France bans Apple iPhone 12 while Canadians remain at risk
An immediate ban in Canada is imperative to protect public health
For immediate release
OAKVILLE, ON.
September 18, 2023 – Canada is continuing to permit sales of Apple’s iPhone 12 even after it has been banned from sale in France because it emits dangerously high levels of microwave radiofrequency radiation.
On September 12th, France’s regulator announced that sales of Apple’s iPhone 12 were banned until Apple implemented changes that would reduce the level of microwave radiofrequency radiation emissions below France’s regulatory maximum Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
Although Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 SAR maximum limits are lower, the iPhone 12 phones remain on the Canadian market. Canada’s cell phone emissions regulator, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) says that Canada has some of the toughest standards for cell phone safety in the world: every device needs to pass rigorous testing and a certification process before being sold, and they are then regularly audited afterward.
If France’s SAR limits are breached, how can Canada’s not be exceeded to an even greater degree? We’ve been asking.
After nearly three years, Sharon Noble, Director, Citizens for Safer Tech, finally received information about ISED’s cell phone Market Surveillance Program. In the five years of audits sent to Ms Noble, a total of only 90 phones had been tested. None had been tested at zero distance from the body, where many people use and store their phones. “The report I received confirmed my worst fears – few cell phones are tested. The iPhone 12 has been sold in Canada since 2020, yet it was not listed in the report ISED recently provided. This means that it was not tested by ISED before it went on the market, and so Canadians, including children, have been using a phone that most likely exceeds Health Canada’s exposure standard when used against the body such as when carried in a pocket. To protect Canadians health, it is imperative that the Apple iPhone12 be withdrawn immediately from the Canadian market – as should all other wireless devices that exceed Canadian SAR limits – until their emissions are compliant. Safety Code 6 states clearly that its SAR limits ‘shall not be exceeded.’”
Surprisingly, ISED also confirmed that Canada’s SAR standards may be met by measuring the SAR with the phones at a distance from the body—not next to the body. SAR decreases as the device is moved away from the head or body.
Many well-respected independent scientists have published high quality peer reviewed studies showing that microwave radiofrequency radiation emitted by wireless devices such as cell phones can cause biological harm ranging from inflammation, DNA damage and tumours, to cardiac and fertility problems, headaches and brain fog, all at exposures below Safety Code 6 maximum limits.
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified microwave radiofrequency radiation as a possible human carcinogen in 2011, based largely on human epidemiological studies. The Agency now lists it as a high priority for re-evaluation, to include subsequent large scale animal studies demonstrating “clear evidence” of carcinogenicity. Meg Sears, Chair of Prevent Cancer Now said, “Cancers are increasing rapidly in younger Canadians, and wireless radiation as well as chemicals, nutrition and activities are implicated. Radiation from wireless devices magnifies toxicities of hazardous chemicals, so we need to reduce both. There are lower- and zero-exposure options for communications, to choose at home and school; at work and play.”
It is time that this lack of protection is examined by our legislators, with clear recommendations to rectify the inadequate regulation of cell phones and other wireless devices. Frank Clegg, CEO of Canadians for Safe Technology and former President of Microsoft Canada says, “It is long overdue that Health Canada ditches the disproven premise that only heating can cause harm, and incorporate the evidence of adverse non-thermal effects at exposure levels far below Safety Code 6. One step in the right direction would be a full examination by the House of Commons’ Health Committee. Another is to provide adequate warnings about the use of cell phones with full disclosure of SAR values when cell phones are held next to the body. Our health depends on it.”
For further information, please contact:
Sharon Noble, Citizens for Safer Tech
Email: citizensforsafertech@shaw.ca
Meg Sears, Prevent Cancer Now
Phone: 613 297-6042
Frank Clegg, Canadians for Safe Technology
Email: Frank@c4st.org
Marg Friesen, Canadians for Safe Technology
Email: Marg.c4st@gmail.com
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