Monday, May 28, 2012

Holland EHS recognised


Holland EHS recognised

Latest news is that the Dutch Government has acknowledged EHS as a 'true disease which is not psychosomatic...' I have only a Dutch report for reference and asked for an English version to be sent later.
Nico


Hi Paul,

I asked Anton who is from Holland but currently resides in
Switzerland to check about the Holland situation. He checked with
organizations in Holland and on the website and could not find
anything about recognition. He read the article that is on your blog
and following is his explanation:

Dear Dafna,

My 2 cent worth:

I downloaded the pdf document and stopped reading about halfway (22
pages!). I would say that it is a step forward towards recognition but
not quite official recognition.

The document was produced by an organization named "Kennis Platform
Electronische Velden" (Knowlegde Platform Electronic Fields) and it is
a sort of advisory of the current stage of knowledge with respect to
EMF hasards. The platform brings together specialists of  several
Governmental science organistions including RIVM, TNO, KEMA, the
"Agentschap Telecom", ZonMw and a federation of communal health care
organistations. These groups are, unfortunately not independent of
commercial interests.

What I liked in the advisory:

It concludes that EHS and EHS patients need to be taken more seriously
and given better and more targeted care of the health care sector.

What I did not like in the advisory:

There is a very long, rather inconclusive and confusing review of the
current state of knowledge of EMF health implications. This section
was probably written to satisfy a range of different positions within
a committee. It repeatedly states that there are is no scientific
evidence and that more research is needed! Another example: it suggest
that reducing EMF exposure may be beneficial to EHS patients but it
may also lead to unnecessary anxiety and isolation. (this sounds like
typical committee talk).

The target groups of this paper are the Dutch ministries, formal
opinion groups and the Dutch Health Board. It seems to me that this is
a first step towards awakening awareness in Holland but it is still
years behind with other countries. It is a positive development but it
still smells too much like protecting commercial interests. It is
interesting to note that the Dutch TV documentary on the risks of
electrosmog (notably handys), aired last Friday did not make any
mention of this advisory. The recent EMF position statements by
medical associations in Austria and Switzerland are much more useful
and are far less ambiguous.


Kind regards,

Anton

4 comments:

  1. I am not so sure if the message of the report is as positive as hoped regarding recognition of EHS. Use Google translator to find out for yourself

    "Kennisbericht Elektrogevoeligheid"

    http://www.kennisplatform.nl/Kennisbericht%20Elektrogevoeligheid%2020120419.pdf

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  2. This is from April - Is this report the decision of the government?
    It is actually saying it is psychological...I hope we are wrong as I was so happy I sent the message to everyone...it is going to be VERY embarassing to tell them this message was wrong...

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  3. All I know is what I received and is published here. paul

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  4. The linked PDF is all I could find.
    The site mentions 3 possible explanations for EHS:

    1) symptoms are caused by EMF
    2) health problems have a psychological cause
    3) symptoms are caused by other environmental factors or illnesses

    http://www.kennisplatform.nl/Onderwerpen/elektrogevoeligheid/KennisberichtElektrogevoeligheid.aspx


    You might want to look through these (dutch)links:

    http://www.stopumts.nl/doc.php/Berichten%20Nederland/6675

    http://www.stichtingehs.nl/

    http://www.beperkdestraling.org/

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