March 18, 2019

Excerpts (translated from Spanish):

The Department of Urbanism and Environment of the City of Oviedo (through the Municipal School of Sustainability) and Department of Education (through the Municipal School of Health) in collaboration with the Platform Against Electromagnetic Pollution (PECCEM), will develop several activities to raise awareness of the health effects of electromagnetic pollution and addiction to new technologies.

The Town Planning Councilor, Ignacio Fernández Del Páramo; Mónica Sánchez, from the Platform Against Electromagnetic Pollution (PACCEM) and José Luis Peralta, from the Municipal School of Health, presented  the “Follow the Good Wave” campaign, about the safer use (more intelligent) way of using newer technologies. The campaign has three main axes: For 5th and 6th grade Primary schools with recommendations on rational use (brochures will be distributed in schools) as well as making this information available to parents. There will also be two talks. The first was held on March 19th with  speakers Rubén García and Lennart Koch ( members of PECCEM).

The second talk, ‘Lights and shadows of the Internet: tips for parents 3.0’, by the psychologist Joaquín González Cabrera, will take place on April 2, at 5:00 pm, at the CP Poeta Ángel González, La Corredoria, Oviedo. Mayor Del Páramo:  “The idea is to educate the little ones in the use of new technologies and also the adult public.”

Monica Sanchez (PECCEM) wanted to “thank the City Council for the involvement with this campaign. We are not against the Internet but I am in favor of minimizing the possible risks, especially in children. This campaign is done in a positive way –  proposing good practices to be aware of when giving children a mobile device. ”

The councilor has also referred to current affairs. An audio of the press conference and the statements of the mayor can be found at https://www.oviedo.es/-/las-concejalias-de-medio-ambiente-y-educacion-lanzan-una-campana-para-sensibilizar-a-los-escolares-sobre-la-contaminacion-electromagnetica

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The post The Superior Court of Justice of Aragon, Spain recognizes Electrohypersensitivity as the result of a work accident. appeared first on EMFSA.

The decision was established by the Supreme Court in Spain, after studying the case of a Social Security administrative, who suffered a retinal detachment suddenly, while she was in front of the computer screen at her workplace.

The first court attempts in Galicia (region, north of Spain) declared that the causal relationship between screens and the detachment of the retina of the employee cannot be proven because there is no previous reference of medical literature. However, an appeal by an employee to the Supreme Court concluded that her employer, the National Institute of Social Security (INSS), needs to demonstrate that there is no relationship between screens and her injury. Starting from this premise, the Supreme Court declared that not having a reference of medical history is not enough of a reason that this is not an occupational accident. The high court assessed the appeal for the unification of the doctrine presented by the worker and considered the detachment of the retina suffered by the Social Security employee as an occupational accident, while working in front of the computer.

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By MDO / E.P.

Saturday, June 30, 2018, 6:01 p.m.

Associations of Neighbors of Madrid protested this Saturday in front of the Ministry of Health to request a moratorium on  the implantation of the 5G technology  because according to their statement the effects of  electromagnetic waves on health are not proven.

The Regional Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Madrid (FRAVM) protested this Saturday before the Ministry of Health to request a moratorium on the implementation of 5G technology and compliance with the precautionary principle in the face of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Speaking to Europa Press Television, the spokesman for the Association of Neighbors of Chamberí ‘El Organillo’, Santiago Salvador de León, requested “the protection of health against electromagnetic pollution.We want to legislate establishing limits of protection of people exposed to these emissions,” he stated.

Thus, the platforms of people affected by electromagnetic pollution and neighborhood associations throughout Spain have joined the call of 180 doctors and scientists from 36 countries that have demanded that governments regulate, downwards, the power of electromagnetic waves emitted by digitized devices and mobile telephone antennas. “Our group is trying to stop this technology from being implemented, while following the recommendations of the group of scientists from 36 countries that are requesting this moratorium from the European Union because the effects on health of this type of technology have yet to be determined. “, quote: Salvador de León.

In a letter sent to the European Commission in September 2017, these experts, in addition to requesting a 5G moratorium, requested that devices that produce electromagnetic waves emit with the minimum essential power, which is what the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommends as a threshold for the protection of people in its resolution 1815 of 2011. The document has urged countries to “take all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially radio frequencies emitted by mobile phones, and in particular the exposure in children and young people “.

Also requested: “the application of the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), that is, the level as low as reasonably possible, taking into account not only the so-called thermal effects, but also athermic [non-thermal] or biological effects of the emission or radiation of electromagnetic fields” and ” to improve the criteria of evaluation of risks and the quality of the evaluation by means of the creation of a standard scale of risks “.

According to the Federation, it is a regulation that is now more necessary “before the avalanche” of the new model 5G, which will emit in a range of higher frequencies, “with the consequent increase in danger” for people by the millimeter wave emission.

This article was translated from Spanish by EMFSA.

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By GONZALO AYUSO HIJOSA – 16th June 2018

 The participants in the human chain passed through the arches of the Aqueduct in a protest act that ended in the Plaza Mayor. / KAMARERO

A human chain formed by dozens of people carrying posters and a scarf of 300 meters of virgin wool dyed with natural dyes, yesterday in Segovia requested transparency in the implementation process of 5G in the city, which has been chosen by Telefónica, next to Talavera de la Reina, to pioneer services with this new communications technology.

The participants started in the Plaza de Día Sanz, next to the Aqueduct, and they went in and out through the arches of the monument, demanding clarity from both Telefónica and the City Council in the deployment of the 5G. Then they marched to the Plaza Mayor where the protesters deposited shoes as a symbol of all those who are suffering due to exposure to electromagnetic fields and who have not been able to participate in this act of protest.

In fact, sources of the organization explained that, in the events organized by the Platform Stop 5G in Segovia only around 170 people attended, two thirds could not participate in the human chain when traveling the center of the city due to exposure from electromagnetic waves.

The scarf used in the demonstration has been woven in different places by groups of women in workshops led by the craftswoman Fátima Carrasco. With this garment the platform wants to symbolize that it is not against new technologies but it is committed to a secure technology such as cable.

The virgin wool dyed with natural dyes is a call of attention to the need to return to a model of development in contact with nature, based on the organic, respect for life, what is clean, healthy, healthy.

In addition, the fact that it has been woven by women highlights that precisely the diseases of central sensitization, among which are electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity, affect mainly women (between 70% and 90% of the total of affected).

Scientific day/Day of Science

During the morning, the auditorium of the Vicerrector Santiago Hidalgo de la UVa building was the scene of a series of presentations by international scientists who agreed on the effects on health, and also on the natural environment, of electromagnetic waves.

In this sense, Ceferino Maestu, from the Center for Biomedical Technology of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, explained that while legislation emphasizes thermal effects there is evidence of biological effects related to diseases.

On the implementation of 5G it was reported that an antenna will be installed for every ten blocks of housing and legislation protects companies in terms of the disclosure of their location. On the other hand, until its generalization it will coexist with other systems such as 2G, 3G, 4G and WiFi.

Among the  main conclusions: EU legislation allows limits of up to 450 microwatts per square centimeter when the scientific recommendation and resolution 1815 of the Council of Europe is 0.1 microwatts.

This expert said that there are studies that indicate that this new technology is approaching levels with thermal effects that generate pathologies of central sensitization: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, electrosensitivity and are even  related to brain tumors or leukemia, a risk also indicated by Annie J. Sasco, an expert from international cancer research organizations and David Carpenter, director of a health institute in Albany (USA).

White areas/zones

Several of the speakers expressed the need to demand the establishment of white areas in the city; for example, schools, public squares, libraries, etc., but the EU is opposed because it clashes with its policy of universal access to the internet, which it co-finances.

This article was translated from Spanish by EMFSA. Original article below.

Una cadena humana reclama transparencia en el despliegue del 5G en Segovia

Background:

Human chain across Segovia, Spain to Stop 5G

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This event is sponsored by Electro y Químico Sensibles por el Derecho a la Salud (EQSDS). The agenda, as well as information about location and registration, are available on their website at present only in Spanish, at https://www.stop5g.electroyquimicosensibles.org.

16 JUNE 09:30-14:00 PRESENTATIONS OF SCIENTISTS

-“Changes that occur in models of population exposure in the new 5G system”, Dr. Unturbe Ceferino Maestu, Director of the Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Technology, Polytechnic University of Madrid.

-“Effects of electromagnetic radiation of mobile telephony on the environment (especially animals and trees)”, Alfonso Balmori, Biologist, Independent researcher on the effects of electromagnetic radiation on living beings. Scientific adviser and member of AVAATE.

-“The effect on human health of exposure to nonionizing electromagnetic fields”, David O. Carpenter, MD, Director, Institute for Health and the Environment, collaborating institution with the World Health Organization, University at Albany, United States.*

-“Electromagnetic pollution and electrohypersensitivity: the coming tsunami”, Magda Havas, BSc, PhD, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Natural Resources, Trent University, Canada.*

-“Electromagnetic fields and not health: what you need to know about the risk of cancer and the evaluation scales for carcinogenicity of the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization”, Annie Sasco, MD, MPH, SM, DrPH, Former Director of the Epidemiology Unit for the Prevention of Cancer, International Agency for research on Cancer (IARC) and former Director of Research at INSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research, France), University of Bordeaux, France.

* There will be simultaneous translation for lectures in English
Health

Topics of interest to people affected by any syndrome of central sensitization: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, electrosensitivity. Exchange of information and experiences among affected individuals and doctors.

Associations / Activism

Round table: Experiences and expectations of associations that work from an integrated point of view.

Round table: Stop 5G, PECCEM, European associations
Rights

Round table: Legal questions – rights of the disabled
EHS, Electromagnetic pollution

Workshop: EMF effects. How to protect oneself. Measuring equipment. Shielding. Smart meters. Organized by: Electro y Químico Sensibles por el Derecho a la Salud (EQSDS) (Electrically and Chemically Sensitives for the Right to Health), www.electroyquimicosensibles.org

The risks to health from nonionizing electromagnetic fields are controversial.
However, the scientific evidence that indicates grave dangers continues to grow: increase in the risk of cancer, infertility, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, electrohypersensitivity…

In recent years we have seen accusations by citizens groups and by scientists, researchers and experts (independent of industry) about conflicts of interest of the committees that decide on the permitted levels to which the entire population is exposed.

According to many experts more and more research points to the necessity to upgrade the classification of radio frequency radiation as a carcinogen to 2A or even to 1.

(Mobile telephony, WiFi, cordless telephones…) This together with evidence of important nonthermal biological effects reinforces the need to apply the precautionary principle in relation to lowering the levels of exposure, with special attention to the most vulnerable groups such as children.

In contrast, the march toward 5G technology involves a radical increase of levels of electromagnetic pollution. Therefore 180 doctors and scientists from 36 countries have written a letter to the European Union demanding a moratorium on its implementation.

Meanwhile the industry tries to make its message about lack of harm prevail through large investments in the media and in ill-concealed lobbying.

We think this at least merits a profound public debate.

Therefore with Saturday’s program we wish to give voice to the point of view of scientists and independent experts with the hope of stimulating a look that is critical as well as scientific that expands the tools that we have as a society to invest in a healthful technology.

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The case has been won by the STERM Intersindical Union, which for years has supported and advised an affected member with its legal services.

A court in Murcia has acknowledged  permanent work incapacity due to the syndrome of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and chemical sensitivity.The ruling was awarded to an employee of a university in the region.

In 2011, the Council of Europe, in its resolution 1815, warned about the potential health effects of very low frequency magnetic fields linked to electric lines and appliances. This same body indicated the need to take all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, implement information and awareness campaigns and pay special attention to the “electrosensitive” people affected by a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields.

Among the special measures that should be adopted to protect them is the creation of “white areas” not covered by wireless networks.

For years STERM Intersindical has supported and advised (via its legal services) a member affected by the syndrome of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and chemical sensitivity.The support continued  until total permanent disability for work as a result of this ailment was recognized.

Despite the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the situation of countries such as Sweden, where electromagnetic sensitivity already has disability treatment, the Spanish State has not yet adopted measures to protect people affected by this disease. “This group, which could reach 500,000 people throughout the country, faces great challenges, and there are few judgments that recognize the incapacitating nature of it, which is why this ruling has special relevance,” says STERM.

The union affirms that this sentence ends a long process in which the University in which the affected woman worked refused to adapt her job to limit exposure to electromagnetic fields and recognized that it was not possible to offer a workplace free of these elements where you can maintain your work activity.

Translated from Spanish. Link to the original article: Un juez concede a una funcionaria la incapacidad laboral permanente por hipersensibilidad electromagnética

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