EMR Updates from Around the World - EMR & Health Report December 2014 Issue

EHS hearing

On 4 November, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), a consultative body of the European Union, held a public hearing in Belgium to debate how the EU should deal with the issue of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and to give input for the EESC's opinion that is scheduled for adoption in January 2015. (http://www.eesc.europa.eu)

Smart meter class action

A community group is preparing for a class action law suit on smart meters. In an open letter dated 5 September, Don Powers, an Attorney from Powers at Law, and Jo Esposito of Stop Smart Meters in Oklahoma, invited readers to contact them if they are concerned about smart meters or wished to participate in the suit. : http:// www.rense.com/general96/ OKLAHOMA.JoeEsposito.pdf

Mobile phone suit

Another law suit is expected to commence in the US in March against mobile phone manufacturers and network providers. It will be filed by the firm of Peter Angelos on behalf of mobile phone users with brain tumours. It will claim compensation for brain tumour patients and their families and loss of income as a result of the disease. (Daily Mail Australia, 07.10.14.)

Netherlands report

On 5 September, the Health Council of the Netherlands released a report called ‘Mobile Phones and Cancer’ covering animal studies on cancer. The report concluded, ‘Overall the studies discussed in this report show that no effects of long- term exposure to RF/EMF on the development or growth of tumours in general, or on specific types of tumours, have been demonstrated in rodents.’ (Health Cancer of the Netherlands, ‘Mobile Phones and Cancer’, http://www.gezondheidsraad.nl/sites/ default/files/Mobile_phones_and_cancer_Part_2_Anim al_studies_on_carcinogenesis.pdf)

Recognition

Associate Professor Olle Johansson has been made a Lifetime Member of Honour of the Danish Society for Electrohypersensitivity. The award was conferred at the September 20-21 Open Mind Conference at Kedelhallen in Copenhagen. Professor Johansson has written extensively about electromagnetic hypersensitivity and is author of a number of papers showing skin changes in sensitive volunteers exposed to electromagnetic radiation. (correspondence, 03.10.14.)

MCS recognised

In late September, Spain officially recognised the condition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), paving way for doctors to diagnose and treat patients with the condition. (2014 Association pour la santé environnementale du Québec, media release, 24.09.14.) This is an important step forward for people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity, many of whom also suffer from MCS.

CSIRO leadership

The new head of Australia’s chief scientific organisation—the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)—has links with the telecommunications industry. Dr Larry Marshall, who will take over leadership of the CSIRO in January, is a physics-trained businessman who established a number of companies in the US, including a telecommunications company. Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said, ‘his experience in Silicon Valley, R&D development and the commercialisation of products and ideas will be valuable in ensuring CSIRO rightfully claims its place at the centre of Australian industry policy, building new links between business and research organisations.” (media release, 09.10.14.)