For scientists concerned about radiation from gadgets like cellphones, microwaves, and Wi-Fi, the doubt cast on studies showing their harm to humans is similar to studies done on tobacco in the early 20th century.
The science showing a positive link between cancer and tobacco was deemed inconclusive and not causal enough to be taken seriously throughout the ‘20s, ’30s and ‘40s.
But as the number of studies increased and the media started to pick up on its hazard to public health in the 1950s, the correlation gradually became accepted, even by the tobacco industry.
The industry adapted, however, introducing “cleaner” cigarettes with low-tar formulas, and released a propaganda campaign to cast doubt on the negative effects of secondhand smoke.
Possibly a similar battle is being fought right now by an international group of 190 scientists who submitted an appeal to the U.N. on May 11 to have electromagnetic fields (EMF) upgraded from the classification of a “possible carcinogen” to a “probable carcinogen.”
Why Now
Humans have always been subject to magnetic fields, such as the magnetic field of the Earth. But the electromagnetic field from electronics, or EMFs like cellphones, power lines, radios, and computers has dramatically increased in the last several decades.
The scientists’ appeal asks for a precautionary approach to EMFs, citing studies that have already shown conclusive results that EMFs do have a biological effect.
“The signatories of the International EMF Scientist Appeal have all published papers in peer-reviewed journals on the biological or health effects of EMF and noted that the overall weight-of-the-evidence strongly supports greater precaution,” the EMFscientist.org press release stated.
