To the editor:
Re: Regional Distric of Okanagan-Similkameen moratorium on smart meters.
I would like to congratulate and thank the board of the RDOS on passing the resolution asking for the cessation of the smart meter program. This district becomes the 61st municipal body in B.C. asking for caution regarding the installation of these potentially dangerous devices on homes.
The evidence provided by independent (non-industry affiliated) scientists is overwhelming, and has led to more than 200 experts submitting a petition to the United Nations asking for a similar cessation of the proliferation of wireless devices http://www.emfscientist.org/. These 200 scientists have performed more than 2000 peer reviewed studies showing that serious harmful effects are suffered after prolonged exposure to even low levels of microwave radiation. Certain groups are especially vulnerable—the unborn, children, and those with compromised immune systems.
Director Brydon says that if what director Tom Siddon presented is correct then Health Canada is corrupt or incompetent. He is right. A quick look at the recent review of Safety Code 6 Health Canada’s guideline for exposure to microwave radiation, will confirm this consensus by the scientific community http://www.cmaj.ca/site/earlyreleases/7may15_scientists-decry-canadas-outdated-wi-fi-safety-rules.xhtml.
The process itself was mired in controversy. The chair of the Royal Society Panel resigned after his conflicts of interests, taking money from the telecommunication industry, were exposed. Several other members of the panel have long-standing affiliation with the industry and other members have no expertise in the biological effects of wireless radiation.
Health Canada itself selected the studies to be reviewed, cherry picking those that supported the status quo while neglecting more than 150 recent studies, many of which explain causation. The Parliamentary committee reviewing the Royal Panel’s report, chided Health Canada, accusing it of bias and incompetence.
The report has been criticized by many, including Dr. Lennart Hardell, a world renowned researcher on the topic who described Health Canada’s guideline as “a disaster to public health” and based on a scientific analysis “unwilling or not competent to make evaluation of the current literature.”
Yes, Brydon may have inadvertently hit on the crux of the matter. Even though he has no expertise relevant to the biological effects of exposure to microwave radiation he has summarized it well. Health Canada is corrupt and incompetent. This is its history—remember asbestos, lead, tobacco and now microwave radiation.
A shameful history that we must not allow to continue.
Hans Karow, Summerland
