I know, I know... I have no desire to join the tinfoil hat club or spread internet/conspiracy theory nonsense.
I'm posting this because I came across this video following a recommendation from a friend, and with some reluctance I watched it.
The speaker is credentialed and the talk was held at the University of Melbourne. As she speaks she seems careful in not overstating anything or making claims beyond what is warranted by the research she cites. Generally speaking she seems to be calling for further research into this area, particularly as regards the way these devices are actually used by people (in pockets, on laps etc.). In addition she would like to see ongoing proper communication/dialogue between different bodies and departments and governments in order to facilitate proper investigation and research.
Basically, she doesn't sound like a quack.
If the reality is somewhere more along the lines she seems to indicate it could be, rather than the "nothing to see here" perspective that is generally accepted, then it's a matter for concern. At the very least, the fact that the research and dialogue and testing that is out there, and is used as the basis for approval, is divided and not along the lines of real-world usage needs to be changed, one would think.
Has it been? Does anyone have any other decent resources or thoughts on this?
In terms of practical mobile phone usage the following are mentioned:
Children may be at special risk due to the relative size of their heads/bodies compared to the phone/tablet. If using tablets/phones with children, put it on airplane mode which will turn off the RF functionality.
Use a hands-free device for longer calls - or speaker-phone.
RF spikes may be the worst aspect so avoid picking up a phone call with the phone at your head - answer it and then bring it up.
Don't keep your phone in your pocket, or otherwise close to your body, for long periods.
Additional Points She Makes:
Mobile Phone Radiation may be a human carcinogen - further research has been declared as necessary but, at time of her speaking the WHO and others were not doing that further research.
With widespread phone usage why no obvious increase in brain cancer in the general population? Brain cancer takes a long time to develop (e.g. 40 years). Essentially, it hasn't been long enough to see effects yet. Especially because how we use phones and the functionality of phones is changing rapidly. Also, with older research there was no expectation of the sort of phone usage that we're seeing now - e.g. toddlers using phones etc. and as an example, how a phone 'user' was defined in studies that found there was no increase in risk was someone who made "one call a week in six months."
This field has been "plagued" by biased, sponsored research that seeks to find no problems, in the USA, at least. Lots of calls for research but little funding for it - easier to call for it than do it.
She Calls For:
Standarised Metrics
Cross-sectional surveys
Public education on 'fine print' advisories.


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