RAD Meters

Children and mobile phone use: Is there a health risk?

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:24:00 +0000

The paper "Mobile Phone Use: its time to take precautions", published in the April 2001 issue of the Journal of the Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine by this author, examined what was known about the possible hazards of mobile phone use up to that date. (1) At first, this subject may not seem relevant to children's lives until it is realised that today the fastest growing group of mobile phone users are children and young people. This growth is actively encouraged by professional advertising campaigns from the mobile phone industry, extolling how indispensable the phones are to their life styles.

Case History: Walt Disney Co.

An unfortunate example of how youth are deliberately being targeted was investigated by the New York based technical newsletter Microwave News. In the May/June 2002 issue it was reported that in November 2005, just as ABC News was about to air a TV program expressing concern over the use of cell phones by children, the Walt Disney Co. announced that it would no longer allow its cartoon characters to be used to market mobile phones. ABC is a subsidiary of Disney. A Disney spokesperson said at the time that the new policy would remain in effect "until there is reliable evidence establishing the absence of any [health] risks," and that "The well-being of our customers is our first priority." (2)

At first this seems like a responsible position by Disney but it was exposed as a sham in the July/August issue of Microwave News:

"Disney and Motorola are teaming up to tap the 6 -to- 12 year-old customer electronics market. They will roll out the first products -- a two-way radio and a 2.45 GHz cordless phone -- in the fall, with others to follow next year. Motorola states that the walkie-talkies will have a range of up to two miles. And in late July, Disney announced that it is launching a service which will allow customers in Taiwan to download images of Mickey, Donald and Goofy onto their phone screens. In 2005, Disney pledged not to licence its characters for use on cell phones "until there is reliable evidence establishing the absence of any [health] risks." Disney recently reaffirmed this commitment to Microwave News."(3)

The only conclusion one can make here is that somehow, while all the scientists doing research on mobile phone health effects cannot yet come up with the goods on health risks, Disney has found "reliable evidence establishing the absence of any [health] risks". Fortunate news for Disney for now they can proceed with their new telecommunications venture, in partnership with the paragon of truly independent research, MOTOROLA.

This constitutes a serious conflict of interest if Motorola is providing ‘evidence of safety’ while at the same entering into a major capital venture with Disney.

To be fair to Disney, their executives would have only been provided with the opinions of Motorola about the safety of children using mobile phones and may be blissfully unaware that the science is not as black and white as they have been led to believe. Considering that Disney has a significant influence on many millions of children, the possibility of harm being inflicted on these children by their wireless products must be given serious consideration.

With the continuing worldwide mobile phone advertising blitz, produced by the same transnational public relations corporations that previously gave us such delightful cartoon characters as "Joe Camel" for the tobacco industry, no words of warning are heard. However, within the scientific community, there is a growing chorus of expert voices that are urging caution because if there are adverse health effects from mobile phone use, it will be the children who will be in the front line, and who may pay the highest price. For the sake of the future of our children's health we need to seriously heed these voices and limit children's unnecessary use of mobile phones.

Statements of concern from the scientific community:

1) In 1999, as a result of public concerns about possible health hazards from mobile phone technology, the UK Government formed the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) to examine possible effects of mobile phones and transmitter base stations. This group was headed by Sir William Stewart, the famous British biochemist and president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. What made the Stewart Inquiry unique, was that it was made up almost entirely of biomedical specialists -- and so were able to focus many man-years of acquired specialist knowledge on the problem.

Their report, Mobile Phones and Health, was released in April 2005. In regards to the use of mobile phones by children the IEGMP stated:

"If there are currently unrecognised adverse health effects from the use of mobile phones, children may be more vulnerable because of their developing nervous system, the greater absorption of energy in the tissues of the head and a longer lifetime of exposure. In line with our precautionary approach, we believe that the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged. We also recommend that the mobile phone industry should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by children."(4)

Sir William said at a science conference at Glasgow University in September 2001 that mobile phone makers often presented their products in adverts as essential "back to school" items for children. Such adverts were irresponsible, said Sir William. He added: "They are irresponsible because children's skulls are not fully developed. They will be using mobile phones for longer, and their effects won't be known for some time to come. Mobile phone technology has been led by the physical sciences. My own view is we ought to be doing more work on the potential biological effects." (5)

In January of 2003 Professor Lawrie Challis, who replaced Sir William Stewart as chairman of the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research team (The Stewart Committee) re-stated the committee’s views on children and mobile phone use. In an interview with a UK paper, Prof Challis mentioned that he was worried by the level of mobile phone use among children. He said more needed to be done towards educating youngsters about limiting the time they spend on phones. (6)

2) Concerns about children using mobile phones was specifically mentioned in a recent report (July, 2002) by the Science and Public Policy Institute, based in Arlington, Virginia, USA. The institute was founded by Dr. George Carlo, who formerly ran the U.S. wireless industry’s $28 million research program into the possible health risks of cell phone use.

The report "Proposals for Supplementary Funding" states on page 4:

"Special concern for children followed from the research. Studies showed that radiation penetrated deeper into the heads of teenagers and children resulting in more exposure to potentially harmful radio waves than adults; the type of genetic damage that was found – micronuclei in human blood – is more likely to occur in growing tissue undergoing mitosis, such as growing brain tissue in children; the wireless industry had targeted children as a growth market and were succeeding in increasing cell phone usage among children and teenagers."

The report also recommends on page the "development of informational materials for children and their parents regarding the science and solutions that can be used in schools." (7)

3) On December 8th 2005, the German Academy of Paediatrics issued a statement-advising parents to restrict their children's use of mobile phones. They advised that all mobile phone users should keep conversations as brief as possible but that additional precautions are appropriate for children in view of "special health risks" associated with their growing bodies. (8)

4) On July 31, 2001, Wolfram Koenig, the new head of the "Bundesamt fur Strahlenschutz, which is the federal authority for radiation protection in Germany, stated in an interview in the "Berliner Morgenpost" that "Parents should take their children away from that technology [mobile phones]". Mr Koenig, also a member of Germany's Greens party, said that "Some people are very sensitive to radiation." and urged companies not to target children in their advertising campaigns. (9)

5) Statement delivered at an Australian Senate Inquiry meeting in 2005: CSIRO Telecommunications and Industrial Physics chief, Gerry Haddad warned that the new telecommunications exposure standards being drafted neglected to take a high enough level of protection, particularly in relation to children. Mr. Haddad said, "Restrict use of mobile phones to children for essential purposes . . A precautionary principle would seem to be a good idea:". Dr. Haddad complained that the CSIRO’s view had been rejected in the formulation of new emission standards that stopped short of advising that children be restricted in their mobile phone use. (10)

6) A day after the release of a Danish mobile phone study titled "Cellular Telephones and Cancer – a Nationwide Cohort Study in Denmark, a panel of scientists in Denmark debated the findings and questioned the validity of the study conclusions. Panel chairman Professor Albert Gjedde, a brain specialist also expressed concern that children could be more vulnerable, because their brain cells are still growing, and therefore EMF had the potential to lead to more serious brain damage than in adults. He advised extreme caution in accepting assurances of safety, and suggested Denmark should reduce children’s exposure to mobile phone emissions to a minimum. (11)

7) Statement from Olle Johansson, Assoc. Professor, The Experimental Dermatology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. (September , 2001).

"...Already in 1996, I started to warn in public of the effects on microwave irradiation on children through their use of mobile telephones. The debate has also very much focussed on the responsibility regarding ads and products directly aimed for children, and here in Sweden great alarm has been raised around the propositions to even develop and sell cellphones for the ages up to 5 years."(12)

8) Statement from Sianette Kwee, Professor, Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Aarhus, Denmark. (Member of the Editorial Board of Bioelectrochemistry. Danish expert representative in the European Union’s COST 281 project "Potential health effects from Emerging Wireless Communication systems", Basic Research group.)

Fields of research: Bioelectrochemistry : electroporation - electrochemistry of biological systems, Bioelectromagnetics: biological effects of environmental electromagnetic fields (extremely low frequency /ELF and microwave /MW), on cell growth in human amnion cells.

"Our studies showed that there was a significant change in cell growth in these cells after being exposed to EMF fields from both power lines (ELF) and from mobile phones (MW). These biological effects were greatest in young and vigorously growing cells, but much less in old cells. These results tell us, that e.g. microwave fields from mobile phones can be expected to affect children to a much greater degree than adults. (13)

9) Statement from Dr. Gerard Hyland of the University of Warwick, Coventry, England, and the International Institute of Biophysics, Neuss-Holzheim, Germany. Excerpt (dealing specifically with children and mobile phone use) from his Report for the STOA Committee of the EU.

"The Increased Vulnerability of Pre-adolescent Children:

Pre-adolescent children can be expected to be (potentially) more at risk than are adults - as recognised in the Report of the UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (the Stewart Report) - for the following reasons:

*Absorption of microwaves of the frequency used in mobile telephony is greater (particularly at 900MHz) in an object about the size of a child's head - the so-called head resonance – than in an adult’s, whilst, in consequence of the thinner skull of a child, the penetration of the radiation into the brain is greater than in an adult.

*The still developing nervous system and associated brain-wave activity in a child (and particularly one that is epileptic) are more vulnerable to aggression by the pulses of microwaves used in GSM than is the case with a mature adult. This is because the multi-frame repetition frequency of 8.34Hz and the 2Hz pulsing that characterises the signal from a phone equipped with the energy-saving discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode lie in the range of the alpha and delta brain wave activities, respectively. The fact that these two particular electrical activities are constantly changing in a child until the age of about 12 years, when the delta-waves disappear and the alpha rhythm is finally stabilised, means that a child’s brain must be anticipated to be doubly vulnerable to interference from the GSM pulsing.

*The increased mitotic activity in the cells of developing children makes them more susceptible to genetic damage.

*A child's immune system, whose efficiency is, in any case, degraded by radiation of the kind used in mobile telephony, is generally less robust than is that of an adult, so that the child less able to cope with any adverse health effect provoked by (chronic) exposure to such radiation." (14)

10) Dr Hyland was also an advisor in a small unpublished Spanish study, examining changes in brain activity after a child uses a mobile phone. The study, by Dr. Michael Klieeisen from the Neuro Diagnostic Research Institute in Marbella, Spain found that a single call lasting just two minutes can alter the natural electrical activity of a child’s brain for up to an hour afterwards. It was also found that the microwaves penetrated deep into the brain and not just around the ear.

The subjects were an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl. Using a CATEEN scanner, linked to a machine measuring brain wave activity, researchers were able to make photographic images of the changes in brain electrical activity.

In a newspaper interview Dr Hyland said that he finds the results "extremely disturbing". "It makes one wonder whether children, whose brains are still developing, should be using mobile phones," he adds. "The results show that children's brains are affected for long periods even after very short-term use. "Their brain wave patterns are abnormal and stay like that for a long period. "This could affect their mood and ability to learn in the classroom if they have been using a phone during break time, for instance. "We don't know all the answers yet, but the alteration in brain waves could lead to things like a lack of concentration, memory loss, inability to learn and aggressive behaviour."

"If I were a parent I would now be extremely wary about allowing my children to use a mobile even for a very short period. My advice would be to avoid mobiles."

Dr Michael Klieeisen, who conducted the study, said: "We were able to see in minute detail what was going on in the brain. "We never expected to see this continuing activity in the brain. "We are worried that delicate balances that exist - such as the immunity to infection and disease - could be altered by interference with chemical balances in the brain." (15) (16)

11) Professor Leif Salford and co-workers, authors of study on possible nerve damage from mobile phone radiation, warn about the possible implications for teenagers.

Professor Salford and colleagues at Lund University in Sweden exposed 12 and 26 week old rats, chosen because their developmental age is comparable to that of human teenagers, to two hours of microwave radiation, comparible to that of a GSM mobile phone. Their brains were examined for damage 50 days later. " The situation of the growing brain might deserve special concern," the authors wrote, "since biological and maturational processes are particularly vulnerable. We cannot exclude that after some decades of often daily use, a whole generation of users may suffer negative effects as early as middle age."

The study found that the microwave exposure was associated with leakage of albumin through the blood-brain-barrier and neuronal damage that increased in response to the

amount of exposure. Although the numbers of rats in the study was small the authors stated that "The combined results are highly significant and exhibit a clear dose-response relation."(17)

In an interview with the BBC News, Professor Salford said that "A rat’s brain is very much the same as a human’s. They have the same blood-brain-barrier and neurons. We have good reason to believe what happens in rat’s brains also happens in humans."(18)

"If this effect was to transfer to young mobile users, the effects could be terrifying. We can see reduced brain reserve capacity, meaning those who might normally have got Alzheimer’s dementia in old age could get it much earlier."(19)

Professor Salford then cautioned that mobile phone users should not be alarmed by the findings as it is one observation, in one laboratory with a small number of animals and needs to be repeated. "Nevertheless, it is strong enough to merit more reserch into this area." He then added: "Perhaps putting a mobile phone repeatedly to your head is something that might not be good in the long term.". . . "Maybe we should think about restricting our use of mobile phones," (20)

Prof. Salford said on the UK BBC Radio program "You and Yours"on 5 February 2003 that he would not allow his children to use a mobile phone other than in a real emergency and he chooses not to use one other than when he really has to. He said he rated the reality of brain Damage as a "probability rather than a possibility" (21)

12) WHO Director General on children & mobile phone use:

(Quoted from Microwave News )

"Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, the director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), favors a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phones, according to press reports from Scandinavia.

In an interview with "Dagbladet Norge" (March 9, 2002), a major Norwegian newspaper , Brundtland discouraged children from using mobile phones. A physician with a degree in public health, Brundtland was a former prime minister of Norway.

Jon Liden, a communications advisor in Brundtland's office in Geneva, confirmed the accuracy of the Norwegian article to Microwave news.

Brundtland's outlook appears to put her at odds with the WHO International EMF Project. "Precautionary policies should not be applied to EMFs," Dr. Michael Repacholi, who oversees the project, stated recently (see MWN, S/O 01). He could not be reached for comment.

Brundtland advises everyone to limit the amount of time on the phone, but she does not think there is enough scientific evidence to issue a formal warning. For herself, Brundtland says that she gets a headache whenever she uses a mobile phone. "In the beginning I felt warmth around my ear. But the discomfort got worse and turned into a headache every time I used a mobile phone," Brundtland said in the interview. Making shorter calls does not help, she added. The interview was featured on the front page of "Dagbladet Norge" and was later picked up by the Swedish Press. (22)

13) Professor Michael Kundi, from the Institute of Environmental Health, University of Vienna, Austria, (writing in the July/August 2002 issue of Microwave News:)

I read with great interest your report on the Rome meeting on the possible risks of mobile phones to children (MWN, M/J02). My institution at the University of Vienna and Physicians for a Healthy Environment (a non-government organisation) have produced an information booklet on Mobile Phones and Children, sponsored by the Austrian Greens Party. It discourages the use of mobiles by children.

The arguments are similar to those that have been put forward by others. In addition, however, it relies on a fact that has not been previously stressed and, to my surprise, appears not to have been discussed in Rome. A child’s skull is not only thinner and surely has different dielectric properties because it has more blood vessels – it also contains many more stem cells which can form blood cells.

Hence, if RFMW radiation has an influence on the development of cancer, its effects will be greater for two reasons. First the most vulnerable cells are only millimeters from the antenna. (To my knowledge, nobody has calculated the SAR within the bone marrow of the skull.) And second, the earlier in life a malign transformation occurs, the more likely it will result in a clinical malignancy. (23)

14) The French Government on March 1, 2002 reiterated an advisory to users of mobile phones, reminding them that, on a precautionary basis, parents should tell their children to limit the use of wireless phones, and that when using an earpiece pregnant women should keep the phone away from their bellies and teenagers should keep it away from their developing sex organs. (24)

15) On October 9, 2002 twenty two medical doctors of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Environmental Medicine (Interdisziplilnare Gesellschaft fur Umweltmedizin e. V. (IGUMED) met in order to discuss their concerns about the increasing level of public ill-health that they considered as a consequence of the increasing levels of high-frequency-radiation (radiofrequency/microwave radiation) from telecommunications technology.

Some of the diseases that they saw as a consequence of the technology are: Learning, concentration, and behavioural disorders (e.g. attention deficit disorder,ADD), extreme fluctuations in blood pressure, ever harder to influence with mediciations, heart rhythm disorders, heart attacks and strokes among an increasingly younger population, brain-degenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's) and epilepsy, leukaemiaand brain tumors

Along with many recommendations they specifically called for a ban on mobile phone use by small children, and restrictions on use by adolescents. (25)

16) The British Medical Association's Board of Science & Education has issued an interim report, "Mobile Phones and Health" on 24th May 2001. The report states that individuals should limit their exposure to RFR and adopt a precautionary approach that specifically includes limiting children's use of mobile phones.(26)

17) From the article "Microwave And Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure: A Growing Environmental Health Crisis?" by Cindy Sage of Sage Consultants. Exerpt from the web site of the San Francisco Medical Society.

“Are Children at Any Greater Risk? Probably, since children are growing and their cells are turning over faster than adults. Many of the studies linking power lines and cancer show that children are particularly sensitive to low EMF levels from chronic exposure and develop leukemias in response. The use of "kiddy mobile phones" with a button for mom and a button for dad are terrible ideas at this point.” (27)

18) Government ministers of both Thailand and Bangladesh have expressed concerns about the use of mobile phones by children.

In Thailand, Purachai Piemsomboon, whose campaign against vice has barred teenagers from pubs and night spots, cited a Japanese study, which he said concluded that mobile phones emitted radiation harmful to brain cells and nerves, especially of young people. He said that if teenagers continued to ignore the warning, a law to ban their use might become necessary. (28)

In Bangladesh, the Environment Minister mentioned the possibility of passing laws to ban mobile phones for children under 16 to protect them from exposure to radiation that could damage their brains. He outlined the plan at a conference of doctors and scientists in the capital, Dhaka. Regulations are also planned to stop companies from selling mobile phones to children. Families will be encouraged to keep them away from children. Bangladesh’s mobile phone companies have critised the proposal, saying there is no scientific basis for the measure. (29)

What the Australian authorities say:

The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has distributed to every school in the nation a pamphlet titled Mobile phones. . . your health and regulation of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. In relation to possible health effects, the ACA pamphlet states only that "The weight of national and international scientific opinion is that there is no substantiated evidence that using a mobile phone causes harmful health effects." (30)

This pamphlet is quite misleading because it gives a very biased version of the "science". When the ACA pamphlet refers to "The weight of national and international scientific opinion" it is referring to the opinion and radio frequency exposure guidelines set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) – guidelines recently incorporated into the Australian RF standard. What is omitted from the ACA pamphlet, however, is an admission of the limited relevance of ICNIRP on human exposures.

The ICNIRP guidelines are largely based on high-level, short-term animal exposure studies, conducted to determine exposure limits set to avoid immediate hazards to health (such as heating of body tissue, called a thermal effect) from high level exposures. To quote:

"Most of the established biological effects of exposure to RF fields are consistent with responses to induced heating. . . Most studies examined endpoints other than cancer, many examined physiological and thermo-regulatory responses, effects on behaviour and on the induction of lens opacities (cataracts) and adverse reproductive outcome following acute exposure to relatively high levels of RF fields. Very few studies are relevant to the evaluation of RF exposure on the development of cancer in humans ". (31)

The ACA pamphlet would be more truthful if it added to its conclusion: " . . There is no substantiated evidence that using a mobile phone causes harmful health effects."— because the necessary research has not yet been done.

Is it really good science for the ACA to depend upon high-level, short-term animal exposure studies to give assurances of safety with the use of mobile phones, especially where children are concerned? This, in effect, amounts to false advertising for the benefit of the mobile phone industry.

Most importantly, ICNIRP does not examine the possibility of other non-thermal health effects arising from long-term, low-level radiofrequency/microwave exposure, such as from using a mobile phone for years. As such, it is scientifically irrelevant to the issue. From a PR viewpoint however, statements like "The weight of national and international scientific opinion" do sound impressive at first glance.

In 1995, Dr. Ross Adey, one of the world's most respected and senior research scientists commented on the "The weight of national and international scientific opinion" by stating:

"The laboratory evidence for non-thermal effects of both ELF [power frequency] and RF/microwave fields now constitutes a major body of scientific literature in peer-reviewed journals. It is my personal view that to continue to ignore this work in the course of standard setting is irresponsible to the point of being a public scandal."(32)

In conclusion:

So what we have is an ideological battle between an increasing number of well qualified experts, calling for a precautionary approach to safeguard our children's health, versus the corporate might of a billion dollar industry with concerns based solely on maximising corporate profits at the possible expense of our children’s future wellbeing. The outcome of this conflict may not be known for many years, until today's young mobile phone users are well into their adulthood. By then, if the warnings of health hazards prove to be true, irreversible damage to the health of many of these people will have been done.

For every parent who is tempted to allow unrestricted mobile phone use by their children, they need to ask themselves: Is it worth the risk?

And, for Walt Disney Co, if the well-being of their customers is truly their first priority, they need to seriously re-consider moving into telecommunications. If nothing else, do they dare take the risk of litigation if the warnings of health hazards are found to be real?

Electromagnetic Pollution | EMF Pollution

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 07:55:00 +0000

Why is EMF a pollutant?

Electromagnetic pollution (or EMF pollution) is a term given to all the man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of various frequencies, which fill our homes, workplaces and public spaces.

When we call something in our environment a pollutant, we are implying that it is somehow harmful to nature and to ourselves.

There is plenty of scientific evidence to support the idea that some types of electromagnetic radiation are harmful to us and to nature. To view some of it, see EMF Health Effects.

The whole spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum includes several different classes of radiation: low frequency, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays.

Wave frequency is what differentiates one class of radiation from another. See our page Electromagnetic Spectrum if you want to know more.

When we refer to electromagnetic pollution, we are generally speaking of frequencies below (oscillating slower than) visible light waves.

Of course, x-rays and gamma rays (which oscillate faster than visible light) are highly dangerous, but we have not filled our homes and workplaces with these rays. We knew they were dangerous - so we've been careful.

What other kinds of EM waves are dangerous?

We didn't realise that low frequency electromagnetic radiation (including the 50/60Hz frequency commonly used for power supplies) was dangerous to our health, so we've not been very careful about that.

And although we knew that radio and microwave energy was dangerous at high intensity (for example inside your microwave oven), we thought it was safe at lower intensities. It now appears we were wrong about that.

Electromagnetic pollution - Little and often

Not surprising really. Think about sunlight. We always knew it was dangerous at high intensity (sunburn) but we've only recently realized that there may be long-term dangers from frequent, prolonged, but less-intense exposure (skin-ageing, wrinkles and skin-cancer).

Well, it's exactly the same with radio and microwave energy, and with low-frequency radiation too. Low intensity over a long period (generally several years) still takes its toll.

How thick-skinned are you anyway?

Unfortunately, some of these waves don't get absorbed by the skin (as sunlight does.) They penetrate.

Some of them penetrate 12" concrete walls. Don't think they'll have any trouble with your skin - nor even your bones!

That's why this kind of energy can cause health problems anywhere in your body.

So where does all this EMF pollution come from?

Unfortunately, electromagnetic pollution is all around us. Here's a short list of the main culprits:

cell (and other mobile) phones
computers and related equipment
electrical appliances (including TV's)
electronic equipment
cell phone masts
radio and TV transmitters
microwave ovens
house-wiring
high and low voltage power lines
information networks
cars, motor cycles, buses, trains, planes.

Practically every new invention adds to the pollution. In fact, collectively, we've all been adding to EMF pollution for over 100 years. The rate of increase is rising exponentially.

Electromagnetic pollution has now reached the critical level at which it can seriously damage your health.

Electromagnetic Pollution Solution

On this website, many pages deal with just one source of electromagnetic pollution. But when you read them, don't forget the big picture. It's the sum of all these EMF pollutants that creates the health hazard .

If your house is next to a cell phone tower, it's easy to become fixated on that. But that tower may only contribute 40% of your total exposure. Work on the other 60% too.

This problem is not too big to be solved. It's true that fixing the world's EMF pollution is a big challenge, requiring coordinated efforts by all kinds of organisations.

EMF Pollution - Call to action!

But solving your own personal EMF pollution problem is usually much easier than you expect. Especially if you deal with it sooner, rather than later (and before your health is compromised.)

Electromagnetic radiation health effects you must know

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 07:52:00 +0000

Before understanding electromagnetic radiation health effect to your body, you must know how body cells function.
In your body, there is subtle electrical activity similar to electric circuits. This electrical activity controls vital bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, thought and movement.
Body electrical currents are as critical to the well being of human body as the flow of blood. Disturbance in this electrical network can be devastating to the correct and effective functioning of all organ systems, especially the brain. It may even harm your health and lead to development of cancer and other diseases.

In other words, you are fundamentally electromagnetic beings. Tiny electrical currents exist in our body due to chemical reactions. It occurs as part of our normal bodily functions, even in the absence of external electric fields.
For example, nerves relay signals by transmitting electric impulses. Most biochemical reactions, from digestion to brain activities, go along with the rearrangement of charged particles. Even your heart is electrically active.
Voltages build and fluctuate, electric currents course through arteries, veins and across capillary walls. In the process, white blood cells and metabolic compounds are drawn into and out of surrounding tissues.
This electrical system "works to balance the activity of internal organs and in the case of injuries, represents the very foundation of healing process". (Bjorn E.W. Nordenstrom, MD in the 1983 medical book, Biologically Closed Electric Circuits: Clinical, Experimental, and Theoretical Evidence for an Additional Circulatory System)

A sensitive system

Your bodies are thus sensitive electromagnetic systems that run on millivolts. In other words, we are in reality a bioelectric machine. And your body also generates electromagnetic field. In fact, all living things such as humans, animal and plants generate EMF.
The basic nature of your body is frequency. Therefore, exposure to external frequencies from natural surroundings can easily cause you to pulse to the wrong beat. Even extremely small external charges far below the threshold of awareness can affect your body system and health.
Research shows that when you are exposed to one consistent external frequency for more than a few minutes, your body's ability to run its own electrical circuitry at optimum efficiency is disrupted.
Immediate effects can result from direct exposure to electromagnetic field strengths at levels well above those typically found in your living environments. Intense magnetic fields for example, can cause nerve and muscle stimulation, and intense electric fields can stimulate your hair.

What can happen to your health

Your bodies are sensitive to even weak electromagnetic radiation. For example, low frequency electromagnetic radiation can affect your body's circadian rhythms. It affects the production of melatonin hormone, which is produced by brain's pineal gland. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the biological rhythms of mammals.
Research done at Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs has documented that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation causes reduced melatonin secretion. Reduction of melatonin level threatens your health and can result in psychiatric disorders like depression, shortened attention span and inability to sleep.
Decreased melatonin production can also increase the permeability of "blood-brain barrier", leaving you even more vulnerable to chemicals toxic effects.
Blood-brain barrier is a kind of safety barrier Nature has provided you to prevent dangerous molecules from entering the brain and causing damage.
How blood-brain barrier protects you
When you are exposed to chemicals that find its way inside your bodies, two protective mechanisms are utilized. Melatonin neutralizes the free radicals (cancer-causing agents) created by the chemicals. And the blood-brain barrier prevents chemicals from entering the brain and spinal cord.
Exposure to electromagnetic radiation breaks down the blood-brain barrier and hinders this protective mechanism. It will also affect the permeability of cell membrane of your nerves, blood vessels, skin, and other organs.
The intricate chromosomes DNA has also been shown to be affected by electromagnetic field. And iron, necessary for healthy blood and is stored in brain, is highly affected by electromagnetic radiation too.

Health hazards

Both strong and weak electromagnetic radiation emitted from any electrical or electronic equipment will interact with and affect human body's own weak electromagnetic fields. Therefore, it interferes with your body's natural healing processes and produces all sorts of health hazards.
As explained above, you are easily affected by electromagnetic radiation because throughout your body, every biochemical process involves precisely choreographed movement of electromagnetic field - sensitive atoms, molecules, and ions.
Medical information suggests that there may be links between prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation and health problems especially cancer, nervous disorders and birth defects.

Learning to live with EMF

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Illustration courtesy of the National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesSponsored by NIEHS/DOE EMF RAPID Program

In this section we will explain the three acronyms listed above and what they mean to you and everyone under your roof and your care. EMF stands for Electrical and Magnetic Fields. These fields are present and surrounding your electrical devices every day. We will spend nearly all of our time talking about the magnetic part of the acronym in conjunction with ELF or extremely low frequency in which our incoming electricity works at. When voltage is applied to a circuit like our earlier AC lamp circuit with the wall switch and the wall switch is in the off position there are no electrons moving through the wire. With the light switch off a physical gap is formed inside the switch that the electrons cannot jump over. In this instance, we wind up with having the first and last part of the acronym EMF only, or just EF. Electrons not in motion, but where voltage is present, create a field around the device called an electrical field. An electrical field by itself has very little reach away from the device causing it and is very easily block by nearly anything. However, when the wall switch is turned on allowing current to flow throughout the circuit, the second half and most dangerous part of the acronym EMF comes into play and that is MF or magnetic field. Magnetic fields that are generated around devices with ELF, or extremely low frequencies, are suspect in the development of childhood leukemia. In the United States the Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, has spent decades testing and monitoring extremely low frequency magnetic fields. A specific group of individuals make very good test subjects, and those are the people working on our electrical transmission lines and within the electrical power plants and neighborhood sub stations. They are exposed to these fields for long periods of time at distances close enough for full exposure. High voltage linemen have commented that when climbing these very tall transmission poles you can feel the itching on your body long before nearing the top. The magnetic fields generated around those 100 thousand volt lines made it feel like ants were biting you all over many linemen reported. Late in 1972 or early 1973 special grounding straps were tied to the linemen’s ankles, then affixed to the ground wire on the pole, to help alleviate the biting sensation by funneling off the induced voltage their bodies were storing. For a short time it was even thought best to be brought to the hospital to receive an EKG after receiving a hefty shock while on the pole. Not a shock from the power lines as that would have killed them quite easily, but a shock from touching a piece of hardware on the pole, giving an easy path for the stored up electrons in their bodies to discharge. Although the High Voltage crews saw the stinging shocks from the induced voltage irksome, there is a much more serious side to these magnetic lines of force and that is where we are headed next.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defined EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation) in one of their fact sheets as waves of electrical and magnetic energy radiating out from an electrical device,. The frequency of the waves is dependent on the device itself. One point worth making very clear is that the kind of radiation we are talking about is non-ionizing radiation. This means that this kind of radiation is unlike x-ray or gamma radiation and cannot alter chemical makeup in a human body. Although non-ionizing radiation is not strong enough to alter atoms, it can be strong enough to heat up human tissue. Our power line radiation, cell towers, radio waves and microwaves are all non-ionizing. For individuals wearing pacemakers, the location of EMR devices such as microwaves and even cell phone use is very important. Thankfully, the tools to detect these waves are available at a cost that is affordable.

Studies have been going on for years on the potential health hazards of EMF; mostly in the ELF range. As you will recall our high voltage transmission lines as well as all household voltages are in the extremely low field range of 60 hertz. A correlation between childhood leukemia in families living in close proximity to transmission lines surfaced many years ago. However even now, after years of testing, conclusive scientific evidence in which results can be repeated in test after test is not available. However, the scientific community does recognize that too many instances of childhood leukemia have occurred in homes within close proximity to these high tension power lines to be considered coincidence. Once again it is the magnetic radiation as opposed to electrical radiation that has the attention of the experts due to the magnetic radiations long reach from point of the magnetic field itself.

Electromagnetic Radiation is not a subject you often hear about and for good reason, it is invisible. That’s right, invisible. Just the same as the electricity that enters our homes, lights our way, cooks our food, heats our house and does our laundry. We all know that electricity is real even though it is invisible, and we all know that it can kill you if handled in an unsafe manner. Electromagnetic Radiation is a byproduct of the huge amounts of electricity needed every day and night by us the consumer. We will now take a look into RF and MW – Radiofrequency and Microwave.

Electromagnetic Radiation: Radiofrequency (RF) and Microwave (MW)

I believe it is time now to discuss another form of radiation that may have implications far exceeding our discussion on electrical magnetic fields. Radiofrequency and microwave radiation most often represented in scholarly papers as RF/MW, are at the other end of frequency ranges. Remembering that our main focus so far has been on electrical frequencies between 50 hertz used in Europe or 60 hertz used in the United States we will shift our attention to electromagnetic radiation which falls within the range of 3 kilohertz to 300 gigahertz. RF(Radio frequencies) are found in the 3khz range to the 300mhz range whereas MW (Microwave radiation) is in the 300mhz to 300ghz range. The United States of America under its Department of Labor has a very active department many of us a aware of called OSHA. OSHA, stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration and has been in the business of keeping people safe on the job has taken a leading role in RF/MW. On one of the many topics addressed by OSHA in detail are the possible biological effects of radiation from radio’s, cell phones, microwaves, and a number of other devices and practices within the workplace.

The time has come that self monitoring of our exposure to these well documented radiations is in our hands. We can no longer walk blithely around our work or house or favorite mall or movie theater relying on someone else to make us aware of possible dangers. Some of the people most at risk of these radiations are those using medical devices inside their bodies such as pace makers. Haven’t all of us seen the sign made out of a sheet of white paper using a black magic marker to warn these heart patients that something dangerous to them is just inside. Think about it, a supervisor told one of his/her underlings to get something written up quickly to place in the break room to cover themselves because they heard OSHA was going to inspect them today. Out comes the blank paper and the indelible magic marker and they write, “Caution, microwave in use”.

Even if you don’t wear a pacemaker it should make you angry and the more you think about every food kiosk in the mall you pass with no signs visible should make you angrier still. Protect yourself. Don’t rely on others to keep you safe. Carry an unobtrusive meter in your pocket or purse and let it warn you when you are too close and in harms way.

Cell phones and cordless phones are just two of the many devices that fall under radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Please don’t rely on the cell phone companies to inform you of possible dangers. Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation is a part of our everyday life; all of us talk on the phone, watch television and use the microwave. How much is too much when it comes to this type of radiation and our health. Does your microwave leak? What about all of the video games hooked to our televisions with our children just feet away sometimes for hours on end? How many new parents have wondered about the thickness of their babies still thickening skull and how much easier it may be for harmful radiation to penetrate? There are precautions that you can take, you can find out what is a safe distance away from devices emitting radiation; the safety devices for your use are just a click away.

We are determined to answer all of your questions about Electromagnetic Radiation and along the way; we will make you aware of other potential problem areas in and around your house. The tools to keep you safe from these invisible fields of radiation are available. The experts are right here. Contact them and let them help you in keeping your family safe.

Cornet ED25G

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Cornet ED25G ---- $109 (free shipping)
Digital LF/RF EMF meter

Unique, handy tool for your personal Electromagnetic wave exposure detection and level measurement. Highly sensitive and Accurate indicators for your defense on both RF and LF radiation pollutions.

Applications:

Mobile phone base station radiation power density safety measurement.
Telecommunications(CW,TDMA,GSM,DECT).
AC power line, Transformer radiation.
RF power measurement for radio transmitters.
Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) detection, installations.
Spy camera, wireless bug finder.
Cellular/cordless phone radiation safety level.
Microwave oven leakage detection.
Electric and magnetic field measurement.
Personal living environment EMF safety.

Specs:

Dual operation mode: RF power meter mode and LF Gauss meter mode.
Frequency range: 100MHz - 3GHz (RF meter), 50Hz - 10KHz (Gauss meter).
Super Wide dynamic range: 60dB(RF meter).
High sensitivity: –55dBm to 0dBm (RF meter), 1mG - 500 mG (Gauss meter).
Peak power density measurement 1.5uW/m2 to 0.58W/m2 (auto scale).
LCD digital Histogram and bar-graphics for RF level and Gauss level display.
Analog RF(AM,FM) and High speed digital RF(GSM,TDMA,,CDMA, Wi-Fi,WiMAX).
Both AC Magnetic field and RF Electrical field measurement.
Small, compact handheld design, 65mmx130mm.
Battery operated (9V DC).

Trifield 100XE

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:22:00 +0000

Trifield 100XE ---- $149 (free shipping)
Magnetic/Electric/RF field meter

Trifield ® Meter measures all three types of electromagnetic field: AC magnetic field, AC electric field, and radio (including microwaves). The magnetic and electric detectors are 3-axis, making the meter easier to use than comparable 1-axis meter.

This meter is the only one which combines magnetic, electric, and radio/microwave detectors in one package.

Features:

Detects the three type of electromagnetic pollution: AC magnetic fields, AC electric fields, and radio/microwaves.
AC magnetic and electric fields are 3-axis, allowing quick accurate readings regardless of meter orientation.
Two magnetic ranges cover 0.2-100 milligauss.
This is sufficiently sensitive to detect the background field almost anywhere (except for from civilization), while measuring up to very strong AC fields.
Electric range covers 5-1000 V/m (or .5-100 kV/m with original version of the Trifield Meter)
Radio/microwave covers 10 to 1000 microwatts/square cm which includes the maximum permissible public exposure levels in all countries.
Operates about 40 hours on replaceable standard 9V battery, has a low battery indicator.
Analog (needle-type) display has very fast response time compared to digital. (However, AlphaLab also manufactures digital meters).

Applications:

Measures AC (artificial) magnetic fields rapidly. (Does not measure DC of static fields, such as the Earth Field. Click here for other magnetic meters).
Measures AC electric fields rapidly, such as from overhead power lines or improperly grounded equipment. Can locate wiring in walls (using the 100XE version).
Measures major RF/microwave sources such as leakage from microwave ovens, or the field near cell towers. (Note that wireless internet transmitters and individual cell phone are designed to emit very little power and usually are well below international RF exposure threshold. Consequently, the Trifield Meter will only detect these it very near the source.)

Specifications:

SPECIFICATIONS: Trifield® Meter
AC Magnetic Fields:	(3-axis; shows true magnitude)
Frequency Range:	40 Hz – 100 KHz (see frequency weighting)
Accuracy @ 60 Hz (50 Hz):	+/- 20% of reading
Range/Resolution (@ 60 Hz or 50 Hz):	100 milligauss / 0.2 milligauss
Standard Version Frequency Weighting:
*Sensitivity is proportional to frequency from 40 Hz to 500 Hz; flat from 500 Hz to 2000 Hz
*Sensitivity is inversely proportional to frequency from 2K Hz to 100K Hz
Flat Frequency Version:	+/- 20% from 50 Hz to 500 Hz; inverse frequency above 500 Hz
AC Electric Fields:	(3-axis; however, note that E-field is affected by the body position)
Frequency Range:	40 Hz – 100 K Hz (see frequency weighting)
Accuracy @ 60 Hz (50 Hz):	+/- 30% of reading
Range/Resolution:	1000 V/m / 5 V/m (Original Version: 100 KV/m / 0.5 KV/m)
Frequency Weighting:	Same as magnetic (above).
Frequency Range:	50 MHz – 3000 MHz (3 GHz)
Range/Resolution:	1 mW/cm² / 0.01 mW/cm²
Accuracy:	½ x to 2 x of reading
Meter Size:	5.0 x 2.6 x 2.4 in (129 x 67 x 62 mm)
Weight:	8 oz
Battery:	9 volt alkaline (~ 40 hour life) / "Low Battery" indicator

Tenmars TM-192

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Tenmars TM-192 ---- $189 (free shipping)
3-Axis magnetic field meter

Function:

MAX/MIN/AVG reading.
Switch between the display of micro-Tesla and milli-Gauss is available.
Data hold (HOLD)
Maximum and Minimum (MAX/MIN) Hold.
Low battery indication.Overload indication.
Auto range.
Auto power.
Real time clock with calendar.

Application:

Tripe LCD display to show X, Y, Z axis readings and the average reading (X+Y+Z) / 3.
An electromagnetic wave simply means the wave motion of the electromagnetic field (EMF).
Measuring extremely low frequency (ELF) of 30 to 2000Hz.
It is capable of measuring the electromagnetic field radiation intensity that is produced from electric transmission, equipment, lower line, microwave oven, air conditioner, refrigerator, computer monitor, video/audio device and so forth.
The magnetic field unit is Tesla (T) , Gauss (G), milli-Gauss (mG) or icro-Tesla (uT).
1 T=10,000 G, 1uT=10 mG, 1 G=1,000 mG

Specifications:

Display: 4 digits LCD, maximum reading 9999.
Range: 20/2000 mG, 2/20/200uT.
Resolution: 0.1/1 mG or 0.001/0.01/0.1 uT.
Frequency response: 30Hz to 2000Hz.Sensor: Triple Axis.
Accuracy: +/- (2.5%+5dgt) at 50Hz/60Hz, +/- (5.0%+5 dgt) at 30Hz~2000Hz.
Sample rate: 2.5 times per second.
Battery: 9V NEDA 1604, IEC 6F22 or JIS 006P.

AC Milligauss Meter Model UHS

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:20:00 +0000

AC Milligauss Meter Model UHS ---- $259
(free shipping)3-Axis / 1-Axis ELF VLF magnetic field meter

A digital gaussmeter for precise measurement of AC magnetic field.

Details:
This meter measures AC magnetic field in a wide frequency range of 13 Hz to 75 kHz (75,000 Hz). The frequencies include most ELF (that is, frequencies below 1 kHz) and VLF (above 1 kHz) magnetic fields. The meter measures the true 3-axis magnitude of the AC field. Two other more specialized measurements can also be performed: 3-axis VLF-only (1kHz – 75 kHz) to measure the strength of higher-frequency fields, and 1-axis full bandwidth (13 Hz – 75 kHz) to determine the principal direction of the AC magnetic field. These specialized measurements are selected by the knob labeled "TYPE OF MEASUREMENT". A "RANGE" knob allows a wide range of field strengths to be measured—from .01 to 1999 milligauss.
Most measurements will be performed with both knobs turned to the left-most position. This setting is for measurement of true magnitude of magnetic field at the widest range of frequencies (ELF + VLF) up to a strength of 19.99 milligauss. If the field becomes stronger than 19.99, most of the display will go blank except for a "1" at the extreme left. This indicates over-range. Then switch the left-side switch to 199.9 (or 1999 if the 199.9 setting still shows over-range).

Quick Start Instructions:

Flip the power switch (on right side) upward. Turn the two knobs to the left-most position (19.99 and 3-AXIS ELF + VLF). This will read the 3-axis magnitude of the magnetic field in milligauss (RMS equivalent). Avoid rapidly rotating or rapidly tipping the meter; this causes some additional signal to be picked up from the earth's magnetic field. The additional signal will be gone as soon as you stop moving the meter. This effect will be obvious once you start using the meter. If the display shows a number "1" on the left side with no other numbers, it is over-range. Then switch the left knob to the 199.9 or 1999 range.
If the right-side knob is set to 3-AXIS VLF, the meter will generally read much lower, or zero; this setting reads only the higher-frequency magnetic fields (1,000Hz - 75,000 Hz), and not the full bandwidth (13 Hz - 75,000 Hz) that is read in the "3-AXIS ELF + VLF" setting. The third position of the right-side knob is 1-axis only, but at full bandwidth (13 Hz - 75,000 Hz). It measures magnetic field only in one axis: the direction that corresponds to the thin axis of the meter.

When the battery becomes low, an additional decimal point (on the left side) will be displayed. Slide off the back door of the meter to replace the standard 9-Volt battery.

Full Length Instructions:

This meter is designed to do precise measurements of AC magnetic field in a wide frequency range of 13 Hz to 75 kHz (75,000 Hz). The frequencies include most ELF (that is, frequencies below 1 kHz) and VLF (above 1 kHz) magnetic fields. The meter measures the true 3-axis magnitude of the AC field. Two other more specialized measurements can also be performed: 3-axis VLF-only (1kHz – 75 kHz) to measure the strength of higher-frequency fields, and 1-axis full bandwidth (13 Hz – 75 kHz) to determine the principal direction of the AC magnetic field. These specialized measurements are selected by the knob labeled “TYPE OF MEASUREMENT”. A “RANGE” knob allows a wide range of field strengths to be measured—from .01 to 1999 milligauss.
Most measurements will be performed with both knobs turned to the left-most position. This setting is for measurement of true magnitude of magnetic field at the widest range of frequencies (ELF + VLF) up to a strength of 19.99 milligauss. If the field becomes stronger than 19.99, most of the display will go blank except for a “1” at the extreme left. This indicates over-range. Then switch the left-side switch to 199.9 (or 1999 if the 199.9 setting still shows over-range).
To use the meter, slide the power switch (on right edge) upward. With both knobs at their left-most position, the display can read up to 19.99 milligauss. You’ll notice that if you suddenly rotate the meter or tap it, the display will read higher for a fraction of a second. This is caused by the Earth magnetic field, which is about 500 milligauss DC. Normally a DC (non-oscillating) field will not be detected by this meter; however, any motion (tipping the meter or tapping it) will modulate this DC field, creating a temporarily-changing field, which will be detected. The effect is especially noticeable in this very sensitive 19.99 range. To avoid this false signal, keep the meter body stable and always oriented the same way in space as you walk along making measurements. For example, if the meter is vertical and the slide switch on the side is pointing, let’s say, northwest, then you should keep the meter always vertical with the power switch side pointing northwest, as you walk along. While rotating or changing orientation of the meter, the reading will usually be higher than it should be, but the reading will return to the correct value as soon as you stop rotating it. The meter will also read a higher level if it's being moved near magnetized metal.
If the “TYPE OF MEASUREMENT” switch is set to its center position, the meter will read 3-axis VLF fields (at frequencies of 1 kHz and higher). Generally in video displays and fluorescent lights a large percentage of the fields are at these higher frequencies. Please note three factors when measuring these higher frequencies: 1) These VLF measurements should be less than (or at most the same as) the measurement obtained when the knob is set on its left-most position of “3-AXIS ELF + VLF”. In most areas, the VLF (with knob set in center) will be very low or zero; at most it will never be more than the reading obtained when the RANGE knob is switched to “3-AXIS ELF + VLF”. In other words, VLF alone is never more than ELF + VLF. 2) The center position of that knob is slightly sensitive to 60 Hz fields, even though it is supposed to reject frequencies below 1 kHz. The rejection is 400:1. That is, if there is a field of 400 milligauss that is exclusively at 60 Hz, the VLF (center) position of the knob will yield a (false) reading of 1.0 milligauss. Similarly a 200 milligauss field at 60 Hz will yield a false VLF field of 0.5 milligauss. 3) If the reading on ELF + VLF (left position of knob) is too high, the VLF reading may not be correct when the RANGE knob is set at a lower number for the VLF reading. Specifically, if the ELF + VLF (left side) reading is more than 40 milligauss, do not do a reading of the VLF-only (center position) with the RANGE switched back to 19.99. Instead, use the 199.9 RANGE. Similarly, if the ELF + VLF is higher than 400 milligauss, continue to use the 1999 RANGE when you switch to VLF. Otherwise, the VLF reading may be falsely low.
When the “TYPE OF MEASUREMENT” switch is set to the 1-AXIS position (right side), the meter reads ELF + VLF but in only one axis. The direction of this 1-AXIS is the same as the “thickness” dimension of the meter (as opposed to the left-right “width” or up-down “height” that are the conventional definitions of width and height, with respect to the writing on the front label). This 1-axis sensor is just behind the center of the black panel that’s on the top surface, or “roof” of the meter. The 1-AXIS measurement can be used to determine the direction in which the field is strongest; unfortunately, this does not exactly correspond to the direction (or the position relative to the meter) of the field source. The direction of strongest field can give you some information about the direction of the field source, as per the convention developed by Edward Leeper.
For your reference, the other two magnetic sensors are 1) on the extreme right side of the meter’s “roof” (This is the position of the sensor in the up-down direction.), and 2) the extreme left side under the “roof” (The position of the left-right sensor). Generally, if you are very close to a field source, these three sensors will be at three different distances from the field source, and as a result, the reading will be strongly dependent on the angle at which you hold the meter. For field measurements more than about two feet from the source, this angle dependence is minimal.
Accuracy: This meter has a typical error of +/-3% of the reading in the frequency range 45 Hz to 5 kHz. At certain measurement angles and certain frequencies in the 3-AXIS modes, the error may be as high as +/-7%. That is, a reading of 10.00 milligauss means the field is as high as 10.70 or as low as 9.30, but most of the time the actual field will be between 10.30 and 9.70 (this is in RMS units). Note that this accuracy specification is for sine waves in the very wide frequency range of 45 Hz to 5 kHz. Other manufacturers of digital 3-axis meters only specify the accuracy for 60 Hz sine waves. (Those types of meter will generally have significant additional error above 100 Hz; typically there is 5-10% additional error due to change in sensitivity at other frequencies, making a total error that exceeds 10% above 100 Hz. Because of advanced high-frequency detection circuitry, the model UHS does not have this problem). If you're measuring a signal that is simultaneously stronger than 100 milligauss and higher frequency than 10 KHz, some additional inaccuracy may occur. (It may read either too high or too low). An unusual generator with both a high frequency and high power output is required in order to produce this type of magnetic field. You'll know that this is a problem if, as you approach the strong field source, it eventually exceeds 1000 milligauss both on ELF + VLF and on VLF. The meter works by measuring the absolute value of the AC field strength in 3 axes (or 1 axis), and then finding the time-average of that absolute value. That time-average is then scaled so that a sine wave reads in RMS units. Sensitivity is down to ½ at the frequency limits 13 Hz and 75 kHz. In the 3-AXIS 1 kHz - 75 kHz (VLF) setting, maximum error is +/-7% of the reading at 5 kHz, and half sensitivity is 1 kHz and 75 kHz.

Is this Invisible Product of Technology Harming You?

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Although many people don’t realize it, a significant amount of human function depends on very subtle electrical currents and electromagnetic fields that are naturally generated by the earth and our own bodies. Electromagnetic fields have a significant influence on our cells, and in turn, the function of critical organs and glands. Unfortunately, many of our modern technological innovations are bombarding us with an alarming amount of unnatural electromagnetic fields that can interfere with these functions and have a significant impact on our health without us even realizing it.

Our heart and brain are just two examples of critical organs that are influenced by electromagnetic fields. In fact, it can be said that every aspect of human function is impacted in some way by electromagnetism, and it doesn’t take much for such an impact to occur. Considering the tremendous amount of electromagnetic radiation that’s produced by modern technology, this is a significant concern.

A Basic Explanation of Electromagnetic Fields

Electromagnetic fields are in my opinion one of the most complicated and difficult to understand subjects relating to our health. However, considering the tremendous impact that they can have, it’s important to at least have a basic understanding of electricity and magnetism.

An electric field exists between any two objects that have a difference in charge. If these objects are connected with some type of conductive material, the difference in charge will produce a current of electrons or ions that will flow from one object to the other. Similar to the concept of an electric field, a magnetic field exists between the north and south poles of a magnet. However, even without magnetic material, the mere existence of electrical current produces a magnetic field. In combination, the electric and magnetic fields make up what is known as an electromagnetic field which produces waves of energy called electromagnetic radiation.

Just as electrical current creates a magnetic field, changes in a magnetic field create current. As such, wherever there’s electrical current, there will also be a magnetic field, and wherever there’s a changing magnetic field, there will also be current. In either case, the result will be an electromagnetic field that produces electromagnetic radiation. Anything that uses electricity or produces a wireless communication signal will produce an electromagnetic field. Some common examples include appliances, electronics, power lines, cell phones and cell towers, and radio broadcasting.

Electromagnetism and the Human Body

Some of the amazing research done by Dr. Robert Becker, an expert in the field of biological electricity and regeneration, has proven that small electrical currents travel throughout the human body, particularly through nerve fibers. Based on this, we also know that the body produces its own electromagnetic fields which have been shown to be an important part of its natural communication system and have a significant influence on our physiological function.

Because the earth is a giant magnet, it produces a natural magnetic field which happens to protect us from the sun’s most intense and deadly radiation. Because this radiation causes the earth’s magnetic field to continuously change, it produces a significant amount of electrical current which leads to the creation of an electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field is constantly changing as well and is a part of nature that many forms of life have become dependent upon, including us. In fact, it’s believed that the earth’s changing electromagnetic field is the basis of our circadian rhythm.

The amazing navigational abilities of many animals, especially birds, are dependent on the earth’s magnetic field. Trees and plants are directly influenced by this natural field as well. The pineal glands of many vertebrates, including us, have been found to contain a magnetic substance called magnetite. Because this substance is very responsive to electromagnetic fields, this discovery has led many experts to believe that the pineal gland is primarily what allows the brain and the rest of the body body to be influenced by external fields. The pineal gland produces a number of important hormones and neurotransmitters including melotonin, serotonin, and dopamine which have a significant influence on sleep, immunity, and mood. As such, electromagnetic fields can have a tremendous impact on these aspects of wellbeing, and in turn, lead to significant health consequences.

Unfortunately, much of the technology that exists today produces a tremendous amount of electromagnetic radiation, and the majority of this radiation occurs in frequencies and intensities that have never existed in nature. This can affect all life on earth in more ways than most of us realize. The magnetic polarity of the earth has reversed a number of times throughout history, and each reversal has been associated with major extinctions. It’s believed that we’re currently approaching another reversal and it’s quite possible that we’ve initiated it ourselves through the advent of modern technology and the tremendous amount of unnatural electromagnetic radiation that it’s introduced to the atmosphere.

A Constant Source of Stress

Most people think of stress as mental frustration, but it’s really much more than that. A wide variety of influences, both physical and mental, can invoke the physiological stress response which impairs restorative functions such as immunity and digestion in favor of energy production and anything else that will help us survive what the body perceives as a threat to survival. Although the immune system is initially suppressed by stress, it becomes more active than normal once the stress dissipates. As such, chronic stress can overstimulate the immune system on a regular basis and result in weakened immunity and an increased susceptibility to infection and disease. It can also overwhelm the adrenal glands and lead to adrenal fatigue.

A number of animal studies have shown that electromagnetic fields of varying frequencies and intensities can invoke the stress response. This may very well be the case for us as well. Although we many not feel it, the electromagnetic radiation that we’re exposed to on a daily basis could be putting our bodies in a continuous state of stress.

Impaired Sleep and Immunity

Sleep is when the body makes the most effort to recover from the considerable amount of damage and strain caused by the chaotic pace of modern life and the unhealthy characteristics of the typical modern lifestyle. The hormone melatonin facilitates this repair by provoking the body to fall into a deep and restorative sleep. Melatonin is also a strong antioxidant that supports our immunity by protecting us from free radical damage and contributing to the destruction of cancer cells.

Electromagnetic fields have been shown to suppress melatonin production, most likely by influencing the function of the pineal gland. Because of the importance of sleep and immune function, this can greatly increase the risk of a number of health issues including cancer. In addition, electromagnetic fields can impair immune function directly, and as mentioned earlier, can also impair it by causing chronic stress. In combination, these effects have a tremendous potential to weaken the immune system considerably.

Mental Dysfunction

By associating the occurrence of magnetic storms with the behavior and admittance of psychiatric patients, Dr. Robert Becker was able to find a convincing correlation between mental function and disruptions in the earth’s natural electromagnetic field. Dr. Jose Delgado, a Spanish neurophysiologist, took this a step further by showing the ability to manipulate the behavior of both animals and humans with the targeted use of electromagnetic radiation. Based on these findings, it’s evident that electromagnetic fields have the potential to increase the risk of mental dysfunction. Even more frightening is the possibility of electromagnetism being used for the purpose of mind control which the military is believed to be actively researching.

Serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and acetylcholine are some of the more prominent neurotransmitters that can have a significant influence on mood and behavior. In addition to the levels of these neurotransmitters being closely related to diet, research has shown that they can also be impacted by electromagnetic fields. Imbalances of these neurotransmitters can cause depression, apathy, fatigue, violence, and even lead to suicide.

Flawed Cell Division, Cancer, and Birth Defects

Cell division is one of the most basic functions of life, but is an extremely important process that our health depends on. At any given time, many of our trillions of cells are dividing to produce replacements for old cells. If this process is compromised in any way, the results could be disastrous.

Cell division is a particularly important part of human reproduction. Unfortunately, electromagnetic fields have been shown to damage both the reproductive germ cells of parents as well as developing embryo cells. This damage is associated with infertility, birth defects, and abnormal development. As such, electromagnetic fields are a significant concern with childbirth regardless of whether it’s the parents or the child that’s exposed.

One of the most notorious effects of impaired cell division is the occurrence and proliferation of cell mutations and the resulting development of cancer. Numerous epidemiological studies have linked electromagnetic fields of varying frequencies and intensities to multiple forms of cancer including brain cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, and melanoma.

Despite the gloom associated with most research done on electromagnetic fields, some of it has been inspiring. In particular, a number of researchers have provided good reason to believe that cancer cells can be induced to dedifferentiate into embryo cells and then differentiate back into normally functioning and cancer free cells. As promising as this is, it defies modern dogma, and as such, research continues to be focused on highly toxic methods such as chemotherapy that destroy healthy cells along with the cancer cells.

The Politics of Electromagnetic Fields

It seems that many of the health risks that are characteristic of modern life are often driven by politics. The unnatural electromagnetic fields created by modern technology may very well be the most blatant and unfortunate example of this. Because electromagnetism is a very complicated subject, developing reasonable safety standards has been a considerable challenge. In fact, the American safety standards are much more lenient than those of other countries and are considered by many experts to be highly inadequate. Many industries are taking advantage of this and the government is allowing it to happen.

Our national security is very much dependent on the communication and sensing abilities that are made possible by electromagnetic radiation. Even though these defense systems may pose a threat to our health, any information that justifies such a concern presents a serious problem. Because of this, many scientists who have studied the negative health effects of electromagnetic fields have been defamed, ridiculed, and deprived of funding. In fact, it took a considerable amount of time before the U.S. government would even acknowledge the thought of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation being potentially harmful. However, as Dr. Robert Becker states, it would be very naive to assume that the military hasn’t used the harmful potential of electromagnetic radiation for the development of weapons.

While other countries, such as Sweden and Russia, have taken a conservative stance in regard to electromagnetic radiation and assumed that any type of electromagnetic field that differs from what exists in nature is likely to pose health risks, the United States has basically taken the opposite approach. As a result, we’re left with very weak safety standards and a tremendous amount of potentially dangerous exposure.

Be Informed, not Frightened

All of the health issues described above have been associated with the electromagnetic fields that are commonly produced by much of the modern technology that surrounds us every day. Among the many sources of electromagnetic radiation, this includes electrical power lines, communication signals for cell phones, broadcast signals for television, radio, and satellite, and even the appliances and electronics that we use at home and at work. Sadly, the entire planet is exposed to electromagnetic fields that have never existed in nature. Although you might find this to be quite unsettling like I do, it won’t do any good to get upset. What’s important is to is to be informed and do as much as you can to minimize your risk.

To learn more, there are three books that I highly recommend. Electromagnetic Fields by B. Blake Levitt provides a well rounded explanation of what electromagnetic fields are, how they effect us, where they come from, the politics and research surrounding them, and what we can do to avoid them.

Cross Currents by Robert Becker MD gives a thorough explanation of how we naturally depend on electromagnetism as well as the negative effects of unnatural electromagnetic fields and the research surrounding them. This book also provides an interesting discussion of the role of electromagnetism in energy medicine.

Finally, The Body Electric, also by Dr. Becker, covers in great detail the amazing research that he did on regeneration and electromagnetism. It also clearly depicts the corruption and bias that plagues modern research.

Electromagnetic Fields and Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Electromagnetic Radiation and Miscarriage

Electromagnetic radiation is pervasive in industrialized cultures but it can’t be detected with the five senses. While there’s general agreement among scientists, and even from government agencies, that chronic exposure to high levels of electromagnetic radiation is not good for the health, investigations into its specific effects have been inconsistent. However, respected researchers have linked chronic exposure to strong electromagnetic fields to environmental illness and cancer.

A study out of San Francisco, and published in the journalEpidemiology, is worth paying attention to if you’re pregnant. D. K. Li and colleagues asked over 900 women less than 10 weeks into a pregnancy to wear a monitor for 24 hours to measure exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

When they compared exposure to pregnancy outcome, they found that those with higher peak exposures had an 80 percent increase in the risk of miscarriage. The risk was even higher among women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and/or infertility.

Why would electromagnetic radiation affect a pregnancy? Every cell in every living organism is surrounded by an electromagnetic field, and various parts of the body (e.g. organ systems, the brain) have their own electromagnetic field. The theory is that these fields play an important role in the incredibly rapid cell division and differentiation going on in a fetus, and that the relatively weak electromagnetic fields found in living organisms can be disrupted by exposure to stronger fields.

Most of us are exposed daily to electromagnetic radiation. Home appliances such as toasters, microwave ovens, TVs and vacuum cleaners give off very strong electromagnetic radiation when they’re on. The good news is that these fields drop off very quickly with distance—with most appliances there’s no significant electromagnetic field left at four feet away. Thus, one solution is to not stand near an appliance when it’s on if you’re pregnant (let someone else do the vacuuming!).

Another source of strong fields of electromagnetic radiation is computer screens and hard drives. Again, these drop off very quickly with distance, so the key is not to sit very close to these types of devices (not within two to three feet).

The third major source of electromagnetic radiation is faulty wiring in homes, and this is more pervasive than you might think. The only way to detect these fields is with a gauss meter, a handheld device that measures electromagnetic fields. Because faulty wiring can cause chronic exposure if it occurs near your desk, your favorite chair or your bed, for example, it’s smart to check your home for high electromagnetic fields whether or not you’re pregnant.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum : Infrared, Ultraviolet, & Visible Light, Radio Waves, & X-Rays

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:12:00 +0000

The Electromagnetic Spectrum - NASA

Electromagnetic Waves or Electromagnetic Radiation

Light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays are all different forms of electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic radiation. But what are electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves are oscillations in electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields cause forces between electric charges such as protons and electrons. Magnetic fields cause magnetic forces such as those between a magnet and a piece of iron. Changing electric fields cause magnetic fields and changing magnetic fields cause electric fields.

In electromagnetic waves the electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other and to the direction the wave is traveling. Both the electric and magnetic fields are oscillating between maximum positive and maximum negative values. Because of the way changing electric and magnetic fields each cause the other type of field both the electric and magnetic fields have maximum positive, maximum negative, and zero values simultaneously. Perpendicular electric and magnetic fields oscillate and the oscillations propagate in a direction perpendicular to both fields.

Properties of Waves

To understand wave properties visualize water waves at a beach. The waves have peaks and valleys moving towards the shore. The distance between two peaks, or between two valleys, is the wavelength. The number of wave peaks that hit a swimmer standing in the water each second is the frequency. If the wave peaks are further apart, fewer will hit the swimmer each second. Hence a longer wavelength corresponds to a lower frequency.

Electromagnetic waves are similar. The distance between two points where the electric and magnetic fields have maximum positive values is the wavelength. As the wave propagates, the number of times the maximum positive value passes a particular point each second is the wave's frequency, which is measured in Hertz. For all waves the frequency multiplied by the wavelength gives the speed at which the wave travels.

Make a wave in a rope by oscillating one end of the rope back and forth. A higher frequency wave will tire you faster than a lower frequency wave. Similarly, electromagnetic waves have more energy as the frequency increases and the wavelength decreases.

What Is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Visible light is the type of electromagnetic radiation that the human eye can detect. Different colors of light are simply different wavelengths and frequencies. Red light has a longer wavelength, lower frequency, and less energy than blue light. The visible light spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength is: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Remember RoyGBiv.

The human eye can not detect all types of electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelength, higher frequency and more energy than violet light is ultraviolet light. Electromagnetic waves with even shorter wavelengths are X-rays and the shortest highest energy electromagnetic waves are gamma rays. At wavelengths longer than red light we have infrared light. Longer wavelength electromagnetic waves include all types of radio waves. Microwaves, AM waves, FM waves, television waves, and short-wave radio waves are examples of different types of radio waves.

Summary of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum from the shortest wavelength, highest frequency, and highest energy to the longest wavelength, lowest frequency, and lowest energy is listed.

Gamma rays: energetic enough to damage cells and kill.

X-rays: enough energy to penetrate flesh and used for medical diagnostics.

Ultraviolet light: energetic enough to burn skin.

Visible light: detectable by the human eye.

Infrared light: feels warm on the skin as heat.

Microwaves: used for cooking and communications.

Radio waves: used for communications.

The electromagnetic spectrum

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:56:00 +0000


Electromagnetic spectrum

Light, or electromagnetic radiation, comes in many forms. There are radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma rays, all of which form what is known as the 'electromagnetic spectrum'

The electromagnetic spectrum is subdivided into seven regions according to wavelength. Each portion of the spectrum interacts with matter in a slightly different way and is given a different name. From longest to shortest wavelength the seven divisions are:

Radio (wavelengths greater than 0.3 metres)

Earth's atmosphere hides most electromagnetic radiation from space except visible light, certain infrared frequencies and radio waves. For this reason, we can place radio telescopes on Earth's surface and radio astronomy was the first non-optical study of radiation from space. A number of the most massive galaxies were found to be extremely powerful sources of radio waves. Radio astronomy led to the discovery of pulsars which pulse regular radio emissions.

Microwaves (wavelengths between 1 millimetre and 0.3 metres)

Earth's atmosphere begins to shield radiation from us. The most important form of microwave radiation in astronomy is called the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Discovered in 1965, CMB comes from all parts of the Universe with the same intensity. CMB became solid evidence for the 'Big Bang' theory, which predicted that the shockwave of the primeval explosion would be still detectable. ESA's Planck mission will study the CMB and thus will be seeing the Universe as it was almost at its beginning.

Infrared (wavelengths between 700 nanometres – 1 millimetre)

The primary source of infrared radiation is heat. The higher the temperature, the faster the atoms and molecules in an object move and the more infrared radiation. The first infrared space mission was IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) which detected about 350 000 infrared sources. Later, ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) made important studies of the dusty regions of the Universe. ESA's Herschel mission will build on this work.

Visible (wavelengths between 400 – 700 nanometres)

Until 1945, most astronomy was optical. This meant studying a very small range of wavelengths. It is from these optical wavelengths that most people derive their picture of the Universe, dominated by bright stars and galaxies. Visible light is predominantly released by objects between 2000 and 10 000°C. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has a powerful optical telescope on board which enables it to take stunning photographs in real colour.

Ultraviolet (wavelengths between 10 – 400 nanometres)

As soon as observations from above the atmosphere became possible, the classical techniques of optical astronomy were extended into the ultraviolet. The Sun and other hot objects are sources of ultraviolet radiation. In 1978, the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) was launched. IUE dominated ultraviolet space astronomy for nearly two decades. It generated spectra showing intensities at different wavelengths from selected objects in the sky. Temperatures, motions, magnetism and chemical composition are all discernible in the ultraviolet spectra.

X-rays (wavelengths between 0.01 – 10 nanometres)

Most of the observable matter in the Universe today is in a hot state, radiating short-wavelength radiation and X-rays. Massive clouds of gas at a very high temperature fill the spaces between galaxies. Whenever a new star is formed, a collapsing cloud of gas reaches temperatures sufficient for nuclear reactions to start, powering the star. Conditions in the primeval Universe were very different - with only a few pre-existing molecules and no dust available for cooling, only the most massive clouds could collapse. They would make not stars, but black holes. Theorists suspect that giant black holes may have been among the earliest objects created in the Universe and would have produced X-rays. Two ESA missions, XMM-Newton and XEUS are designed to observe these X-rays.

Gamma rays (wavelengths less than 0.01 nanometres)

Gamma rays from space are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere – fortunately for us, because this powerful radiation is lethal. Gamma-ray telescopes in space give evidence for the processes that made the Universe habitable. When a massive star has used up its hydrogen fuel, it ends in a supernova explosion, emitting gamma rays. During this explosion, radioactive elements are formed and ejected into space, decaying or combining to form the other elements. ESA's COS-B satellite (1975-1982) created a catalogue of gamma-ray sources. ESA's Integral spacecraft, launched in 2002, takes this work forward, studying the phenomenon known as 'gamma-ray bursts'.

Electromagnetic Radiation Protection

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:53:00 +0000

Electromagnetic radiations or electromagnetic fields are the terms that broadly describe exposures created by vast array of wired or wireless technologies like mobile phones, cordless phones, microwave ovens, laptop, computers, televisions, and so many other equipments of daily convenience that have altered the landscape of our lives in countless beneficial ways. However, these technologies were designed to maximize energy efficiency and convenience; not for biological effects on people. But these electromagnetic radiations have harmful effects on human biological system. Various studies, researches have shown growing evidences among scientists and public about possible health risks associated with EMRs. There are many evidences for the direct relationship of various types of cancer, brain tumors, acoustic neuromas, cognitive function disorders, heart diseases and immune function disorders. Moreover, destruction of DNA, blindness, lowered sperm count, and poisonous substances entering the brain have also been linked to the dangerous radiation that is emitted from all electric & electronic gadgets. The ever- increasing damage caused by this radiation can have terrible effect on our future youth.

As per published reports, we need to know that EMR exposure is cumulative; our bodies may withstand a certain amount of radiation, indeed we need to understand that any other toxic source will add to the burden & destabilize the body. So, we need to do all we can to reduce the overall burden while improving the body’s vitality & its immune health.

Keva Industries announces the launch of Keva Anti Radiation product range for the prevention of Electro Magnetic Radiation emitted from all electric & electronic gadgets. This is the revolutionary product for the use of electronic gadget users worldwide. The Proprietary KERT American Technology neutralizes the negative effects of Electro Magnetic Radiations by changing the quality of the field rather than reducing the EMR intensity.

According to Mr. Karan Goel, C.E.O. “Keva Industries”, “the company is providing anti radiation product range for users with their commitment of saving the society from the hazards of invisible Electro Magnetic Radiation. According to him, we have to guard ourselves against the hazards of radiations coming out of cell phones and other electronic devices by reducing our exposure to them, or completely eliminating them from our life-style.”

Due to lack of laws and regulations in India there is no governing body that takes responsibility of this issue and determines the safety limits of radiation or Electromagnetic Radiation protection ways. We have realized this threat and through a range of consumer friendly products we aim to contain and remove this harmful radiation from our society.

Your Mattress Could be Acting as a Cancer-Causing Radiation Antenna

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:46:00 +0000

The rate of breast cancer in Western countries is 10 percent higher in the left breast than in the right. This also is true for the skin cancer melanoma.

Researchers have suggested a surprising explanation for this -- and for the dramatic increase in rates of breast cancer and melanoma over the past three decades.

In Japan, there is no correlation between the rates of melanoma and breast cancer, and there is no left-side prevalence for either disease. The rate of breast cancer in Japan is also significantly lower than in the West.

This may be due to differences in sleeping habits in Japan and Western countries. Previous research has shown that people prefer to sleep on their right sides, possibly as a way of reducing weight stress on the heart.

This is most likely the same in both the East and the West, but the futons used for sleeping in Japan are mattresses placed directly on the bedroom floor, in contrast to the elevated box springs and mattress of beds used in the West.

According to Scientific American:

"... [A] 2007 study in Sweden conducted between 1989 and 1993 ... revealed a strong link between the incidence of melanoma and the number of FM and TV transmission towers covering the area where the individuals lived ...
Consider, however, that even a TV set cannot respond to broadcast transmissions unless the weak electromagnetic waves are captured and amplified by an appropriately designed antenna. Antennas are simply metal objects of appropriate length sized to match the wavelength of a specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation."

In the U.S., bed frames and box springs are made of metal, and the length of a bed is exactly half the wavelength of FM and TV transmissions. The maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress, so when sleeping on your right side, your left side will be exposed to the highest field strength.

Cell Phones are Dangerous, But This May Be Far Worse..

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:44:00 +0000

An increasingly alarmed army of international scientists have reached a controversial conclusion:
The "electrosmog" that first began developing with the rollout of the electrical grid a century ago and now envelops every inhabitant of Earth is responsible for many of the diseases that impair or kill them.

During the past 100 years, we have methodically filled in the electromagnetic spectrum far beyond what occurs in nature.

Recently, several developments have highlighted the growing hazards of EMF pollution and the crucial need to address them.

In 2007, the Bioinitiative Working Group released a 650-page report citing more than 2,000 studies (many very recent) that detail the toxic effects of EMFs from all sources. Chronic exposure to even low-level radiation (like that from cell phones), can cause a variety of cancers, impair immunity, and contribute to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, heart disease, and many other ailments.

Additionally, every single study of brain tumors that looks at 10 or more years of use shows an increased risk of brain cancer.

A recent study from Sweden is particularly frightening, suggesting that if you started using a cell phone as a teen, you have a 5 times greater risk of brain cancer than those who started as an adult.

A recent study showed that exposure to very-low-frequency voltage signals (1-100kHz), or "dirty electricity,” can greatly increase your risk of melanoma, thyroid cancer, and uterine cancer. These signals are largely by-products of electronics, such as modern energy-efficient appliances, televisions, stereos and other entertainment devices.

These electronic devices use a lower voltage than other appliances, and this manipulation of current creates a complex electromagnetic field. This field not only radiates into the immediate environment but also can travel along home or office wiring throughout the neighborhood.

"For the first time in our evolutionary history, we have generated an entire secondary, virtual, densely complex environment — an electromagnetic soup — that essentially overlaps the human nervous system," says Michael Persinger, PhD, a neuroscientist at Laurentian University who has studied the effects of EMFs on cancer cells.

And it appears that, more than a century after Thomas Edison switched on his first light bulb, the health consequences of that continual overlap are just now beginning to be documented.

Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) - Hazardous to Our Health?

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:37:00 +0000

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. All microwave ovens leak and exceed the Russian safety limit. 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.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Waves Of Energy

noreply@blogger.com (RAD Meters) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:18:00 +0000

Objective

Students will

Understand that the sun's energy is transferred to Earth by electromagnetic waves, which are transverse waves.

Understand that there are eight main types of electromagnetic waves, classified on the electromagnetic spectrum according to their wavelengths.

Understand how each of the types of electromagnetic radiation is used or found in our everyday lives.

Materials

For this lesson, you will need:

Computer with Internet access
Research materials on the electromagnetic spectrum (articles, books, textbook readings)
Poster/picture of the electromagnetic spectrum
Overhead projector, transparencies, and markers
Chart paper
Construction paper
Magazines
Scissors
Bulletin board space in the classroom
The Electromagnetic Spectrum Tutorial!

Procedures

Prior to this lesson, students should have an understanding of the two kinds of waves that exist in nature: compressional and transverse waves. They should be able to identify the characteristics of each wave and how they differ. Here are some important facts to know:
- Compressional waves - such as sound waves - require a medium to transfer energy.
- Transverse waves - such as light waves - can transfer energy in a vacuum, without a medium.
- Both types of waves are initiated by something that vibrates, but compressional waves travel slower than transverse waves.
- The sun's energy reaches the Earth in transverse waves.
- The frequency and wavelength of a wave determines how much energy a wave has. Frequency is the number of wave crests that pass a point during one second. Wavelength is the distance between two identical points on two adjacent waves. The shorter the wavelength, the more energy the wave has. But as wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
Begin by asking students what they know about transverse waves and compressional waves. Work with students to create a t-chart on the board and compare and contrast the two types of waves. Identify key concepts associated with each wave. It may be helpful to create this chart on a transparency or chart paper for later reference and reinforcement.
Now draw a picture of the sun and the Earth. Ask students to describe how energy from the sun reaches the Earth. Draw transverse waves showing how electromagnetic energy is transferred from the Earth to the sun. Tell students that energy from the sun is called radiation. Write this term next to the word transverse waves on the illustration. Ask students in what context they have heard that word before. (For example, a radiator gives off heat, or radiation therapy is used to treat cancer.) Encourage students to use mnemonic devices to remember the concept of radiation as it relates to the sun's energy. For example, students can use the sound "ray" in "radiation" to remind them of the sun's rays warming their skin on a sunny day.
Explain to students that transverse waves that transfer radiation or energy are called electromagnetic waves. These waves are created by electrically charged particles that move. The terms "electromagnetic waves" and "electromagnetic radiation" are used interchangeably because the waves carry the sun's radiation, which is composed of electrically charged particles. Refer back to the chart created at the beginning of class and ask students to come up with a list of possible characteristics of electromagnetic waves. Because they are transverse waves - and can travel in a vacuum — they can travel through space.
Explain to students that there are different types of electromagnetic radiation existing in the universe. One type of electromagnetic radiation is visible light. The electromagnetic spectrum is something scientists use to classify the different types of electromagnetic radiation. Show students a picture of the electromagnetic spectrum. Explain that, like the periodic table where elements are classified according to their structure, electromagnetic radiation is classified according to wavelengths and frequencies. Although there are different types of electromagnetic radiation, they all travel at the same speed - the speed of light or 186,000 miles per second. Humans are only able to see one small portion of the spectrum — visible light.
Send students to the Electromagnetic Spectrum Tutorial. Students will learn facts about each area of the spectrum, including where areas of the spectrum are found in the natural world and how areas are used in science, space exploration, communications, and medicine.
When students have returned from the tutorial, recap what they have learned. Explain that electromagnetic radiation is arranged in the spectrum from the longest wavelength to the shortest. Ask students to identify the waves with the longest and shortest wavelengths. (It may be helpful to draw wavelengths decreasing from left to right above a labeled diagram of the spectrum.) Based on what they have learned about frequency as it relates to wavelength (the longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency), ask students which waves have the lowest frequency and which have the highest frequency. It may be necessary to prompt them with some clues — the longer the wavelength, the lower number waves in a given space; the shorter the wavelength, the more waves there are in a given amount of space. One easy way for students to remember the relationship between frequency and wavelength is to consider that the longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency, emphasizing the 'l' at the beginning of each word. And the shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, emphasizing the 'h' in each word. (Again, it may be helpful to reinforce this relationship by labeling lower frequency by the radio waves on the spectrum and higher frequency by the gamma rays.)
Now explain to students that they will taking a closer look at one of the eight types of electromagnetic energy in the spectrum —radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, x rays, gamma rays, and cosmic waves.
Divide the class into eight groups. Each group will focus on a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum assigned to them. Students should use traditional forms of research, for example reference books or class texts, as well as Internet links and the electromagnetic spectrum tutorial. Explain to students that groups must work together to research the following information about their form of radiation:
1. What are the characteristics of this type of radiation (wavelength, frequency, key facts)?
2. Where is this type of radiation located on the electromagnetic spectrum in relation to other kinds of radiation? What properties of the wave define why it is found within this area of the spectrum?
3. How is it used or found in our everyday lives or in certain industries? Identify and explain at least two uses.
4. Each member of the expert group must have the necessary information and materials to make a class presentation on their area of the spectrum. Encourage students to be creative in their presentations. Have a variety of materials for students to use for their presentations including construction paper, chart paper, markers, overheads, chalk board, colored chalk, and magazines. Tell students that the key to a successful and interesting presentation is to use visuals, such as labeled diagrams.