Despite severe health impacts, Eskom again seeks to delay compliance with air pollution standards
Eskom has again applied to postpone compliance with the minimum emission standards for air pollution, this time for its Tutuka power station near Standerton. This area falls within the already heavily polluted Highveld Priority Area in Mpumalanga.
The minimum emission standards (MES) regulate the maximum amount of air pollution released by industries, to limit harmful impacts on human health, wellbeing, and the environment.
Why is this important from the EMF perspective?
EMF radiation is an ever increasing environmental pollutant. RF radiation and ELF-EMF exposures are classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B. Sources of these exposures: these include – but are not limited to–radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF).
Synergistic and Co-Carcinogenic Effects
EMF AND RFR MAKE CHEMICAL TOXINS MORE HARMFUL
EMF acts on the body like other environmental toxicants do (heavy metals, organic chemicals and pesticides). Both toxic chemicals and EMF may generate free radicals, produce stress proteins and cause indirect damage to DNA. Where there is combined exposure the damages may add or even synergistically interact, and result in worse damage to genes.
Low doses of hazardous chemicals along with RF radiation exposures could result in greater harm than either one alone. Just as studies show an increased risk of cancer or other illnesses from multiple simultaneous toxic exposures there is growing research showing that EMR from wireless devices can act as a carcinogen as well as a co-carcinogen.
Devra Lee Davis, opinion contributor – 02/14/17, The Hill:
“if we want to win the war on cancer, we need to start with the thousand physical and chemical agents evaluated as possible, probable or known human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization — encompassing engine exhausts, pesticides, many synthetic chemicals and hormones, and cell phone and wireless radiation.
Much of the past effort against cancer has fixated on the wrong enemies, with the wrong weapons. While scientific research concentrates on the genome within, we are ignoring the exposome– all that we breathe, drink, eat and absorb through our skin. As President Bush’s Cancer Panel reminded us in 2010, the great majority cases of cancer occur in people born with healthy genes as a result of carcinogenic exposures at work, home, and school.”
A legal group was formed within ARTAC (Association for Research on Treatment against Cancer) on June 2, 2017, aimed to continue the discussion on the tabling of an amendment to the Rome Statute to make pollution a health crime at the International Criminal Court. In this regard, several topics were discussed: asbestos and its consequences on health (cancers); pesticides as endocrine disruptors; electromagnetic pollution.
We highlighted environmental pollution from EMFs in our comments pertaining to a recent study that measured exposure levels in South Africa: ‘The measurements from the study are of concern. We agree with the 326 scientists from 41 nations who are appealing for guidelines and regulatory standards be strengthened (EMF Scientist Appeal). This is especially relevant in the light of proposed ‘smart’city’ developments.’
In conclusion:
All relevant environmental conditions, including EMF and RFR, which can degrade the human genome, and impair normal health and development of species including homo sapiens, should be given weight in defining and implementing prudent, precautionary actions to protect public health.
References:
RF-EMF exposure measurement study – Cape Town, South Africa.
International EMF Scientist Appeal https://www.emfscientist.org/index.php/emf-scientist-appeal
Executive Summary: Wireless Technology and Public Health
Cancer is a product of policies on energy, buildings, food, and manufacturing
Do extremely low frequency magnetic fields enhance the effects of environmental carcinogens? A meta-analysis of experimental studies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p
371048_1_En_4_Chapter_OnlinePDF
Microwave Effects on DNA and Proteins
Cellular neoplastic transformation induced by 916 MHz microwave radiation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22395787
Tumor promotion by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields below exposure limits for humans https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25749340
Indication of co-carcinogenic potential of chronic UMTS-modulated radiofrequency exposure in an ethylnitrosourea mouse model. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20545575
Electromagnetic Fields, Pulsed Radiofrequency Radiation, and Epigenetics: How Wireless Technologies May Affect Childhood Development. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28504324
National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley SD Rats (Whole Body Exposure Report of Partial findings from the National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposure)
The Environmental Working Group Comments to NTP on Cellphone Radiation Study EWG Comments NTP Cell Phones
Meta-analysis of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer risk: a pooled analysis of epidemiologic studies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26703095?dopt=Abstract
http://www.bioinitiative.org/conclusions/
South Africa’s air pollution hotspots https://www.news24.com/PartnerContent/south-africas-air-pollution-hotspots-20151123
Air pollution study shock https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/environment/air-pollution-study-shock-8791974
South Africa’s air pollution hotspots https://www.news24.com/PartnerContent/south-africas-air-pollution-hotspots-20151123