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Written evidence submitted by Oliver Wells

The Effects of anthropogenic EMF on biological organisms

Author: O.T. Wells

“The time for arguing whether EMF health effects exist is over. We know they exist and they result in human disease.”- Sage, Cindy., Carpenter, D.O. (2012)’Key Scientific Evidence and Public Health Policy Recommendations’

Over the period of a few decades the amount of electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) we have been exposed to daily has risen exponentially. Beginning primarily With the rise in usage worldwide then steadily rising with the influx of new technologies capable of transmitting more data, faster and more efficiently, the rate of low bandwidth WIFI exposure progressed rapidly to the higher categories we see today, and the commencement of 3G, 4G and now 5G EMF’s. The research on the effects of such signals on living beings is extensive and there is a vast sum of evidence in the scientific literature regarding their adverse health effects. Despite the vast array of evidence indicating such effects, the roll out of 5G has been commencing since 2019 and shows no signs of coming to a halt. The blatant disregard for the evidence currently in the scientific literature is indicative of the telecommunications companies lack of care for the maintenance of a healthy global biome and apathy towards optimal human health and function. 5G radiation has been shown to induce adverse health effects on living organisms. Studies have revealed it to: inhibit cell proliferation 1, Alter the structure of multiple bodily systems i.e. blood, bone marrow, internal organs, inhibit oxygen uptake in cellular mitochondria, and de-oxygenate your body and lead to respiratory problems2, all cellular EMF’s are KNOWN to be carcinogens, they damage the structure of DNA, and can induce neurodegeneration i.e. Alzheimer’s, all EMF’s can result in neurobehavioral dysfunctions like autism, lead to infertility and many, many more issues which will be greatly exacerbated by the progression onto 5G (a more potent frequency)3 . On the effects of 5G radiation on bacteria

1 Dr. Joel Moskowitz, Ph.D. (2018) ‘5G Wireless Technology: Millimeter Wave Health Effects’ Director Center for Family and Community Health School of Public Health University of California, Berkeley

2 N.P. Zalyubovskaya, (1977) ‘Biological effects of millimeter waves’ [published in] Vracheboyne Delo (Soghomonyan et al., 2016) states:“bacteria and other cells might communicate with each other by electromagnetic field of subextremely high frequency range. These MMW affected Escherichia coli and many other bacteria, mainly depressing their growth and changing properties and activity. These effects were non-thermal and depended on different factors. The significant cellular targets for MMW effects could be water, cell plasma membrane, and genome….The consequences of MMW interaction with bacteria are the changes in their sensitivity to different biologically active chemicals, including antibiotics….These effects are of significance for understanding changed metabolic pathways and distinguish role of bacteria in environment; they might be leading to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.” 4

Thus, indicating that 5G radiation has not only been observed to negatively impact human health but enhance the antibiotic resistance of bacteria which are harmful to us also. “There is significant evidence indicating that the effects of telecommunication EMFs on living organisms are mainly due to the included ELFs [Extremely Low Frequencies]…. While ∼50 % of the studies employing simulated exposures do not find any effects, studies employing real-life exposures from commercially available devices display an almost 100 % consistency in showing adverse effects” (Panagopoulos, 2019) . These effects may be exacerbated further with 5G: “with every new generation of telecommunication devices…..the amount of information transmitted each moment…..is increased, resulting in higher variability and complexity of the signals with the living cells/ organisms even more unable to adapt” (Panogopoulos, 2019)5. In 2011the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) placed non-ionizing radio frequencies from mobile phones and other wireless devices in Group 2B: “Possibly carcinogenic to humans” which was based on a thorough analysis of the literature at that time. Serious questioning should be directed at governments as to why they are choosing to ignore this finding. Researchers like (Sage&Carpenter 2012) believe the classification should be moved to Group 1: “Carcinogenic to humans”, this is largely due to the over 1800 studies, conducted between 2007-2012, which recorded the harmful bio-effects of EMF-RF. According to them “The time for arguing whether EMF health effects exist is over. We know they exist and they result in human disease.”6 As noted previously, EMF-RF have been linked to the arousal of neurobehavioural dysfunctions like autism. 7 However, other studies have found, both in mice and humans, that

3 Kostoff, N. Ronald, et al., (2020)‘Adverse health effects of 5G mobile networking technology under real life conditions’ Elsevier, Toxicology Letters 323 (2020) 35–40

4 Soghomonyan et al., (2016) ‘Millimeter waves or extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields in the environment: what are their effects on bacteria?’ Applied microbiology and biotechnology

5 Athanasios D.Panagopoulos, (2019) ‘Time Series Irradiance Synthesizer for Optical GEO Satellite Downlinks in 5G Networks’ Future Internet 2019, 11(6), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi11060131

6 Sage, Cindy., Carpenter, D.O. (2012)’Key Scientific Evidence and Public Health Policy Recommendations’

7 Kostoff, N. Ronald, et;al (2020)‘Adverse health effects of 5G mobile networking technology under real life conditions’ in utero frequency exposure has led to the development of attention deficit (ADHD/ADD) disorders within the child alongside myriad behavioural and emotional issues8. Although there are other factors which could justify this surge in diagnoses, perhaps the 66% rise in diagnoses of ADHD in youths <18 in the U.S. between 2000 and 20109 could be due to the exponential rise in mobile phone users during the period? Two professors at Columbia University ‘Martin Blank’ and ‘Reba Goodman’ have discovered that EMF-RF are producers of cellular stress responses, even at levels far below(i.e. 900MHZ) the current regulations, and over long-term or chronic exposure such stress can be harmful, especially but not exclusively to DNA integrity10. “the non-thermal effects that have been demonstrated at both [Extremely Low Frequency] ELF and RF exposure levels can cause physiological changes in cells and tissues even at the level of DNA.”11 As mentioned previously, the damage to DNA occurs via a process of cellular stress response. The EMF-RF frequencies disturb homeo-stasis and initiate the stress response resulting in the synthesis of ‘heat shock proteins’(hsp) “ Research on the ‘heat shock’ response has shown that hsp synthesis is activated by a variety of stresses that are potentially harmful to cells, including physical stimuli like pH and osmotic pressure changes, as well as chemicals such as alcohol and toxic metal ions”12 An in depth look into the work of Blank and Goodman (especially the study in the footnotes below) will uncover the complexities of the exact science but the fundamental premise is that, EMF-RF, even at extremely low frequencies, can and does induce the same stress response as harmful stimuli like alterations in PH, alcohol or toxic metal ions, resulting, over long or chronic periods of exposure in DNA damage.

Adverse effects of anthropogenic (resulting from human activity) EMF pollution have been observed across many species. Perhaps the most impactful and wide-spread harm will be the damage inflicted on our pollinators, for, we and most other terrestrial life, rely on the optimal functioning of our pollinators for food. Studies have shown that ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) pollution emitted from power lines negatively impacts honeybees (a rampant

8 Divan, Hozefa A., Leeka Kheifets, Carsten Obel, and Jørn Olsen. 2008. "Prenatal And Postnatal Exposure To Cell Phone Use And Behavioral Problems In Children". 19 (4): 523-529. doi:10.1097/ede.0b013e318175dd47.

9 Garfield, Craig F., E. Ray Dorsey, Shu Zhu, Haiden A. Huskamp, Rena Conti, Stacie B. Dusetzina, Ashley Higashi, James M. Perrin, Rachel Kornfield, and G. Caleb Alexander. 2012. "Trends In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Ambulatory Diagnosis And Medical Treatment In The United States, 2000–2010". Academic Pediatrics 12 (2): 110-116. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2012.01.003.

10 Blank, Martin, and Reba Goodman. 2009. "Electromagnetic Fields Stress Living Cells". Pathophysiology 16 (2-3): 71-78. doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2009.01.006.

11 ibid

12 Ibid pollinator) reducing learning ability, altering flight dynamics, and reducing their ability to successfully locate food sources 13 . This, of course, would incur indirect harm to the human and animal populations through a reduction in crop yielding. A study in Greece demonstrated that “EMR affected the abundance of several insect guilds negatively, and changed the composition of wild pollinators in natural habitats, it might also have additional ecological and economic impacts on the maintenance of wild plant diversity, crop production and human welfare.”14 Some insects, like the butterfly, were not affected by the EMF and an anomalous positive reaction was found in ground nesting bees.

The studies positing the harmful effects of EMF-RF radiation on both human and animal life are endless ,though not exhaustive, and undeniably more independent research must be conducted before any concrete conclusions can be reached regarding the physical and ethical boundaries of the use of wireless technology. What is a certainty though, is that at the very least a moratorium should be placed on the roll out of 5G technology in order to address the vast expanse of evidence in the literature which demonstrate the contraindications to the health of humans and the wider ecosystem which is exuded from the previous generations of EMF’s, contraindications which could be greatly exacerbated with the step up to 5G. The people should decide whether to permit technologies which have, over the course of decades, been shown to induce harmful bio-effects and such a decision should not be imposed upon them by governments nor telecommunications companies. Any attempt to impose such technologies is a blatant abuse of power and inherently undemocratic.

13 Shepherd, S., M. A. P. Lima, E. E. Oliveira, S. M. Sharkh, C. W. Jackson, and P. L. Newland. 2018. "Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Impair The Cognitive And Motor Abilities Of Honey Bees". Scientific Reports 8 (1): 1-2. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-26185-y.

14 Lázaro, A., A. Chroni, T. Tscheulin, J. Devalez, C. Matsoukas, and T. Petanidou. 2016. "Electromagnetic Radiation Of Mobile Telecommunication Antennas Affects The Abundance And Composition Of Wild Pollinators". Journal Of Insect Conservation 20 (2): 315-324. doi:10.1007/s10841-016-9868-8. Reference List:

1. Athanasios D.Panagopoulos, (2019) ‘Time Series Irradiance Synthesizer for Optical GEO Satellite Downlinks in 5G Networks’ Future Internet 2019, 11(6), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi11060131

2. Blank, Martin, and Reba Goodman. 2009. "Electromagnetic Fields Stress Living Cells". Pathophysiology 16 (2-3): 71-78. doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2009.01.006.

3. Divan, Hozefa A., Leeka Kheifets, Carsten Obel, and Jørn Olsen. 2008. "Prenatal And Postnatal Exposure To Cell Phone Use And Behavioral Problems In Children". Epidemiology 19 (4): 523-529. doi:10.1097/ede.0b013e318175dd47.

4. Dr. Joel Moskowitz, Ph.D. (2018) ‘5G Wireless Technology: Millimeter Wave Health Effects’ Director Center for Family and Community Health School of Public Health University of California, Berkeley

5. Garfield, Craig F., E. Ray Dorsey, Shu Zhu, Haiden A. Huskamp, Rena Conti, Stacie B. Dusetzina, Ashley Higashi, James M. Perrin, Rachel Kornfield, and G. Caleb Alexander. 2012. "Trends In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Ambulatory Diagnosis And Medical Treatment In The United States, 2000–2010". Academic Pediatrics 12 (2): 110-116. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2012.01.003.

6. Kostoff, N. Ronald, et al., (2020)‘Adverse health effects of 5G mobile networking technology under real life conditions’ Elsevier, Toxicology Letters 323 (2020) 35–40

7. Lázaro, A., A. Chroni, T. Tscheulin, J. Devalez, C. Matsoukas, and T. Petanidou. 2016. "Electromagnetic Radiation Of Mobile Telecommunication Antennas Affects The Abundance And Composition Of Wild Pollinators". Journal Of Insect Conservation 20 (2): 315-324. doi:10.1007/s10841-016-9868-8.

8. N.P. Zalyubovskaya, (1977) ‘Biological effects of millimeter waves’ [published in] Vracheboyne Delo

9. Sage, Cindy., Carpenter, D.O. (2012)’Key Scientific Evidence and Public Health Policy Recommendations’

10. Shepherd, S., M. A. P. Lima, E. E. Oliveira, S. M. Sharkh, C. W. Jackson, and P. L. Newland. 2018. "Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Impair The Cognitive And Motor Abilities Of Honey Bees". Scientific Reports 8 (1): 1-2. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-26185-y.

11. Soghomonyan et al., (2016) ‘Millimeter waves or extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields in the environment: what are their effects on bacteria?’ Applied microbiology and biotechnology