As soon as we saw the words
“ADHD” flash across the screen in a power point describing a new scientific
study on cell phone radiation and pregnancy, we thought maybe we had a chance
to do something big.
For several years, we have
been following the emerging science regarding the issue of wireless radiation
from cell phones and other devices and its potential impact on human health. We
were aware of the studies showing increased risks of cancer, reproductive
issues and other health impacts on adults, and we felt frustrated that none of
the public awareness campaigns had made much progress convincing people to
change their habits.
Of course, change is hard,
and people love technology! No wonder! These days our phones, tablets and laptops
can do things that were unimaginable even a decade ago. And because everyone
loves their electronic gadgets, it’s almost impossible to convince ordinary
people to change their behavior just because a study says there might be a risk
to their health.
But pregnant women are not
ordinary people.
The instinct to protect a
child from harm is powerful, and it begins in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
That’s when most women begin to feel that awesome sense of responsibility that
comes with caring for a new life. Suddenly they’re hyper-aware of what they
eat, what they drink, and the air they breathe – whatever it takes to make sure
their little one arrives healthy and happy.
So when we saw the words
“hyperactive,” “aggressive,” and “poor memory” used to describe the offspring
of mice that had been exposed to the radiation from an ordinary cell phone, we
knew for certain that pregnant women would want to know about it. And so the
BabySafe Project was born.
Today, Grassroots, in
collaboration with Environmental Health Trust, is launching a new public
awareness campaign designed to help pregnant women understand the developing
science that strongly suggests a link between exposure to wireless radiation
and behavioral problems in children, including symptoms of ADHD.
The project is based largely
on the work of Dr. Hugh Taylor and his associates at Yale University, but also
builds on an impressive history of independent science showing biological
effects from exposure to wireless radiation, the kind of radiation that comes
from smart phones, wireless routers, smart meters and even wireless baby
monitors. (That’s why every wireless device comes with a warning from the
manufacturer to avoid direct contact with the body)
The good news is that there
are simple, common sense steps pregnant women can take to reduce their
exposures to wireless radiation.
So if you’re pregnant, or
are thinking about having a baby, we hope you’ll take a minute to visit the
project web site at BabySafeProject.org. There you’ll find videos, science
articles and a list of Ten Things you can do to reduce your exposure. It’s
something every new pregnant woman should learn about.
Because every mom knows one
thing for certain: better safe than sorry.
