Is technology affecting our ability to live healthily?

The topic of mobile phones and their cancer-causing qualities is something that has dominated the headlines in recent months and warnings of the dangers of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) are intensifying.

Hundreds of reports and scientific studies have been conducted into the damage that cell phones and other wireless devices such as laptops, cordless telephones and baby monitors can cause through EMR. The most recent investigation into the issue was carried out by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The IARC “classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ to humans based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use.”

Cell phone users are now becoming increasingly aware of such health risks and have started to look for ways to reverse, or at least minimise, harmful side effects. However, experts are warning these dangerous qualities are unavoidable. “In today’s technological society, with increasing numbers of wireless devices all emitting EMR, we live in a polluted environment which makes it is virtually impossible to escape its effects,” explains Derek Lattimer, a Director of Natural Health and Leisure Products Limited.

Aside from adhering to standard advice to avoid intense and prolonged use of laptops and mobile phones, users can attach a ‘shield’ to wireless devices to reduce any impacts on health. Lattimer’s company sells these preventative products and he claims these shields “suppress the biological effects of radiation and thereby help to alleviate any unhealthy side effects.”

The shields use pioneering technology from NASA, ustilising quartz crystals. Lattimer explains exactly how the shields work: “Natural quartz crystals characteristically have piezoelectric properties that develop an electrical potential upon the application of mechanical stress; this occurs when the shield is attached to wireless electronic devices. A stress response stimulates a protective reaction and intrusive elements are intercepted, diffused and reconverted into healthy energy.”

Clinical trials and questionnaires have found that 84 percent of quartz shields users have experienced relief from a number of conditions associated with EMR. Lattimer cites headaches, fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, depression, tinnitus and nausea as just some of the EMR related ailments; all of which have the potential to develop into more serious, long-term illnesses. These shields are growing in popularity, with Lattimer saying he has experienced an “increased demand” for a product that is “tangible and proactive and has shown to provide actual precautionary benefits in a practical and cost effective way.”

It is estimated that five billion mobile phones are registered across the globe and this figure is ever-increasing, as is awareness of EMR and research into its health effects. With health authorities in Europe now calling for a ban on the use of wireless devices in schools, Lattimer remains resolute: “there should be no desire to ban wireless technology but to adapt and harness it so that it never becomes a major source of illness.”

Fox News report on the WHO's research into cell phone use and EMR:

Read the full interview with Derek Lattimer:

Mobile phones and their ‘cancer causing’ qualities have been in the press a lot recently, what exactly has the most recent research by the WHO found?

Although there have been hundreds of independent reports and scientific studies published over recent years which have concluded that mobile phones can cause harmful health conditions, there has been a policy for the industry and allied interests to try and discredit these findings and maintain the technology is harmless. Mounting public concern has forced the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to commission a working group of 31 scientists from 14 countries to examine and review all the available evidence and as a result it “has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use.”

What can mobile phone users do to reduce the risk of EMR from their phones?

 In today’s technological society, with increasing numbers of wireless devices all emitting EMR, we live in a polluted environment which makes it is virtually impossible to escape its effects. Existing safety standards mostly relate to the thermal effect of radiation which is measured in SAR (specific absorption rate) values and recommended precautionary measures rely on minimal use of mobiles and wifi devices and when using them increasing one’s distance from them; for example to avoid holding a mobile or cordless phone against one’s head and using the speaker phone, or texting instead of speaking, but these measures still require users to be in bodily contact or in close proximity with the phone, the source of radiation, with insufficient distance from it to escape its intrusive effects. The BMA reports radiation effects recorded as far as two meters from the source and scientists from Columbia University maintain that SAR level is not a valid basis for safety standards.

Exactly how do shields, like phone and Wi-Fi shields, work?

One needs to realise that human beings are themselves bio electrical systems with hearts and brains regulated by internal bioelectrical (EMR) signals communicating via pathways in the nervous system.   Increased exposure to overpowering EMR frequencies causes interference with healthy biological functions. This is referred to as the non thermal biological effect - it is the most harmful effect of radiation because of its specific cellular reactions to potentially harmful stimuli. Safety standards and precautions should concentrate on suppressing the biological effect at source upon emission of radiation by the phone or wifi device. The Shields are specifically designed to suppress the biological effects of radiation and thereby help alleviate any unhealthy side effects.

What is the technology that is used in them and how does that work?

The technology is based on NASA’s use of quartz crystals because of their sensitivity to radiation which affects precision guidance and control systems in space flight. Quartz Shields are technically crystal oscillators that use the mechanical resonance of vibrating crystals to create electrical signals. They contain a processed matrix of natural quartz crystals which characteristically possess piezoelectric properties that develop an electric potential upon the application of mechanical stress; this occurs when the Shield is attached to an electronic device such as a mobile phone or wifi device. As a result a stress response stimulates a protective reaction and intrusive elements are intercepted, diffused and reconverted into healthy energy.

What benefits do they have?

In clinical questionnaires received from customers who have purchased Quartz Shield products, of those reporting conditions caused by EMR from mobile phones or wifi, 84 percent benefitted from fitting Quartz Shields and achieved relief from one or more of the following conditions, some of which it is possible had a potential for developing into more serious long term illnesses, including malignant tumours, due to breakdowns in the immune systems. Headaches – fatigue – reduced concentration – dizziness – memory loss – tinnitus – sleep disorders – depression – spatial disorientation – allergies – nausea – eye problems – anxiety. Trials have also shown the Shields to be successful helping to optimise performance in stressful activities which need to focus on concentration – typically competitive sport.  This is because piezoelectricity, the active property of natural quartz, neutralises accumulated residual electromagnetic interference in the intracellular pathways of the nervous system allowing clearer and faster reactions between thought processes and activity.

Are these types of shields becoming more popular?

There is undoubtedly greater awareness and recognition of the dangers of EMR and an increased demand for a product that can be trusted to provide a defence against the potential harmful effects associated with using a mobile phone and wireless device. A better understanding of the non thermal biological effects of EMR encourages people to want something tangible and proactive that can be shown to provide actual precautionary benefits in a practical cost effective way. There should be no desire to ban wireless technology but to adapt and harness it so that it never becomes a major source of illness.

Finally, who is most at risk of radiation?

Individual sensitivity to EMR varies from person to person and since insidious illnesses like cancer can take decades to materialise without apparent early symptoms. Recent resolutions by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection call for awareness campaigns about the potential risk of harmful long-term biological effects especially targeting children and teenagers who are considered even more vulnerable than adults because of their under developed immune systems and softer brain tissue which is more susceptible to EMR penetration. The Russian resolution highlights a big increase in morbidity among young people aged 15 to 19 years from mobile phone use. Others considered especially vulnerable are expectant women whose babies have developed impaired attention and hyperactivity which German scientists have put down to significant variations in concentrations of certain stress related hormones caused by mobile phone EMR.