In 1997, The New England Journal of
Medicine published the results of the largest, most detailed study of
the relationship between EMFs and cancer ever done. Dr. Martha S. Linet,
director of the study, said: "We found no evidence that magnetic field levels in
the home increased the risk for childhood leukemia." The study took eight years
and involved measuring the exposure to magnetic fields generated by nearby power
lines. A group of 638 children under age 15 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
were compared to a group of 620 healthy children. "The researchers measured
magnetic fields in all the houses where the children had lived for five years
before the discovery of their cancer, as well as in the homes where their
mothers lived while pregnant." The study was criticized because it is impossible
to know exactly what the EMFs were at the times the mothers or their children
were exposed. All measurements must be done after the exposure has taken place
and assumptions must be made that the level of EMFs was not substantially
different during exposure. It is unlikely, however, anyone except the
intellectual descendants of Nazi doctor Joseph Mengele will ever do a control
study on humans which systematically controls exposure to EMFs from the moment
of conception through early childhood.

It is not very likely that
the average person has anything to worry about from power lines cell phones, microwave ovens,
cordless phones, baby monitors, or Wi-Fi. Most of us do not get that close
to power lines to be significantly affected by their EMFs. Our exposure to them,
even if they are nearby, is not direct, up close, and constant. The energy
emitted by cell phones, cordless phones, and baby monitors (10 milliwatts) is
pretty weak. T
here is
more EMF

exposure
from radio and TV, and the wiring in our homes and the

electrical appliances we use
, than
from our cell phones or Wi-Fi.
No one
can avoid

electromagnetic radiation. It is everywhere.
We are constantly exposed to it

from
light, commercial radio and television transmissions, police 2-way
transmissions,

walkie-talkies, etc.
Furthermore,
"while electrical fields are easily screened, magnetic fields make their way
unimpeded through most substances" (Pool, 1990). In fact, it is curious that
while fear of EMFs is on the rise so is magnet
therapy as a panacea and source of positive energy for the healthful-minded
New Ager. 

A decrease in nocturnal melatonin secretion in rodents chronically
exposed to EMF has frequently been reported (1, 4).
Experiments on humans acutely exposed to EMF for one night have not
resulted in reproducible effects on serum melatonin or urinary
excretion of its main metabolite, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS) (1,
4, 13–15). However,
recent epidemiologic studies have suggested an effect of chronic EMF
exposure on melatonin secretion. Reduced morning excretion of 6-OHMS
has been reported in electrical train workers in Switzerland exposed
to 20-µT magnetic fields (16) and in US electric utility
workers exposed to levels of 0.2 µT with low variability (17). To our knowledge, only one study has evaluated the
effect of chronic residential exposure to magnetic fields; it was
carried out in Seattle, Washington, among women exposed to mean
levels of 0.1 µT (18). This study found an effect of
nocturnal magnetic field exposure on morning 6-OHMS excretion among
women using beta blockers and other related drugs, leading to the
hypothesis of a particular vulnerability among these persons.

In a previous study, several of the authors (P. L., D. G, and S.
G.) reported that people living near high-voltage power lines are
particularly exposed to power-frequency EMF (19). In this
paper, we present the results of an epidemiologic study in which
we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to 60-Hz EMF
emanating from power lines is associated with reduced 6-OHMS
urinary excretion in women aged 20–74 years. In addition, we
evaluated whether some characteristics of participants known to
reduce melatonin secretion, such as age and medication use, could
modify the effect of exposure to magnetic fields.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dynamics of the electromagnetic field

In the past, electrically charged objects were thought to produce two types of field associated with their charge property. An electric field is produced when the charge is stationary with respect to an observer measuring the properties of the charge, and a magnetic field (as well as an electric field) is produced when the charge moves (creating an electric current) with respect to this observer. Over time, it was realized that the electric and magnetic fields are better thought of as two parts of a greater whole — the electromagnetic field.

Health and safety

The potential health effects of the very low frequency EMFs surrounding power lines and electrical devices are the subject of on-going research and a significant amount of public debate. In workplace environments, where EMF exposures can be up to 10,000 times greater than the average, the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued some cautionary advisories but stresses that the data is currently too limited to draw good conclusions.^[2]

The potential effects of electromagnetic fields on human health vary widely depending on the frequency and intensity of the fields. For more information on the health effects due to specific parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, see the following articles with details of possible dangers (MRI) and some currently unfounded fears (mobile phones):

• Static electric fields: see Electric shock
• Static magnetic fields: see MRI/Safety for one of the few applications in which magnetic fields are strong enough to have safety implications
• Extremely low frequency (ELF): see Power lines/health concerns
• Radio frequency (RF): see Electromagnetic radiation and health
• Light: see Laser safety
• Ultraviolet (UV): see Sunburn
• Gamma rays: see Gamma ray
• Mobile telephony: see Mobile phone radiation and health

Overall health risks

Many scientific studies have investigated possible health effects of mobile phone radiations. These studies are occasionally reviewed by some scientific committees to assess overall risks. The most recent assessment was published in 2007 by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). It concludes from the available research that no significant health effect has been demonstrated from mobile phone radiation at normal exposure levels:

Health hazards of handsets

[edit] Radiation absorption

Calculated specific absorbed radiation (SAR) distribution in an anatomical model of head next to a 125 mW dipole antenna. Peak SAR is 9.5 W/kg averaged over a 1 mg cube. (USAF/AFRL).

Part of the radio waves emitted by a mobile telephone handset are absorbed by the human head. The radio waves emitted by a GSM handset, can have a peak power of 2 watts, and a US analogue phone had a maximum transmit power of 3.6 watts. Other digital mobile technologies, such as CDMA2000 and D-AMPS, use lower output power, typically below 1 watt. The maximum power output from a mobile phone is regulated by the mobile phone standard it is following and by the regulatory agencies in each country.

Mobile phones and cancer

In 2006 a large Danish study about the connection between mobile phone use and cancer incidence was published. It followed over 420,000 Danish citizens for 20 years and showed no increased risk of cancer.^[29] The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) consider this report as inconclusive.^[3

Health hazards of base stations

Another area of worry about effects on the population's health have been the radiation emitted by base stations (the antennas on the surface which communicate with the phones). This is because, in contrast to mobile handsets, it is emitted continuously and is more powerful at close quarters. On the other hand due to the attenuation of power with the square of distance, field intensities drop rapidly with distance away from the base of the antenna. Base station emissions must comply with ICNIRP guidelines of a maximum power density of 4.5 W/m² (450 microwatts/cm²) for 900 MHz and 9 W/m² (900 microwatts/cm²) for 1800 MHz.^[56] These guidelines are set for heating, which is the only understood mechanism of electromagnetic fields on biological tissue. The ICNIRP guidelines are distrusted by some.^[57]

Occupational health hazards

Telecommunication workers who spend time at a short distance from the active equipment, for the purposes of testing, maintenance, installation, etc. may be at risk of much greater exposure than the general population. Many times base stations are not turned off during maintenance, because that would affect the network, so people work near "live" antennas.

Safety standards and licensing

In order to protect the population living around base stations and users of mobile handsets, governments and regulatory bodies adopt safety standards, which translate to limits on exposure levels below a certain value. There are many proposed national and international standards, but that of the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is the most respected one, and has been adopted so far by more than 80 countries. For radio stations, ICNIRP proposes two safety levels: one for occupational exposure, another one for the general population. Currently there are efforts underway to harmonise the different standards in existence.^[71]

A
number of warnings have been made public, but have been barely noticed. For
example, Young Families, the Minnesota Extension Service of the University of
Minnesota, published the following in 1989:

"Although microwaves heat food quickly, they are not recommended for
heating a baby's bottle. The bottle may seem cool to the touch, but the liquid
inside may become extremely hot and could burn the baby's mouth and throat.
Also, the buildup of steam in a closed container, such as a baby bottle, could
cause it to explode. Heating the bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes
in the milk. In infant formulas, there may be a loss of some vitamins. In
expressed breast milk, some protective properties may be destroyed. Warming a
bottle by holding it under tap water, or by setting it in a bowl of warm water,
then testing it on your wrist before feeding may take a few minutes longer, but
it is much safer."

Dr.
Lita Lee of Hawaii reported in the December 9, 1989 Lancet:

Dr.
Hans Ulrich Hertel, who is now retired, worked as a food scientist for many
years with one of the major Swiss food companies that do business on a global
scale. A few years ago, he was fired from his job for questioning certain
processing procedures that denatured the food.

In
1991, he and a Lausanne University professor published a research paper
indicating that food cooked in microwave ovens could pose a greater risk to
health than food cooked by conventional means. An article also appeared in issue
19 of the Journal Franz Weber in which it was stated that the consumption of
food cooked in microwave ovens had cancerous effects on the blood. The research
paper itself followed the article. On the cover of the magazine there was a
picture of the Grim Reaper holding a microwave oven in one of his hands.

The
Nazis, for use in their mobile support operations, originally developed
microwave "radiomissor" cooking ovens to be used for the invasion of
Russia. By being able to utilize electronic equipment for preparation of meals
on a mass scale, the logistical problem of cooking fuels would have been
eliminated, as well as the convenience of producing edible products in a greatly
reduced time-factor.

After
the war, the Allies discovered medical research done by the Germans on microwave
ovens. These documents, along with some working microwave ovens, were
transferred to the United States War Department and classified for reference and
"further scientific investigation." The Russians had also retrieved
some microwave ovens and now have thorough research on their biological effects.
As a result, their use was outlawed in the Soviet Union. The Soviets issued an
international warning on the health hazards, both biological and environmental,
of microwave ovens and similar frequency electronic devices.

The
Russians did research on thousands of workers who had been exposed to microwaves
during the development of radar in the 1950's. Their research showed health
problems so serious that the Russians set strict limits of 10 microwatts
exposure for workers and one microwatt for civilians.

In
Robert O. Becker's book, The Body Electric, he described Russian research on the
health effects of microwave radiation, which they called "microwave
sickness." On page 314, Becker states:

"It's [Microwave sickness] first signs are low blood pressure and slow
pulse. The later and most common manifestations are chronic excitation of the
sympathetic nervous system [stress syndrome] and high blood pressure. This phase
also often includes headache, dizziness, eye pain, sleeplessness, irritability,
anxiety, stomach pain, nervous tension, inability to concentrate, hair loss,
plus an increased incidence of appendicitis, cataracts, reproductive problems,
and cancer. The chronic symptoms are eventually succeeded by crisis of adrenal
exhaustion and ischemic heart disease [the blockage of coronary arteries and
heart attacks]."

n
most cases, the foods used for research analysis were exposed to microwave
propagation at an energy potential of 100 kilowatts/cm3/second, to the point
considered acceptable for sanitary, normal ingestion. The effects noted by both
German and Russian researchers is presented in three categories:

• Category I, Cancer-Causing Effects
  
• Category II, Nutritive Destruction of Foods
  
• Category III, Biological Effects of Exposure

According to www.dirtyelectricity.ca, computers, TVs, florescent and halogen lighting and virtually all of today's energy-efficient electronic devices generate high levels of high frequency electromagnetic fields. Much of this dirty electricity is a result of transformers converting the low frequency AC current from the outlet to the low voltage DC power used to power all of our electronics. So unfortunately, although modern electronic devices are increasingly energy efficient, they also generate high levels of dirty electricity with potential harmful consequences for our health.

3.1 In recent years many studies have investigated whether mobile phones and radio frequency (RF) fields in general could cause cancer. Epidemiological studies on mobile phone users have focused on cancers originating in the head, especially brain tumours. Overall, research indicates that mobile phone use does not increase the risk of cancer, especially when used less than 10 years. More research is needed before a risk can be ruled out for use beyond 10 years.

Some studies have raised concern of a link between mobile phone use and benign tumours of the auditory nerve, which is responsible for balance and hearing. People who have been using mobile phones for less than 10 years do not appear to have a higher risk of this benign tumour (acoustic neuroma). But there is some evidence of a risk beyond 10 years, and more study is needed

Some people attribute headaches, fatigue and dizziness to radio frequency (RF) fields. Such complaints have raised concern that certain individuals may be more sensitive than others to electromagnetic energy.

Present knowledge suggests that these symptoms are not linked to exposure to radio frequency fields, but few studies have addressed this issue directly.

Some people attribute headaches, fatigue and dizziness to radio frequency (RF) fields. Such complaints have raised concern that certain individuals may be more sensitive than others to electromagnetic energy.

Present knowledge suggests that these symptoms are not linked to exposure to radio frequency fields, but few studies have addressed this issue directly.

Because mobile phones are used near the head, there have been concerns they could affect the brain.

Minor changes in the brain functions of people exposed to radio frequency fields have been observed in some studies but not in others. Suspicions that radio frequency fields could affect memory and learning have not been confirmed.

Conflicting results were reported on whether low levels of radio frequency fields increase the permeability of the barrier that keeps harmful substances from reaching the brain (blood-brain barrier).

Minor changes in the brain functions of people exposed to radio frequency fields have been observed in some studies but not in others. Suspicions that radio frequency fields could affect memory and learning have not been confirmed.

Conflicting results were reported on whether low levels of radio frequency fields increase the permeability of the barrier that keeps harmful substances from reaching the brain (blood-brain barrier)

Static magnetic fields like those used in medical imaging

MRI scanners use static magnetic fields
Credit: Kasuga Huang

8.1 Static magnetic fields such as those generated by a permanent magnet do not vary over time, and as such do not have a frequency (0 Hz).

Man-made static magnetic fields are generated wherever electricity is used in the form of direct current (DC), for instance in some rail and subway systems, in aluminium production and in welding. In medicine, MRI scanners use static magnetic fields to provide three-dimensional images of the brain and other body parts. In this application the exposure can exceed the usual recommended limit, both for the MRI operator and the patien