Many studies have concluded that our wireless devices are making us sick, causing cancer and genetic damage, infertility, biochemical changes, brain damage, and much more. That’s why my colleague, Conservative MP Terence Young, recently introduced Private Member’s Bill C-648, An Act Respecting the Prevention of Potential Health Risks from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation (Warning Labels for Radio Apparatus Act). The Bill was seconded by NDP Health Critic, Libby Davies.

The effects of electromagnetic radiation, EMR, emitted by cellphones, baby monitors, routers and smart meters and other devices, has long been vigorously debated. But if you check the manual for your cell phone – or baby monitor, or any other radiation-emitting wireless device, you’ll find a paragraph, generally in very tiny print, that reads like this:

“For body-worn operation, this phone has been tested and meets FCC RF exposure guidelines when the handset is positioned a minimum of 15mm away from the body without any metal parts in the vicinity of the phone or when used with the original body-worn accessory intended for this phone. Use of other accessories may not ensure compliance with FCC RF guidelines.”

Mr. Young, along with a growing number of Parliamentarians from all parties and many other knowledgeable and concerned citizens feel that the small print isn’t good enough. Bill C-648 calls for a clear and obvious label somewhere on the device itself or its packaging.

Over 140 studies show harmful effects of radiation at even low levels of exposure. Mr. Young wants to protect consumers by letting them know that the closer we are to a wireless device, the more we place our health at risk. (This is Mr. Young’s second consumer protection bill – his earlier bill, which became legislation only last year, required clearer warnings on pharmaceutical products.)

If Bill C-648 passes, it could mean that all wireless devices sold in Canada would be required to carry warning labels. Failure to include the labels or selling a device without a label could mean fines of up to a hundred thousand dollars per day.

Frank Clegg, former president of Microsoft Canada), now head of Canadians For Safe Technology (C4ST), based in Oakville, ON, has long sounded warning signals about the health effects of wireless devices. He supports Young’s initiative.

C4ST has published 8 safety tips for wireless usage.

1. Keep cell phones away from your head (use the speaker or non-Bluetooth earbuds) and out of your pocket and/or bra.
2. Don’t sleep with an active device near you.
3. Keep cell phones and tablets away from small children.
4. Don’t put a wireless baby monitor by a child’s bed – use a wired one instead.
5. Remove the WiFi in your home. Put the router on a timer to turn off at night. Remove from high-use and sleeping areas.
6. Pregnant women should keep wireless devices away from their abdomen.
7. If possible keep your analog meter or opt out of any smart meter.
8. Remove cordless phones from your home.

Go to www.terenceyoung.com or www.C4ST.org/PMB  for more information.

-30-