Wednesday, December 1, 2010

If WiFi harms trees, what about children?

November 24, 2010.

The debate about WiFi being used in schools continues to escalate as new research from the Netherlands shows that when ash trees are exposed to radiation emitted by WiFi base station antennas, the leaves discolor and gradually die.

The study reported that 70% of all trees in urban areas (but not those in dense forests) show the symptoms, compared to 10% five years ago. Although this is a preliminary study, which has not yet been published, it should be taken seriously.
Wageningen University was commissioned by the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn to determine if electromagnetic radiation from cell phone towers or WiFi masts could play a role in the deteriorating health of the city’s ash trees.



For the experiment, six WiFi access points where erected at various distances from the trees that were continuously exposed for more than three months. The frequency was 2.4 GHz (WiFi) with a power output of 100 mW EIRP, which is the maximum power allowed for use by portable laptop computers. Leaves that were two feet from the WiFI access point developed a metallic luster appearance, a discoloration of the leaves that appeared to result in the disappearance of the outer cell layer of the leaves. The metallic luster was then followed by desiccation and death of a portion of the leaf.

If three months of exposure to WiFi microwaves adversely affects the leaves of trees what is it doing to the growing bodies of children who sit for hours each day in school two feet away from a WiFi enabled laptop computer or a ceiling mounted WiFi access point?

Recent studies show low level Radio Frequency (RF) harm Aspen trees

Aspen decline has been reported in North America over the past half century and rapid mortality of aspen clones has been observed in Colorado since 2004 and has become a major concern for environmentalists, scientists, and foresters.

In one experiment, published February 2010 in The International Journal of Forestry Research, scientists constructed mock-shielded cages and faraday-shielded cages in the forest just outside of Lyons, Colorado. The mock cage shielded aspen seedlings only from direct light – while the faraday cage shielded seedlings from all forms of radio frequency radiation originating from the town of Lyons in the frequency range of 1 MHz to 3 GHz. This includes radio broadcast signals as well as cell phone and WiFi signals.

The researchers discovered that the tree seedlings growing inside the radio frequency-shielded cages were much larger and healthier than those in both the mock-shielded cages and in the unshielded controls.

The authors report that the background levels of radio frequency radiation may be adversely affecting leaf and shoot growth and inhibiting fall production of anthocyanins (these are the pigments associated with leaf senescence in trembling aspen seedlings). These results suggest that exposure to the RF radiation generated by our wireless technology may be an underlying factor in the recent rapid decline of aspen populations.



In the figure above, mock-shielded seedlings on the left and RF-shielded seedlings on the right, the latter showing more total leaf area, stronger fall leaf coloration, and minimal leaf necrosis.



WiFi Smart Meters for “Do It Yourself” home studies

If the electrical utility has recently installed a new wireless Smart Meter on the side of your house, you might be able to do your own plant experiments using simple before and after photography.

Green euonymous plant that shows the progression of vegetative decay around a wireless smart meter. Before the smart meter was installed, vibrant green healthy foliage completely surrounded the meter and a robin nested above the meter. Now, the leaves closest to the meter are damaged and the robin is gone.



http://www.magdahavas.com/2010/11/23/if-wifi-harms-trees-what-about-children/

WiFi 辐射让树木受损,树叶枯死 恐也危害健康

WiFi无线网络越来越普遍,但荷兰研究发现,一些近WiFi网络生长的树木受损、树叶枯死,令WiFi辐射可能有损人体健康亮起警号。

荷兰莱茵河畔阿尔芬市政府,5年前发现当地很多树木树皮和树叶枯萎,于是委托荷兰瓦格宁根大学研究。

研究员疑树木坏死跟辐射有关,因此将20棵白蜡树暴露在距离6种不同来源辐射51公分的位置3个月,结果发现最近WiFi辐射的树,叶子上下两层表皮都枯死,且有70%在城市生长的树都如此。

Friday, November 26, 2010

香港WiFi城市的隐忧









 
加拿大安大略省湖岸大學去年一月全面禁用Wi-Fi。該校傳訊處處長Eleanor S. Abaya回覆本刊指,由於有學生及教師反對使用Wi-Fi,校方遂在教學大樓內的智能課室及機械實驗室加裝寬頻線,鼓勵他們改用有線網絡。校長Fred Gilbert認為,有很多文獻指電磁波可能導致血癌及腦瘤,不希望學生及教師的健康受威脅。

  英國《星期日獨立報》早前報道,一名教師在學校安裝Wi-Fi後出現頭疼及噁心,懷疑患輻射敏感,校方於是拆除部分發射器。英國教協及獨立組織衛生防護局促請教育大臣調查Wi-Fi會否影響學童健康。

  英國去年十一月有至少三間學校,拆除Wi-Fi改用有線網絡,認為小童腦殼較薄,神經系統仍在發展,容易被電磁波傷害。各國至今沒有研究針對Wi-Fi對健康所造成的影響。世界衛生組織估計,全球每一百人中有三個對電磁輻射敏感。

台Wi-Fi超標最多350倍

  在台灣,環保聯盟一月到台大圖書館,測試Wi-Fi無線網絡強度,錄得每平方米三百五十微瓦電磁波。當地環保署、通訊傳播委員會及台大進行同樣測試,每平方米最高達三百三十微瓦,最低為九微瓦。

  全球對Wi-Fi電磁波仍未有統一安全標準。奧地利訂定的室內安全值是每平方米一微瓦,德國則規定每平方米住宅不可超過五微瓦。台灣的測試結果超出這些標準約二至三百五十倍。

  聯盟發起「向電磁波說No!」的行動,呼籲市民遠離發射器,又促請所有學校在發射器上貼出告示,提醒學生不宜停留過久。台灣嘉南藥理科技大學副教授陳椒華向本刊記者解釋,長期使用Wi-Fi可能導致頭疼、記憶力衰退、胸悶及脫髮,甚至引發癌症、白血病及孕婦流產,影響中樞神經及生殖系統,市民不應將胸部及腹部靠近電腦,孕婦及小童更不宜使用。

10,000微瓦升1度 影響微
  香港中文大學社區及家庭醫學系教授余德新表示,Wi-Fi電磁波屬於射頻,對人體產生熱效應:「就像微波爐的微波,過量接觸會增加患白內障的風險,但強度達一萬微瓦,身體組織才會升高一度。」他認為,台灣的測試結果距離最低風險起碼少三十倍,目前仍未有研究證實電磁波會致癌、影響免疫力及神經系統。

  電訊管理局助理總監陳子儀接受本刊專訪時解釋,本港的Wi-Fi上網熱點平均分布各區,相信電磁波不會太強:「例如發射器會裝置在燈柱較高的位置,離行人起碼十米,危險性不大。」

  互聯網供應商協會主席莫兆華也指:「除非頭部貼近發射器,否則Wi-Fi的影響遠比手提電話低。」

  電訊局目前採用國際非電離輻射防護委員會(ICNIRP),以及美國國家標準學會與電機及電子工程師學會(ANSI/IEEE)的安全標準,監管手提電話發出的電磁波。兩者分別建議人體每公斤最多吸收兩瓦及一點六瓦輻射。

  工商及科技局發言人回覆本刊表示,會根據ICNIRP守則作指標,在標書中列明承辦商需遵守有關守則。

  政府年底將會外判公共設施,讓供應商安裝Wi-Fi服務。兩年內,無論室內室外,市民都可使用無線上網。要在燈柱下邊看電郵、邊等朋友,用電子手帳在維園寫網誌,或在登機前到網上聊天室跟朋友道別,都不成問題。

  目前本港的Wi-Fi市場,由約三十間網絡供應商自行營運。工商及科技局數字顯示,截至二月全港有一千零七十一個熱點,主要在中環、銅鑼灣及油尖旺。市民只要帶同手提電腦或電話,到咖啡室或商場等上網熱點,便可使用收費的Wi-Fi服務。

  不過,國際機構JiWire的統計顯示,香港的熱點數目在全球排名中十甲不入,輸給台北、首爾和新加坡等。電訊局助理總監陳子儀承認,去年十二月本港舉辦世界電信展期間,Wi-Fi覆蓋面不足,認為「香港要加把勁追上其他城市」。

  政府為使Wi-Fi達至全城覆蓋,首次在今年預算案撥款在公園、博物館及圖書館等公共場地,提供免費Wi-Fi,又出租市面街燈、路標及天橋予供應商,雙管齊下增設熱點。

街燈遍港九新界

  政府先開放各區燈柱、橋躉、路標、隧道及交通燈,讓供應商以每年象徵式一元租金安裝Wi-Fi發射器。陳子儀表示,在街燈安裝熱點有助建立全城覆蓋:「港九新界及離島都有燈柱,覆蓋面夠大,又可以供電給發射器。」他估計,要約兩萬個熱點才可覆蓋全港。

  局方目前收到五宗查詢,其中電訊盈科及香港寬頻兩間供應商已獲發牌,另一宗申請仍在審批。

  兩大供應商電盈及香港寬頻都對Wi-Fi市場虎視眈眈。前者將在便利店、地鐵、酒店及九間大專院校增設熱點,總數由目前一千三百個加至三千個。後者則投資五千萬元,在酒吧、卡拉OK及部分屋苑電梯大堂,提供Wi-Fi服務。

  另外,陳子儀指,每個熱點可覆蓋五十至一百米範圍,當局會確保設施不被壟斷:「無須全條街都租給一個人,隔幾支燈裝一個都可覆蓋到。」

業界為主 政府為輔
  今年預算案其中一項「派錢」措施是撥款二億三千萬元,在三百五十個公共場地提供免費Wi-Fi服務,包括公共圖書館、博物館、文化中心、運動場、大型公園、社區會堂、民政事務總署服務中心,以及部分人流較多的政府部門,如運輸署牌照事務處、入境處人事登記處等。

  網絡供應商為用戶提供收費Wi-Fi服務,政府卻又計劃提供公共免費Wi-Fi。數碼通總裁黎大鈞曾批評「政府以公帑補貼全世界」,有可能迫使供應商同樣提供免費Wi-Fi服務。

  但互聯網供應商協會主席莫兆華認為,政府與業界各有空間:「政府只是畫龍點睛,不會覆蓋全港,業界仍可投資私人地方。」他指市場競爭激烈,相信供應商提供的上網速度,會比政府場地快,而業界長遠會靠其他增值服務,經營收費Wi-Fi服務。

  陳子儀解釋,政府場地未必得到業界垂青:「供應商未必有興趣走入一些偏遠地區,如元朗民政署、坪洲鄉公所等,但政府不可忽略市民的需要。」

官商唱好 用量成疑
  副政府資訊科技總監麥鴻崧在立法會一個委員會上指,新熱點可以方便市民學習及娛樂,同時有助商人進行電子貿易活動,提升本港形象。

  不過麥鴻崧強調,此非純粹讓市民上網消遣,相信加裝熱點後會有人上網打機消磨時間。當局會加設過濾及保安軟件,阻止市民進入色情網站,又計劃將服務時間與辦公時間掛勾,例如圖書館晚上關門會同時中斷無線上網。

  政府與業界紛紛唱好,但有學者質疑市場需求不大。大學聯合電腦中心主任吳南認為,現時Wi-Fi未能打入年青學生市場。港大在三月統計校內Wi-Fi使用率,發現只有一成二學生曾使用過。吳南解釋,校園有足夠電腦設備連接有線網絡,Wi-Fi未算吸引。

  無線科技商會主席趙志洋也擔心,即使政府大力推動,市民的使用量也未必會高:「如果只有科技,沒有內容,就沒有人用。」他建議供應商為客戶提供多元化服務,如新聞、音樂、電子商貿等服務,以內容留住客戶。「市場個餅非常大,公家私家沒有重疊,但要突圍,就要內容吸引。」

   當局五月中會向立法會財委會申請撥款,然後招標,挑選外判商安裝及營運,十一月展開首批工程,預計最快明年六月完成。資訊科技界議員單仲偕認為,政府應先在人流多的地點安裝熱點,並定期評估用量:「裝太多但沒人用,審計署之後又會算賬。」

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Wi-Fi Makes Trees Sick, Study Says


Wi-Fi Makes Trees Sick, Study Says

City trees are becoming sick from wireless radiation from local area networks and mobile phones, according to a European study.

By René Schoemaker , IDG News Nov 20, 2010 5:09 am

Radiation from Wi-Fi networks is harmful to trees, causing significant variations in growth, as well as bleeding and fissures in the bark, according to a recent study in the Netherlands.Radiation from Wi-Fi networks is harmful to trees, causing significant variations in growth, as well as bleeding and fissures in the bark, according to a recent study in the Netherlands.

All deciduous trees in the Western world are affected, according to the study by Wageningen University. The city of Alphen aan den Rijn ordered the study five years ago after officials found unexplained abnormalities on trees that couldn't be ascribed to a virus or bacterial infection.

Additional testing found the disease to occur throughout the Western world. In the Netherlands, about 70 percent of all trees in urban areas show the same symptoms, compared with only 10 percent five years ago. Trees in densely forested areas are hardly affected.

Besides the electromagnetic fields created by mobile-phone networks and wireless LANs, ultrafine particles emitted by cars and trucks may also be to blame. These particles are so small they are able to enter the organisms.

The study exposed 20 ash trees to various radiation sources for a period of three months. Trees placed closest to the Wi-Fi radio demonstrated a "lead-like shine" on their leaves that was caused by the dying of the upper and lower epidermis of the leaves. This would eventually result in the death of parts of the leaves. The study also found that Wi-Fi radiation could inhibit the growth of corn cobs.

The researchers urged that further studies were needed to confirm the current results and determine long-term effects of wireless radiation on trees.

Friday, November 5, 2010

快拆線



中国报专栏《四方城》
作者 愚公移山
2010年11月5日

國際著名的環境健康學者蕾薇施博士(Dr Devra Lee Davis)兩個月前出了一本名為《拆線》(Disconnect),講述手提電話對人體健康影響的著作。

曾經是流行病學教授的蕾薇施博士,目前是美國好幾所大學的客卿講師,其中包括了美國的哈佛和喬治市等名校。在其大半生的學術研究和事業裡,積極的投入精神與努力,尤其是環境對於人體健康的重要課題。

《拆線》一書提到,目前全球大約共有40億位手機使用者。這個通常都放在口袋和緊貼耳朵和頭部的通訊儀器,就像極了安置在我們身旁的小型電訊塔,全天候的向我們的身體發射電磁波。更令人擔憂的是,有整20億的手機用戶是20歲以下的青少年和孩童。

蕾薇施博士的《拆線》開始出售時,正好是檳州電磁波輻射公害防護聯盟正在草擬着提呈給大馬通訊與多媒體委員會有關於電磁波輻射的準則、要求與規劃等相關的懸而未決的事項。

手機和無線上網的普及,使到新世紀的全球人類都得面對大量的電磁波輻射的影響。然而,就像美國這樣一個被喻為全球科學與工藝最為先進的國家,對於手機的安全準則令人驚訝和不解的還停留在整30年前的標準。

大馬通訊與多媒體委員會這一次在其官方網站發佈訊息,接受來至於公眾對於電磁波輻射問題的建議,是值得讚賞的。當然,我們更是希望當局是有誠意和魄力去解決,一直以來困擾著人民百姓的電磁波輻射的問題和威脅。

政策的改變和改善需要一股強大的力量!檳州電磁波輻射公害防護聯盟義不容辭的向大馬通訊與多媒體委員會提出具體的建議的同時,更是希望那些如今已經掌權了的火箭諸公,能夠扮演積極、務實和負責任的態度,向有關當局提出他們的意見和看法,包括必要的施壓。

一再延長非法電訊塔寬限期的檳州政府,這一次會總結火箭從在野到在朝對電訊塔和電磁波輻射的經驗,提呈解決方案給當局嗎? 還是會繼續縱容它的蜀中大將放話用煽動法令來抓反電訊塔的人士?

Thursday, July 1, 2010

And Now … Tinnitus



June 30

Users of cell phones have another reason to be cautious. An Austrian team has found that the risk of developing tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, doubled after four years. This is one of the first epidemiological studies to investigate the long-term effects of mobile phones on hearing.

Hans-Peter Hutter of the Institute of Environmental Health at the Medical University of Vienna, and coworkers report that the observed association is "unlikely" to be spurious and could have important implications for public health. Their new epidemiological study, based on 100 cases and 100 controls, will appear in an upcoming issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The "possible association of mobile phone use and tinnitus is plausible," according to Hutter, "because the cochlea [the inner ear] and the auditory pathway are located in an anatomical region where a considerable amount of the power emitted by mobile phones is absorbed." The risk of tinnitus was greatest on the side of the head the phone was used. The doubling of the incidence after long-term use is of borderline statistical significance. Hutter also raises the possibility that other factors may be responsible: For instance, blood flow near the ear could be affected when the user is in a constrained posture while on the phone.

Two large European research projects, GUARD and EMFnEAR, have investigated the possible impact of cell phones on human hearing. But both have focused on short-term exposures —mostly for just 10 or 20 minutes— and have generally found no effects (see, for example, a recent paper in Radiation Research.) These two projects cost a total of $3-4 million.

Michael Kundi, the head of the Vienna institute and a coauthor of the new study, told Microwave News that more studies of long-term exposures and hearing are needed. "It is complete nonsense to look for short-term effects," he said. Kundi explained that the lack of studies on prolonged use of cell phones is not surprising, given the official view that microwaves can only cause heating. "If the position is that thermal effects are all that count, there cannot be long-term effects," he said.

A 2007 study of students in the U.K. found no increase in tinnitus or adverse effects on hearing and balance. Tinnitus is more common among older people.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Dect Phones and Microwave Radiation on the Electrosensitive

magdahavas — March 23, 2010 — Study shows, unequivocally, that microwave radiation from a cordless DECT phone immediately affects the heart causing arrhythmia and tachycardia (irregular and rapid heart rate) at non-thermal levels well below federal guidelines.

WiFi in schools and health effects of microwave radiation

magdahavas — April 27, 2010 — In this video, Trent University professor Dr. Magda Havas and Dr. Fred Gilbert from Lakehead University explain why wireless technologies known as WiFi should not be used in schools because of the known health effects from microwave radiation. Testimonials are also provided by the students of Mountain View School who feel that their ill health could be directly related to microwave radiation emitted by the wireless internet transmission towers that have been installed inside the school.