I am profoundly saddened by the loss of my dear friend Professor Yury Grigoriev. My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies are with his lovely wife Maria, family, friends and colleagues following his passing on 6th April, 2021. He lived a long and meaningful life reaching the grand old age of 95. The memories of his life will never leave me.
A real hero and one of the world’s greatest scientists following his glittering scientific career. He was a true gentleman and a man of compete integrity, good humour and kindness. He will be mourned by many throughout the world.
My friend and colleague Sissel Halmøy and I were honoured to be invited to Moscow as his personal guests in 2012, staying at his datcha with Yury and his wife Maria. We received the warmest welcome from Yury, Maria, friends and his colleagues Oleg Grigoriev, Anton Merkulov, Elena Lomonosova and many more who took the time to show us around their great country. It was unforgettable and I had the time of my life.
Prof. Yury Grigoriev was internationally recognised as a Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Academician of Russian Academy of Electrotechnical Sciences, USSR State Prize Winner and Senior Researcher of the Federal Medical Biophysics Center and was admired for his strong moral and ethical principles as an expert on electromagnetic fields in relation to dangers associated with wireless communication. He was determined to help mankind and especially children by sharing his scientific expertise and knowledge on the world stage.
Professor Yury Grigoriev gave many warnings and powerful presentations with regards to both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. I personally asked him for his opinion during our visit to Moscow and he said: “Man conquered the Black Plague, but he has created new problems – EMF pollution. Ionizing radiation is monitored with safety systems in place to contain and control and prevent overexposure. The current proliferation of wireless frequencies is worse as levels of non-ionizing radiation are constantly increasing and ubiquitous; it is out of control. The world-wide dissemination of mobile telecommunications has resulted in new sources of large-scale population exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields. Prevention of childhood and juvenile diseases from exposure to EMF sources is of paramount social and economic importance. It is one of the bases for public health policy in the near and long-term, future. The human brain and nervous system tissues directly perceive EMF and react irrespective of its intensity, and in certain cases it depends on EMF modulation. This feature distinguishes EMF from all other environmental factors and complicates human health risk assessment for EMF exposure. A situation has emerged that cumulative EMF exposure of children may be comparable to adult exposure and may be equal to the levels of occupational exposure of workers. The current standards are outdated and inadequate. Urgent action is needed to curb the negative impact from this physical agent.”
The UK EM Radiation Research Trust (RRT) and the International EMF Alliance are also truly grateful to Prof. Yury Grigoriev for accepting our invitations to share his knowledge at events and conferences. I will never forget his powerful presentation given at the RRT 2008 London conference. He commanded the room with his powerful words of warning regarding the risks of mobile phones and wireless communication for children. The following presentation received an enormous spontaneous burst of applause from the audience when he used his authority as he loudly and clearly said: “CHILDREN AND MOBILE PHONES: THE HEALTH OF THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS IS IN DANGER” (2008). Download here.
His long scientific career saw his expertise called upon as a member of the Russian Governmental commission to help contain the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. He worked for 14 years, leading scientists in research on radiation safety of Soviet astronauts. He was a mentor for 70 scientists and author of 21 monographic books and more than 400 peer-reviewed papers, published in national and international journals. He was the Fellow Chairman of the Russian national committee for protection from non-ionizing radiation, member of the Bureau of the Scientific Council on Radiobiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, member of the Russian Scientific Commission on radiation protection, Permanent member of the International consulting Committee of World Health Organization on Electromagnetic fields and public health, Member of International Commission on Electromagnetic safety, Member of the section on Space Biology and Medicine at Russian Academy of Science, Member of the Editorial board of Russian journal Radiation biology. Radioecology.
He received a number of recognitions and awards for his participation in the World War II, including Medal for liberation of Minsk and Medal for Liberation of Belorussia. He also received Orden Lenin, Orden Workers Red Flag, Medal Yuri Gagarin and the Gold cross of Federal Medical Biological agency for his scientific activity.
I will never forget his brilliance, kindness, generosity, patience and his good humour and many fun times together including the night in Norway with a group of the greatest doctors and scientists as we raised a toast towards our mission to introduce biologically safe guidelines for non-ionizing radiation protection. And I will never forget the fun and the laughter and the night we danced in a restaurant in Moscow much to the amusement of onlookers with one asking if he was Russia’s greatest dancer. Heaven will be dancing with joy as they open the gates to one of the greatest.
Professor Yury Grigoriev was a shining light and a gift to this world. His work will continue to inform and guide us towards safety from the hazards of wireless radiation for the protection of mankind and especially our children.
I am humbled and privileged to have known such a great man. Goodbye / Прощайте my dear friend. Until we meet again. Rest in peace / Покойся с миром.
With huge respect always,
Eileen O’Connor