The BabySafe Project

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.