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Dr. Magda Havas discusses her research.

The exposure of pregnant women to mobile phone radiation  significantly increased fetal and neonatal heart rate, and significantly decreased fetal cardiac output.

Rezk et al. ,Fetal and neonatal responses following maternal exposure to mobile phones. Saudi Med J. 2008 Feb;29(2):218-23.

Cardiologist Dr. Sinatra

Havas M, Marrongelle J, et al. Provocation study using heart rate variability shows microwave radiation from 2.4 GHz cordless phone affects autonomic nervous system. European Journal of Oncology , Library Vol. 5, 2010.

• 10 of the subjects (40 percent) displayed increased heart rate, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats, a.k.a. heart palpitations).
  

• Four subjects experienced overt tachycardia, or intense and prolonged heart racing, after a second or two of exposure, with one subject’s heart almost tripling its rate.
  

• Strong increases in sympathetic nervous activity and decreases in parasympathetic activity from exposures.

Havas et al.,  Replication of heart rate variability provocation study with 2.4-GHz cordless phone confirms original findings, June 2013, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, Vol. 32, No. 2 , Pages 253-266 (doi:10.3109/15368378.2013.776437)

• Double blind, sham-controlled study documented an increased heart rate, altered HRV and changes in the sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the Autonomic Nervous System.

• "Our results demonstrate that the radiation from a 2.4-GHz cordless phone affects the ANS and may put some individuals with preexisting heart conditions at risk when exposed to electromagnetic frequencies to which they are sensitive."
  

Havas,M.  Radiation from Wireless Technology Affects the Blood, the Heart, and the Autonomic Nervous System,”  Reviews on Environmental Health, Volume 28 (November 2013), Issue 2-3, Pages 75–84

• Provocation studies presented in this article demonstrate that the response to electrosmog is physiologic and not psychosomatic.  Those who experience prolonged and severe EHS may develop psychologic problems as a consequence of their inability to work, their limited ability to travel in our highly technologic environment, and the social stigma that their symptoms are imagined rather than real.

Esmekaya MA, Ozer C, Seyhan N. 900 MHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation induces oxidative stress on heart, lung, testis and liver tissues. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2011 Mar;30(1):84-9. doi: 10.4149/gpb_2011_01_84.

• MDA and NOx levels were increased significantly in liver, lung, testis and heart tissues of the exposed group compared to sham and control groups .(p < 0.05).

• Results of our study showed that pulse-modulated RF radiation causes oxidative injury in liver, lung, testis and heart tissues mediated by lipid peroxidation, increased level of NOx and suppression of antioxidant defense mechanism.

“Radiation at extremely low levels (0.0001 the level emitted by the average digital cellular telephone) caused heart attacks and the deaths of some chicken embryos...independent, third-party peer-reviewed studies need to be conducted in the U.S. to begin examining the effects from radiation on migratory birds and other trust species.“

-Willie Taylor, US Department of the Interior in his February 2014 letter.

Some research shows increases in heart rate, arrhythmias, dizziness, changes in

blood pressure and other disturbances in heart functioning from wireless radiation.

Wireless radiation increased the fetal heart rate when pregnant women were exposed.

(Past-President of Ontario Medical Association, Past-President of Canadian

Medical Association, Past-President of Canadian Cardiovascular Society.)

As a physician leader in Canada with a great commitment to the health of Canadians, I am very concerned about the increasing evidence internationally that EMR is creating increasing health problems in our population as its use increases exponentially.  This is particularly true among children and young Canadians, and teachers and nurses who are continuously exposed to WiFi routers in schools [and hospitals].

As a cardiac specialist, I am concerned that approximately 20% of people have detrimental cardiac rhythm sensitivity to EMR.

This issue is under active consideration by the Health and Public Policy Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Health Policy and Public Health Committees of the Canadian Medical Association and the Council of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

There is an abundance of evidence from around the world that EMR can be harmful to health.  Many countries...not Canada or the United States...have initiated policies to mitigate the risks.  We, in Canada, need to do the same or more.

It is imperative that City of Toronto does not install WiFi's in public parks and spaces.  I ask you to vote against Councillor Matlow's proposal.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hugh Scully, BA,MD,MSc,FRSC[C],FACS

Professor of Surgery and Health Policy, University of Toronto, Past-President, OMA, CMA, CCS, Former Member of Council [Board], RCPSC and WMA, Member, Health Policy Advisory Council, American College of Surgeons