Claims that imminent dangers exist from electro-magnetic forces (EMF) caused by cell towers, cell phones, WiFi, so-called “smart” meters, AC current, DC current, and such, are unsubstantiated. Recent letters in The NEWS concerning the potential dangers of exposure to EMF have become predictable and, frankly, boring. Collectively these letters have put us into the state called “issue fatigue.” As the name suggests, we quit listening. Incidentally, the cure for this malady is to stop submitting and printing repetitious drivel.
The names of a number of individuals and organizations have been put forth in letters to this newspaper, asserting them to be experts on the harmful effects of EMF on humans. To be an “expert,” however, requires having authoritative and factual information on a subject, not just opinions or conjecture. Any one of us is entitled to an opinion on anything, but that doesn’t make us experts, nor does it make us right. The World Health Organization (WHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory and watch-dog agencies have not found any evidence that EMF exposure causes harm to humans.
A comprehensive bibliography, entitled EMF of 37 published studies has been compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read the papers themselves — don’t cherry-pick words from the titles. The reaction from those who believe EMF poses a risk to us all, is predictable — that this is one of many examples of a conspiracy between governments and big business to hide the truth. Perhaps an indirect and unscientific inkling of the truth could be gained by observing whether industry and government scientists studying EMF (ergo, those involved in the “cover-up”), live out in the country, far away from cell towers, don’t use a cell phone, don’t watch TV, etc. They would need to be strict neo-Luddites, living underground; will they use only candlelight for reading?
Rigid criteria must be satisfied for an opinion to be accepted as scientific fact. Deviation from the scientific method nullifies any conclusions. The harm that can come from non-scientific conclusions are exemplified by the false claim of a vaccine-autism connection. Opinions, conjectures, convictions, intuitions, educated guesses — regardless how intense or sincere — are facts only after proof through the scientific method.
Until valid studies prove the harm of present-day levels of EMF, I’ll continue to use my cell phone, whistle when I pass a cell tower, and warm my coffee in our microwave. For the EMF risk believers, I hope when they need to call 911, there’s a land line available.
Warren BaileyQualicum Beach
