What about "walkie-talkies" or "CB (Citizens' Band) radios"?

Unfortunately,
these devices emit at relatively very high power outputs (e.g., 3-4 W) compared
to mobile and cordless phones, even though their frequency bands may be lower.
They are considered to be the worst offenders of all the mainstream hand-held
"wireless" two-way communication devices in terms of electromagnetic radiation
exposure. They are widely used by our emergency services, armed forces,
construction sites, trucking industry airports and rural communities. Children use
them without any knowledge of the potential dangers associated with such
devices.

What is electromagnetic radiation?

The World Health Organisation (WHO)
defines electromagnetic fields on its Webpages dedicated to the concerns
regarding the increasing presence of this form of radiation. In essence, an
electromagnetic field is comprised of two components, one being an electric
field generated by differences in voltage and another being a magnetic field
generated by the flow of current. The field propagates at the speed of light
(300,000 kilometres per second or 186,000 miles per second) in waves of a
certain length that oscillate at a certain frequency (number of oscillations or
cycles per second). In the electromagnetic range, gamma rays given off by
radioactive materials, cosmic rays, and X-rays are all dangerous to humans and
other organisms because of the relatively high energy "quanta" (packets) they
carry (high frequency or short-wavelength waves). Such rays lead to "dangerous
radiation" (ionizing; i.e., with an ability to break bonds between molecules).
Mobile phone systems also act in the electromagnetic range (sometimes
referred to as "microwave" or "radiofrequency"), however, the frequency
(energy "quanta") of the longer-wavelength waves associated with this
technology is lower (and therefore safer to humans) and regarded as "nonionizing"

Are cordless phones emitters of radiation?

As reported by Schuz and
colleagues (J. Schuz, et al., "Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields emitted from
base stations of DECT cordless phones and the risk of glioma and meningioma
(Interphone Study Group, Germany)"; Radiation Research (2006) Volume 166;
pages 116-119), one important source of low-level continuous exposures to
radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) is base stations of cordless
phones that are located indoors, e.g., the Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT) standard, operating at about 1900 MHz. These
devices (both handset and base station) operate with 250 mW maximum power
output, with their base stations continuously emitting pulsed radiofrequency
radiation irrespective of the handset being in operation or not, and often with the
base station being kept close to the bed head at night. Measurements of these
base stations' electromagnetic fields reveal power densitiesbetween 4 and 170 mW/m2 for distances up to 3 metres from the base station
(maximum permitted by law is 450 mW/m2); these fields are present longterm
and this magnitude is comparable to power densities measured in residences
in the main beam of nearby cell phone base station antennae or in the vicinity of
broadcast towers.

Concern over chemicals brain risk

Toxic chemicals may be causing a pandemic of brain disorders because of inadequate regulation, researchers say.

A report in the Lancet identifies over 200 industrial chemicals, including metals, solvents and pesticides, which have potential to damage the brain.

Studies have shown low-level exposure of some can lead to neurobehavioral defects in children, the US and Danish team behind the report said.

UK experts remained divided over the findings.

One in six children worldwide has a development disability such as autism and cerebral palsy.

The causes are unknown, but the researchers trawled through a range of previous studies and data to show how some chemicals can effect the brain.

The team, from the University of South Denmark and New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said pinning down the effects of industrial chemical pollution was extremely difficult because symptoms may not develop for several years.

The report said lead, which was used in petrol from 1960 to 1980, illustrated the risk of even low exposure of industrial chemicals for children.

Based on what is known about the toxic effects of lead, this may have reduced IQ, shortened attention span, slowed motor co-ordination and heightened aggressiveness.

The researchers said developing brains - defined as from foetus to adolescence - were much more susceptible to toxic chemicals than those of adults.

Chemicals

Several other chemicals, including methylmercury, arsenic and polychlorinated biphenyls, were also studied in depth and shown to cause neurobehavioral problems.

The scientists identified 202 industrial chemicals with the potential to damage the human brain, and said they were likely to be the "tip of a very large iceberg".

More than 1,000 chemicals are known to be neurotoxic in animals, and are also likely to be harmful to humans.

Lead researcher Dr Philippe Grandjean said: "The human brain is a precious and vulnerable organ. And because optimal brain function depends on the integrity of the organ, even limited damage may have serious consequences.

"Only a few substances, such as lead and mercury, are controlled with the purpose of protecting children.

"The 200 other chemicals that are known to be toxic to the human brain are not regulated to prevent adverse effects on the foetus or a small child."

Of the 100,000 chemicals registered for commercial use in the EU in 1981 and the 80,000 in the US, fewer than half had been subjected to even the most basic testing.

Researchers said it was only recently that the tide has started changing with the EU's Reach programme, which will lead to strict regulation of chemicals if there is an early indication of the potential for a serious toxic effect.

Professor Mark Hanson, director of developmental origins of health and disease at Southampton University, said: "The authors have put their finger on something which is important and which will not go away."

But he said the findings were extremely hard to prove as the effect of the chemicals did not seem to lead to gross abnormalities, "but rather change the way that the normal control systems work".

However, Professor Alan Boobis, a toxicology expert at Imperial College London, said: "The authors of this review have raised an issue of significant concern, but some of the evidence in support of the conclusions lacks rigour."

Concern Over Effects of Statins on Brain

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Melinda Beck reports that at least one neurologist is concerned that statins - popular drugs used to treat high cholesterol - may be affecting the brain. Though the majority of cardiologists have not shown concern, one trial underway at the University of California San Diego is attempting to uncover what, if any, effects statins have on mood, thought processes, and behavior.

The concern arises because the protective sheaths that insulate neurons in the brain could be vulnerable to the actions of statin drugs. These myelin sheaths are composed mainly of cholesterol, which statins are designed to fight.

Critics point out both that the delicate structures of the brain are protected by the blood-brain barrier, which statins are not known to cross, and that other studies have shown that statins may actually help prevent certain neurological diseases like Alzheimer's by reducing the amount of free cholesterol in the body.

Statins are prescribed to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and may patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are treated with these drugs.

Studies are ongoing.