Electromagnetic radiation and health

[Jhanananda]

There is growing concern that electromagnetic fields (EMF) might cause health problems.
Electromagnetic radiation and health

Electromagnetic radiation can be classified into two types: ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, based on its capability of ionizing atoms and breaking chemical bonds. Ultraviolet and higher frequencies, such as X-rays or gamma rays are ionizing, and these pose their own special hazards: see radiation and radiation poisoning. By far the most common health hazard of radiation is sunburn, which causes over one million new skin cancers annually.[1]

Biological hazards

The best understood biological effect of electromagnetic fields is to cause dielectric heating. For example, touching or standing around an antenna while a high-power transmitter is in operation can cause severe burns. These are exactly the kind of burns that would be caused inside a microwave oven.

This heating effect varies with the power and the frequency of the electromagnetic energy. A measure of the heating effect is the specific absorption rate or SAR, which has units of watts per kilogram (W/kg). The IEEE[4] and many national governments have established safety limits for exposure to various frequencies of electromagnetic energy based on SAR, mainly based on ICNIRP Guidelines,[5] which guard against thermal damage.

There are publications which support the existence of complex biological effects of weaker non-thermal electromagnetic fields (see Bioelectromagnetics), including weak ELF magnetic fields[6][7] and modulated RF and microwave fields.[8] Fundamental mechanisms of the interaction between biological material and electromagnetic fields at non-thermal levels are not fully understood.[9]

A 2009 study at the University of Basel in Switzerland found that intermittent (but not continuous) exposure of human cells to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field at a flux density of 1 mT (or 10 G) induced a slight but significant increase of DNA fragmentation in the Comet assay.[10] However that level of exposure is already above current established safety exposure limits.

 Focke F, Schuermann D, Kuster N, Schär P (November 2009). "DNA fragmentation in human fibroblasts under extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure". Mutation Research 683 (1–2): 74–83. doi:10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2009.10.012. PMID 19896957.

I do not have a problem with exposure levels to artificial sources of EMF having been rising since Tesla and Marconi.  I also do not have a problem with the proximity of concentrated EMF sources due to: high tension power transmission lines, CRTs and cell phones possibly responsible for increased health risks; however, the Carrington Event, was the largest global electromagnetic storm on record, but people did not die in droves during or after that event.  However, the American civil war came 2 years after it, so there might be a relationship between increasing anxiety levels due to elevated EMF.

The fact is we are constantly bathed in EMF due to the interaction of solar radiation upon the earth.  It might actually be responsible for the presence of life on this planet.  So, if you have a  problem with EMF, then dump all of your CRTs and cell phones into the garbage, and move away from power towers.  Otherwise accept it as a product of industrialization.

[Jhanananda]

Yesterday I was relatively free of joint pain, so I got a lot done on writing up some of my research; however, by 8PM joint pain was back.  Prunus species seems to relieve it, but it may not insure it.

If the premise that EMF and static electricity is bad for our health is correct, then we would want to: hookup an anti-static electricity wristband; install a brass tack on the heal of our shoe, which goes to a wire that is attached to a anti-static electricity wristband on our ankle; and/or carry a cane that has a brass tack on the bottom and one on top with a wire connecting the 2 in an electrical circuit.  I am actually going to try this, because the level of joint pain I often have is just driving me mad enough to try anything to handle it.

STATIC ELECTRICITY AND EFFECTS ON HEALTH
STATIC ELECTRICITY AND EFFECTS ON HEALTH

[Jhanananda]

I am still not convinced that EMF has much of an influence upon our health, unless one lives close to a high voltage power line; however, here is another article i support of this premise: What is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity?

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a growing issue over a decade ago. Although, there is still a debate whether this condition is “real” or purely psychological. Evidence shows that EHS is definitely real and there are ways to help reduce its effects.

Symptoms of EHS

EHS is characterized by a collection of non-specific symptoms, such as:

    Skin disturbances (redness, tingling and burning sensations)
    Neurological issues (fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dizziness)
    Headaches and nausea
    Chest pain
    Blood pressure changes
    Swollen lymph nodes
    Frequent infections
    Sleep disturbance
    Depression and irritability
    Eye problems (feeling of increased pressure, impaired sight)
    Muscle and joint pain

Someone who suffers from EHS can have one or many of these symptoms. They can range from mild disturbances to being completely debilitating.

What causes EHS?

Individuals affected by EHS feel their symptoms are caused by the electromagnetic fields (EMF) that surround electronic devices, such as televisions, computers and cell phones. They often have an improvement of symptoms when they avoid being near sources of EMF.

[Jhanananda]

High-energy focus: bringing disciplines together

This looks like a very interesting issue of Environmental Research as it covers an obscure area of science that may have profound effects upon all of us. This obscure area of science is the Global Electric Circuit.