Health
Effects of EMF & Wi-Fi Exposure
How EMFs
and Microwaves Cause Harm
EMFs have been shown to cause harm through a number of
different mechanisms
(3,4, 26-31)
. As explained by Dr. Dietrich
Klinghardt,
the radiation affects your microbiome, turning what might otherwise be
beneficial
microbes pathogenic
.
(29,30)
Research by Martin
Pall shows that microwave
radiation activates your voltage-gated calcium
channels
(VGCCs) — channels in the outer membrane of your cells
(M-
pn
& M-D)
.
Once activated, the VGCCs open up,
allowing an abnormal influx of calcium ions into the cell. This increased
intracellular calcium and the accompanying increase in calcium signaling
appears to be responsible for a majority of the damage that occurs.
(26,27,4,22) Another
significant adverse effect of EMF is through the effect on
cryptochromes
.
Cryptochromes have control functions in the
circadian rhythm system and immune system that are adversely affected by EMF (28).
EMF &
Wifi
exposure also affect reproductive
health by
decreasing
human sperm motility and increasing sperm DNA fragmentation (32).
Many
studies have been made regarding the possible connection of EMF and Cancer. Studies
have found that EMF induces factors known to be supportive of cancer causation
and that there are clear associations between EMF and some types of cancer (34,1).
Pooled study data is supportive of a
significant link between childhood leukemia and EMF exposure over 0.4
microT
. The WHO IARC classified RF-EMF as "possible
carcinogenic to humans", and more recent studies suggested reproductive,
metabolic
and neurologic effects of RF-EMF, which are also
able to alter bacterial antibiotic resistance.
NIEHS,
National Toxicology Program,
concluded
that EMF causes cancer in rats.
It has also been documented that
EMFs &
WiFi
cause
release of significant levels of mercury from dental amalgam fillings
and mercury is
documented to cause chronic
cardiovascular
,
neurological
,
neuropsychiatric
,
fertility
, and
immune conditions
.
Health Effects of EMF &
Wi-Fi
In a long term comprehensive
electromagnetic fields (EMF) risk assessment study by the California Dept.
of Health Services, all reviewers concluded that it is highly likely that EMF
causes some forms of cancer, along with chronic neurological conditions like
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and depression. They also found a significant
likelihood that EMF causes cardiovascular problems and increased suicide (
10,
1).
EMF has been linked to a number of
serious consequences, including heart problems such as
arrhythmias and
neurological problems such as depression, autism
, behavioral
problems, ALS.
Alzheimer’s
, miscarriages and
other fertility problems
(
33,1,
M
-D
)
.
In
workers of electromagnetic stations an increased risk for electrocardiographic disturbances
was revealed. Under conditions of exposure to electric fields, observed in
stations where workers were employed, the risk was increased by 10%.
Significant
cardiovascular effects were found.
In the exposed groups, the
heart rate was higher than in the control one. The risk of lowered STD R-R was
significantly increased.
Both exposed
groups presented significantly higher VLF and LF values than the control group.
The EMF-exposed groups were
characterised
by the
dominance of the sympathetic system. (33b) For workers exposed to
radiofrequency EMF a study noted a significant lowering of the amplitudes of
rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate (P < 0.01) and a shift of the
acrophase
to an earlier time (1100-1200 h; P < 0.05).
These changes were more pronounced among workers exposed to high intensities of
radiofrequency EMF. (33c)
S
tudies have linked
long-term,
high use of
cellphones
to health problems such as:
Brain
cancer
, childhood leukemia,
Acoustic nerve and
salivary gland tumors
,
Reproductive issues such as lower
sperm count and inactive or less mobile sperm
,
Headaches
&
Memory, hearing, behavior and sleep problems
(34, M-M & MI).
Excessive EMF exposure
has been shown to
raise a man’s
risk
of infertility
(32-M&MI).
A study found that
Cellphone
radiation reduce
d
sperm motility and viability by 8% and 9% respectively.
Wi-Fi equipped
laptops have been linked to decreased sperm motility and increased sperm DNA
fragmentation after four hours of use
.
After adjusting for confounding factors, women living within
500 meters of the lines carried a higher risk of infertility compared with
women living more than 1000 meters of the lines. (OR 4.44, 95% CI 2.77 to 7.11).
R
ecent
research reveals
prenatal exposure to power-frequency fields can
more than double
a
pregnant woman’s risk of miscarriage
.
Women
with peak exposures above 2.5 milligauss had a miscarriage rate of 24.2%, while
the control group (which had exposures below 2.5 milligauss) had a miscarriage
rate of just 10.4%
.
At least seven other studies also
show a link between magnetic field exposure and a heightened risk of
miscarriage
(M-M&MI)
.
"The association was stronger for early miscarriage
(<10 weeks of gestation) and among 'susceptible' women with multiple prior
fetal losses or subfertility."
R
esearch has also shown that microwave radiation
from cellphones, Wi-Fi routers and similar devices concentrate twentyfold in
the womb, meaning whatever the reading is outside the womb, the measurement
will be 20 times higher inside the mother
, which causes significant
increase in risk of miscarriage
and also
appears to
raise
a woman’s risk of having an autistic child
(29-M &MI).
Wi-Fi equipped laptop
computers have also been linked to decreased sperm motility and an increase in
sperm DNA fragmentation after just four hours of use
. (32)
T
he California department of public
health (CDPH) issued a warning
16
about
Wi-Fi
exposure in mid-December of 2017, urging people to
decrease use of wireless devices and keep them as far away from your body as
possible to m
inimize
exposure
(1, M-D)
.
Environmental
exposure to high-frequency voltage transients (HFVT), also termed dirty
electricity, has been suggested among electro(hyper)sensitive interest groups
as an important biological active component of standard electromagnetic
pollution (DE). In some studies exposure to HFVT was associated with increased
cancer risks, while preferential removal of 4-100 kHz HFVT from 50-60 Hz ELF
circuits was linked to a variety of improvements in health (plasma glucose
levels in diabetic patients, symptoms of multiple sclerosis, asthma and other
respiratory illnesses, and insomnia), well-being (tiredness, frustration, general
health, irritation, sense of satisfaction, mood), and student behavior (20,DE).
According to recent research, sperm concentration and quality has
dramatically declined in the past few decades. One meta-analysis
22
of 185 studies, the largest
of its kind, showed sperm counts around the world declined by 50% to 60%
between 1973 and 2011, with no signs of reversing or even slowing down. Lead
author Dr. Hagai Levine, who called the results "profound" and
"shocking,"
23
believes human extinction is a real possibility, should the trend
continue unabated.
24
Testicular cancer is also on the rise. While
endocrine disrupting
chemicals
are suspected as being the
primary culprits, EMF exposure may also play a significant role in both
testicular cancer and male infertility.
In
May 2011, the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization, the
International Agency for Research on Cancer, classified radiofrequency EMF —
such as the radiation from cellphones — a class 2B carcinogen, meaning it is
possibly carcinogenic to humans.
25
Wi-fi and Smart Meters and smart devises have also been documented
to have
many
adverse health effects
. Smart meters and smart devices have more
adverse effects due to their
dirty electricity
(DE &
M-D)
EMF is also
documented in animal and human studies to cause cellular calcium efflux and
affect calcium homeostasis (3,4,22, M-
pn
), which
may be a factor in the reduction of melatonin levels caused by EMF exposure in
animal and human studies (4,5). In studies on chicks this had significant
adverse effects on viability of embryos and chicks (4,22).
Melatonin is known to be protective against mercury and free radical activity
and against cell proliferation(cancer) (17), as well as regulating the
circadian rhythm cycle and sleep cycle. EMF exposure lowers melatonin
production (22), disrupts the sleep cycle(5,8c), and blocks melatonin cell
antiproliferation effects (17). EMF exposed workers consistently produced
less melatonin and had impaired sleep quality and quantity (23).
Other studies provide evidence for an association
between occupational electromagnetic fields and suicide (10, M-D). The authors
indicate that a plausible mechanism related to melatonin and depression
provides a direction for additional laboratory research as well as
epidemiological evaluation. EMF exposure causes
lower melatonin & adverse effects on embryos & young chicks
(22). Calcium input from extracellular medium and output from
intracellular calcium reserves are primary mechanisms in the
activation of melatonin synthesis in the chick pineal gland, and EMF
causes cell calcium efflux and affects calcium
homeostatis
.
(22,26,27)
Studies have found higher neurodegenerative disease
mortality in electrical worker exposed to EMF (higher risk in
occupations with EMF exposure, and increasing risk with time worked) (6a,10).
A study (6) found a 5 times higher risk for power plant operators‑ALS) and
higher for risk for
Alz
; also,
a higher risk of ALS with more exposure). Occupational exposure
to higher levels of EMF have also been found in many studies to result in much
higher risk of chronic degenerative neurological conditions such as ALS (6b,1),
Alzheimers
Disease (6,7), Depression (11,10), as well
as Leukemia and Cancer (8,6e, etc.). A meta-analysis of occupational
exposure to EMF and neurodegenerative diseases found
that occupational exposure to EMF increased the risk of ALS by 25%
and by 30% for
Alzheimers
(24). Since EMF,
microwaves, MRIs, etc. cause increased mercury exposure in those with
amalgam, and mercury is also known to cause these conditions (13-16), again it
is not clear the relative importance of the factors since the studies were not
controlled for mercury levels or number of amalgam fillings.
Cancer: A higher risk of leukemia &
mylenoid
leukemia
was seen in occupations with more emf exposure (6a & M-
pn
& M-D).
Breast Cancer: Many studies have found that there is higher
breast cancer in occupations exposed to more EMF (men &
women) (6bc)
Peer-reviewed published
studies link electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) and wireless radiation (RF) to
health problem
s
including:
fatigue,
headaches, sleep problems, anxiety, ringing in the ears, heart problems,
learning and memory disorders, increased cancer risk, and more. For a
comprehensive review of the science go to
https://bioinitiative.org
and or read science
abstracts here:
shortcut-to-science.
For
personal accounts of harm see this
EMF Health Effects 2019 Survey
.
Studies show radiation harms nature and children are especially vulnerable.
This
handout
includes
links to science on RF effects on nature and this
study
recommends
precaution for children.
5 G is 10 times more powerful
than 4 G
- requires a tower every 330 feet (maximum distance effective
distribution-every 2 to 5 homes in subdivision) - a cell phone or computer acts
as repeater and gets huge exposure RFEMF for an individual near it. (35a) Hundreds
of studies show negative health effects for current cell tower frequencies for Birds,
Bees, Insects, Animals, Humans. No studies are known that show 5 G safe for
humans, birds, or bees.
Thousands of scientists and doctors have said danger
is so clear they recommend a moratorium on 5G and documented their case
(37)-
no credible experts have been able to counter their information. (95 Gigahertz
is weapons grade power and causes physical harm- some 5 G is more than this,
most limited to just barely less-35a).
5G will increase ambient levels of wireless radiofrequency radiation. Peer-reviewed research has demonstrated a myriad of adverse effects from wireless radiofrequency radiation including increased brain cancer, DNA damage , oxidative stress, immune dysfunction , altered brain development, damaged reproduction, sleep changes , hyperactivity , and memory damage. (RESEARCH HERE) (35b) Recent State Findings & Actions on 5 G & Smart Meters are seen at (36).
Steps you can take to
reduce
EMF’s
include using
: fiberoptic internet
systems,
corded (wireless off) internet
;
corded phones
; and
analog
utility meters (remove smart meters)
. And
reduce cell phone use
.
Keep cell phones away from your body and away from children
. Best to use
cell phones for emergencies only
. Set limits on computer and screen time,
especially for children
. Consider having your house tested for EMF’s. More
ideas here:
safety tips
See also
What are EMFs? brochure.
For more ways to reduce EMF and Wi-fi exposure, see (25 & M-F
M-RE & M-HR1 & HR2
References and
More Information and Documentation:
(M-D) EMF*D- Dr.
Joseph Mercola (book)
(
EHP)
The Prevalence of People With Restricted Access to Work in
Man-Made Electromagnetic Environments;
Journal of Environment and Health Science ,
2019-01-18
;
(DE) Dirty Electricity, Sam
Milham
,
(M-
pn
)
Addressing EMF Pollution — A 21st
Century Health Imperative; Analysis by Dr. J. Mercola
(M-M & MI) EMFs Linked to Risk of Miscarriage and Male Infertility - Dr. De- Kun Li, Analysis by Dr. J Mercola
(M-F)
The Use of EMF Filters for
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity
,
Magda Havas,
Ph.D., Analysis by Dr. J. Mercola
(M-HR1)
EMF Home Remediation
- Bryan Hoyer; Analysis by Dr. J Mercola
(M-HR2)
EMF Home Remediation
- Bryan Hoyer; Analysis by Dr. J Mercola
(1)
California Dept. of Health Services, California
EMF Program, Draft of final risk evaluation report,
http://www.emfservices.com/emf-health.htm
&
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/emf/emfopen.htm
;
&
https://www.scirp.org/reference/ReferencesPapers.aspx?ReferenceID=1510495
;
&
California Dept. of Public Health,
Can
Cell Phone Radiation Harm Your Health? New California Guidelines Raise Concerns
(2)
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,
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the
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,
(14) Alzheimer’s
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the
Mercury Connection,
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(15) Depression:
the
Mercury Connection:
www.myflcv/depress.html
(16) Mercury exposure and related health effects from amalgam
fillings, as seen in
hundred
of
thousands of recoveries after amalgam replacement.
http://www.myflcv.com/hgremove.html
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),
over 2000
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(17) Drs Masami
Ishido
and
Hiroshi Nitta, Japan's National Institute for Environmental
Studies in
Tsukuba,
�12
mG
EMFs Can Inhibit Melatonin Effect, Microwave
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(18) Draper G, Vincent T, Kroll M & Swanson J, Oxford
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A,
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; &
Increased mercury
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more similar articles:�
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(20) "Dirty
electricity": what, where, and should we
care?;
de
Vocht F., J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2010 Mar 24;
&
A
new electromagnetic exposure metric: High frequency voltage transients
associated with increased cancer incidence in teachers in a
california
school
�
Milham
and Morgan, American
Journal of Industrial Medicine, Volume 51, Issue 8, pages 579�586, August 2008
↩
(21) Dirty
Power: a factor in an unusual cancer cluster
at La
Quinta Middle School in southern California,
Milham
S,
Morgan
L,
American
Journal
of Industrial Medicine, 2009;
&
Effect
of calcium on melatonin secretion in
chick pineal gland I.
Neurosci
Lett,
1996 Oct18;217(2‑3):161‑
4,Pablos
MI;
Agapito
MT; et
ak
;
(22)
Biological
effects of continuous exposure of embryos and young chickens
to electromagnetic fields emitted by video display
units. Bioelectromagnetics 1997;18(7):514‑23, Youbicier‑Simo BJ; Boudard F; et
al & Calcium modulates circadian variation in cAMP‑stimulated melatonin
in chick pineal cells. Brain Res 1996 Apr15;716(1‑2):1‑10;
Nikaido
SS; Takahashi JS.
(23) Nocturnal 6‑hydroxymelatonin sulfate excretion in female
workers exposed to magnetic fields. J Pineal Res 2000 ;28(2):97‑104;
Juutilainen
J; Stevens RG; et al; & A 50‑Hz
electromagnetic field impairs sleep. J Sleep Res 1999 Mar;8(1):77‑81,
Akerstedt
T;
Arnetz
B; et
al.
(24)
Occupational
Exposures and Neurodegenerative Diseases-A Systematic Literature Review and
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Bodin
L.
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(25) 17 Ways to Minimize Exposure
to Dirty Electricity &
EMFs,
By
Lloyd
Burrell,
March
6, 2017;
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(26)
Electromagnetic
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produce beneficial or adverse effects
,
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(28)
The Birds, the Bees and
Electromagnetic Pollution Dr. Andrew Goldsworthy
May 2009;
How electromagnetic fields
can disrupt both solar and magnetic bee navigation and reduce immunity to
disease all in one go
;
&
(b)
Low-intensity electromagnetic fields induce human cryptochrome to
modulate intracellular reactive oxygen species,
Rachel M.
Sherrard
,
PLoS Biol
,
2018 Oct; 16(10), & etc.
(29)
EMF
and the Potentiation of Pathogens and Heavy Metals: Effective Mitigation and
Detox
, Dietrich
Klinghardt
MD, PhD
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; &
(b)
The
response of human bacteria to static magnetic field and radiofrequency
electromagnetic fie
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(30)
Excessive EMF Exposure During Pregnancy Raises Risk
of Autism, Dietrick
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&
(b)
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C,
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,
& (c)
WIFI & EMF Dangers
.
Dr.
Dietrick
Klinghardt
,
& (d)
The Importance of Electromagnetic Field Remediation
in the
treatment of chronic disease,
Dr. J
Mercola
,
December 9, 2017
;
(31)
Health Implications of
Electromagnetic Fields, Mechanisms of Action
,
Sarika
Singh and
Neeru
Kapoor, Advances in
Biology, Sep 23, 2014
(32)
Use of laptop
computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility
and increases sperm DNA fragmentation,
Conrado
Avendaño
et al,
Fertility and Sterility
January 2012; 97(1): 39-45. e2
; & (b)
Radiations and male fertility.
Kesari
KK, Agarwal A, Henkel R.
Reprod
Biol Endocrinol. 2018
Dec 9;16(1):118;
(c)
Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields of High Voltage Overhead
Power Lines and Female Infertility,
Int J
Occup
Environ Med
.
2019 Jan;10(1):11-16
.
(
pubmed
)
& (d)
Wi-Fi is an important
threat to human reproductive health, M Pall,
Environ Res
,
2018
Jul;164:405-416
, & (d)
DNA is a fractal antenna in electromagnetic
fields. Blank M, Goodman R. Int J
Radiat
Biol. 2011
Apr;87(4):409-15.
&
etc.
(33)
[Exposure
to Electromagnetic Fields
With
Frequencies of 50 Hz
and Changes in the Circulatory System in Workers at Electrical Power Stations],
ed Pr
.
1998;49(3):261-74; &
(b)
Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in radio and TV
broadcasting stations workers,
t J
Occup
Med Environ Health
.
2012 Sep;25(4):446-55.
& Health effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields
(RF EMF).
Bortkiewicz
A. Ind Health.
2019;57(4):403-405. & (c)
Alteration of Diurnal Rhythms of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
to Workers Exposed to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,
Blood Press
Monit
1998;3(6):323-30.
(37)
EU
5G Appeal
–
Thousands of Scientists and Doctors warn of potential
serious health effects of 5G
-
Scientists recommend a moratorium on the
roll-out of the fifth generation, 5G
Many Actions in process by Governments and
Cities,
No Credible Scientist or Group of Scientists
has countered their documentation of harm
with evidence that 5G is safe.
ABSTRACT
(27):
We evaluated the effects of 50 Hz
pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a peak magnetic field of
3
mT
on human astrocytoma cells.
Our results clearly
demonstrate that,
after the cells were exposed to EMFs for 24 h, the basal [Ca(2+)](
i
) levels increased significantly from 124+/‑51
nM
to 200+/‑79
nM
Pretreatment
of the cells with 1.2
microM
substance P
increased the
[Ca(2+)](
i
) to 555+/‑278
nM
, while EMF exposure caused a significant drop in
[Ca(2+)](
i
) to 327+/‑146
nM.
The overall effect of EMFs probably depends
on the prevailing
Ca(
2+) conditions of
the cells. After exposure, the proliferative
responses of both normal and substance P‑pretreated cells
increased slightly
from 1.03
to 1.07 and 1.04 to 1.06, respectively. U‑373 MG cells spontaneously
released about 10 pg/ml of
interleukin‑6 which was significantly increased
afte
the addition of substance P. Moreover, immediately after EMF exposure and
24 h thereafter, the interleukin‑6 levels
were more elevated (about 40%) than
in controls. On the whole, our data suggest that, by
changing the properties of
cell membranes, EMFs can influence
Ca(
2+)
transport processes and hence
Ca(
2+)
homeostasis. The increased levels of interleukin‑6 after 24 h of
EMF exposure may confirm the complex connection between
Ca(
2+) levels,
substance P and the cytokine network
(34a)
Abstract:
RF-EMF promote oxidative stress, a condition involved in
cancer onset, in several acute and chronic diseases and in vascular
homeostasis. Although some
evidences
are still
controversial, the WHO IARC classified RF-EMF as "possible carcinogenic to
humans", and more recent studies suggested reproductive, metabolic and
neurologic effects of RF-EMF, which are also able to alter bacterial antibiotic
resistance. In this evolving scenario, although the biological effects of 5G
communication systems are very scarcely investigated, an international action
plan for the development of 5G networks has started, with a forthcoming
increment in devices and density of small cells, and with the future use of
millimeter waves (MMW). Preliminary observations showed that MMW increase skin
temperature, alter gene expression, promote cellular proliferation and
synthesis of proteins linked with oxidative stress, inflammatory and metabolic
processes, could generate ocular damages, affect neuro-muscular dynamics.
(34b)
Chronic diseases and illnesses associated with
non-specific symptoms are on the rise. It seems necessary now to take "new
exposures" like electromagnetic fields (EMF) into account. Physicians are
increasingly confronted with health problems from unidentified causes. Studies,
empirical observations, and patient reports clearly indicate interactions
between EMF exposure and health problems. Individual susceptibility and
environmental factors are frequently neglected. New wireless technologies and
applications have been introduced without any certainty about their health
effects, raising new challenges for medicine and societ
y.
there is strong evidence that
long-term exposure to certain EMFs is a risk factor for diseases such as
certain cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and male infertility. On the other hand,
the emerging electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is more and more recognized
by health authorities, disability administrators and case workers, politicians,
as well as courts of law. We recommend treating EHS clinically as part of the
group of chronic multisystem illnesses (CMI), but still recognizing that the
underlying cause remains the environment. In the beginning, EHS symptoms occur
only occasionally, but over time they may increase in frequency and severity.
Common EHS symptoms include headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep
problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. A
comprehensive medical history, which should include all symptoms and their
occurrences in spatial and temporal terms and in the context of EMF exposures,
is the key to making the diagnosis. The EMF exposure is usually assessed by EMF
measurements at home and at work. Certain types of EMF exposure can be assessed
by asking about common EMF sources. It is very important to take the individual
susceptibility into account. The primary method of treatment should mainly
focus on the prevention or reduction of EMF exposure, that is, reducing or eliminating
all sources of high EMF exposure at home and at the workplace. The reduction of
EMF exposure should also be extended to public spaces such as schools,
hospitals, public transport, and libraries to enable persons with EHS an
unhindered use (accessibility measure). If a detrimental EMF exposure is
reduced sufficiently, the body has a chance to recover and EHS symptoms will be
reduced or even disappear. Many examples have shown that such measures can
prove effective. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, the broad
range of other environmental factors that contribute to the total body burden
should also be addressed. Anything that supports homeostasis will increase a
person's resilience against disease and thus against the adverse effects of EMF
exposure. There is increasing evidence that EMF exposure has a major impact on
the oxidative and
nitrosative
regulation capacity in
affected individuals. This concept also may explain why the level of
susceptibility to EMF can change and why the range of symptoms reported in the
context of EMF exposures is so large. Based on our current understanding, a
treatment approach that minimizes the adverse effects of
peroxynitrite
- as has been increasingly used in the treatment of multisystem illnesses - works
best. This EMF Guideline gives an overview of the current knowledge regarding
EMF-related health risks and provides recommendations for the diagnosis,
treatment
and accessibility measures of EHS to improve and
restore individual health outcomes as well as for the development of strategies
for prevention.
(34c) Abstract:
We reviewed the now voluminous epidemiologic
literature on EMF and risks of chronic disease and conclude the following: a)
The quality of epidemiologic studies on this topic has improved over time and
several of the recent studies on childhood leukemia and on cancer associated
with occupational exposure are close to the limit of what can realistically be
achieved in terms of size of study and methodological rigor. b) Exposure
assessment is a particular difficulty of EMF epidemiology, in several respects:
i
) The exposure is imperceptible, ubiquitous, has
multiple sources, and can vary greatly over time and short distances. ii) The
exposure period of relevance is before the date at which measurements can
realistically be obtained and of unknown duration and induction period. iii)
The appropriate exposure metric is not known and there are no biological data
from which to impute it. c) In the absence of experimental evidence and given
the methodological uncertainties in the epidemiologic literature, there is no
chronic disease for which an etiological relation to EMF can be regarded as
established. d) There has been a large body of
high quality
data for childhood cancer, and also for adult leukemia and brain tumor in
relation to occupational exposure. Among all the outcomes evaluated in
epidemiologic studies of EMF,
childhood leukemia in relation to postnatal
exposures above 0.4
microT
is the one for which there
is most evidence of an association. The relative risk has been estimated at 2.0
(95% confidence limit: 1.27-3.13) in a
large pooled
analysis. This is unlikely to be due to chance
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
ELECTROMAGNETIC
FIELDS EXERT
EFFECTS ON AND
THROUGH
HORMONES
Several
years ago, Cindy Sage hired an electrician to install a
new light
in her daughter's bedroom. After he left, Sage swept
the room
with a gaussmeter to measure the magnetic fields
present.
In some 98 percent of U.S. homes, the average
strength of
magnetic fields ranges from 0.5 to 0.9 milligauss
(
mG
). Until the electrician's visit, the field in Sage's
daughter's
room also
fell within that range. Afterward, it was 3
mG.
Although that reading is somewhat higher than
normal, it falls
well below
the federally permitted 1,000‑mG limit for U.S.
workplaces.
However, this didn't reassure Sage, a Montecito,
Calif based
consultant specializing in electromagnetic
field
(
EMF)
issues. The workplace limit "is based on the faulty
assumption that
only thermal, or heat, effects are important as
a potential
biological hazard," she says. Sage called the electrician back to
find out what he'd done. It
turns out that he hadn't wired the light according to the
electrical code. When he rewired the
room, its average field dropped to 0.2
mG.
Electromagnetic
fields are invisible lines of
force that surround all electric devices and wiring.
Concern about the potential health effects of these fields was
catalyzed in the late 1970s by studies suggesting an association
between
childhood leukemia
and proximity to certain types of power lines or equipment, such as
utility transformers.
Several studies suggest "a doubling of childhood leukemia
incidence between
1 and 2
mG
" and up to
a sixfold increase for
exposures between
4 and 5
mG
, says Sage. There have even
been hints
of a breast cancer risk in adults exposed to high
fields More
recently, several other sources have been added:
large currents
on the job, poorly grounded wiring, and
appliances.
Magnetic fields do not necessarily correlate with
the size,
power, or noisiness of a device. Moreover, there can
be a
tremendous difference between models of an appliance.
Because it's
difficult to shield oneself from magnetic fields, the
only practical
way to limit exposures is to put distance between
oneself and
the source.
Sage conducts
sweeps of magnetic fields in her clients' homes,
offices,
schools, and hospitals. She deploys electricians to fix
any fields
that run dramatically above the national norm.
Usually,
they trace to code violations that prove easy and
inexpensive to
fix. A 1996 report issued by the National
Academy of
Sciences concluded that while EMFs appear capable of affecting
biological tissues, their link to cancer remains unproven. However, Sage
argues that until or unless EMFs are exonerated, avoidance of them is a
reasonable policy
Indeed, new studies describing such effects were presented weeks ago at
a U.S. Public Health Service conference he helped organize in
Washington, D.C. The studies demonstrated a
hitherto unrecognized responsiveness of cells, tissues,
and animals ‑ even humans.
Melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain during periods of
darkness,
is an important natural suppressor of breast cancer
cell growth,
both in test tubes and in animals. Stevens'
melatonin hypothesis
holds that because EMFs can depress or
shut down
melatonin secretion in animals, they may play a role
in fostering
the growth of malignancies in people.
To test this hypothesis, toxicologist Wolfgang
Loescher
of
the
School of
Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany, has
exposed groups
of up to 120 female rats to
melatonin‑suppressing EMFs
of between 100 and 1,000
mG.
An
equal number
of rats received a negligible background exposure of roughly 1
mG
; these rats produced melatonin normally.
Loescher
injected into each rat a chemical
that causes
mammary cancer,
then observed the rats for 3 months.
Compared to
the unexposed rats, those in the 100‑mG field developed about 10
percent more tumors, animals exposed to 500
mG
got
25 percent more, and rats receiving 1,000
mG
developed 50
percent more. Tumors also grew as much as
twice
the
size
under the influence of EMFs. To understand why,
Loescher
has
focused on the immune system's T cells, a class
of white blood cells whose role is to
attack and destroy tumors and foreign substances. T cells from
animals raised for 3
months in
500‑ or 1,000‑mG fields proved only half as likely as
those from
unexposed rats to proliferate when exposed to a
foreign substance.
"This indicates that EMFs indeed suppress
the immune
system's response to ongoing processes such
as tumor growth,"
Loescher
says.
He has also analyzed rats' production of the
enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. This enzyme has to be present in
large amounts
for any
cells to proliferate. "If the melatonin hypothesis were
true, then when one exposes rats to EMFs,
there should be an increase of this enzyme but only in the
breast," he says. That is exactly what he's found in EMF studies
that he has replicated several times. "To me,"
he told SCIENCE NEWS, "this is the most convincing data that the
melatonin hypothesis may
betrue
."
At
the Lawrence Berkeley (Calif.) National Laboratory, Robert P.
Liburdy
has been probing the underpinnings of EMFs'
apparent cancer fostering effects in test‑tube studies of
malignant cells. He has found that 12‑mG EMFs can suppress the ability of both
melatonin and the hormone‑emulating drug tamoxifen to
shut
down the
growth of cancer cells. In a follow‑up study that he
described in July at a meeting in
Bologna, Italy, the activity
of
m
another
drug proved even more
negatively affected by 12‑mG
m
fields. Both tamoxifen and this second drug, which
goes by the
unwieldy moniker
ICI‑182780, are synthetic estrogens. They
have been designed to dock at a cell's estrogen
receptor and
block it.
In the breast, this can starve most cancer cells of the estrogen that
normally spurs their growth. Unlike the ICI drug, which interacts
only with the estrogen receptor, tamoxifen can
alter the activity of other proteins.
Magnetic fields proved more
effective against the ICI drug, implying that they interfere
with its binding to the estrogen receptor,
Liburdy
says.
If they do,
then the
body's natural estrogen should be affected similarly.
Tests
of that possibility are now under way.
Liburdy's
studies
suggest that
"a new melatonin hypothesis is emerging," argues
Charles Graham, an experimental physiologist at the Midwest
Research Institute (MRI) in Kansas City, Mo. The
old
hypothesis,
Graham notes, focused on how much melatonin the
body produced
and circulated. While reasonable, it downplayed
any relevance
for humans because "we saw no decrease in
melatonin"
among people exposed to EMFs. If magnetic fields
can make
cells less sensitive to melatonin, as studies by
Liburdy
and others now indicate, then EMFs may yet
pose a
melatonin‑mediated cancer
threat, he says.
Graham's own
research indicates that magnetic fields can alter
two other
hormones that affect cancer risk‑‑estrogen and testosterone.
Compared to measurements taken in the presence of negligible
background fields, overnight exposure of
women to 200‑mG EMFs in the laboratory significantly
elevated
estrogen; other
studies have shown that elevated exposure to estrogen over many years
can increase a woman's cancer risk. In men, the EMFs
reduced testosterone‑a hormone
drop that has been linked to testicular and prostate cancers,
Graham's most intriguing data come from experiments with
what he terms intermittent EMFs. He
and Mary R. Cook, also at MRI, began delivering pulsed exposures that cycle on
for an
hour and
then off for an hour throughout the night. During
each"on
"
cycle, the field switches on and off every 15 seconds. Not
only do preliminary studies indicate
that intermittent fields "really have an effect," Graham
observes, but they emulate real‑world exposures, which can vary from
second to second in
frequency, intensity,
and waveform, depending on their source
and an
individual's distance from it.
In a 3‑night study of 24 healthy young men, roughly one‑third
got steady
200
mG
exposures on any given night.
Another third
received 200‑mG
fields intermittently, and the remainder slept
in the
presence of negligible background fields. At the Energy
Department's annual EMF Research Review Meeting in San
Diego last November, Graham and Cook reported that the
intermittent fields
and only those fields‑disturbed 6 of 10
measures of
sleep quality. They not only contributed to broken
sleep and
shorter periods of deep, dream‑stage sleep, they
also led
to more reports of feeling unrested in the morning.
In an upcoming report in BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Graham's
team links
those same intermittent fields to decreased heart
rate variability
in 77 college‑age men. In healthy people, heart
rate tends
to vary somewhat from second to second in
response to
the body's need to maintain blood pressure,
temperature,
and so on. Often, individuals with heart disease
exhibit a
more stable heart rate‑‑‑an indication, Graham says,
"that their heart is no longer as well connected to the nervous
system."
While the young men
that Graham studied exhibited normal
heart rate
variability during the nights they were exposed to
background fields
or constant EMFs, that variability diminished
substantially on
the night each was exposed to intermittent
fields.
Graham is planning follow‑up studies to probe the
long‑term health
implications of this provocative finding.
"What concerns me," Graham says, is that the public "tends to
get so
worried about the magnitude of a field. The bigger it is,
the worse
it's supposed to be." In fact,
Loescher
has
found that
very high
fields, as well as those below a certain strength,
have little
impact on tumor growth. Only those across a
relatively narrow
range consistently foster tumors and other
negative health
effects.
"We've seen the same thing in our studies," Graham told
SCIENCE
NEWS. Moreover, he says, it's beginning to appear
that a
field's magnitude matters less than its intermittency or
other features,
such as power surges called electrical
transients.
These surges can pack a big burst of energy into a
short period
of time. They occur whenever lights or other
electric devices
turn on, when motors or compressors (such as
those in
refrigerators and air conditioners) cycle on, or when
dimmer switches
operate. "Being transient doesn't mean
they're rare,
just quick," Graham notes. Transients are hard to
avoid because
they may stem from surges elsewhere‑in a
neighbor's house
or even power lines up the street.
Little research has been conducted to untangle the potential
health impacts
of EMF characteristics other than field strength,
Graham notes, and money for such EMF studies is all but drying
up. The two major
federal programs dedicated to financing
research on
EMF effects on health are slated to shut down in
October. A
program funded by electric utilities through the
Electric
Power Research Institute will also end this year.
One should expect that "research on EMFs in the United States
will take
a big nose‑dive," says Graham. One ray of hope,
Liburdy
notes, comes from the recent proliferation of
government funds
for endocrine‑disrupting pollutants. While
magnetic fields
are a type of radiation, they functionally
resemble many
environmental pollutants that mimic hormones.
In fact, he observes, EMFs may actually fit the definition of an
endocrine disrupter
better than these chemicals
do
. That's
because magnetic
fields appear to elicit their effects by acting
on and
through hormones, rather than as hormones.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Are EMFs
Hazardous to Our Health?
Can electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines, home
wiring,
airport and military radar, substations, transformers,
computers and appliances cause brain tumors,
leukemia, birth
defects,
miscarriages, chronic fatigue, headaches, cataracts,
heart problems,
stress. nausea, chest pain, forgetfulness,
cancer and
other health problems? Numerous studies have
produced contradictory
results, yet some experts are convinced
that the
threat is real.
Dr. David Carpenter, Dean at the
School of Public Health, State
University of New York believes it is likely that up to 30% of all
childhood cancers
come from exposure to EMFs. The
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) warns "There is reason
for concern" and advises prudent avoidance". Martin Halper, the
EPA's Director of Analysis and Support says "I have never seen
a set
of epidemiological studies that remotely approached the
weight of
evidence that we're seeing with EMFs. Clearly there is
something here."
Concern over EMFs exploded after Paul Brodeur wrote a series
of articles
in the New Yorker Magazine in June 1989. Because
of Paul Brodeur's reputation. his articles
had a catalytic effect
on scientists,
reporters and concerned people throughout the
world.
In November 1989, the Department of Energy reported
that "It
has now become generally accepted that there are,
indeed,
biological effects due to field exposure." The EMF
issue
gained more
publicity in 1990 when alarming reports appeared
in Time, the Wall Street Journal,
Business Week and popular
computer publications.
ABC's Ted Koppel and CBS's Dan Rather
both aired
special segments on EMFs.
In addition to the long‑term health concerns,
buying a house
with high
fields will be an economic disaster. In a few years,
when power
line radiation is as well known as asbestos and
radon,
a house with high fields will be practically impossible to
sell.
Already there are hundreds of lawsuits regarding EMFs and
property devaluation.
EPA
Says the Threat Is Real
By 1990, over one hundred studies had been conducted
worldwide.
Of these, at least two dozen epidemiological
studies on humans indicated a link between EMFs
and serious
health problems.
In response to public pressure, the
Environmental Protection Agency IEPA) began reviewing and
evaluating the
available literature. In a draft report issued in
March 1990, the EPA recommended that EMFs be classified as a
Class B carcinogen‑‑‑a "probable human carcinogen and joined
the ranks
of formaldehyde, DDT, dioxins and PCBs.
After the EPA draft report was released, utility, military and
computer lobbyists
came down hard on the EPA. The EPA's final
revision did
NOT classify EMFs as a Class B carcinogen Rather,
the following
explanation was
added:"At
this time
such a
characterization regarding
the link between cancer and
exposure to
EMFs is not appropriate because the basic nature
of the
interaction between EMFs and biological processes
leading to
cancer is not understood " Curiously, this rather
unusual logic
appears on the same page as the following: "In
conclusion,
several studies showing leukemia,
Iymphoma
and
cancer of the nervous system in children exposed
to supported
by similar
findings in adults in several/ occupational studies
also involving
electrical power frequency exposures, show a
consistent pattern
of response that suggest a causal link. "
When questioned about the contradictory nature of these
statements,
the EPA responded that it was "not appropriate" to
use the
probable carcinogen label until it could demonstrate
how EMFs
caused cancer and exactly how much EMF is harmful.
This explanation does not satisfy many critics who claim that
the EPAs
upper management was influenced by political and
economic considerations
exerted by utility, computer and
military lobbyists.
How Do I Measure EMFs?
A Gauss is a common unit of measurement of magnetic field
strength.
A Gauss meter is an instrument which measures the
strength of
magnetic fields. Inside a Gauss meter there is a
coil of
thin wire, typically with hundreds of turns. As a magnetic
field radiates
through the coil, it induces a current, which is
amplified by
the circuitry inside the Gauss meter.
Gauss meters may vary in the strength of the magnetic field
they are
capable of measuring. A meter used for measuring
EMFs from power lines, transformers, substations and
appliances around
the home, for example, should be able to
measure as
low as .1 mg.
Gauss meters vary widely in price and accuracy. Meters have
either a
single axis coil or a triple axis coil. Single axis meters
are much
simpler than triple axis meters to manufacture and
thus,
are less expensive. To use a single axis
meter
you
must
point the
meter's one sensor in three directions‑‑‑the x, y and z
axis.
Then, you combine the three readings in a mathematical
equation to
calculate the combined field strength. Obviously,
its far
easier and more accurate to use a 3‑axis meter. Triple
axis Gauss
meters are quite accurate, but they are also more
expensive.
Another thing to watch out for when purchasing or renting a
Gauss meter
is whether or not it is frequency weighted. Most
meters will
read the same EMF strength no mater what the
frequency.
As the human body appears to be sensitive to both
the field
strength AND the frequency, Gauss meters used for
biological purposes
should be "frequency weighted". This
means that
if the field is different than 60 Hz the meter will
consider the
frequency and use it in calculating and displaying
the EMF's
strength. This feature is why frequency weighted
meters will
show a higher EMF reading than those meters
typically used
by electricians and engineers.
Power Lines
An enormous amount of electricity is created at power
generating stations
and sent across the country through wires
that carry
high voltages. All power lines radiate
electromagnetic fields.
The question is: how much are the
power lines
near YOUR home radiating? The amount of EMFs
coming from
a power line depends on its particular
configuration.
Power companies know which power line
configurations are
best for reducing
EMFs
but most don't feel
the evidence
supports costly changes in the way they deliver
electricity.
Substations
A substation is an assemblage of circuit breakers,
disconnecting switches
and transformers designed to
substations have
been blamed for causing cancer clusters
among nearby
residents. Paul Brodeur wrote about several such
cancer clusters
in the July 9, 1990 issue of the New Yorker
Magazine.
Transformers
A key component of a utility's electrical distribution network
depends upon
numerous, small transformers mounted on power
poles.
A transformer looks like a small metal trash can, usually
cylindrical.
Even when the electrical service is underground, you
will often
see a metal box (usually square} located on the
ground near
the street. Many people don't realize that when
they see
a transformer, the power line feeding the transformer
is 4000
to 13,800 volts. The transformer then reduces the
voltage to
the 120/240 volts needed by nearby homes. Since
these transformers
can be seen in almost every neighborhood,
they are a source of concern.
EMFs near a transformer can be quite high, but due to its small
structure,
the field strength diminishes rapidly with distance,
as it does from any point source. For this reason, having a
transformer located
near your home is usually not a major
source of
concern, although just to make sure, everyone should
measure the
field strength around it.
Home Wiring
If your home has high EMF readings, it is important to
determine the
sources of the EMF so that remedial action can
be taken,
if possible. Many
times
a particular room
will have a
higher EMF
reading. Check to see if the electricity is coming
into the
house on the wall outside that room. When this is the
case,
it is usually a good idea to block off that room and only
use it
for storage purposes.
Sometimes, the source of a high magnetic field is incorrect
wiring.
If you suspect that your home is wired improperly,
obtain the
services of a licensed electrician. Warning: Do not
touch electric wires, even if you think the current is
turned off.
If you need to disconnect electrical circuits to determine the
source of
magnetic fields, you should call a licensed electrician.
Computers
Computers are a complicated subject. Know this: EMFs radiate
from all
sides of the computer. Thus, you must not only be
concerned with
sitting in front of the monitor but also if you are
sitting near
a computer or if a computer is operating in a
nearby room.
The Swedish safety standard, effective 711/90,
specifies a
maximum of 0.25
mG
at 50 cm from the
display.
Many US manufactured computers have EMFs of 5 ‑ 100
mG
at
this distance. And know this too: the screens placed
over
monitors do
NOT block EMFs. Not even a lead screen will block
ELF
and VLF magnetic fields.
Space does not permit a more thorough discussion of
computers.
If you use a computer, it is important that you
measure your
EMF exposure with a Gauss meter and review the
literature concerning the health impacts of computer use.
Electric Blankets and Waterbeds
Electric blankets create a magnetic field that penetrates about
6‑7 inches into the body.
Thus
it is not
surprising that an
epidemiological study
has linked electric blankets with
miscarriages and
childhood leukemia. This pioneering work was
performed by
Dr. Nancy Wertheimer and Ed Leeper, who
originally discovered
that magnetic fields were linked to
childhood leukemia.
Similar health effects have been noted
with users
of many electric blankets and waterbed heaters will
emit EMFs
even when turned off. The devices must be
unplugged to
delete the EMF exposure Additionally, there is the
issue regarding
the vibrations that are generated by sleeping
on standing
water. There is less hard data in this area but
some experts
are concerned about the consequences.
Electric Clocks
Electric clocks have a very high magnetic field, as much as 5 to
10
mG
up to three feet away. If you are using a
bedside clock,
you are
probably sleeping in an EMF equivalent to that of a
powerline Studies
have linked high rates of brain tumors with
chronic exposure
to magnetic fields, so it is wise to place all
clocks and
other electrical devices (such as telephones and
answering devices)
at least 6 feet from your bed.
Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lights produce much more EMFs than incandescent
bulbs.
A typical fluorescent lamp of
a
office
ceiling have
readings of 160 to 200 mg 1 inch away.
Microwave Ovens and Radar
Microwave ovens and radar from military installations and
airports emit
two types of radiation‑‑microwave and ELF.
Microwaves
are measured in milliwatt per centimeter squared
(
mW
/cm2) As of 1/1/93, the U.S. safety limit for
microwave
exposure is
1
mW
/cm2, down from a previous 10
mW
/cm2. The
Russian
safety limit is .01
mW
/cm2. As all
microwave ovens
leak and
exceed the Russian safety limit, microwave ovens
have been
outlawed in Russia. In addition, recent Russian
studies have
shown that normal microwave cooking coverts
food protein
molecules into carcinogenic substances.
When measuring microwaves from military and airport radar
sources,
100% accurate readings can only be found
with extremely
expensive digital peak‑hold meters. Why?
Because analog devices begin to drop their reading
immediately after
the radar sweep passes. Thus, while an
analog meter
can show whether or not you are being exposed
to radar
EMFs, analog meters can't show your true exposure.
Although thousands of dollars to purchase, digital‑hold meters
capable of
accurately detecting radar EMFs can be rented for
several hundred
to over a thousand dollars per month.
Telephones and Answering Machines
Telephones can emit surprisingly strong EMFs, especially from
the handset.
This is a problem because we hold the telephone
so close
to our head. Place the Gauss meter right against the
ear piece
and the mouth piece before buying a phone.
Some
brands emit
no measurable fields and others emit strong fields
that travel
several inches
....right
into your brain.
Answering
machines,
particular those with adapter plugs
(mini‑transformers), give
off high levels of EMFs.
Electric Razors and Hair Dryers
Electric razors and hair dryers emit EMFs as high as 200 to 400
mG.
This seems alarming, but we don't know if this is
worse (or
better)
than a chronic exposure to a 2‑3
mG
field.
Some EMF
consultants recommend
that hair dryers not be used on children
as the
high fields are held close to their rapidly developing
brain and
nervous system.
Prudent Avoidance
Electricity is an inseparable part of our
modern day
society.
This means that EMFs will continue to be all around us. But as
Discover Magazine postulated, aside from making our life
easier, is electricity also making our lives shorter?
Most experts agree that limited, non‑chronic exposure to EMFs
is not
a threat. For example, it is probably acceptable for a
person to
be near a toaster in the morning.
BUT,
it is
not
advisable for
a person to sleep under an electric blanket, up
close,
live near a powerline/substation, and sleep in a room
where the
power enters the home. This person is under an
extreme case
of chronic exposure. This condition,
unfortunately,
applies to millions of Americans.
If you wish to
follows
the EPA's advice and
practice "prudent
avoidance"
then the following advice is offered:
Measure your home, work and school environments with a
Gauss meter Measure EMFs both inside and outside your home.
Don't let your children play near power lines, transformers,
radar domes
and microwave towers. Avoid areas where the field
is above
1
mG.
Measure the EMFs from appliances both
when
they are
operating and when they are turned off. Some
appliances (like
TVs) are still drawing current even when they
are off.
Don't sleep under an electric blanket or on a waterbed. If you
insist on
using these, unplug them before going to bed (don't
just turn
it off). Even though there is no magnetic field when
they are
turned off, there may still be a high electric field.
Don't sit too close to your TV set. Distance yourself at least 6
feet away.
Use a Gauss meter to help you decide where it is
safe to
sit.
Rearrange your office and home area so that you are not
exposed to
EMFs from the sides/backs of electric appliances
and computers.
In the home, it is best that all major electrical
appliances,
such as computers, TVs, refrigerators
etc
, be
placed
up against
outside walls. That way you are not creating an EMF
field in
the adjoining room.
Don't sit too close to your computer. Computer monitors vary
greatly in
the strength of their EMFs, so you should check yours
with a
meter. Don't stand close to your microwave oven. Move
all electrical appliances at least 6 feet from your bed.
Eliminate
wires running
under your bed. Eliminate dimmers and 3‑way
switches.
Be wary of cordless appliances such as electric toothbrushes
and razors.
You may choose not to wear a quartz‑analog watch
because it
radiates pulsating EMFs along your acupuncture
meridians.
An older mechanical windup watch would be an
acceptable alternative.
It is also recommended to wear as little
jewelry as
possible and to take it off at night. Many people
have metal
sensitivity which can be aggravated by placing it
right on
the skin. Measure with a gauss meter to be sure. And
last,
but not least, always always always remember that EMFs
pass right
through walls. The EMF you are reading on your
Gauss meter could be radiating from the next room...or from
outside your
home.
Additional Radiation
Info:
Eyeglass frames should ideally be made from plastic with no
wires in
them, otherwise they can serve as an antenna to focus
the radio
and cellular phone waves directly into your brain.
What EMF Level Is Safe?
There's a heated debate as to what electromagnetic field (EMF)
level is
considered safe. Since the experts have not come to an
consensus,
you'll have to decide for yourself... Many
government and
utility documents report the usual ambient
level of 60‑Hz magnetic field to be 0.5
mG.
Thus, any reading
higher than
0.5
mG
is above the "usual"
ambient exposure.
Many experts and public officials, as well as the few
governments that
have made an effort to offer public
protection, have
adopted the 3
mG
cutoff point. The EPA has
proposed a
safety standard of 1
mG.
Sweden has set a
maximum safety
limit of 1
mG.
Dr. Robert Becker, an MD who has been studying the effects of
EMFs for 20 years, states a
lmG
safety limit
in his book Cross
Currents. When
electricians try to solve a magnetic field
problem they
do their best to drop the level to 1
mG
or
below.
Dr. Nancy Wertheimer, a Ph.D. epidemiologist who has been
studying EMFs
for 20 years, has been looking at the
epidemiological data
in a different way‑‑she is trying to
associate EMF
levels with
health rather
than disease. The level she is coming up with is a
cut off
of 1
mG.
Russian researchers claim that
1/1000ths of a
mG
should be the standard.
The
BioElectric
Body believes that there are several
stages of
health between
"optimum wellness", "degenerative disease"
and "Cancer".
Thus, we maintain our own living and sleeping
quarters at
0.5mG and below.
Recommended Reading
Cross Currents
The
Perils
of Electropollution. The Promise of
Electromedicine Robert
0. Becker, M.D. Jeremy P.
Tarcher
, Inc.,
1990
Currents of Death
The
Attempt to Cover Up
the Threat to Your
Health Paul Brodeur Simon and Schuster, 1989
Electromagnetic
Man Health & Hazard in the Electrical
Environment
Cyril W. Smith & Simon Best St. Martin's Press.
Inc. 1989
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