Did you know that regulatory guidelines for EMF exposure do not cover those with metallic implants?

Metal implants and EMFs including 5G

The impact of EMFs on metal implants and metal objects, such as hip replacements, dental fillings, braces, eye glasses and jewellery

An article compiled by a Bristol Stop 5G Campaigner.

When the BBC and mainstream media ridicule people who have health concerns about 5G, are they aware how seriously lacking regulations and safeguards are for people with metal implants? Does Bristol City Council know that relying on ICNIRP guidelines when considering 4G/5G mast applications (as per the National Planning Policy Framework, paragraph 116 [1] ) means that the recommended ICNIRP[2] exposure levels offer no protection at all for people with metallic implants? As we shall see, this information alone should nullify the NPPF 116 directive, as the Council’s responsibilities and obligations to protect public health should be activated by this.

We have given Bristol City Council a mechanism to activate risk analysis and accountability of telecoms companies for effects on people with metal implants, but they have failed to use it. We need to keep pressing them to abandon reliance on ICNIRP and challenge them to overturn the paragraph 116 directive.

Whilst councils are unable to refuse 5G masts on health grounds, as directed by central government, and governments refuse to regulate EMFs, wireless equipment manufacturers are getting away with being extremely vague in their guidelines for customers. For example, even though mobile phone companies may inform their customers in the small print section that, “eyeglasses, earrings, metal implants or placing a cell phone in a pocket next to a keyring can increase consumers cell phone exposures” [3], the language they use is unspecific and not easy to understand.

There is plenty of published research that indicates that metal in or near the body can significantly increase radiation absorption. Metals act as conductors of RF (radio frequency, includes mobile phone signals) energy, and according to the Environmental Health Trust, the outcomes from this cannot easily be predicted. Examples of conductive metal objects are not just metal implants such as hip replacements, but also metal frames of glasses, braces, orthodontics, dental fillings, jewellery and even underwired bras. The EHT states:  “Increased SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) levels in the brain from implanted metal is a serious concern that regulatory agencies have not addressed”[4]

“Metallic implants amplify high frequency (HF)-EMF 100 – 700 fold[s] nearby and exceed the safety levels. If dental metals (crowns, fillings, bridges, Ti implants) are implanted in the upper jaw, HF-EMF is enhanced in the cranial nerves and brain. The presence of dental metals may increase the risk for HF-EMF-induced brain cancers several fold and should be acknowledged as [a] confounding variable in future studies exploring brain cancer risk in dependence of HF-EMF exposure”[5]

Numerous scientific reports also show that dental fillings leak into the body when the person is in close contact with wireless radiation. This is of particular concern where people have amalgam fillings, which contain mercury. Even small levels of mercury in the body can be extremely toxic.

Moreover, this is a serious concern in pregnant women, where leakage of mercury fillings can damage the health of the foetus: “As a strong association between exposure to electromagnetic fields and mercury level has been found in our previous studies, our findings can lead us to this conclusion that maternal exposure to electromagnetic fields in mothers with dental amalgam fillings may cause elevated levels of mercury and trigger the increase in autism rates.” Mortazavi, Gh, et al. from their study: “Increased release of mercury from dental amalgam fillings due to maternal exposure to electromagnetic fields as a possible mechanism for the high rates of autism in the offspring: introducing a hypothesis.”[6]

Titanium too is used in surgical implants and dental work.  In  2015 Pubmed, the biomedical and life sciences journal archive, published an article on aspects of toxicity regarding titanium nanoparticles:  “[…]from the developmental point of view, there is a raising concern in the exposure to TiO2 NPs during critical windows, in the pregnancy or the lactation period, and the fact that human mothers, women and men in fertile age and last but not least children, may be exposed to high cumulative doses.”[7]

As things currently stand, it seems as if these serious health concerns are not affecting just a tiny minority of the population – indeed, it appears that just about everyone in our society will find themselves in that ‘minority’ who are affected!

 

References

[1] Paragraph 116, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) –  Local Authorities should not set health safeguards different from the International Commission guidelines for public exposure.

[2] ICNIRP – International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

[3]https://ehtrust.org/wirelessbraces-earrings-hip-replacements-metal-can-increase-wireless-radiation-absorption-body/

[4]   Ibid.

[5]http://www.emfsa.co.za/research-and-studies/titanium-exposure-and-human-health/

[6] Journal of Biomedical Physics & Engineering 6.1 (2016): 41.

[7]  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25960011/ Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: some aspects of toxicity/focus on the development

Protecting Our Immune Systems from Proven Harmful Effects from EMFs Including 5G

A growing number of people in the UK and internationally are increasingly frustrated that our governments (both central and local) are almost universally ignoring the enormous amount of independent, peer-reviewed scientific research that has identified the biological mechanisms through which exposure to EMF radiation causes damage to living cells and organisms; humans (especially children due to their thinner skulls), animals, insects (including bees and pollinators) and plant life.

Particularly, in these times of a serious global health crisis, we need to know that our government is acting responsibly to keep its citizens healthy with properly functioning immune systems. Surely it is not unreasonable to demand that any factors that have an adverse (or even a potentially adverse) impact on a healthy functioning immune response should be eliminated where possible or at least reduced?

EMF radiation exposure and now the planned increase in the spectrum of frequencies that we will be exposed to from 5G are a particular health concern. This is why local and regional campaigning groups over the last year have been calling for a stop to the roll out of this untested new technology until science demonstrates how it can be delivered safely.

There is a wealth of scientific knowledge backing up campaigners’ cause for concern. These are not fringe scientists who are raising the alarm. As an example, there are over 250 international EMF scientists who have signed a petition to the UN asking for the rollout to be stopped on health grounds – see EMF Scientist Appeal.

 

Below is a brief summary of some of the science:

From Physicians for Safe Technology

Can Radio Frequency Radiation Alter the Neuroendocrine and Immune System? 

Researchers are learning about the complex effects of non-ionizing radiation on the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Some research has shown adverse effects on the thyroid function, immune system functioning and DNA repair within immune systems. Glucose metabolism in the brain can be affected acutely.  Cell membrane effects with alteration of calcium channels and creation of reactive oxygen species may be one reasonable mechanism as this appears to be a common toxic molecular response in many other studies which can have many physiologic effects.

Quoting from a recent article from WHAT ARE 5G AND THE INTERNET OF THINGS?:

“There is much research linking wireless radiation with oxidative stress and adverse impacts on immune function (See, 123).  Professor Klaus Buchner, physicist in Germany and Member of European Parliament states, “There is clear scientific evidence that the spreading of viruses is accelerated by electromagnetic radiation.” Key points:

“Ronald N. Kostoff, Research Affiliate, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, explains in his recent monograph that radio-frequency radiation typically acts in combination, one increasing the impacts of the other rendering the immune system “…unable to counteract exposure to viruses as nature intended.”

 

Additional references relating to the effect of EMFs on the immune system

1) Miller, A. B., Sears, M., Morgan L. Davis, D., Hardell, L. et al. (2019). Risks to health and well-being from radio-frequency radiation emitted by cell phones and other wireless devicesFrontiers in public health7, 223.
2) Szmigielski, S. (2013). Reaction of the immune system to low-level RF/MW exposures. Science of the total environment454, 393-400.
3) Johansson, O. (2009). Disturbance of the immune system by electromagnetic fields—A potentially underlying cause for cellular damage and tissue repair reduction which could lead to disease and impairmentPathophysiology16(2-3), 157-177.

4) Risks to Health and Well-Being from Radio-Frequency Radiation Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices

 

What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones?

  1. Limit your exposure to EMFs, particularly during lockdown when you may be tempted to spend longer than usual on your phone or on the internet – see our guidelines for yourself and your children.
  1. Share this information with your friends and community
  1. Demand that 4G and 5G radiation is reduced/eliminated as much as possible – at least for the duration of the current global health crisis. See our Take Action section for ways to do this.