[TowerTalk] radiation

[Craig Clark]

For over 20 years, this subject has been a "hot topic." I'm not a scientist 
and do not have the medical or scientific credentials to corroborate what I 
have learned. I was at Ham Radio Magazine when we tackled this issue with 
those who do have the credentials and will share with the group what I know.

Over 20 years ago, Paul Brodeur wrote a book called "The Zapping of 
America." Brodeur is an author with no scientific training. He alleged that 
"according to his sources" hi-tension power lines were causing cancer in 
higher than normal percentages in a number of communities and then set 
about the task of "proving" his allegations. This was a precursor to the 
current controversy about cell phones. The book was followed by another 
book and articles in "The New Yorker" magazine. In a nutshell, good science 
was not part of any of his work, only innuendo and allegations.
BTW, we sold a ton of "The Zapping of America" at HRB so I guess we could 
be accused of profiting from the fear altho my sense is that the then HRB 
management felt that it was #1 an opportunity to make a buck and #2 let the 
ham community know what was being published. Ah altruism.....

Ham Radio Magazine in conjunction with Stu Cowan, W2LX, (who lost his first 
wife to cancer) and others looked at the epidemiological studies that had 
been done to see if there were any correlations at both the AC and Radio 
Frequencies . We also were in touch with the ARRL's committee and shared 
information with them. The bottom line was that we could find no concrete 
epidemiological evidence that linked cancer and, here's the key phrase, non 
ionizing radiation.

Epidemiological studies are hard to do for a number of reasons. My belief 
is that there are so many different carcinogens we face in today's world 
that it can be hard to ascertain which specific one has caused cancer.

I am sure that we have those here on TT who are well versed scientists and 
can explain ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and epidemology far better 
than I can so I will stay away from those subjects. However, as was pointed 
out yesterday, we need time and only with time will we really know if cell 
phones can cause damage to the human body. Brodeur and others have been 
prayed on the public's irrational fears.

Frankly, I use the cell phone only when I need to and try to keep my 
conversations focused and to the point.

It pays to be informed and aware of the risks that we face in life. I'd 
venture a statistical guess that you have a greater chance of getting in to 
a car accident than you do of getting cancer from a cell phone. I can't 
back that claim up with science though, and this is the reason we should 
make intelligent choices about how we conduct our lives.

BTW, we did cover this subject a few months ago on TT. Take a look at the 
archives for more information.

73 Craig Clark W1JCC

Radio Bookstore & Radioware
PO Box 209
47 Fitzgerald Rd
Rindge NH 03461


Orders: 800 457 7373 - 603 899 6957
         10am- 6pm EST
Fax:    603 899 6826
         24 hours, 7 days per week
email:  nx1g@top.monad.net
         radware@radio-ware.com
sites:  http://www.radio-ware.com
         http://www.radiobooks.com


--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com