Feds May Reevaluate Cellphone Radiation (and GTCO-ATL Writes to FOX Reporter)

(click headline for full story)
From FOX News Atlanta:


FOX5 Atlanta reports on changes coming from the FCC for
how they evaluate cell phone radiation after a review from the
Government Accountability Office.

After a year-long review, the Government Accountability Office reports that the way federal regulators have studied the impact of cellphone radiation is outdated. They're not saying any of this causes cancer, but they are saying it deserves a better and more up-to-date look.

The report said the FCC's regulations of cellphones "may not reflect the latest evidence on the effect."

There is talk in Congress about considering putting labels on phones, similar to those you see on cigarettes, so that you know just how much radiation you are exposed to.

The last time the FCC set a standard for mobile phone radiation was in 1996. The FCC has reported it was already planning to re-visit the study of cellphone radiation.

View the FOX Report Here

To:  Dana Fowle, FOX5 News, Atlanta
From:  Get the Cell Out - Atlanta
Date:  9/20/12
Re:  Correction to your cellphone report of 9/19/12

Hi Dana,

While we greatly appreciate your report about the FCC possibly re-evaluating their standards for cell phone radiation, we take issue with the manner in which you started out your report:

“Is there really any part of the day where your cell phone is not in arm's reach? Most of us have our cellphones up against our ear ... “

You made some pretty big assumptions about the way people use, or don’t use, their cell phones and we are curious about how you arrived at your conclusions. Perhaps you are referencing the way the people YOU know use THEIR phones, but you are in the media, an industry that is likely to be more reliant on technology and fast communications than compared to the “most of us” you were referencing in your report.

We believe that these assumptions are no longer valid in today’s society, as the word about the possible harm that can come from cell phone radiation has spread to a larger audience and many of us, myself included, have drastically changed the way we use our phones as a result.

There are many of us who have educated ourselves on this issue and now we absolutely NEVER hold a phone to our ears, EVER. And, we never let our children hold a phone to their heads. Even the booklet you receive with your new I-Phone or other Smartphone will tell you that you should not press the phone directly to your ear. Most people we know use their phones for texting now and not calling, unless it is absolutely necessary. And, when making a call, many of us are careful to use speaker phone or an earpiece or other “hands free” type of device in order to ensure we are not allowing the radiation to penetrate our skulls and to ensure we are being safe on the road while driving.

To make the statement that “most of us have our cellphones up against our ear...” is not a current viewpoint, especially from someone reporting on the fact that the FCC has said it needs to re-evaluate its standards and possibly put warning labels on cell phone packaging. Your statement made it sound like the practice of putting a phone against one’s ear is very common and “no big deal.” Time will tell, but there are some very credible research studies that suggest it absolutely IS a big deal. Sheryl Crow would likely agree that, if given a choice, people in the media should be advocating for safe and cautious use of items that are being studied out of concern for possible cancer or other health risks.

And, most importantly, if you, yourself, are still actually using your phone this way, we are writing to urge you to stop this practice immediately. There are plenty of alternatives that will allow you to use the technology without putting yourself into a group that is considered to be at a higher risk of developing a brain tumor. Land lines are not as archaic as the wireless industry would like us to believe. They are readily available and have a zero risk associated with them, so use a land line whenever possible. If you must use your phone, rely on texting, speaker phone or use a headset.

Thanks again for the report and we hope you will continue to follow this issue.

Kind regards,

Concerned citizens from Get the Cell Out – Atlanta (GTCO-ATL)