Cancer scare strikes our firefighters

[Redaktion Buergerwelle e.V. (BI Omega-CI Omega)]

http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4865990/

[Redaktion Buergerwelle e.V. (BI Omega-CI Omega)]

[Omega Group]

Re: Firefighters identify more cancer cases

Thanks for this, Martin: I have reported in the past that radiology
techs in our area are saying they are seeing lots of brain cancer
lately. She did not provide any information as to occupation or any
suspect exposure. However, one contact who is a healthworker in a
local nursing home indicated they are seeing lots of brain cancer in
policemen.

I will be taking up the issue of currents on gas meter service pipes
soon and will hand-deliver a copy of your email and the articles to
the firemen at our fire station near oiur house and along the same
high voltage lines as those that are too close to our house.

HIgh on my list of suspects re the firemen (and also police) would be
the radios they carry on their shoulders as well as probable excessive
cell phone usage. I think our firefighters do have landline phones in
their offices but suspect they make their phone calls from recliner
chairs and beds, etc. for comfort as well as privacy.

Re prostrate and testicular cancer, a major concern, in my opinion,
would be the probability of carrying cell phones in pants' pockets.
Since large numbers of the general population are reporting they
actually sleep on top of cell phones, that, of course, is another
major concern if firefighters are doing the same.

I know even the Chief of Police for a nearby suburb has or had a
police radio, a cordless phone and transformer, an electric clock and
cell phone charging on his nightstand.

I would think the military might also be experiencing similar
increases in the same types of cancer. Take care - Joanne

Joanne C. Mueller
Guinea Pigs "R" Us
731 - 123rd Avenue N.W.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55448-2127 USA
Phone: 763-755-6114
Email: jcmpe...@aol.com (4-18-08)

WEBSITE: http://guineapigsrus.org

ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN GUINEA PIGS?
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/282050/

Letter 7-22-04 by Joanne Mueller

[Omega Group]

Re: Firefighters identify more cancer cases

As a former firefighter, I can tell you that in my experience nothing
that firefighters were exposed to "In the past" would yield higher
cancer rates. I was a firefighter for 7 years, the equipment they use
virtually guarantees no fumes are inhaled. It's even not a very
stressful job to be honest, more like you just know what to do, when
to do it, and how to do it.

I believe this may be a factor relating to EMF. These days
firefighters carry around tremendous electronic gear, high powered
radios, cell phones, wireless location finders, and more. Most fire
stations have dozens of radios plugged in and/or charging at the same
time, and these are MUCH more powerful than the stuff we used to use.
All stations that I know of have WiFi in them, as well as specific GPS
related gear, and some high powered equipment for finding people in
smoke filled situations. Firefighters are exposed to a *LOT* of EMF
that they weren't exposed to just 15-20 years ago. Years ago our gear
was basic, the only person on site with a radio was the field boss.
Nobody else was carrying anything remotely electronic. Rigs, and
stations had pretty low powered, lower range basic radio equipment.

Who knows really, maybe there is some "Chemical" in their new suits.
Our old stuff was just canvas sprayed with a non-toxic fire retardant.
These days who knows, they probably have entirely different suits and
other junk. So tough to say really. I wouldn't be surprised if Cops
didn't start showing signs of increased cancer, you look inside a cop
car these days and it looks like the cockpit of a Tie-Fighter from
Star Wars, then add in the 1-2+ cell phones each officer carries, etc.

Thinker

[Omega Group]

RE: Firefighters identify more cancer cases

Thanks for sending this information, Martin.

I want to remind people that Joe Foster, a Vancouver BC firefighter,
gave an excellent presentation on this subject at the 2006 ICEMS
Workshop in Italy. Joe introduced the resolution that was adopted by
the International Firefighters Association in 2004, I believe it was,
calling for removal of commercial antennas on firehouses. His power
point presentation and abstract of his talk can be found on the ICEMS
website under 5th ICEMS Worshop, under his name in the last session on
the program. http://www.icems.eu .

Is the additional revenue from renting out the roof worth the risk of
exposure to firefighters who need to get restful sleep and and produce
sufficient levels of melatonin like everyone else? Who is monitoring
exposures to ensure safe levels are adhered to in general for these
public safety workers? Why don't we show more compassion for our first
responders lin gratitude for what they do in service to the rest of us

Libby

www.energyfields.org

Libby Kelley
Managing Secretariat International Commission For Electromagnetic
Safety Email: in...@icems.eu
Web: http://www.icems.eu

[Omega Group]

Re: Firefighters identify more cancer cases

As I said, I am a bit behind on latest firefighter trends, but I
recently visted a firehouse with my sons Cub Scouts. Where I discussed
current firefighting with the guys there. TONS of electronics. Since
those men sleep under those conditions, it makes sense their exposure
would effect them long term. I believe they still work 48 hours in a
row, 48 hours off type of thing.

Thinker

[Omega Group]

Further Information on Firefighters & Cancer

Martin

I don't know if you've seen the piece on my website about US
firefighters, posted August 2004. I think you (and the Aussie Fire
Service) would find it very interesting.

http://www.starweave.com/heroes/

Grahame

[Omega Group]

Re: Firefighters identify more cancer cases

Libby and Martin,

I started a dialogue with the Vancouver firefighters about EMR risks
back in 1997. Gradually their health and safety people got involved
and concern gained momentum. For a year or two I worked with Joe
Foster to raise awareness among union members, management and city
hall. The two fire halls in Vancouver that have transmitters on their
hose towers were measured and the readings were predictably below
"safety regulations". Dozens of published studies showing readings
lower than those shown on the tests were brought up as concerns. This
is particularly concerning because these first responders sleep in
dormitories on the top floor, with shifts of 4 days on and 4 days off.
Their social room was also on the same floor. The city brought in
their "expert" who, while he admitted knowing nothing about these
health effects, proclaimed the situation to be safe.

After Joe made his tremendous presentation in Boston and the IAFF
passed the resolution for a moratorium on fire hall cell towers, the
city of Vancouver allowed more transmitters to be erected on Hall No.
5. They were quoted as saying, "Yes, that's your resolution, but it's
our fire hall", confirming once again how loud money talks. City hall
got the rent and first responders got the risk.

A couple of years ago, Magda Havas and I took measurements at a fire
hall in nearby Richmond, which had a 30 foot transmitter on the roof.
The measurements there were similar to those in the Vancouver halls.
Also, the readings at head level in the fire trucks was very high from
all of the communications equipment aboard.

It may be of interest to readers that the British Columbia government
passed legislation in October 2005 recognizing 7 cancers as
occupational hazards for firefighters. These are brain, bladder,
ureter, kidney, and colorectal cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and
leukemia. This presumptive legislation means that the firefighter or
his family can be compensated for a disease that is work related,
rather than having to prove each case separately.

Interestingly, Joe was attacked constantly from all quarters for his
brave stand and is no longer a vice president of the union. This just
proves the old adage that no good deed, no matter how small, goes
unpunished.

Cheers,

Milt

[Omega Group]

Cancer scare strikes Queensland firefighters
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/?p=880

[Omega Group]

See also: http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Brisbane