The June 14, 2011 A.M.I.C.A. (l'Associazione malattie da intossicazione cronica e/o ambientale – Chronic toxic and/or environmental diseases Association) gathering in Rome involved a most helpful exchange between experts: scientists, lawyers, volunteers, environmentalists and institutional representatives regarding radiofrequency and microwave health risks. One of its main conclusions is that policy-makers face the radiofrequency/microwave issue “seriously and concretely”. In the legal exchanges with experts it was demonstrated that the “standards” are inadequate and pose a kind of criminal code crisis, especially with regards to determining causality of damages, and the consequent judgement of guilt. For example: can certain events – including homicide – be connected to electromagnetic emissions. As has been indicated by medical experts, an “exact” correlation can never be verified. Therefore, the maximum grade of Italian justice does not require absolute certainty, but a known probability, along with the circumstances of a concrete case to demonstrate the event.
Andrew
What is the relation between radiation and biological dysfunctions? What is the state of scientific research? Which are the legislative instruments? Such were the issues discussed at the June 14, 2011 A.M.I.C.A. (l'Associazione malattie da intossicazione cronica e/o ambientale – Chronic toxic and/or environmental diseases Association) Cellular, Wi-Fi and Wi-Max: a health hazard?"meeting in Rome. The event was held at the Palazzo Marini in Rome, with presentations by scientists, lawyers, volunteers, environmentalists and academics, who assessed health risks associated with mobile devices and RF. The scientific and legal interventions led to two basic conclusions: there is a need to encourage independent studies, and, policy makers must address seriously and effectively the problem.
The first session gave an overview of the scientific evidence on the risk associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields of wireless communications, with presentation of experimental and epidemiological research carried out by Italian and international scientists.
Fiorenzo Marinelli, Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council (Bologna), presented in vitro and environmental study results of interactions between Wi-Fi, radar and mobile phones with cellular vitality. Wireless networks experiments show that irradiation of the cellular system results in decrease in number of living cells and the increase of cancer cells within one hour of exposure. Documented RF and microwave biological effects indicate damage to DNA, chromosomes, free-radical production, neurotransmitter modification, premature aging, memory loss and the appearance of allergies. The epidemiological survey conducted in the town of Potenza Apicena (originated by the presence of a misunderstood epidemic that affected persons exposed to electromagnetic waves) has demonstrated, as Marinelli shows, that exposure to radar emissions de-vitalize cells after 24 to 48 hours. The researcher expressed the need to perform more detailed studies in order to observe the cause-effect relationship between exposure and diseases (breast cancer, thyroid disorders, autism, leukemia, etc.). According to Marinelli, SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), the measurement system used to calculate the percentage of electromagnetic energy absorbed by the body under conditions of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, is of "extreme approximation ".
Septimius Grimaldi, National Research Council (Rome), has undertaken to demonstrate and explain the theoretical and biological aspects of damage from exposure to electromagnetic fields. According to biophysics, the effects are biological as well as thermal; specifically the biological (non-thermal) effects become particularly relevant when they result in adverse consequences in the central nervous system, whose proteins, made faulty, become associated with such diseases as dementia and schizophrenia.
Dr. Valeria Pacifico, Dermopatico dell'Immacolata Institute (skin pathologies), has analyzed oxidative stress associated with non-ionizing radiation. Monitoring of 541 electrosensitive patients has shown that, so far, no useful markers have been identified to define diagnostics criteria that would have permitted the development of therapeutic protocols guidelines. Currently, it is hypothesized that proximity and use of computer screens, cell phones, cordless phones and other electromagnetic appliances can be a cause of observed chemical and metabolic disorders. Patients, therefore, have no other choice than to eliminate what they consider to be the triggering factor of their illness, with a clear reduction of the quality of their lives.
One of the most interesting and pressing appeals of the day came from Dr. Ernesto Burgio, President of the International Physicians for the Environment(ISDE), who expressed the need to develop biological, genetic and epigenetic models, rather than physical ones for the study of electrosensitivity. The linear model developed by physicists has no correlation with epidemiological studies. Thus, argues Dr. Burgio, the number of contaminated victims resulting from Hiroshima to Chernobyl would be critically reassessed, who have been calculated abstractly and in a misleading way. Speaking of the present study, it has been shown how detrimental effects of ionizing radiation do not become immediately evident in exposed individuals, but sometimes only in second and third generations. This is an indication of the need to change the lines of study from the physical to the epigenetic paradigm.
Along this rationale, there is harsh criticism of the Interphone mega-study, which is considered by some Italian scientists to be misleading in its choice of risk factors, while there is appreciation, for the recent action by the [WHO’s International Agency on Cancer Research] IARC, which classifies electromagnetic fields in category 2B: "possibly carcinogenic to people," with the wish expressed by the doctors present, that it be soon classified as group 2A.
A plausible link between electromagnetic radiation and genome modification has been investigated by Morando Soffritti, scientific director, Ramazzini Institutein Bologna, who presented initial results from a large experimental project involving over 18,000 mice that shows that exposure to low doses of gamma radiation results in a significant increase in the incidence of female breast cancer in mice. Soffritti, demands that occupational exposure limits to powerfrequency magnetic fields set by ICNIRP be reviewed.
The morning panel hosted as final presentation Professor Olle Johansson Experimental Dermatology Unit, Karolinksa Institute in Sweden, and member, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm), considered as one of the “champions” for electrical sensitivity. Johansson retraced the steps taken by doctors and politicians toward the adoption of the precautionary principle enshrined in the European Community that specifies the adoption guidelines to limit the use of cellular and cordless phones by children and vulnerable groups. Johansson disputes expert-selection criteria in high-level international bodies such as WHO, which, says the Swedish physician, often rely on consultants colluding with telecommunication companies.
The afternoon session hosted a debate between lawyers and representatives of electromagnetic-field-regulation bodies. The discussion depicts a disconcerting situation, which essentially, is a lack and inadequacy of standards as well as a crisis in criminal law in toto, which is grappling with the intricate problems in ascertaining causality of damage and, subsequently, with rulings.
Lombardi Lorenzo, head, Section of Electromagnetic Noise Pollution and Environment Ministry, explained Law 26 of 2001 for the Wireless technology installations emission standards. While providing for quality limits, it is an "incomplete" law, according to lawyer Matteo Ceruti that results in an "alarming" situation. In reality, this framework law cannot be applied administratively, due to the lack of implementing decrees. Not only is it unable to impose sanctions due to the absence of mandated authority, the law fails for four fundamental reasons: 1) absence of implementing decrees for most of its parts, 2) the issues that it relates to, 3) the weakening / reversal of principles, and 4) the application of generally inadequate case law. In addition to all this, according to Ceruti, is a lack of scientific update that is envisaged by the law.
Citing the Radio Vatican case, Maria Cristina Tabano (with Codacons), followed by Nicola Bramante (criminal law) illustrated a fundamental point that relates to the causal link between damage and guilt. In view of the significant lack of scientific certainty in such matters, the two lawyers cited several Supreme Court rulings that to determine harm and culpability, statistical laws are sufficient, even with low average coefficients, provided that they are able to explain a specific event.
Such an interpretation concerns a relevant problem: it is possible to determine, beyond a reasonable doubt, that certain events – including homicide be associated with electromagnetic emissions? As has been indicated by medical experts, an “exact” correlation can never be verified. Therefore, the maximum grade of Italian justice does not require absolute certainty, but a known statistical probability, along with the circumstances of a concrete case to demonstrate the event.
