EMF Protection and Regulation (5G, Wireless, and more) with Theodora Scarato, Environmental Health Trust

Episode 56: How safe are cell phones, wireless, and 5G for my body? 

This episode of Practical Nontoxic Living features Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Trust (EHT). 

Theodora directs EHT educational programs, publishes research and coordinates scientific conferences and programs in the US and internationally alongside EHT’s Senior Science Advisors. She has co-authored several articles on electromagnetic field policy and  is a lead policy analyst and researcher for the EHT database on international actions– the most comprehensive collection of information on policy actions on cell phones and wireless.

The EHT was lead petitioner in a lawsuit against the FCC, which focused on several issues, including the impact of telecommunications networks to wildlife. As a result of their win, the FCC has been ordered to address the science indicating impacts to the environment. 

Listen to the full interview to hear more about this historic lawsuit and what steps we as consumers can take to protect our health and wellbeing. Keep scrolling for timestamps for the interview.

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] Introduction to the podcast episode 

[02:41] The importance of having a holistic perspective for a physician or a regulatory body

[03:07] Encouraging people to care for themselves and for their family’s health 

[05:30] Environmental Health Trust filing a lawsuit against the FCC

• The outdated regulation for the limits of wireless radiation in the FCC 
• The decision that FCC made not to change the 1996  limits 
• Ignoring the negative effects of radiation on people’s health, children's brain development, environment, etc.
• Ordering FCC to show how the limits were protective related to the issues
• No response from FCC 

[10:49]  Who to appoint in reviewing the body of science and integrating it into the wireless standards?

[13:22] The process of filing the lawsuit and what direction this leads to in the future

[16:47] How does the US approach compared to other countries as it relates to protecting children and public health? 

[21:00] What is SAR or Specific Absorption Rate and why people should care about it?

• Being a heat-based measurement
• The research study in France relevant to the current issues
• When France decided to start doing SAR testing
• The scientists who developed FCC limits
• Addressing the issue of how the device for SAR is tested 

[26:02] The kind of approach that France has in monitoring EMF levels in the community

• Having no research program ongoing within the Environmental Protection Agency
• French agencies looking at various exposures and science to make recommendations

[30:45] Theodora’s approach to keeping herself and her family safe on a day-to-day basis

[33:05] The press release published on the Environmental Health Trust website

[38:17] The scientific community data on a larger percentage of the population reporting sensitivity to EMFs

• People living in apartments have reported symptoms of microwave illness

[41:02] Apple Products

• Phones violating FCC limits 
• Being unaware that phones should not be in body contact

[46:58] Companies taking initiatives in terms of wireless implementation, marketing, or guidelines

• CTIA - representing the wireless communications industry in the US
• Wired fiber optic infrastructure as a solution

[50:12] Is your body experimentation for these wireless products

[51:10] Do our brains and bodies accumulate radiation

[52:07] The body does the repair for damages caused by radiation

[53:14] The relevant study conducted in Thailand

[54:43] The impact of using wireless earphones on your body

• Earphones constantly emit radiation even when not in use 

[57:49] Cell towers in their neighborhood