Celebrate Green Blog

by Lynn

Most of us are busy beyond belief. Even when we read shocking headlines that directly affect us, it’s difficult to know what to do. And even when we know what to do, it can be hard act. So we think to ourselves, “I really ought to buy the “Dirty Dozen” vegetables and fruits in organic versions, but I can’t remember what they are!” Or, “I really should try to carpool more, but I’m just not that organized.” These are issues that I admit to having myself.

That’s why I find reading books where the author(s) has done extensive research resulting in much more than headline-grabbers, is so helpful.

It takes more than a few words or even several columns to convince me that taking steps that might be difficult or costly, are vital.

Two recent books though, really have moved me to action.

I recently finished, Disconnect, by Devra Davis, Ph.D, M.P.H. Her stunning research has me convinced that cell phone radiation (and radiation from other sources I didn’t know about), is something worth taking action on. Yes, I’d read the headlines about studies purporting to show that cell phone radiation does not cause cancer. I’d half believed them, mostly I suppose, because I’d wanted to.

But reading Disconnect was a wake-up call. I’m not going to do a full-blown review here because I think Davis’ work needs to be read and digested by you, not retold or interpreted by me.

But I do want to say that what shocked me most was not her assertion that there is plenty to be concerned about when it comes to radiation from wireless devices (especially as it affects children), but the behind-the-scenes cloak-and-dagger of companies funding research, then spinning the results and the complicity of agencies of our government that should be protecting us.

I’m currently in the middle of another book that tells the same sad, infuriating story. It is Robyn O’Brien’s,The Unhealthy Truth. O’Brien is a mom whose daughter’s egg allergy led her on a journey that unearthed the same duplicity, dirty tricks and political misconduct (in my view) around America’s food supply. (More on this book once I’ve finished reading The Unhealthy Truth.)

I’m not saying that we need to believe every single word in these or any other books (or videos, TV or speeches for that matter). But I do believe that it is our right and privilege to educate ourselves about the issues that will affect us and generations to come and to learn what we can do about them.

If you don’t have time right now to read Disconnect, below are Davis’ suggestions for protecting you and your family. But I highly recommend that you get the story behind the hints because it matters on so many levels.

• Use a headset or wireless headphone with a low-power Bluetooth emitter.
• Do not keep a phone turned on next to your body all day, but if you must, turn the front of the phone (keypad) toward your body with the antennae at the back.
• Use your phone only when signal quality is good.
• Text instead of calling and when you do so, hold the phone away from your body.
• Use the speaker phone.
• Teach your children these safety tips.
• Pregnant women should keep cell phones away from their abdomen and new moms should not speak on the phone or text while holding the device near the abdomen or baby’s head and do not point the back of the phone toward a child.
• Use a landline at home and not a cordless phone.
• Read your user guides and the FCC and company manufacturers web sites. But note that most of the warnings about holding phones at a distance are in such tiny print as to be almost unreadable.

In addition if you are concerned about this issue, join the Campaign for Safer Cell Phones and write to your members of congress if you think consumers should have access more and better information. Europe has done it, why not the U.S.?

Stay tuned because over the next two days, I will be sharing information about a product that can help your family deal with some of the issues with cell phone radiation.

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of  Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.