By Cynthia Whitty

Cece Doucette was working to bring wireless infrastructure to Ashland’s classrooms and furnish iPads and Chromebooks to its students when she first learned that there could be biological harm from the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of radiofrequency microwave radiation emitted by today’s wireless technology.

When an engineer tipped her off there could be harm from the EMFs, and that children are especially vulnerable, she got to work doing her own research. Soon she became a fulltime ‘safe technology educator.’ In this interview, Doucette discusses her findings, her work as an advocate for Wi-Fi safety, and what people can do to keep safe this holiday season and beyond.

A diagram explains how to hard wire your technology at home. (Photo/supplied)

Whitty: What did you discover as a result of your research?

I discovered thousands of peer-reviewed studies linking wireless radiation to insomnia, headaches, nosebleeds, pain, ringing in the ears, cognitive impairment, behavior issues, anger, anxiety, depression, and more. In the long-term, the science indicates wireless radiation causes cancer and DNA damage, plus infertility, and is linked to neurotoxic illnesses including Alzheimer’s, ADD/ADHD and autism. It is an immunosuppressant, too. The science further documents extensive electrosmog harm to our pollinators and other disappearing insects, as well as plants and animals.

Whitty: What are some of your accomplishments and current projects?

We helped New Hampshire legislators investigate and issue a groundbreaking report documenting conflicts of interest akin to big tobacco with the Federal Communications Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the wireless industry. 

The Acoustimeter, which can be borrowed from the Ashland Library, shows high levels of radiation at the animal shelter near the Ponderosa Road cell tower and the new walking trail. (Photo/supplied) 

New Hampshire makes 15 common sense recommendations including 1,640’ setbacks from cell towers, antennas and 4G/5G small cell equipment. The science shows increased cancers, sleep disruption and neurological issues at closer range.

New Hampshire also recommends state agencies proactively educate the public, remove wireless from schools and libraries, and protect the environment.

We have several bills in Massachusetts to follow suit including legislation to form a commission and investigate, to address wireless radiation in our schools, and to give the public the right to opt out of radiation-emitting utility meters for electric, solar, gas and water. 

I was honored to speak at the international EMF Medical Conference 2021, where doctors indicated these utility “smart” meters are one of the leading causes of EMF illness onset for children and adults, as are close-range cell towers and the new 4G/5G small cell antennas – plus our own devices if not used carefully. 

Whitty: What can people do to keep safe this holiday season?

Wireless has been oversold. Cabled connections provide much better speeds, reliability, security and privacy. 

Before buying wireless gadgets, ask if the radiofrequency antennas can be turned off. The clock, alarms, camera and any downloaded entertainment can be enjoyed in airplane mode.

With some of the Fitbits, for example, the antennas cannot be turned off. People in their on-line forum report heart issues, skin burning and sleep disturbances go away when they remove the wearable device.

At home, work and school choose hard-wired connections. Simply hook up Ethernet cables and adapters to devices from the back of the router/modem. If you have multiple devices purchase an Ethernet switch, it’s like an extension cord for electronics with several ports. 

Then go into settings and turn off all the wireless antennas in the router and in the devices: wi-fi, cellular, Bluetooth, data, hotspot, locator, and any 5G antennas. 

If you must use a mobile device while the antennas are transmitting, only turn on the antenna needed. Create as much distance as possible using speaker phone or a hollow-tube headset, and never give a child a transmitting device.

Safe technology does mean giving up a little convenience, but it’s worth it for most folks to avoid the health risks as the radiation impact is cumulative with dose. 

Whitty: How can someone find more information on this topic and/or advocate for Wi-Fi safety?

Join us at Massachusetts for Safe Technology (MA4SafeTech.org) to see the science and what other towns are doing to protect their communities. Sign up to receive action notices. Encourage loved ones to take a little half-hour course at WirelessEducation.org to quickly come up to speed together and transition to safe technology. Contact me to co-host education sessions at home or work, [email protected].

Ashland Public Library has great resources too. Borrow the Acoustimeter radiation detector to see these invisible exposures. Watch the award-winning film Generation Zapped via their Kanopy and Hoopla streaming services.

A federal court just ruled against the FCC for ignoring 11,000 pages of evidence of harm. Please don’t wait for public policy to catch up to the science though as it may take years. 

Many are experiencing better health and faster speeds today by simply choosing hard-wired connections and turning off the radiation-emitting antennas.