shielding between them and their device. DefenderShield's product line of cell phone cases, laptop cases, and tablet/iPad cases can all be used on devices to decrease EMF exposure by up to 99%. The EMF Protection Anti- Radiation Blanket is perfect for when kids are lounging around using their devices. • Increase time spent outdoors. Nature is calling, and you should answer. The benefits for children of spending time in nature include improving executive function, better concentration, improved academic performance, lower aggression levels, and decreased risk for obesity. Furthermore, by having kids step away from tech to play outside, it creates a time for digital detox. Time away from technology is beneficial because it is time away from EMFs. • Limit screen time in children. As mentioned, screen time is bad for mental health. But it is also harmful because blue light can negatively impact the eyes and the body's natural sleep cycle. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screens for younger children and recommends 2 hours/day max for older children and teenagers. • Make play areas and children's bedrooms tech- free zones. This will encourage disconnected play, as well as improving sleep. Sleep is a critical factor for children, as sleep is one of the most important times for growth and development. What the EWG Recommends? Scientists at EWG say that more research is needed on the health impacts of the latest generation of communication technology such as 5G. President of the EWG, Ken Cook, thinks public health agencies should be focusing on reviewing 5G and wireless technology. "It is long past time the federal government made exposure to 5G wireless devices safe. We strongly believe those exposures deserve far more investigation and scientific rigor than has been applied to date." than FCC SAR Standards