Published: 21 September 2020

Abstract

Study Objectives

Blue-depleted lighting reduces the disruptive effects of evening artificial light on the circadian system in laboratory experiments, but this has not yet been shown in naturalistic settings. The aim of the current study was to test the effects of residing in an evening blue-depleted light environment on melatonin levels, sleep, neurocognitive arousal, sleepiness, and potential side effects.

Methods

The study was undertaken in a new psychiatric hospital unit where dynamic light sources were installed. All light sources in all rooms were blue-depleted in one half of the unit between 06:30 pm and 07:00 am (melanopic lux range: 7–21, melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance [M-EDI] range: 6–19, photopic lux range: 55–124), whereas the other had standard lighting (melanopic lux range: 30–70, M-EDI range: 27–63, photopic lux range: 64–136), but was otherwise identical. A total of 12 healthy adults resided for 5 days in each light environment (LE) in a randomized cross-over trial.

Results

Melatonin levels were less suppressed in the blue-depleted LE (15%) compared with the normal LE (45%; p = 0.011). Dim light melatonin onset was phase-advanced more (1:20 h) after residing in the blue-depleted LE than after the normal LE (0:46 h; p = 0.008). Total sleep time was 8.1 min longer (p = 0.032), rapid eye movement sleep 13.9 min longer (p < 0.001), and neurocognitive arousal was lower (p = 0.042) in the blue-depleted LE. There were no significant differences in subjective sleepiness (p = 0.16) or side effects (p = 0.09).

Conclusions

It is possible to create an evening LE that has an impact on the circadian system and sleep without serious side effects. This demonstrates the feasibility and potential benefits of designing buildings or hospital units according to chronobiological principles and provide a basis for studies in both nonclinical and clinical populations.

https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/44/3/zsaa194/5909282

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German authorities are investigating the death of a patient following a ransomware attack on a hospital in Duesseldorf.

The patient, identified only as a woman who needed urgent medical care, died after being re-routed to a hospital in the city of Wuppertal, more than 30 km away from her initial intended destination, the Duesseldorf University Hospital.

The Duesseldorf hospital was unable to receive her as it was in the midst of dealing with a ransomware attack that hit its network and infected more than 30 internal servers on September 10, last week.

The incident marks the first-ever reported human death indirectly caused by a ransomware attack.

Read more at: https://www.zdnet.com/article/first-death-reported-following-a-ransomware-attack-on-a-german-hospital/?ftag=CAD-03-10abf6j

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Date: December 3, 2019

Michigan Technological University

Summary:  The health impacts of radio-frequency radiation (RFR) are still inconclusive, but the data to date warrants more caution in placing cell towers. An engineering team considers the current understanding of health impacts and possible solutions, which indicate a 500-meter (one third of a mile) buffer around schools and hospitals may help reduce risk for vulnerable populations.

Reference: Michigan Technological University. “Siting cell towers needs careful planning.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 December 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203162553.htm>

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203162553.htm

No one can overengineer like an engineer. So introducing a little more caution into an existing engineering process is nothing much to ruffle feathers. A new paper published in Environmental Research offers insight on how to include simple precautionary approaches to siting cell towers.

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5G holds a lot of promise for improved communications but may well worsen the DDoS nightmare as it is unfortunately, a breeding ground for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. As a refresher, DDoS attacks are a malicious method of disrupting a website/online service by overwhelming it with too much traffic.

If a website is rendered inoperable, the effects can be felt even years later. The impact can result in lost sales, wasted budgets, dissatisfied users (who may never return), and data theft. What’s more, DDoS attacks can be very damaging to a company’s reputation. Perhaps most frightening of all is that anyone can fall victim at anytime. Think financial institutions, healthcare, local governments – anyone. Thus, this style of attack is highly powerful and should not be underestimated. The biggest risk is that large-scale DDoS attacks take down financial institutions and critical infrastructure. Thus, DDoS mitigation that can cope with attacks in the range of terabits becomes a crucial necessity.

ENISA: The first malware targeting safety systems of critical infrastructure: during the reporting period, we have observed Triton which is the first malware that targets Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)86,87,88 Safety instrumented systems are designed to shut down industrial processes when unsafe operating conditions are reached. Successful exploitation of such systems could lead to serious implications (see Stuxnet89 and Industroyer90). It is expected that the ICS/SCADA domain will be increasingly targeted by advanced threat actors having the capability and intent to execute such operations.

On the 1 st of October 2019 the FDA released a statement informing patients, health care professionals, IT staff in health care facilities and manufacturers of a set of cybersecurity vulnerabilities if exploited by a remote attacker—may introduce risks for medical devices and hospital networks. URGENT/11 affects several operating systems that may then impact certain medical devices connected to a communications network, such as wi-fi and public or home Internet, as well as other connected equipment such as routers, connected phones and other critical infrastructure equipment. These cybersecurity vulnerabilities may allow a remote user to take control of a medical device and change its function, cause denial of service, or cause information leaks or logical flaws, which may prevent a device from functioning properly or at all.

FDA informs patients, providers and manufacturers about potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities for connected medical devices and health care networks that use certain communication software

On the 9th of October 2019 the EU Member States published  a report on EU coordinated risk assessment of 5G networks security.

EU-wide coordinated risk assessment of 5G networks security

5G’s anticipated exponential spread of high-speed bandwidth and connected IoT means that in addition to widespread motivation, easily available attack tools, and proliferating IoT attack sources, dramatically bigger attacks will be possible because the “5G highway” will have many more lanes to enable vastly higher rates of traffic—both good and bad.

DDoS in a 5G environment

Unfortunately, cyber criminals can make big bucks through 5G vulnerabilities, and what’s worse is that they know it. 5G boasts hyperconnectivity, but this is most certainly going to create an influx of malicious traffic. As the number of connected devices and 5G deployments increase, so will the number of attacks. In particular, cyber criminals will take advantage of any poorly secured devices. However, it’s not just the amount of attacks that are a concern, but how quickly they can spread too.

There is an element of naïvety about business’s capabilities to combat 5G threats in the first place. CISOs (chief information security officers) already struggle to get resources to handle current threats while business leaders push for 5G adoption. Meanwhile, cybercriminals will take the opportunity to exploit higher capacity bandwidth that 5G provides to launch attacks on an unprecedented scale. Most CISOs don’t have the resources they need for pre-5G attacks anyway! Business leaders are ever so enthusiastic about getting on 5G, but CISO resources are so thin on the ground that it may not be enough.

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By Olivier Pauchard

Anti-5G groups have announced their intention to launch a popular initiative to limit radiation from mobile communications technology.

The Federal Chancellery has approved the launch of an initiative titled “For a health conscious and energy-efficient mobile communications”, according to the Federal Gazette published on Tuesday. The text of the initiative requests that the limit values set by the Ordinance on Protection against Non-Ionising Radiation should not be increased.

The text wants a clear separation between indoor and outdoor use of mobile telephony and internet services. This means the power of the transmitters should be lowered so that electromagnetic radiation does not enter homes. Indoors, data would be transmitted by fibre-optic or coaxial cables and not by electromagnetic waves.

Other measures include introducing zones on public transport that prohibit the use of electronic devices. Public buildings such as schools, hospitals or old-age homes should be equipped against electromagnetic radiation. Operators planning to install new antennas or increase the power of existing ones should obtain the written consent of local residents within a 400-metre radius. People particularly sensitive to electromagnetic radiation would have free access to counselling centres.

Moratoriums

The proponents of the initiative have until April 15, 2021 to collect the 100,000 signatures needed to force a nationwide vote.

Despite numerous objections to 5G, mobile operators have begun to expand their network with the goal of offering complete coverage of Switzerland. However, several French-speaking cantons have taken precautionary measures.

Geneva, Vaud and Jura have declared a moratorium pending the conclusions of a report by the Federal Office for the Environment on the issue. At the beginning of June, Fribourg decided to make the installation of antennas subject to the granting of a building permit. Neuchâtel wants to apply the precautionary principle, while Valais has refused to introduce a moratorium.

For the full article plus a video, please see:

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/direct-democracy_opponents-of-5g-start-campaign-to-force-nationwide-vote/45299102#.XauBKKsBDSA.twitter

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/electromagnetic-smog_swiss-fear-consequences-of-5g-antennas/44854648

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Health effects related to exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields

ANSES published a new review today (21/6/2019) on the health effects related to exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields.

ANSES’s new expertise aimed to analyze all the new scientific knowledge available on exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields and their possible biological and health effects. In order to better characterize the population’s exposure, particularly in relation to their place of residence, ANSES has also funded various measurement campaigns.

Better knowledge of the exposures

Populations are exposed to multiple sources of electromagnetic fields, whether in the outdoor environment via power lines, transport, transformers, or indoor environments via household appliances. The numerous studies conducted since 2010 now make it possible to have a more precise vision of the exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields to which the populations are subjected.They show, in particular, that the highest values ​​in the external environment are measured in particular under very high voltage electrical lines and in the immediate vicinity of the premises of the transformers or the electrical substations. Inside homes, high levels of magnetic field can be produced by household appliances, but exposure to these devices is very short and very localized.

Limit exposure of vulnerable populations near a high-voltage line

In 2010, ANSES highlighted the convergence of epidemiological studies that showed an association between the occurrence of childhood leukemia and exposure to low frequency magnetic fields at levels greater than 0.2 μT or 0.4 μT. Given the new data, the Agency confirms the “limited” level of evidence associated with this long-term effect, even though studies published after 2010 find this association less frequently.

As part of this expertise, ANSES funded a study to quantify the share of the French population, and more specifically children, exposed to such levels of fields emitted by a high-voltage line. This study, conducted by a team from Inserm and the University Hospital of Caen, indicates that about 40,000 children under 15 (0.35% of the population) are exposed to their home at a magnetic field greater than 0 , 4 μT, and about 8,000 children (0.18%) are enrolled in a school with a magnetic field greater than 0.4 μT.

Considering all these results, the Agency reiterates its recommendation to limit, as a precaution, the number of sensitive people exposed around high-voltage lines as well as exposures. As such, it recommends not to install or develop new establishments welcoming sensitive people (hospitals, schools …) in the immediate vicinity of the very high voltage lines, nor to establish new lines above such establishments.

The Agency also emphasizes that current regulations in France only regulate exposure levels close to electricity transmission and distribution lines by respecting a limit value for exposure. The Agency therefore recommends extending this regulatory provision to all sources of electromagnetic fields exposing the general population.

Mastering occupational exposures

Levels of worker exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields vary widely by occupation. A study conducted jointly by the National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Work Accidents and Occupational Diseases (INRS) and the Pension and Occupational Health Insurance Funds (Carsat) showed that some professionals may be exposed to very high field levels, potentially higher than the exposure limit values ​​(1000 μT at 50 Hz), in particular situations such as when using certain industrial machines.

Thus, ANSES reiterates the importance of enforcing regulatory provisions on occupational health and reducing overexposure situations, in particular by adapting workstations. In addition, the Agency recommends that manufacturers of industrial machines emitting low-frequency electromagnetic fields measure the exposure associated with the use of these devices and indicate this on the technical documentation provided to customers and users.

Moreover, at high levels of exposure that may be encountered in the workplace, experimental studies have shown the possibility of biological effects (oxidative stress, genotoxic effects, effects on cell physiology). However, the Agency indicates that the epidemiological studies are too heterogeneous to establish a link between occupational exposure and the appearance of chronic diseases, in particular neurodegenerative diseases and tumors of the nervous system. It appears necessary to continue research on the possible risk of pathologies associated with exposure to low frequency magnetic fields. In addition, the Agency recommends that a next re-evaluation of exposure limit values ​​take into account the latest scientific evidence.

Finally, the Agency draws attention to cases of exposure of the pregnant woman to work. Indeed, it has been shown that in certain occupational exposure scenarios, the induced current density in the fetus may be higher than the limit values ​​recommended for the general population. ANSES therefore recommends that women be better informed and made aware of the regulatory provisions governing their workplace when they are pregnant, in order to limit the exposure of the fetus to low frequency electromagnetic fields.

Source:

https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/effets-sanitaires-li%C3%A9s-%C3%A0-l%E2%80%99exposition-aux-champs-%C3%A9lectromagn%C3%A9tiques-basses-fr%C3%A9quences

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The Lancy Medical Center includes seven physicians specializing in internal medicine, 21 psychiatrists/psychologists, one specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, and a number of therapists https://cmlancy.ch/

Recently opened, the Center did not have Wi-Fi in the second-floor waiting room (internal medicine) up until now. The personnel at the reception, including a number of young women, are being saturated with electrosmog (cordless phones, Wi-Fi, smartphones…). On several occasions, I talked to my doctor who is director of internal medicine at the Center, and to the personnel about this.

Imagine my disappointment recently to find Wi-Fi in the waiting room ! Being sensitive to Wi-Fi, I experience pressure in my head. My doctor is skeptical that the radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by wireless technologies can produce health risks. He said to me that the Centre would lose “customers” if there was no Wi-Fi in the waiting room.

Denial of the risks of radiation for health is a sign of unhealthy collusion among the medical personnel. Almost no physician in Geneva has the courage to admit there is a risk. Do they know better than the 246 scientists from 41 countries who signed the International Appeal requesting effective protection against exposure to electromagnetic waves?

I ask myself, how can I consult a physician who denies the risks? We cannot find doctors in Geneva who would be able to help persons who are sensitive to RF radiation, let alone recognize that waves affect health.

And so, I am writing this letter in the hopes that a few doctors and other healthcare personnel would read it and help us persons who are neglected, rejected, and even ill-treated.

Open letter

Dear Ladies, Dear Sirs,

I am a patient of one of the doctors in the Lancy Medical Center. For several months, there was no Wi-Fi in the second-floor waiting room of the Center. The reception area, however, is saturated with radiofrequency radiation and I was concerned about the personnel who work there. I advised them to speak to their “director” in order to protect them from the radiation (wired solutions).

Imagine my disappointment when during a recent medical visit, I found rather strong Wi-Fi in the waiting room! I am sensitive to Wi-Fi, which creates pressure in the head.

Wi-Fi has no place on health premises. Exposure to radiofrequency radiation from wireless technology, including Wi-Fi, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as category 2B, “possibly carcinogenic”, can be harmful, especially for persons who are unwell, those sensitive to this technology (electrohypersensitive persons, comprising at least 5% of the population) and particularly, children and pregnant women. Well-known scientists, independent of industry, are asking for a reclassification of this radiation to Group 1 – carcinogenic to humans.

In September 2017, the scientists responsible for the $25 million U.S. National Toxicology Program study on rats and mice exposed to radiation from cell phones concluded that “exposure to radiofrequency radiation could induce measurable damage to DNA under certain conditions of exposure”.

Wi-Fi should not be installed, either in medical offices or waiting rooms as an amenity for patients. In Geneva, certain health centers such as the Geneva Cancer League (Médiane) and some doctors’ offices respect application of the precautionary principle by banning Wi-Fi from the premises.

Moreover, it should be the responsibility of physicians to inform themselves about the risks of wireless technology and to educate their patients, especially those who are most vulnerable, parents of children and pregnant women, about the impact of radiation on the fœtus and the development and behavior of children.

In all cases, doctors, especially pediatricians, should at least inform parents about the use of babyphones, smartphones and tablets, recommending precautionary measures regarding safer use of this technology. The use of mobile phones by very young children will generate, during the course of their lives, a greater accumulation of electromagnetic radiation effects than that of adults. This could significantly increase the risk of their developing brain tumors and/or an intolerance to electromagnetic waves and other health disorders.

The Swiss Federal Office for Public Health recommends :

WLAN/Wi-Fi:
– Only switch your WLAN on when you need it. With laptops, in particular, it is a good idea to switch the WLAN off as otherwise the device will repeatedly try to connect to a network, leading to unnecessary radiation and a shorter battery life.
– Don’t hold your laptop close to your body while it is connected to a WLAN

Mobile phones
– Use headphones or a wireless head set with a weak Bluetooth transmitter (power class 2 or 3) in order to reduce radiation to the head.  ***** Note: we at EMFSA do not agree with this – Bluetooth in itself is problematic. We recommend an airtube headset without any metal. For more about Bluetooth please see http://www.saferemr.com/2016/09/airpods-are-apples-new-wireless-earbuds.html 

With regard to mobile phones : The standards relating to RF radiation were established many years ago and are not realistic. They apply to an adult 200-pound male, not to children who are developing, and are thus more vulnerable to and absorb more radiation than adults. Concerning the European Union standards (SAR values), which also apply to Switzerland, it has been found that many cell phones emit more radiation than the manufacturers are declaring. Most mobile phone tests by manufacturers are conducted at a certain distance from the body (between 15 to 25 mm). Recently, the SAR measurement has been the subject of a more severe European regulation. The new official standard should be inferior to 2W/kg at 5 mm distance. It is this level which makes certain models, including the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy 5S non-marketable in France, and, one hopes, soon in Switzerland.

Thus, when tested in contact with the skin, for example, against the ear or trunk, in a pocket or bra, the phones emit radiation levels which exceed the standards. A cell phone should therefore never be used or kept directly in contact with the body. All mobile phone manuals contain this warning, but a large number of users ignore it or are unaware.

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Lecture given by Peter Schlegel dipl. Ing. ETH at the special event “Electrosmog and its effects on the body” organized by the Swiss medical association SSAAMP on October 13, 2016 in Zurich. Participants were around 100 medical professionals.In the conclusion of his lecture, Peter Schlegel listed necessary measures to be taken in public health and medical practice:

– The establishment of “white” (mobile-free) zones for severely affected persons is urgently necessary as a survival measure, although a “ghetto effect” is not ideal. In the medium to long term, the mobile spectrum must be massively reduced across the country.

– The university education of doctors must be adapted immediately. In electro-medical applications, electrosensitivity – based on experience – has long been recognized and therapeutically relevant.

– The cooperation of physicians with independent measuring and consulting specialists (i.e. building biologists with professional measurement training) should be intensified. For such professionals, a recognized profession is to be created in order to increase competency and supply capacity.

– Hospitals, retirement homes, rehabilitation clinics, etc. are to be kept free of mobile radiation, especially Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and DECT radiation, as an immediate measure in at least one part of the rooms.

– Physicians are encouraged to consult the EUROPAEM guideline in their practice. Patients should be properly informed about the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electrosensitivity (EHS) (refer to AefU’s [Doctors for the Protection of the Environment] and concerned organizations’ flyers in waiting rooms).

The lecture was a version of 62 lecture notes supplemented by additional presentations (not presented at the event for reasons of time). For a better understanding, some slides with explanations and comments were added at the oral presentation. The presentations were based on Swiss conditions.

The lecture material is hereby released by the author as a PDF file [in German] for further use. The author asks for notification when elements of this presentation are adopted for public use. Please use source code.

Presenters:
– Ao Univ. Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Mosgöller [Medical University of Vienna]: “Genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields – a project report”
– Prof. Dr. Dr. habil. Klaus Buchner MEP: “Effects of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation on hormones, neurotransmitters and oxidative stress”

The lectures were held before an above-average audience of medical specialists. This interest was in pleasant contrast to the well-known defensive attitude of many conventional physicians towards the subject… Countless electrosensitive people complain that they are not taken seriously by their doctor. Where medical faculties use a lecturer close to the mobile and electricity sectors to present this topic, the young medical generation is being indoctrinated by this unfortunate misunderstanding of the facts.

Fo r the full article,please see Towards Better Health http://mieuxprevenir.blogspot.co.za/2017/01/mobile-phone-radiation-underestimated.html

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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27902455/

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