I'm watching this episode right now, and someone needs to sit with the producers at marketplace and explain to them that one study vs a large body of peer reviewed research is NOT a debate. This is not the first episode that follows a specific pattern of lazy journalism.
In this episode, they mention that cell phones emit low levels of em radiation, without the obvious next step of documenting any corolation between em radiation and cancer. If there was imperical evidence of a corolation, there would be no debate.
Can the CBC at least send over Suzuki to explain how science works?

Dear Ms. Mesley & company,

Thank you for your coverage. The strangely myopic attitude toward the safety of technology that is convenient, fashionable and fun is tragically apparent to me. Corporations, their lobby groups and their supportive governments do have a remarkably ominous power to dictate lifestyles and in this case the modes of communication that both adults and youth use. Unfortunately, it has not been uncommon for me to hear how parents lament the monthly cell phone bills they pay on behalf of their children's keeping with their friends' trends. Facile entertainment attached to mobile phones demonstrate that the toy function has been tied to the communication function. What is tragically unknown or misunderstood by many Canadians are the long term effects of exposure to cell phones and cell towers. For more information on this issue, google Opponents to Rogers Cell Tower.

I enjoyed the story on the possibility of cel phone danger but wished they would have ended the session with some positive information about what to do to help alleviate the potential risks, such as using a hands free method.

Canadian Law speaks highly about "Best Interest of the Child" and "child protection" Children and their best interest should be, paramount concern of Health Canada & Canadian Government and Wireless comm. to regulate the safety of cell phones & package results in their manuals, if they consider still selling them. As well on outside of Packages.

Teenagers can purchase cell phones so we should have laws to restrict them from using & purchasing. I have a teenage daughter and would not want to see her harmed by these devices. Cell phones should be treated equally like Cigarettes and sold with warnings on packages and in manuals to adults only; unless further research findings shows this can endanger the lives of these children parents as well?

Cellphones do not emit ionizing radiation which damage DNA. Thus there is no evidence to conclude that cellphone usage causes cancer.

The waves emitted from Cellphones are simply too bit to hit an atom to cause it to rip apart DNA and cause cancer.

You can never 100% prove no risk, but is HIGHLY unlikely. As concluded by Health Canada.

To quote an article from AboutKidsHealth.ca:

///////“With respect to concerns over the use of cell phones by children, scientific evidence does not show a risk to teenagers and younger users,” says Mr. Thansandote, whose opinion is well corroborated. A recent study examining nine different case-control studies found no overall increased risk of brain tumours among cell phone users./////

i think that people under 11 should not be on a cell phone because it can couse seriouse of brain cancer soo i think that this video is right about cell phones thanks for posting this video up and i won t be on a cell phone for most of my time (even no i have no cell phone:))

Luckily we are doing this topic in school for essay writing,and debates. I can use most of the proof/quotes/case studies/etc. here to support my reasoning and explanation, Thanks!

Don't allow your family members to use any cell phones. Just use the old wall phone which has NO ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS. You can talk all day with no problems. Del..

Canada is behind in regulating EMF. We are endangering our youth as a result.

Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia is a project initiated by the Nova Scotia Provincial Government. By the end of 2009 223 telecommunications towers will be built through-out rural Nova Scotia.
At a public meeting,on Feb 9/09,in Kings County,residents expressed their objections to the towers.
The residents raised the issue of inadequate safety standards of Health Canada An information package with articles from global health and scientific researchers describing the health risks has been provided to government and industry representitives. A petition was presented.
A Farmer claims he will have to abandon his home and farm.
The only news in the local media is favourable while the news of the opposition in Kings Co goes unmentioned even with press releases sent.
Only a few Counties have the benefit of a municipal government approval with the project going ahead seemingly unopposed.

Thank you for this story. I recently moved from UK to Canada with my electro hypersensitive 6 year old son.
There is no doubt that the lack of proper regulation is to blame for the increase in EHS. How can it be appropriate that wireless devices are considered safe as long as they dont heat the body by more than 1 degree in 6 minutes. Health Canada is letting Canadians down not only on the mobile phone issue BUT ALSO on the wireless networking [WIFI], digital cordless phones and cell towers.

I worked in telecoms [including mobile] for 18 years. Have degrees in chemistry, computer science and an MBA. I have very advanced measuring equipment and have studied the biochemistry of electromagnetic radiation exposure. Across Europe there is progress being made [this week 5 french senators backed far reaching changes to wireless exposure] 2 of 4 teachers unions in UK do not back WIFI

What I wonder is if it's safer to use wireless/bluetooth headsets. Or wireless home phone handsets. Or your microwave or TV or CRT computer monitor. I know it's not quite the same, but all these devices give off radiation. The studies quoted hopefully also examine the participants' usage and exposure to these other appliances - NOT just cell phones.

It was a great production. I can help but asking why did that production write "cellphone" when the correct way is "cell phone". We are talking about Cellular Phone. It's a two-word we're talking about.

Good Job

Now, let's take a survey of kids: who uses cells to call anymore?
Texting is the reason they want the phone. Probably the only reason they put the phone up to their ears is to call their ludite parents.

hl , we have got a lesson on this case that says do we hang up or keep talking ? and i,ve decided to search about this article , is that really right or a kind of rumour ? i,m wondering how i can start my speech in front of class with plenty of different ideas?pls help me as soon as possible.how do you u keep me to figure out this issue really a big problem? i,m waiting for ur answer to solve my matter . thank you so much

Hi Wendy!
I am so grateful that you covered this story. I myself got very sick with this technology and started learning about it 2 or 3 years ago. Over time I found some products that returned my health to me but I have not had a cell phone since. (Let me know if you want information about some solutions for illnesses related to this problem).
I also started collecting information (as you have found) but was not able to convince anyone that it was true. The other menace has been Cell Towers all over the city emitting unbelievable amounts of radiation to unsuspecting people all over. Please call me if you would like to hear my story and about some proven solutions (tests have been done in Universities and Hospitals here and in the US).
Thanks again, Mary-Anne

Hi

I like to get the details that you did on Cell Phones Contracts. (the ons that they renew withoyt telling you or talking to you)
I have this situation with Roges Phone that I have.

Please help me with this
Thanks
Tony

I think people should consider plugging in old fashion headphones when using a cellphone. It's simple, cheap and eliminates the uncertainty of the impacts on direct cellphone usage. You do it for an ipod...do it for your phone.

On a further note, O.J. Simpson's famous lawyer Johnnie Cochran died from a brain tumor on the left-hand side of his brain which was the same side he used his cellphone 24/7. Coincidence? Who knows.

Check out someone in Australia named Donna Fisher. She had won a court case regarding these issues. A book was written about it as well called Silent Fields. Lots of studies have been listed here with proof of the dangers of radiation. Medical tests, such as EEG's and MRA's show the effercts. Even blood was tested in the US showing the effects on white blood cells. Get yourself a gauss meter and see what readings you get when held up to your cell phone or any other equipment (microwave, computer, cordless phones).

I don't see how cell phones can affect your brain. I've been on my cell phone for the past 2 hours and .........

what were we talking about?

I would like to point out that it was stated that if a person was exposed to ten years of cell-phones they would have a risk of devolping brain tumors-why is it though that a five year old's brain was used to show who they would be effected by the radiation of the cell phone...call me crazy but how can a five year old use a cell phone for ten years?
just thought I'd post that please inform me if I'm mistaken

The new light bulbs that the gov. has passed, promoted, and placed in all the schools and hospitals,and our homes, these light bulbs made the news saying how unsafe they are. The new Wee game,hair dryer,computors, ect. all give of unsafe levels of bad electricity,the gov. clearly dont care about these products that harm us.

It's totally unfortunate that you didn't interview
Dr. George Carlo who was hired by the "CELL PHONE COMPANIES" to study the effects of cell phones on people.

Why the hell do parents think that kids need cellphones? Out of all the kids ive seen with cells, they dont call their parents for security, they call their friends, download games, ringtines, and text.

i loved your show and i think it is so true i feel a headache after 2 minutes on the cell and i am only using it on speaker phone far away from my head .and my childeren are not alowwed to speak on it
are your shows availibe on podcast ??
keep up the great work to save lives
m weisz

Cellphones are not the only source of dangerous exposure to high frequencies. Wi-Fi is also a very potent source that is making many people sick.

Electrical pollution, "dirty" electricity and the electrical ground currents it causes, also cause serious health problems due to exposure to high frequencies. Research about this serious environmental pollutant is available at www.electricalpollution.com on the Research page. Ways to minimize your exposure to high frequencies can be found on the Solutions page. The steps include such steps as removing compact fluorescent lights, dimmer switches, touch lights and so on.

People have had significant improvement in many serious illnesses after minimizing their exposure to high frequencies.

I think cell phone are safe because, if im lost, or if someone tries to grabe me, or something like that, then I can just dail 911 or my parents on speed dail!

Im 12 years old :)

Studies have shown that 24 hours of cell phone exposure is equivalent to 1600 X-ray exposures. Clearly not the way for children to communicate. Same warning applies to cordless phones. Nobody under 16 should use them. And limit your monthly use to minimum. Keep the device at least 12 inches away from your body.

About ten years ago, I participated in a research trying to simulate the amount of power absorption inside the head of a cell phone user. The research was made complex by different "electromagnetic" properties of different tissues; on top of that, the shape of the head, the location of the antenna, the amount of cutaneous fat and movement of the subject added challenge to studying this effect.

Irrespective of what science has shown (or failed to show up to now) it is not very hard for me to feel my ear and hands start warming up when holding a cell phone, or even a regular wireless phone. So, i find the experience unpleasant and I limit my usage. But if a silent killer is to kill me, well so be it; it is just the risk of living in modern times ... and we learn as we go ...

Electromagnetic frequency eliminators are made to eliminate this issue

In a couple weeks W.M. is going to have an episode on how broccoli is cancer causing, taking public transit makes someone go postal, wearing lether shoes causes global warming. Pure sensationalism without much credible anything. Hence why Marketplace is on Friday nights.

Is there any research on Wi-Fi? There are five Wi-Fi signals coming into my house. Is this something to be concerned about?

"Small study shows five-times greater risk of brain cancer from cell phones" Do you see the problem, there?

Let us suppose the base rate of brain tumours is 0.01% (I'd wager it's much lower). According to this study, that number rises to 0.05%. I hardly think that moral panic is in order. Secondly, consider the qualifier - Small Study: for effects this minor, you need a massive study before you can even begin to draw conclusions.

Shame on you, MarketPlace, for reporting on science without explaining the necessary background of scientific method to your viewers to allow them to properly understand the information presented. You treat the lack of consensus as if it's a conspiracy, and then quote government 'cover-my-butt' propaganda from Europe, while bringing up the spector of Unknown Risk. *Everything* is an unknown risk until it is known! One might as well worry about Pregnant women fueling their vehicles (understand, I'm not saying this wouldn't be a valid line of inquiry, but panicking at the question before you receive the answer is irrational and counter-productive).

Now here's the thing about cell-phones: they transmit both low intensity radiation (how many radiation-emitting household lights do you think a cell batt could power?), as well as low-frequency. The latter means that your average cell phone wave is about a centimeter in diameter, closer to radio waves than visible light. The type of radiation which causes cancer is known as 'ionizing radiation' - essentially the waves are so tiny, that they can strike individual DNA molecules. Cell phone waves, on the other hand, barely interact with us at all - I'm unsure of where that doctor's chart came from, since they travel through the human head like visible light through glass.

Now granted, yes, the exposure time of cell phone radiation is high, and it is conceivable that they could somehow harm us, but there is no cause to think that it's likely.

And finally, if they do have some danger to them - is it greater than the danger of a child being abducted? Both of these possibilities are so remote, that worrying about them is idiotic.

Please, stick to consumer advocacy - you do that extremely well.

I was disappointed with the website because the background music was so loud that I could barely hear the news report. Is there a way that you can get rid of the dramatic music?

Wow I can not believe that up until now none of the kids at my school knew about these facts! I am so glad my teacher told us about this show! More schools should be mentioning this to their students because I know that the kids at my school do not use their cell phones nearly as much!

Everyone isnt wondering this - many people already know the truth. You are not presenting truths but speculation, fear mongering, and misleading information that leads to high-viewer ratings. Its easy to say everything is dangerous and make people fear the unknown but this doesnt help with reality. Try reporting on known issues, scams, and other problems - but not rampant scare technology.

After all, there are plenty of other more dangerous products out there on the market damaging our kids (including ourselves) - like TV to start with.

Thank you for the show about children and cellphone use. In view of the fact that cell phone companies are locating their cellphone towers on or around churches, schools and community recreation centers, I would appreciate your looking into the safety of cell phone towers.

Rather than just finding a problem then ending the show, why not offer solutions to help reduce exposure. How about a wireless headset?? these are extremely affordable and readily available. Don't get sucked into half reporting issues, offer some solutions.

The Market Place presentation on cell phone dangers is an ideal example of the dangers that poor journalism can cause. Very poorly researched and full of sensationalisms. How else could the reporter have attracted attention? It is unfortunate that the average viewer is unaware of the facts and scientists are often quoted out of context.

Thank you for doing this show and bringing awareness to this very important issue!! I too believe we are the biggest human experiment every done and this is the next huge epidemic. All at the expensive of our children, our brains and greed on the part of the government and the cell phone industry. We need to wake up early on this one and not wait for the "test" results like we did with smoking, lead paint and asbestos. Let's use common sense and take every precaution to protect ourselves. There is a company that is doing it's due diligence to PROTECTING US FROM ELECTROPOLLUTION AND RADIATION POISONING. Do your homework!

I watched your show on cells phones over the weekend. I have know for a while the concerns with them. I have used a Blue tooth headset to lower to radiation on my head and have since gone to a wired ear bud which works great. I have a small electrical company and use my max. minutes every month in excess of 3000. I find I am on it constantly when working on site or traveling to a next call. I have several employees and have a lot of planning to do, which must be done on the run. I am 42 years old and have had a cell phone for over 24 years, 18 years with my company and 6 with my old boss. I have always used it as a tool for work. I was totally blown away with your story. I sit hear terified what may be in my head I have always used it on my right side and from time to time would have a lump on my neck that would eventually go away. I have always been busy so would only go to the doctor if I was dying. I think I should have my brian checked, of course ignorance is bliss!
If your looking for a case study I think I am it.
Thanks for your great shows.
Mark Ayles

Appreciated your show on cell phones. Question: What about bluetooth? Does that cut down on the radiation?

Congratulations on finally exposing this public health danger in Canada! The telecommunications industry has done a great job of obscuring this by funding many of the scientific studies done in North America, while independent studies from Germany, France, Israel, New Zealand, Austria, and other countries consistently demonstrate brain tumour and other cancer risks two to four times normal. An international group of scientists and health professionals, the Bioinitiatives group, recently reviewed all the available evidence and concluded that public policies in most countries do not adequately protect consumers from the microwave radiation emitted by these devices. What most people also don't know is that government and industry are business partners in wireless communications so naturally they don't want you to know the risks. This product has not had any proper pre-market safety testing and to say it can only cause damage by heating tissue is misleading and scientifically inaccurate.

To HSR, the question I ask is where is the ground breaking investigative jounalism, a high school student could do the same work by looking on the net.

The show has lost its "raison d'etre" there is only rehasashed reporting, and saying that our govenment does not care because other govenments give warnings which have no real strength, if those govenments felt their youth was in danger they would ban them, just a cigarettes and alcohol are.

Don't shoot the messenger, get better funding or don't waste our time and OUR MONEY!

There had been other TV shows that interviewed people whom suffered from Brain Tumors after using cellphones over many years. They should be interviewed for this show. But I know that CRTC and Health Canada are still making all kinds of excuses to avoid this subject. You are doing a Fantastic Job, keep up the good work.

Thank you for reporting on the cell phone story. The industry is very powerful and I understand that CATA offices are directly across from Parliament and what a surprise to see a politician now at its helm. In our neighborhood, we had a political uproard regarding cell phone towers to be erected. Scientists around the world, who are not working for the telecom industry, are warning governments of the dangers, there are studies out of Israel and Germany showing the within 300-500 m of cell tower, there is a significant higher incidence of cancer. Several countries are reducing their radiation exposure limits while Canada is in denial regarding the potential risk. Same story. We wrote to Wendy while we were going through our neighborhood issue. We have since come across many groups across the country facing the same fate. It makes another fascinating story. I wish CBC would cover it. It sickens me that CATA relies on Health Canada, and Industry Canada has that same mantra. Health Canada meanwhile, refuses to be transparent. It certainly appears that there is corruption at the highest levels. At the cost of our health.

Your story is very important. Thank you for producing it.

To Emilio Belvedere who seems to regard the programs on Marketplace as "obvious ones", mentioned in the news all the time. Has he also seen - on a regular basis - the impact and extent of exposure microwaves emitted by cellphones produce as they penetrate into the brain of the young?

One thing I know is cell phones are to stay. I do not believe they are risk free. Since I need to use one, I concentrate on limiting my risk. I use the speaker phone when ever possible, I do not carry on my body for extended periods of time. I also turn up the ear piece volume so I can hold it farther from my head. I do believe we should quit avoiding the fact that they do pose a health risk and concentrate on using them safely. By taking precautions you have nothing to lose, and possibly everthing to gain.

....and what about bluetooth headsets

What has become of the onetime informative and gutsy show named Marketplace, this season is a disgrace, so far the issues are obvious ones in the news all the time,at one time the cbc and marketplace were leaders, now they are fallowers, and worst of all,I feel like I am watching a USA style show that is heavy on sensationalism and light on investigations.

If the cbc can no longer afford the standards it once had, then shoot some shows, and put them out of their misery, it is sad to see a once proud program become this.

Way to go Wendy! THANKYOU for doing such a stellar job helping expose the EMF CRISIS. It is so important to protect ourselves. Everywhere we look there is more to harm us and we feel helpless to do anything but hide our heads. This is one possible "epidemic" we can save ourselves from. There is a company that is doing an amazing job PROTECTING US FROM ELECTROPOLUTION AND RADIATION POISONING. Most people don't realize that even just ONE cordless phones in our home is probably as damaging as living under a hydro tower! Even some BABY MONITORS & garage door openers are microwave operated! What we won't do in the name of "safety"!...

Thankyou for making that unique and very informing prgram on cell-phones. As a teenager in this age I know who many youth have cell phones, and how often they use them. In Canada we need stricter regulations for cellphone use and maybe even an age limit, Why are we exposing 8 or 9 year old to this type of radiation? I'm extremely disappionted in Health Canada, whom, do I need to say has continually let the people of Canada down. We want answers, not more questions in response to our concerns! Thank you once again Market place for the informative report.

As a radiation oncologist, I have serious concerns regarding the potential for increasing brain tumours in our future generations. The facts speak clearly. A concentrated and accumulating exposure can result in a sufficient tissue absorbed dose from low energy microwaves (or radiofrequency waves) to cause an increase in DNA breaks (that is damage your genes). This is not the same process as high energy microwaves that heat up tissue or X-irradiation that causes a very high DNA damage, both of which destroy the tissue completely at high absorbed dose. The lower energy does not kill the cells, it leaves them viable but damaged. This is proven in multiple animal experiments. The second fact is that children younger than 7 years of age, not only have brain tissue that absorbs low energy microwaves to a greater degree than adults, but also are more susceptible to DNA breaks, because the more primitive brain cells are still dividing. The third fact is that brain tumours, such as malignant astrocytomas and glioblastomas, can take up to 15 to 30 years to progress, usually accumulating further mutations. In other words, exposure to the low energy microwaves early in life, could prime the brain for tumours later on in life. This is scientific data that should encourage us to make wise choices that benefit the future lives of our young children. The epidemiological evidence will take 30 years to be available. It is wrong to subject our young children to this population experiment. Let's not repeat the same tragedy that government and business politics played in the past with tobacco smoking that resulted in an epidemic of lung cancer. As in many other conscientious countries, Canada should implement the precautionary principle, "first do no harm". The mobile telephone can, and should be, used to increase child safety, using the simple steps stated by MarketPlace, in particular using speaker phone, ear piece extensions, and limiting use, particularly in young children.

I have always wondered about what impact cell phones and other technologies (i.e. WiFi/WiMax), with increasing frequencies as they develop, may have on our health. While it is very difficult to know what long term consequences, if any, these technologies may have on our health, nonetheless, I found the show important in making us wonder when the WHO study results will be available and also why have other countries taken precautionary measures to warn about cell phone usage amongst children? This was my first time watching Marketplace, and I appreciate what the show is doing by investigating these issues to give the viewers a bit more information to think about.

This story seems rife with the words "if", "might", and "could." You're also cherry picking your evidence. This is brutal journalism, and the channel just got changed.

I enjoyed the show very much. I personally do not own anything more modern that a rotary phone, and will not allow my son to have a cell phone. I came to the site looking for the evidence you had gathered, from people in other countries, and a list of countries that are taking steps against cell phones in the hands of children. I am dissapointed that these names and contacts are not here, for people to take. Sincerely, John Muma, Powassan Ontario

Last Year in May Industry Canada auctioned additional frequencies to telecommunication companies. Industry Canada made millions of Dollars (see www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/smt-gst.nsf/en/sf08900e.html).

Health Canada cannot and must not admit about any adverse health effects of cell phones AND transmitter towers microwave radiation, this due to conflict of interest.
In dummy language: if Health Canada would admit that there are indeed health effects, and thus ordering Industry Canada to have the electromagnetic radiation of cell phones and transmitter stations lowered, the telecommunication corporations will sue the government for huge compensations.

A very tricky dilemna!

The Canada Code 6 guidelines for electromagnetic radiation for telecommunication use as well from nearby power lines are biased. Independent researchers around the globe have long warned. The independent BioInitiative Report recommends far lower exposure levels. Anyone using wireless appliances, including cell phones should read the summary for the public of the BioInitiative Report, see www.bioinitiative.org/report/docs/section_1.pdf

Prevention is the key. You be your own doctor!

I know that people want bottom line conclusions to things being safe or not. I think that fear mongering doesn't help either side in this debate. I'd like to start to suggest that basic principles be understood before going off all excited about safe vs. unsafe aspects of radio frequency emissions. At the very start of all this, it's so important to understand that radio signals are non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and NOT ionizing radiation as is the case for nuclear types of radiation (alpha and beta particle radiation as well as gamma radiation). As far as I understand things, non-ionizing radiation doesn't change DNA or break down molecules, provided you don't allow sufficiently high powered levels of it as you do when you over cook something in a microwave oven and actually burn it. Then, without a doubt, you ARE causing molecular destruction. So, please note that VERY BIG difference between non-ionizing and ionizing radiation.

The second thing to note is the unmentioned frequencies that are in use. By this, I mean that typically, the higher the frequency of the emitted signal, the shallower the depth of penetration is for a given similar power level. This effect can be seen by how much impact your body has on shadowing signals at different frequencies where you'll find that you are quite opaque at high microwave frequencies and much less opaque at lower VHF and HF frequencies. Again, I'm generalizing here for a similar power level for all cases.

Finally, with all due respect to your journalistic skills, I can't help but feel that this reporting is a case of "a little knowledge is dangerous". If you can't handle the more scientific details of the kind I've presented above and more, then you should either dig into it even more to distinguish what is going on (for instance, you never mentioned cordless phones, FRS walkie talkies, electromagnetic radiation from TVs, computers, photocopiers and virtually EVERYTHING that has electrons movement in it, etc.) and the various effects over frequencies and power levels (such as compared to the non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation levels of the sun) so that people can make a more educated and sophisticated choice about things (like not standing near the microwave oven when its on just in case of leaks or better yet, try to find a sensible way to test for the levels of leaks - they all leak by the way) or just NOT report anything on this until you reach a level of depth of understanding that prevents panic reactions in the viewers and educates them thoroughly. Did you know for instance that all radio signals are a form of electromagnetic radiation? Did you know that light is also a form of electromagnetic radiation? Did you know that cellphones radiate down about 1/1000 of the power used inside a microwave oven? Did you know that most adults happen to be a great half-wave antenna at around 100MHz right in the middle of the FM radio band where power levels are super huge at the transmitters? Does that bother you?

We've been living with this huge field strength from FM radio transmitters for decades, yet there seems to be no fear or talk about them. So you see, a little knowledge is dangerous because in the end, to be completely safe, should we not all turn off ALL of our cellphones, cordless phones, TVs, TV and FM transmitters (ie. NO CBC at all!), photocopiers, computers, etc.? Some people would actually agree with this more extreme view and would think it much safer to have us back in the stone age, right? So, please, I would suggest that you get more basic detailed info (basic definitions, differences, etc.) and not just opinions from people without clearing things up at the very basic levels.

Several years ago, I did some research to find someone at Health Canada to help me determine if a plasma lamp I have was emitting possible harmful levels of UV light. I found the lab at the Tunney's Pasture facility in Ottawa to be quite helpful in testing my light. I believe that Dr. Stuchly who used to work there was the (or one of the)original author of Safety Code 6 which outlines the safe levels of RF radiation for various applications, frequencies and power levels (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/radiation/99ehd-dhm237/index-eng.php)so it's NOT like we have nothing in Canada regarding this potential issue. You never even mentioned this document in your report. This is the kind of lack of informed detail I am talking about as well that needs to be made known before having people believe that we have no policy in Canada on what we deem is safe. The cellular phone representative should have been made aware of this document from his own people but sadly, he wasn't. Keep in mind that this document had its last copyright back in 1999 but I believe it's still relevant today. A good follow up report or interview might be to talk to Dr. Stuchly or a few of the authors of Safety Code 6 and to make the link to it available to everyone to go off and read it for themselves. Also note that it has TONS of references at the end of it for more research details.

In the end, I'm really concerned about people being black and white about this subject because I think it's more complicated than that. At very low frequencies, such as 60Hz, power line electromagnetic radiation has been suspected to cause leukimia in children. Again, though, I think it's inconclusive but if it's not the case (without any doubts), then let's ban power lines over houses or at least publish CLEAR guidelines with REAL measureable limits (be it voltage levels and required distances to live away from the lines) so that people have real numbers to make decisions with. If you can't find real numbers, please don't scare people - it doesn't help our human progress in my opinion.

How many Kids do we need with Brain Tumours to wake up this world???? By the time people listen in North America, the future generations will be past the point of no return. This is coming from someone who HAD a brain tumour and knows of many others - they are real, not just stuff you hear in the news, and its not a easy repair like a chipped tooth, its your brain people. Think while you can.

Thank you for the great report!!! I am a 13yr. old student from Alberta and me and my friend are doing our science fair on exactly what you talked about in your episode. It was a great help!! One comment i do have is when you talked to Debra Davis, the model of the kids brain she had was of a 5 YEAR OLD, and how many 5yr. olds use cell phones on a daily basis. Even if that was a brain of 13yr. old, most people I know don't talk on their phone for more that a minute or two at a time, they mostly text, and when you text the phone isn't against your head. Another thing that i liked was when you put what the other countries have to say about kids and cell phones, it kinda put the rest of the world into perspective and what other nations have said and done about this topic. Again thank you for the great report! and keep the Great work on your show!! ;-D

I cannot tell you how happy I was to see your program this evening. Having listened to Milt Bowling (Canadian, Vancouver), and Dr George Carlo (American, expert on EMF), talk on the hazards of cellphones for years, I am personally very much against them. I see the value of having one for emergencies, but what a dangerous obsession they've become for an already hyped up world. We need much safer technology. Bravo, Wendy Mesley. I am really proud of you for this one...

The WHO and ICNIRP have rec'd major funding from cell phone companies, so no one is surprised that the opinion about whether cell phones are dangerous is "in doubt". Hundreds of scientific studies show radiation at this level is dangerous in many ways, as are the cell towers that send the signals to phones over our homes, school and workplaces. This danger is real and we must force Health Canada to take action, not money, and put limits on exposure that the public receives every day, all day. Can the rest of the world be wrong? Shame on Health Canada. Thank you CBC. We need more of this. PLEASE!!!

As a science teacher and fan of Marketplace I found this episode to be extremely disappointing and verging on socially irresponsible. Marketplace's so called expert, Dr. Debra Davis, doesn't have a clue about what she is talking about - Brian Dunning of skeptoid.com exposes Dr. Davis and delivers the real science on his website: www.skeptoid.com/episodes/4117#.

Marketplace also uses Dr. Hardell's "small, unpublished study" to back their fear based claims of health risks. A small, unpublished study? Please! Scientists know that "small" is code for preliminary and highly speculative and "unpublished", well this means the study is worthless at this time as it has not been peer reviewed.

I used to use Marketplace in my science class to TEACH skepticism - now I can use this episode to show how easy it to spin fear with ignorance. Health Canada declined to talk to Marketplace? No doubt they're busy working on important health issues. Check out Brian Dunnings podcast, educate yourself, and call your loved ones on your cell phone to tell them everything's just fine.

Thank you CBC for AIR this health hazard hidden enemy among our younger generation. At the same time I thanks to Mr. Stan Hartman for his valuable comment.

Cell phones operate at 825-850 MHz. This is radio frequency. The microwave region is 3000-30000MHz. Microwave radiation causes molecules to rotate, this is how a microwave oven works. It irradiates food at the specific frequency to cause water molecules to rotate, this excitement can be translated to heat and our food becomes warmer. Cell phones are not microwave ovens, they work at different frequencies. One of the 'scientists' you interviewed claimed that cell phones are not safe as they 'microwave the brain'. This is not scientifically accurate. I am not saying that they are safe, I have not studied this, but please take the time to properly report the science behind your arguments.

I am amaze how companies use doubt from few scientists to disclaim an unsafe product and continue to sell them like nothing will happen to the users. I am more amaze by people elect to buy products that is deemed to be unsafe by most scientists. People should act more intelligent and avoid products that are unsafe even there are a few scientists out there claim otherwise. People to avoid those product until it has an absolute prove that the product is safe to use. Anyone who chooses to go with the scientist that claims the product is safe and ignore the warning by other scientist is plain S___ and I like to remind you about the claim of cigarettes is safe by the cigarettes makers and some scientists and we all know how that turn out.

Thank you for investigating the potential dangers that kids may be facing when using cell phones. I am a mother of an 11 year old who has been nagging me for a phone - needless to say, I had already been skeptical about the health risks before I'd seen your show. I made my daughter watch your report. She's a little more convinced that she may not need to give into peer pressure now. I wish the schools could see your documentary and help better educate parents and children about the potential risks.

It's misleading to say that cell phones emit low levels of radiation. Low levels in relation to what? There are no higher level sources of microwave radiation in the environment than the levels from a phone against the head, unless you're standing near a radar, radio/TV broadcast, or cell phone or cordless phone base station antenna, or have your head up to a microwave oven when it's on. These radiation levels are hundreds of millions of times what we evolved with, so how can anyone call them low? The wireless industry claims that if it isn't warming your brain tissue it can't do any harm, but the military has known for decades that microwaves can induce cataracts, Down's Syndrome in the children of exposed fathers, and male infertility, and the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a part of NIH, acknowledged in its Research and Public Information Dissemination Report (RAPID) in the 90's that ham radio operators (another source of microwave radiation) suffer from higher risk of Alzheimer's. There are hundreds of reports of how dangerous such "low" levels of radiation are, but trying to warn people today is like trying to warn people about tobacco back in the 50's. And microwave energy is addictive, creating endogenous opioids in the brain something like a runner's high. It's an old story of unscrupulous industry games - promote an addictive product before any health risks from it can be exposed, so people won't want to hear about them, then rake in the profits until the risks can't be ignored anymore. It should be criminal to market cell phones to children, and it soon will be in France and other countries who have woken up to the despicable game being played with the public's health.

To start off I very much enjoy this type of programming. In my personal opinion I agree with Canada’s decision on cell phones being safe. The reason for that is many scientist and journalist are not looking at the fact of the different types of cell phones, what cell phones the people whom are now more likely to have a brain tumor started with a different type of phone.

In this day and age I can say with up most certainty that I trust the cell phone companies when they tell me it is safe. Especial when they make a specialized phone for children (i.e. the Migo from LG). Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Shawn LePage

So I wonder in what way cell phone use is better than smoking??

I just watched your report on cellphones. How many hours a day must you be on your phone for it to be harmful? The American doctor who showed us the brains didn't say how long these brains were subjectd to the phone radiation. No one spoke of this. With normal use, is there really a problem?