Eight prominent British scientists have published a paper calling for sense in regard to the supposed health perils of “electromagnetic smog” and have criticized companies that seek to profit by taking advantage of baseless fears. Among the products criticized were tummy wraps for expectant mothers and shielding products such as headgear and bed netting. Physicians were particularly critical of those exploiting patients who claim to be sensitive to EM pollution and point out that some of their symptoms are very real physical maladies. The authors assert that bad science complicates the physician’s task of assessing a patient’s conditions and easing symptoms. Authors of the paper include Prof. Jim Al-Khalili OBE, Dept. of Physics, University of Surrey; Prof. Averil McDonald, Dept. of Science Communication, University of Reading; Prof. Elaine Fox, Dept. of Psychology, University of Essex; Prof. Anthony Barker, Consultant Clinical Scientist, Royal Hallamshire Hospital; Dr. Steven Keevil, Consultant Physicist in MRI, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust; Prof. Sir Colin Beery (Emeritus), Dept. of Pathology, Queen Mary College London; Prof. Anthony Davies, King’s College London; and Dr. Eric de Silva, Imperial College London. For those who want to read and judge for themselves, “Making Sense of Radiation” is available online.This perennial controversy seems to grab headlines on a regular basis. What’s your take? To share your views, just go to Interference Technology’s NEBS/Telecom Forum
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