Press Room
The precautionary principal is claimed for cellular antennas on Montreal's territorry
Ottawa, November 14th, 2011 –
The organizations Save our children from the microwave (SEMO), the Quebec Association against air pollution (AQLPA) and Option consommateurs (Oc) require the Canadian government to implement the recommendations of Report of the Standing Committee on Health on the health impact of microwave wireless technologies . We have to recall that the Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, had 90 days to respond from the filing of the report of the Committee, held in December 2010.
The five recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Health in Ottawa should be put in place to protect the population. These recommendations resulted from the analysis of the evidence of the biological effects submitted by international scientific experts during their testimony at the Committee in April and October 2010.
Moreover, as part of a public consultation on the deployment of cellular antennas held in Montreal during last October, several organizations including the SEMO, AQLPA, Option consommateurs and even Montreal School Board (CSDM) has requested the application of the Precautionary Principle as uncertainty remains about the health risks from radio telecommunications. «It also requires that monitoring the level of exposure has to be made so that we can better distribute the antennas and that ultimately we can compare the landscape of Montreal electromagnetic levels with those tolerated in Paris and in several countries," adds François Therrien of SEMO.
All power is at Ottawa
However, the municipal public consultations, such as those held in Montreal, have no other power than to legislate aesthetics and urban integration of the antennas. Municipalities can not regulate the health aspects when deploying cellular antennas, since this power is at Health Canada and Industry Canada. For the signatories of this release, the laxity of the laws of both departments with respect to the microwaves must be raised at the House of Commons and the Minister of Health must respond to the recommendations of the December 2010 report, otherwise the concerns of citizens are not taken seriously by the present government.
During the past year, pending the Government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Health, WHO argued for that radio-frequency (microwave) could be «possibly carcinogenic» (May 31 ) and Health Canada issued a warning to limit cell phone use by young people under 18 years, given the risks to their health (October 4). On November 12, 2010, an article published by the National Research Council of Canada reported a literature review conducted by biologist Henry Lai and Blake Levitt of the health problems of people living near cellular antennas. The authors concluded that adverse biological effects to health was caused by radiation at low intensity and recommended to apply the Precautionary Principle in the setting up of cellular antennas .
These warnings are serious and credibles. WHO, Health Canada, the report of the Standing Committee on Health and independent studies show that the Canadian standard based on the protection of the thermal effects of microwaves is insufficient to protect against adverse biological effects to health. The federal government must act to protect the population.
About Option consommateurs (OC)
Founded in 1983, Option Consommateurs is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and defend the basic rights of consumers and ensure that they are recognized and respected. To carry out its mission, OC takes part in various debates related to particular business practices, financial services, energy and agribusiness. If deemed necessary, OC does not hesitate to participate in class action suits.
About SEMO
The SEMO Group (Protect Our Children from Microwave) was founded to inform and educate decision-makers, public health authorities and the public in general on health risks associated with microwave exposure. SEMO condemns the establishment of relay antennas in residential areas, wireless systems in schools and all other microwave exposure of the population, without its consent. In 2010, SEMO submitted a petition containing 1100 signatures to the Parliament of Canada and introduced international scientific experts at the Standing Committee of Health hearings, who brought concrete proof of harmful effects of microwaves.
About AQLPA
Quebec Association against Air Pollution (AQLPA) was founded in 1982. It is one of the oldest environmental organizations in Quebec. Its mission is to contribute to the protection against air and atmospheric pollution, for the health of both humans and ecosystems, through raising awareness, education and pertinent actions.
Signatories:
François Therrien, Group Save Our Children microwave (SEMO)
Brigitte Blais, Quebec Association of struggle against air pollution (AQLPA) Olivier Bourgeois, Consumer Option (OC)
For more information: François Therrien, Electricity Teacher , Spokesperson of the Collective SEMO 450 471 8371, 514 831 8371, ftherrien@aei.ca
FIVE HESA RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The Government of Canada consider providing funding to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in support of long-term studies examining the potential health impacts of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
2. Health Canada request that the Council of Canadian Academies or another appropriate independent institution conduct an assessment of the Canadian and international scientific literature regarding the potential health impacts of short and long-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, which would include an examination of electromagnetic sensitivity and a comparison of public policies in other countries governing exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation; and report on its findings.
3. Health Canada and Industry Canada develop a comprehensive risk awareness program for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, which would include Health Canada making public in an accessible and transparent way all the studies and analyses undertaken by the Department on the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on human health, as well as the provision of information promoting the safe use of wireless technologies.
4. Health Canada and Industry Canada offer to provide information, including awareness sessions on exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
5. Health Canada ensure that it has a process in place to receive and respond to reports of adverse reactions to electromagnetic radiation emitting devices
The five recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Health in Ottawa should be put in place to protect the population. These recommendations resulted from the analysis of the evidence of the biological effects submitted by international scientific experts during their testimony at the Committee in April and October 2010.
Moreover, as part of a public consultation on the deployment of cellular antennas held in Montreal during last October, several organizations including the SEMO, AQLPA, Option consommateurs and even Montreal School Board (CSDM) has requested the application of the Precautionary Principle as uncertainty remains about the health risks from radio telecommunications. «It also requires that monitoring the level of exposure has to be made so that we can better distribute the antennas and that ultimately we can compare the landscape of Montreal electromagnetic levels with those tolerated in Paris and in several countries," adds François Therrien of SEMO.
All power is at Ottawa
However, the municipal public consultations, such as those held in Montreal, have no other power than to legislate aesthetics and urban integration of the antennas. Municipalities can not regulate the health aspects when deploying cellular antennas, since this power is at Health Canada and Industry Canada. For the signatories of this release, the laxity of the laws of both departments with respect to the microwaves must be raised at the House of Commons and the Minister of Health must respond to the recommendations of the December 2010 report, otherwise the concerns of citizens are not taken seriously by the present government.
During the past year, pending the Government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Health, WHO argued for that radio-frequency (microwave) could be «possibly carcinogenic» (May 31 ) and Health Canada issued a warning to limit cell phone use by young people under 18 years, given the risks to their health (October 4). On November 12, 2010, an article published by the National Research Council of Canada reported a literature review conducted by biologist Henry Lai and Blake Levitt of the health problems of people living near cellular antennas. The authors concluded that adverse biological effects to health was caused by radiation at low intensity and recommended to apply the Precautionary Principle in the setting up of cellular antennas .
These warnings are serious and credibles. WHO, Health Canada, the report of the Standing Committee on Health and independent studies show that the Canadian standard based on the protection of the thermal effects of microwaves is insufficient to protect against adverse biological effects to health. The federal government must act to protect the population.
About Option consommateurs (OC)
Founded in 1983, Option Consommateurs is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and defend the basic rights of consumers and ensure that they are recognized and respected. To carry out its mission, OC takes part in various debates related to particular business practices, financial services, energy and agribusiness. If deemed necessary, OC does not hesitate to participate in class action suits.
About SEMO
The SEMO Group (Protect Our Children from Microwave) was founded to inform and educate decision-makers, public health authorities and the public in general on health risks associated with microwave exposure. SEMO condemns the establishment of relay antennas in residential areas, wireless systems in schools and all other microwave exposure of the population, without its consent. In 2010, SEMO submitted a petition containing 1100 signatures to the Parliament of Canada and introduced international scientific experts at the Standing Committee of Health hearings, who brought concrete proof of harmful effects of microwaves.
About AQLPA
Quebec Association against Air Pollution (AQLPA) was founded in 1982. It is one of the oldest environmental organizations in Quebec. Its mission is to contribute to the protection against air and atmospheric pollution, for the health of both humans and ecosystems, through raising awareness, education and pertinent actions.
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Signatories:
François Therrien, Group Save Our Children microwave (SEMO)
Brigitte Blais, Quebec Association of struggle against air pollution (AQLPA) Olivier Bourgeois, Consumer Option (OC)
For more information: François Therrien, Electricity Teacher , Spokesperson of the Collective SEMO 450 471 8371, 514 831 8371, ftherrien@aei.ca
FIVE HESA RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The Government of Canada consider providing funding to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in support of long-term studies examining the potential health impacts of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
2. Health Canada request that the Council of Canadian Academies or another appropriate independent institution conduct an assessment of the Canadian and international scientific literature regarding the potential health impacts of short and long-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, which would include an examination of electromagnetic sensitivity and a comparison of public policies in other countries governing exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation; and report on its findings.
3. Health Canada and Industry Canada develop a comprehensive risk awareness program for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, which would include Health Canada making public in an accessible and transparent way all the studies and analyses undertaken by the Department on the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on human health, as well as the provision of information promoting the safe use of wireless technologies.
4. Health Canada and Industry Canada offer to provide information, including awareness sessions on exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
5. Health Canada ensure that it has a process in place to receive and respond to reports of adverse reactions to electromagnetic radiation emitting devices
