Sébastien Point (born 11 July 1982 in Digne-les-Bains)[1] is a French physicist, engineer, researcher and specialist in science and technology who specialises in lighting with a particular focus on the biological and health effects of blue light.[a][b][2]

Sébastien Point
Sébastien Point in 2017
Sébastien Point in 2017
Born (1982-07-11) July 11, 1982 (age 42)
Occupation(s)physicist, engineer

As well as being involved in lighting research, Point is the president of the non-ionizing radiation section of the French Society for Radiation Protection (SFRP).[3][4]

Point is also associated with Collectif science-technologie-action (transl. Science-Technology-Action Collective), which promotes technology in society.[5]

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Point is on the editorial board of, and writes a skeptical column for, the journal Science et pseudo-sciences, published by the French Association for Scientific Information.[6]

He is also an author for the online journal The European scientist,[7][8] and for the English-speaking skeptical journal Skeptical Inquirer.[9]

Positions and controversies

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Point is known for his criticism of alternative medicine and has publicly denounced speeches he considered "alarmist" on electromagnetic waves;[c][10][11][12] including concerns about the retinal exposure to artificial lighting when it is rich in blue light,[13][14][15] and questioned the relevance of research on rats to human beings.[16][d][17][18] He also argued against "anti-wave" and "anti-blue light" devices which he considered unnecessary and even dangerous, while underlining the potential danger of alternative therapies based on prolonged observation of intense light sources.[19][20][21]

He disputed the danger of 5G,[22][23][e] and promoted its development, arguing that it will allow major technological and societal advances such as autonomous vehicles or connected factories.[24]

Responding to MEP Michèle Rivasi's views against certain radiofrequencies, namely the non-ionizing radiation used by 5G, during the 2019 European elections, he stated that there is no proof of cancer, and nothing to fear from the mobile phone waves calling it a political logic propagating "a fear based on a subject difficult to access" and "a manipulation of minds".[25]

In May 2019, he expressed concerns about the methodology in articles used by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) to affirm the dangerousness of the blue light emitted by some LEDs.[f][26]

In July 2019 Point criticized Petit Bateau for their marketing of “anti-wave caps” for children calling it an irresponsible marketing strategy,[27][28] a position shared by several other scientists including Anne Perrin who is also a member of the SFRP.[29][30]

His positions on the absence of harmfulness of electromagnetic waves has been criticized by its detractors[31] including Paul Héroux, professor at the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University and director of the occupational health program who explained that "all of these waves have, for years, proven effects on the health of living beings".[32] Point's model of considering electrohypersensitivity as a phobia was published in Skeptical Inquirer[33] and Physics in Canada[34] and he claims his model is consistent with the demography of electrohypersensitivity which is similar to the demography of specific phobias.[35]

In 2021 Point denounced the recommendation formulated by the OPECST, then chaired by the mathematician and deputy Cédric Villani, to recognize the study of the effects of electromagnetic fields of biology to address certain health issues in the agricultural world, calling it a "charlatan network" and "a profitable business which seems to find political relays".[36]

Distinctions

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  • Medal of the French Society of Radiation Protection obtained in recognition of the work of informing the public on the retinal risk in blue light.[citation needed]

Books

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In English

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Electrohypersensitivity The New Belief: How media and associations made the electrohypersensitives, 2021 (independently edited). (ISBN 979-8781173136)

In French

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Notes and references

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Notes

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  1. ^ As an example: Point, Sébastien. "Champs magnétiques, champs électromagnétiques et santé" (PDF). Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University (in French): 125–128.
  2. ^ As an example: Point, Sebastien; Boulenguez, Pierre; Martinsons, Christophe; Carre, Samuel; Torriglia, Alicia; Jaadane, Imene; Behar-Cohenz, Francine; Savoldelliz, Michele; Jonetz, Laurent; Chahory, Sabine; Dore, Jean-Francois (2014-10-15). "Proceedings of the colloquium on the biological and health effects of non-ionizing radiations; Actes du colloque sur les effets biologiques et sanitaires des rayonnements non ionisants" (in French). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ As an example: Point, De Sébastien (2018-03-02). "Electromagnetic waves and health: when lawyers think they are physicists". European Scientist. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  4. ^ Point, S.; Beroud, M. (2019-04-01). "Blue light hazard: does rat retina make relevant model for discussing exposure limit values applicable to humans?". Radioprotection. 54 (2): 141–147. doi:10.1051/radiopro/2019013. ISSN 0033-8451. S2CID 165092290.
  5. ^ "Dangers de la 5G : la pseudo-science… en haut débit / Afis Science – Association française pour l'information scientifique". Afis Science – Association française pour l’information scientifique (in French). Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  6. ^ Point, De Sébastien (2019-05-21). ""Toxic" LEDs: does France ignore European experts?". European Scientist. Retrieved 2021-10-02.

References

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  1. ^ "Biographie – Sébastien Point". sebastienpoint.monsite-orange.fr. Archived from the original on 2019-06-29. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  2. ^ "Lampes fluocompactes : une technologie verte ? / Afis Science – Association française pour l'information scientifique". Afis Science – Association française pour l’information scientifique (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  3. ^ "La géobiologie, "un business juteux, en plus d'être une dangereuse pseudoscience"". LExpress.fr (in French). 2020-08-14. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  4. ^ Mahler, Thomas (2019-06-16). "" Il n'y a aucune preuve que les ondes sont cancérogènes pour l'homme "". Le Point (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  5. ^ "Ne renonçons pas à la science !". Les Echos (in French). 2018-03-03. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  6. ^ "Revue Lumières, mars 2017, n°18 en bref". Light ZOOM Lumière – Portail de la Lumière et de l'Éclairage (in French). 2017-04-05. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  7. ^ Point, De Sébastien (2018-08-08). "Lumière bleue et jeunes enfants : les LEDs sont-elles plus nocives que les autres technologies de lampes?". European Scientist (in French). Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  8. ^ Point, De Sébastien (2018-02-01). "Pourquoi il ne faut pas craindre les LEDs". European Scientist (in French). Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  9. ^ "Author: Sebastien Point". Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  10. ^ "Santé: faut-il avoir peur des ondes électromagnétiques?". sante.lefigaro.fr. 2018-11-19. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  11. ^ "Ce que la science dit des prétendues "ondes toxiques"". Le HuffPost (in French). 2016-11-23. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  12. ^ "L'électro-sensibilité, "une composante psychique non négligeable"". La Santé Publique (in French). 2017-11-02. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  13. ^ Nouvelle, L'Usine (2018-02-25). "[Tribune] Toxicité des ondes bleues : inutile de broyer du noir" (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. ^ "SANTE. La lumière bleue des LED est-elle dangereuse pour les yeux ?". www.ledauphine.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  15. ^ "Lumière bleue, attention les yeux !". France Culture (in French). 14 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  16. ^ ""LEDs et lumière bleue : l'homme est-il fait comme un rat ? " – Livre blanc". Techniques de l'Ingénieur (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  17. ^ "Effet sanitaire des LED: des experts mettent en garde sur l'extrapolation des résultats obtenus sur les rats" (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  18. ^ "N°110 – Lumière bleue des LED – Electro magazine". www.electromagazine.fr. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  19. ^ "Dispositifs anti-ondes : l'argent de la peur / Afis Science – Association française pour l'information scientifique". Afis Science – Association française pour l’information scientifique (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  20. ^ "Lunettes anti-lumière bleue : un business basé sur une arnaque". L'ADN (in French). 2018-12-07. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  21. ^ "Les effets délétères des écrans sur les jeunes enfants". France Culture (in French). 20 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  22. ^ "Déploiement de la 5G : pas d'inquiétude à avoir, assurent deux experts". www.pourquoidocteur.fr (in French). 3 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  23. ^ "La 5G, un danger pour votre santé ?". Assurland.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  24. ^ "LES ICÔNES DE LA TECHNOCRITIQUE". Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02 – via PressReader.
  25. ^ Mahler, Thomas (2019-06-16). "" Il n'y a aucune preuve que les ondes sont cancérogènes pour l'homme "". Le Point (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  26. ^ "Lumière bleue et valeur limite d'exposition : réponse à l'Anses". Filière 3e (in French). 2019-05-24. Archived from the original on 2021-05-09. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  27. ^ "Bonnet et couverture " anti-ondes " proposés à la vente: " C'est le marketing de la peur "". RMC (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  28. ^ "Les scientifiques jugent inutiles les vêtements anti-ondes pour bébé". sante.lefigaro.fr. 2019-07-04. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  29. ^ "Les "bonnet et couverture anti-ondes" pour bébés sont-ils efficaces ?". www.rtl.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  30. ^ "Rayonnements non ionisants – SFRP – Société Française de Radioprotection". www.sfrp.asso.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  31. ^ "Figaro santé et les ondes : le retour des cornichons…". L'errance d'un électrosensible (in French). 2018-11-25. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  32. ^ "Technologie 5G: de la vitesse au détriment de la santé ?". La Tribune (in French). 2020-02-16. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  33. ^ "Advocacy for a Cognitive Approach to ElectroHyperSensitivity Syndrome".
  34. ^ Sébastien Point, Syndrome EHS: une grave épidémie de croyance,https://pic-pac.cap.ca/?lang=fr-ca Archived 2021-10-16 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ Sébastien Point, Electrosensibilité: qu'est-ce que l'effet de genre nous en apprend, Le Québec Sceptique, n° 104, printemps 2021
  36. ^ Point, De Sébastien (2021-07-22). "Des parlementaires à l'école des sorciers". European Scientist (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-10-06.