AN INDEPENDENT REPORT
INVESTIGATING THE CRITERIA GOVERNING THE CURRENT AUSTRALIAN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE LIMITS INTENDED TO LIMIT ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS TO HUMANS.
AUTHOR: D. J. Rhys
Greenhalgh Esq.
AUTHORISED
BY: Mr E. Tremble
Chairman
EMF
Protection Society Australia
DATE
OF SUBMISSION: 11 November 1998
Page
1.1.1 Power Lines
1.1.2
TV Transmitters
1.2.1
Microwaves
1.2.2 Mobile Phones
1.2.3 Promotion Of Cancer
1.3.1 Intercellular Communication
1.3.4 Asthma, Arthritis, Diabetes, and
Psychological Disorders
1.5.1 Improved Cancer Drug Effect
1.5.2 Improved Bone Fracture and Wound Healing
2 LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT STUDIES 10
2.1 Transients And Harmonic Distortions Ignored
2.1.1 Most Studies Exclude Transients And
Distortions
2.1.2 Adverse Effects Of Transients And
Distortions Shown
2.1.3 Transients and Distortions Above Background
Cellular Noise
2.2 Electric Fields Ignored
2.3 Previously Unrecognised Sources Of EMF’s 11
2.3.1 Extra Low EMF Frequencies
2.3.2 Extra Low EMF Frequencies Filtered Out
2.3.2 Rotating Car Tyre’s
3 ADMISSIONS,
CONTRADICTIONS & MISREPRESENTATIONS 13
3.1.1 The NCRP (USA)
3.1.2 The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
3.2.1 The National Health and Medical Research Council (Aust)
3.2.2 The Australian Radiation Laboratory
3.2.3 Royal Adelaide Hospital
3.2.4 The American Linet Study
3.3.1 The Australian Radiation Laboratory
3.3.2 Royal Adelaide Hospital
3.3.3 The American Linet Study
3.4.1 USA EPA Review
3.4.2 Royal Adelaide Hospital
3.4.3 The American Linet Study
4.1 USA EPA Review
4.1.1 Lower Microwave Limit Recommended (Safer)
4.1.2 Push to Increase The Australian Microwave Limit (Less Safe)
4.2 Australian
Radiation Laboratory
4.2.1 Electric Blankets
4.2.2 Power Lines
4.2.3 Electric Hot Water Systems
4.3 National
Council on Radiation Protection (USA)
5 CURRENT
STANDARDS 18
5.1 Present Guidelines Set By The NHMRC (Aust)
5.3.1 Induced Electricity In Humans
5.3.2 Induced Heat In Humans
CONCLUSIONS 19
APPENDIX 1 - TECHNICAL TERMS EXPLAINED 21
APPENDIX 2 -TYPICAL
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD LEVELS 22
REFERENCES 23
SUMMARY
This report was prepared for the EMF Protection Society to investigate the current Australian EMF exposure limits intended to limit adverse health Effects on humans.
It
investigates studies done up to date and adverse health effects that they have
found.
It
investigates –
Ø Criteria used to establish the current
Australian guidelines
And Proposes –
Ø More appropriate guidelines
Ø A limit for human exposure to EMF’s of 2
milli Gauss.
An independent report investigating the criteria governing the current Australian Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure limits Intended to limit adverse health effects To humans.
This report will examine the research and chosen criteria governing the choice of current Australian EMF exposure limits intended to limit adverse health Effects on humans.
This report was requested by the EMF Protection Society due to their concerns that current Australian limits are inadequate.
It is intended that in the event of adverse findings, the report and its recommendations shall be presented to the federal and shadow minister for energy in order to precipitate appropriate legislative action.
This report examines alternative criteria for governing EMF exposure limits, new research, and the belief that some of the current research has been misrepresented.
This report is generally restricted to the effect of EMF’s on the human body, and not concerned with the various sources of those fields, such as exposure to power lines, and the use of mobile phones.
Sources for this report are studies used to -
Ø Set the current interim guidelines on human exposure to EMF’s in Australia.
Set by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Ø Show previously unknown biological effects of EMF’s on the human body
Ø Set other country’s EMF human exposure limits.
1.1.1 Power
Lines
An increased risk of leukemia of 2.7 times was found for children living within 100 metres of high-voltage transmission lines in Taipei, Taiwan relative to the nation as a whole.(Ref 1) These fields produced about 2mG inside houses 100 metres from the power lines.(Ref 2.)
A 1979 study in Denver found children living near power lines had significantly higher rates of cancer than the national average.(Ref 20)
A 1984 study in New York found an abnormally high rate of leukemia in children living near power lines.(Ref 21)
1.1.3
TV Transmitters
Telstra Australia’s study comparing suburbs around three TV transmitter towers in Sydney with six suburbs further away, found an increase in childhood leukemia of 61% and an increase of the death rate due to childhood leukemia of 2.74 times.(Ref 13)
1.2.2
Microwaves
US Air Force officers exposed to ELF EMF’s and RF microwaves showed a significant increase in brain tumors in a 1995 study.(Ref 11)
1.2.2 Mobile Phones
An Adelaide study showed mice predisposed to cancer exposed to a cell phone signal for one hour per day, the rate of cancer increased by over 46% (an incidence increase from 23% to 43%).(Ref 46)
1.2.3 Promotion Of Cancer
Animal studies show EMF’s increase the effects of cancer causing agents. EMF’s may also effect DNA repair leading to increased accumulation of mutations in critical genes.(Ref 10)
1.3 Specific Body
Parts Effected
1.3.1 Intercellular Communication
The outer membrane of human cells act as an amplifier of electromagnetic disturbances on their surface, which is then transmitted down the backbone of the DNA within the cell to transmit messages.
ELF EMF’s change electric charges present on the surface of molecules within and around cells, thus affecting the chemical processes between and within cells.
Frequencies of 16, 42, 45, 50 to over 100Hz affect the calcium ion binding on brain cells [and all other cells in the body (Ref 29)], making them bound more or less tightly depending on the frequency.
[As calcium ions are one of the two most common intracellular signaling molecules (29)], the body reactions are slowed or speeded up making us “more awake or less awake”.(Ref 28)
Professor Delgardo of Madrid found that EMF’s between 10 and 100Hz at strengths of around 2.5mG [at the embryo itself] arrests embryo formation.
Dr’s Adey, Delgardo, and Eddlemen of New York found that ELF EMF’s of between 10 and 100Hz interfere with the formation of a special coating on embryo cells. This coating allow the cells to move within the embryo to their correct position. When this process is stopped by EMF’s, embryo formation is stopped.(Ref 28)
The killing capacity of the body’s lymphocytes [or white blood cells] is significantly reduced by exposure to EMF’s of around 60Hz. However, this affect ceases after about fifteen minutes of exposure, but begins again if the EMF is removed and reintroduced.(Ref 28)
A New Zealand study found that 50Hz power fields adversely affect the human immune function.(Ref 41)
1.3.4 Asthma, Arthritis, Diabetes, and
Psychological Disorders
A New Zealand study found significant increased risks for asthma, arthritis, and type-11 diabetes, and psychological disorders.(Ref 41)
Melatonin cleans the blood by removing highly reactive “free radicals” which cause cancer by reacting with and damaging DNA.(Ref 31)
The Pineal gland in the brain produces Melatonin. Melatonin governs sexual development, the bodies metabolism, sleep induction, depression, and the circadian rhythm, [Sleeping and waking, rest and activity (Ref 31)].(Ref 30)
Power line exposure in the order of 12mG increases the stress hormone ACTH and reduces melatonin in the blood stream.(Ref 38)
Five studies in Washington USA show a reduction in melatonin levels in humans exposed to EMF’s at work and at home.(Ref 24)
The human nervous system operates at frequencies below 20Hz and smooth (sinusoidal) magnetic fields below this affect human reaction time.(Ref 5)
Sleep patterns are disturbed by pulsed radio signals from mobile phones and mobile phone transmitters.(Ref 14)
Brain waves are adversely disturbed by the pulsed radio signals from mobile phones and transmitters.(Ref 15)
1.5.1 Improved Cancer Drug Effect
EMF’s at certain frequency’s increase the effect of drugs in the treatment of cancer.(Ref 28)
1.5.2 Improved Bone Fracture and Wound Healing
EMF’s at certain frequency’s improve and speed bone fracture healing, and wound healing.(Ref 28)
2 LIMITATIONS
OF CURRENT STUDIES
2.1 Transients And Harmonic Distortions Ignored
2.1.1 Most Studies Exclude Transients And
Distortions
Dr. David McCormick of the IIT Research Institute in Chicago conducted experiments meant to see if harmonic transient or intermittent EMF’s could alter pineal function in rats. He announced that his melatonin results were negative.(Ref 26)
However The IITRI’s exposure facility could only generate transients with frequencies of up to 2kHz.(Ref 27)
In the real world transients frequencies can reach hundreds of kilohertz, if not the low megahertz range.(Ref 26)
Most EMF animal studies use “pure” EMF sources, without high frequency transients and harmonic distortions that are common in electrical power systems in the real world.(Ref 7)
2.1.2 Adverse Effects Of Transients And
Distortions Shown
Less adverse effects are seen with more “pure” EMF’s.(Ref 24)
A Canadian study showed a significant link between high frequency transients and lung cancer among electricity workers.(Ref 25)
2.1.3 Transients and Distortions Above Background
Cellular Noise
People are exposed to EMF’s with transients and harmonics in our living and working environments. Cells are effected because EMF’s are above the cells normal noise level.(Ref 8)
Research shows signals in cells arising from transients, are significantly higher than the background cellular noise.(Ref 34)
2.2 Electric Fields Ignored
Dr. Larry Anderson’s Battelle Lab studies implicated both magnetic and electric field as causes of cancer.(Ref 9)
A Ontario study found when both electric and magnetic fields are taken into account, the risk of cancer in adults rose from 1.6 times (magnetic fields) to 11.2 times (magnetic and electric fields).(Ref 37)
2.3 Previously
Unrecognised Sources Of EMF’s
2.3.1 Extra Low EMF Frequencies
Most EMF detectors used are not sensitive to frequencies below 35-40Hz. This gives a distorted picture of exposure to these EMF’s. This therefore compromises study results.(Ref 3)
With Low frequencies undetected and unaccounted for, control groups are more effected by EMF’s than previously thought. This closes the gap of exposure between Study and Control groups.(Ref 4)
2.3.2 Extra Low EMF Frequencies Filtered Out
Low frequency fields below 35-45Hz are filtered out by the meters used in most of the EMF epidemiological studies published to date.
These are the EMDEX and AMDEX manufactured by Enertech Consultants in Cambell, CA and the POSITRON made by Positron Industries in Montreal, Canada
In a test the EMDEX read 5mG at 12Hz, in comparison to the F.W. Bell Triaxial Gaussmeter (model 4080) which is more sensitive to lower frequencies read 20mG at 12Hz.(Ref 4)
2.3.2 Rotating Car Tyre’s
EMF’s of 4mG on the drivers seat and 20mG on the rear seat have been measured in cars doing 30 mph.
Therefore a child travelling to school in the back seat for one hour may receive as much EMF exposure as from spending 24hrs at home.(Ref 3)
The metal cords in tyre’s are generally permanently magnetised, and consequently give rise to EMF’s when the car is in motion.
EMF’s of up to 50mG at 5 to 2,000 Hz have also been detected.(Ref 6)
In evaluating risk, a Relative Risk factor is calculated called RR. This is the rate for Exposed people in the study divided by the rate for the Unexposed (The control group). A value of 1 shows no risk [change in risk], Less than 1 means reduced risk, while greater than 1 is increased risk.
In a Denver Study in the USA - Ref 20 the RR was 1.5
In almost all studies relating an “electrical occupation” and cancer rates, the RR varied between 0.7 and 2.0 [an average of 1.35].
A Scandinavian study conducted in the early 1990’s showed a RR factor of about 2.(Ref 22)
Relative Risk Factors much below 1.5 are generally said to be too low to worry about, but this is only true if there is a large difference in exposures to the risk between control and “exposed” groups.
With EMF’s these low Relative Risk Factors represent a more significant effect as both the “control” groups and exposed groups are both exposed to relatively large doses of EMF’s.
3 ADMISSIONS, CONTRADICTIONS & MISREPRESENTATIONS
3.1.1 The NCRP (USA)
There is a connection between ELF EMF exposures and disruption of normal biological processes.
There is a link between EMF’s and –
. Childhood and adult leukemia and brain cancer
Child deformities and other reproductive anomalies.
Adverse nervous and hormonal responses causing disease.
Incorrect development of the nervous system.
Cancer and Tumor development.
Gene mutation.
Reduction of the natural defense response of T-Cells.
Changes in psychosexual response.
Melatonin reduction
The evidence points to human health hazards in common exposures to EMF’s, particularly magnetic fields exceeding 2mG and electric fields between 10-100 Volts per metre.(Ref 39)
3.1.2 The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
On June 24, 1992, a working group of the NIEHS voted 19 to 9 in favour of categorising ELF EMF’s as possible carcinogens, based on results of studies of children exposed at home, and workers exposed on the job.(Ref 23)
3.2.1 The National Health and Medical Research Council (Aust)
[The NHMRC guidelines of 1,000mG and 5,000mG] are not intended to provide protection against possible cancer due to continued exposure at the lower field levels implicated.” (Ref 40) [see 5.1 below]
3.2.2 The Australian Radiation Laboratory
¨ “The overall pattern of results to date is that exposure to magnetic fields may increase slightly the risk of cancer.”
¨ “Studies have shown that WEAK [electric] fields can have effects on several biological processes. They alter hormone and enzyme levels and the rate of movement of some chemicals through living tissue.”
¨ “[Exposure to EMF’s] resulted in an increased cancer incidence in laboratory animals.”
¨ “..studies have reported that children living near high current transmission and distribution lines had a higher cancer incidence than other children.”
¨ “..adults living near high current transmission and distribution lines had a higher incidence [of cancer] than other adults.”
¨ “Over thirty studies have reported that adults, working in higher than average magnetic fields, had higher incidences of cancers (usually leukemia, brain tumors or breast cancers) than other adults.”
¨ “At this stage, any action to reduce exposure must rest with the individual.”(Ref 17)
3.2.3 Royal Adelaide Hospital
“Increased incidence of cancer, in some studies is associated with residential proximity to high-current power lines, resulting from exposure to high-frequency transients.
In our study the magnetic fields were switched on and off in a manner that minimised the production of transients.”(Ref 32)
3.2.4 The American Linet Study
Linet study researchers stated four times that there is a statistically significant increase in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in children exposed to powerline magnetic EMF’s in excess of 3mG.(Ref 35)
3.3.1 The Australian Radiation Laboratory
“There is no evidence that these [magnetic] fields cause immediate, permanent harm.”
“the scientific evidence does not indicate that exposure to 50Hz EMF’s found near power lines is a hazard to human health.”(Ref 18)
[see 3.2.2 above]
3.3.2 Royal Adelaide Hospital
“No increase in incidence of a cancer of the immune system called Lymphoma was detected in mice after prolonged exposure to magnetic fields of the type emitted by electric power lines and equipment”.
(Ref 32) [see 3.2.3 above]
3.3.3 The American Linet Study
The researches of the Linet study dismissed a 24% increase in leukemia risk for children exposed to “especially high magnetic fields” as a “statistical fluke”.
This was done because they had arbitrarily set a 2mG level as a cut off limit, and any levels above this were thus ignored.(Ref 35)
[see 3.2.4 above]
3.4.1 USA EPA Review
A review of current research for the EPA in America concluded that EMF’s from power lines, microwaves and radiowaves be declared probable carcinogens.
The White House and the Air Force declared that the report should not be published on the grounds of national security and such a report would alarm the public.
The administrators of the EPA changed the conclusions to say there was no proven effect.(Ref 11)
3.4.2 Royal Adelaide Hospital
“No increase in incidence of a cancer of the immune system called Lymphoma was detected in mice after prolonged exposure to magnetic fields of the type emitted by electric power lines and equipment”.
(Ref 32) [see 3.2.3 above]
3.4.3 The American Linet Study
The researches of the Linet study dismissed a 24% increase in leukemia risk for children exposed to “especially high magnetic fields” as a “statistical fluke”.
This was done because they had arbitrarily set a 2mG level as a cut off limit, and any levels above this were thus ignored.(Ref 35)
If a level of 3mG had been chosen as their arbitrary limit, the conclusions would have been that there IS a significant risk.(Ref 36)
4.1 USA EPA Review
4.1.1 Lower Microwave Limit Recommended (Safer)
Dr. Neil. J. Cherry recommended that the limit on exposure to RF microwaves be limited to 0.1 micro watts per cm2.(Ref 11)
4.1.2 Push to Increase The Australian Microwave Limit (Less Safe)
Current limits in Australia are set at 200 micro watts per cm2, but a push is being made by industry for it to be raised to 500 micro watts per cm2 for mobile phone transmitter cell sites.(Ref 12)
4.2 Australian
Radiation Laboratory
4.2.1 Electric Blankets
“Using an electric blanket to warm the bed and switching it off before climbing in will virtually eliminate what could be significant exposure.”
4.2.2 Power Lines
“Locating bedrooms towards the rear of the house reduces dramatically the exposure due to distribution lines in front of the house.”
4.2.3 Electric Hot Water Systems
“Moving a bed away from an outside wall which has an electric hot water service on the other side will also reduce exposures.”(Ref 17)
4.3 National
Council on Radiation Protection (USA)
The NCRP recommends a 2mG exposure limit to magnetic EMF’s.
Over a three year period, exposures in existing homes schools and offices should be reduced to 10mG.
After six years, there should be an option to establish a 5mG limit.
After ten years, a 2mG limit should be considered.(Ref 39)
5 CURRENT STANDARDS
5.1 Present Guidelines Set By The NHMRC (Aust)
“The recommended magnetic field exposure limit for members of the public (24 hour exposure) is 1,000 mG and for occupational exposure (the whole working day) is 5,000 mG.”
“the above NHMRC limits do not apply to the avoidance of cancer risk resulting from chronic exposure to 50Hz magnetic fields.” (Ref 18)
The Australian standard 2772 (1985) sets the maximum safe levels of exposure to microwaves to persons on or about the craft (boat containing radar’s) to average levels not exceeding 200 micro Watts per cm2 or to peak levels of 1,000,000 micro Watts per cm2.(Ref 19)
5.3.1 Induced Electricity In Humans
The WHO established its standards to limit electricity induced in the body generally to 10mA per m2. For this reason the EMF limits are relatively high and do not take into account adverse health effects.
One criteria is simply stated “If RF fields induce currents significantly exceeding [the] background level in the body, there is a possibility of adverse health consequences.”(Ref 22)
5.3.2 Induced Heat In Humans
Similarly another criteria used is “localised RF exposure should not cause any local temperature increases in excess of 1oC.” This again does not take into account adverse health effects. (Ref 22)
CONCLUSIONS
The excuse of using the Relative Risk Factor to ignore results has been abused when results are clearly above a factor of 1. The risk factor must be more carefully judged when comparing to the soup of EMF’s effecting the control group
Studies are looking for effects from specific EMF’s within a soup of EMF’s our living and working environments are submerged in, making it difficult to detect what would normally be significant effects.
It is like trying to detect the difference between a smoker of 2 packs a day with a smoker of 3 packs a day, and saying smoking 3 packs a day doesn’t carry much risk because there is not much difference from smoking 2 packs per day.
A rural electricity meter reader (deemed an electrical worker) driving around in a car all day will have a significant magnetic field exposure below 35Hz from the vehicles tyre’s, but relatively little exposure at power frequencies.
Yet he is commonly reported as being an electricity worker, and thus assumed to have more exposure to power supply EMF’s than the general public.
It is clear that different frequencies can have vastly different effects, some beneficial, most adverse, It is clear that current studies have not adequately discovered the vast range of effects, the mechanisms effected or processes taking place within the human body.
Moving in and out of ELF EMF’s is more dangerous to white blood cells than staying within the EMF all day.
It is clear that alternating EMF levels much above 2mG do have adverse health effects.
Having such important exposure limits as guidelines that do not have to be followed, is not satisfactory.
More studies are required to discover –
1. The effects of different frequency’s of EMF’s.
2. The effects of transients and harmonic distortions.
3. The effects of electric fields.
4. The wide range of effects EMF’s have on the body.
Action should be taken to reduce EMF’s from current common sources by -
1. Degaussing car tyre’s and the use of nonmagnetic wire in car tyre’s.
2. Moving High Voltage Power lines, Radio & TV Towers, and mobile phone cell sites away from hospitals, schools, homes and where people work.
3. Burying Power lines, gaining the benefits of shielding from steel wire armoring around underground cables, and reduction in EMF radiation by the partial self canceling of magnetic fields between cables.
4. Electric blankets should be made to automatically switch off when a person is lying on them.
5. Public awareness should be raised so people can actively reduce their exposure such as by locating bedrooms away from power lines.
1. The protection of the general public in Australia should be raised by eventually changing the limit on electromagnetic fields to 2 milli Gauss and immediately establishing a limit on electric fields to 100 Volts per metre.
The recommendations made by the NCRP USA should be implemented –
Ø Over a three year period, exposures in existing homes schools and offices should be reduced to 10mG.
Ø After six years, there should be an option to establish a 5mG limit.
Ø After ten years, a limit of 2mG should be considered.
2. These changes in the exposure limits should be legislated and incorporated into the Australian Standards.
APPENDIX 1
F A Frequency implies that a change in direction of an item
being observed has taken place.
EMF “Electromagnetic Fields” - for the purpose of this report means
electromagnetic AND electric fields.
ELF Extra Low Frequency
i.e. between 0Hz up to 300 Hz (cycles per second)
RF EMF’s at Radio Frequency’s
Microwave Electromagnetic waves at microwave frequency’s
Gauss – G a measure of magnetic field strength
i.e. the strength of attraction of a magnet.
Amp – A a measure of the volume of flow of electricity by the number
of electrons passing a given point in a given time.
Volt – V a measure of electrical pressure,
i.e. the difference in the number of electrons in a given area
(minus) as opposed to another area (plus).
Volts per metre a measure of electric field strength.
i.e. electrical pressure per metre between two points.
Watt – W a measure of power delivered or consumed
i.e. the amount of energy delivered or consumed.
Hertz – Hz Cycles per second e.g. the 50Hz power supply in your home
changes direction 50 times every second.
Mega – M the unit of measure multiplied by 1,000,000
e.g. 1 Mega Hertz (MHz) is 1 million Hertz
Kilo – k the unit of measure multiplied by 1,000
e.g. 1 Kilo Hertz (kHz) is 1 thousand Hertz
milli – m the unit of measure divided by 1,000
e.g. 1 milli Amp (mA) is 1 thousandth of an Amp
micro the unit of measure divided by 1,000,000
e.g. 1 micro Amp is 1 millionth of an Amp
APPENDIX 2
Typical 50Hz Power, Magnetic Field Strengths Around The Home. (Ref 42)
Background 1.2 mG
Background near an Electrical Substation 5 mG
At Wall next to Electrical Substation 14 mG
Computer @ 1 meter 1 mG
Clothes Iron @ handle 80 mG
Clothes Iron @ 1/3 meter 8 mG
Home Welding Transformer at no load @ 1 meter 15 mG
Home Welding Transformer at full load @ 1 meter 150 mG
Angle Grinder @ hand 700 mG
Drill @ forefinger 7,000 mG
Drill @ wrist 2,000 mG
Electric Blanket 48 mG
Typical Magnetic Field Strengths Near High Current Power Lines. (Ref 18)
Background around the home 0.1 to 2.5 mG
Background around the home near power lines 5 to 10 mG
Background under power lines 60-100 mG
Typical RF Field Power Levels Per Metre Square
In A Large City From Sources Such as
Mobile Phones, Radio Transmission, TV Transmission etc. (Ref 43)
From the Sun 0.01 milli Watts per m2
Average Background 5 milli Watts per m2
1% of the population exposed to RF fields exceeding 10 milli Watts per m2
Typical Frequencies given off by computer VDU’s and TV’s. (Ref 44)
Power Supply 50 Hz
Vertical Deflection Coils 50 to 90 Hz
Horizontal Deflection Coils 15-35 kHz
Various Radio, TV and Microwave Frequencies. (Ref 45)
AM Radio and TV 530 kHz to 170 kHz
FM Radio and TV 88 MHz to 108 MHz
Mobile Phones 800 MHz
Microwave Ovens and Transmitters 3,000 MHz and upward
REFERENCES
1. Dr. Chung-Yi Li of the College of Medicine at Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, and Dr’s Wei-Chin Lee and Ruey Shiung Lin of National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Reported in the February Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (40, pp.144-147,1998).
2. Li, Lin and Dr. Gilles Theriault of McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Reported in MicroWave News M/J97.
3. Samuel Milham, MD
2318 Gravelly Beach Loop, NW Olympia, WA 98502.
James B. Hatfield, PE Hatfield and Dawson Consulting Engineers Inc.
9500 Greenwood Acve. N, Seattle, WA 98103.
Richard A. Tell of Richard Tell Associates Inc.
8309 Garnet Canyon Lane Las Vegas, NV 89129.
4. Dr William Kaune of EM Factors in Richland, WA.
5. H. Friedman, R.O. Becker and C.H. Bachman, “Effects of Magnetic Fields on Reaction Time Performance,” Nature, 213, pp.949-950, 1967.
6. K. Vedholm and Y.K. Hamnerius, “Personal Exposure from Low Frequency Electromagnetc Fields in Automobiles,” 2nd World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine, Bologna, Italy, 1997.
7. Kolomytkin, 1994, “Response of Brain Receptor Systems to Microwave Energy Exposure”, “On The Nature of Electromagnetic Field Interactions with Biological Systems” Ed. Dr. Allen Frey, Randomline, Potomac, MD, Pub R.G. Landes Company.
8. Dr. Michael Repacholi of the World Health Organisation, Microwave News J/A95 and S/O95
9. Dr. Maria Stuchly, University of Victoria, Canada, peer reviewer of Dr. Larry Anderson’s, “Battelle Labs Studies”, Reported in Microwave news, J/A96.
10. Dr. Jukka Juutilainen, of Finland, at the Bioelectromagnetics Society Workshop at the Catholic University of America in Washington 6 Feb 1997
11. Dr. Neil J. Cherry, Lincoln University Canterbury New Zealand. “1989-1990 Review of current research” for EPA USA.
12. Current Australian standard 2772 (1985) sets the maximum safe levels of exposure to microwaves to persons on or about the craft (boat’s containing radar’s) to average levels not exceeding 200 micro Watts per cm2 or to peak levels of 1,000,000 micro Watts per cm2
13. Telstra Australia, “The Hocking Study”, Research into the health effects of TV transmitter towers in Sydney,
14. Mann and Roschke, “Effects of Pulsed High-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Human Sleep”, Neuropsychobiology 1996 Vol 33 pp 41-47.
15. Von Klitzing, “Low-Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Influence EEG of Man”, Physica Medica, April-June 1995 Vol 11 pp77-80
16. Dr. W. Ross Adey M.D.,1979,”Neurophysiologic Effects of Radio Frequency and Microwave Radiation”, Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, Vol. 55, No 11 pp 1079-1093.
17. Commonwealth of Australia – Australian Radiation Laboratory, 1995, “50Hz Electric and Magnetic Fields”, www.health.gov.au/arl/is_idx.htm
18. Commonwealth of Australia – Australian Radiation Laboratory, 1995, “The Controversy Over Electromagnetic Fields and Possible Adverse Health Effects”, www.health.gov.au/arl/is_idx.htm
19. Commonwealth of Australia – Australian Radiation Laboratory, 1995, “Marine Radar’s Mounted on Small Craft”, www.health.gov.au/arl/is_idx.htm
20. Nancy Wertheimer and E. Leeper, 1979,”Electrical Wiring Configurations and Childhood Cancer”, Am J Epidemiol., 109:273-284. Denver Colorado Study.
21. Dr James Stebbings, (Acute Mieolecytic leukemia) “New York Power Lines Project”, Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago, USA.
22. World Health Organisation, Elfrpt.htm, Fact182.htm, Fact193.htm, www.who.ch/
23. Special Report: “NIEHS Panel Finds EMF’s Are Possible Human Carcinogens”, NIEHS_PANEL.DOC, Microwave News N/D92.
24. Dr. Larry Anderson, “Battelle Labs Studies”, Richland,WA, as reported at the third NIEHS science symposium, Phoenix, USA.
25. Dr Gilles Theriault, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, as reported in the Microwave News N/D/94.
26. Dr. Antonio Sastre, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, Phoenix meeting.
27. William Feero, Electric Research and Management Inc, designer of the IITRI facility.
28. Dr. Ross Adey M.D., of the VA Medical Centre, Research Service, Loma Linda, California, USA, ”The Health Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation”, the Science Show Broadcast 26.5.84 at 1900hrs Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
29. “Cell-To Cell Communication Via Chemical Signaling”, Cells: Their Structures and Functions, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998.
30. “Pineal Gland”, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998.
31. “Circadian Rhythm”, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998.
32. A.W. Harris, and A. Basten of the Royal Adelaide Hospital ELF Mice Study (33).
33. the Royal Adelaide Hospital ELF Mice Study, “A Test of Lymphoma Induction by Long-Term Exposure of Eu-Pim1 Transgenic Mice to 50Hz Magnetic Fields Radiation Research”, 1998.
34. Antonio Sastre, “Residential Magnetic Field Transients: How Do Their Induced Transmembrane Voltages Compare to Thermal Noise?” Paper No. A-33, DOE, 1994
G.B. Johnston, R. Kavet, “Residential Magnetic Field Transients. Effect of Residential Services on Fields Arising from Distribution Line Capacitor Bank Switching.” Paper No. P-130A, BEMS, 1995.
35. M. S. Linet, E. E. Hatch, R. A. Kleinerman, L. L. Robinson, W. T. Kaune, D. R. Freidman, R. K. Severson, C. M. Haines, C. T. Hartstock, S. Niwa, S. Wacholder, R. E. Tarone, “Residential Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children”, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, 1997.
36. Sam Milham, Washington Sate Epidemiologist.
37. Dr. Anthony Miller, Toronto University, Canada, “Ontario Hydro Adult Worker Study”, 1996
38. D. R. Maisch, “Melatonin, Tamoxifen, 50-60Hz Electromagnetic Fields and Breast Cancer: A Discussion Paper.” Tabled in the Australian Senate, 29 October 1997.
39. United States National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Draft report guidelines from “Review of the Biological Effects of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) EMF’s.
40. Dr. Keith Lokan, Australian Radiation Laboratory, “Conference Paper”, Radiation Protection in Australia, Vol9, No.4., 1991.
41. I. L. Beale, R. J. Booth, N. E. Pearce, “Chronic Health Problems in Adults Living Near High-Voltage Transmission Lines: Evidence for a Dose-Response Relation with Magnetic Field Exposure” as reported in Bioelectromagnetics, 18: 584-594, 1997.
42. Bruce Ayling Electronic Engineer, CSIRO, ”The Health Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation”, the Science Show Broadcast 26.5.84 at 1900hrs Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
43. World Health Organisation, Fact183.htm, www.who.ch/
44. World Health Organisation, Fact201.htm, www.who.ch/
45. J . H. Kilar, ES&H Coordinator, ECT-EE, “Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and Your Health”, Intra-Laboratory Memo, Sept 1997, Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago, USA.
46. Dr Michael Repacholi, Prof Tony Basten, Dr Alan Harris, Val Gebski – Royal Adelaide Hospital study into cellular phones and cancer involving mice, funded by Telstra published April 1997. See Microwave News VolXVII No.3 May/June “Digital Mobile Phone Radiation Boosts Cancer Rate in Mice” avail HTTP://www.microwavenews.com/m-97vws.pdf
Electromagnetic Fields are called EMF's for short, are produced by electricity and include two types.
Electric EMF's and Magnetic EMF's
Electric EMF's are like what makes hair stand on end when mad scientists touch their high voltage generators.
Electric fields are measured in volts per metre which measures how much electrical pressure exists between two points.
Magnetic EMF's which are like the magnetism from a magnet which attracts metal and the earth's magnetic field which attracts a compass needle
The strength of magnetic fields are measured in GAUSS, a measure of magnetic field strength. It is named after Karl Friedrich Gauss, a man who did pioneering work in electromagnetism.
It is also measured in milli Gauss which is one thousandth of a gauss
Man
Made EMF's Are Alternating
The earth's magnetic field is said to be about1 Gauss, but it is static as it is acting in one direction only.
The main problem with man made EMF's is that they are alternating, which means they are changing direction many times a second.
For example the electric power in your home and in the powerlines around suburbs changes direction 50 times every second or at 50Hertz.
This means that the EMF's that electric power gives off is also changing direction at 50 Hertz.
It has been found that these alternating magnetic and
electric EMF's have adverse heath effects in the human body.
Leukemia
From powerlines with magnetic field strengths of between 2mG and 60 to 100mG at 50Hz
Cancer
Microwaves from aeroplane and boat radars, at 3000 MHz and upwards and mobile phones at around 800 MHz.
Arrestment
of Embryo Development
Between 10 to 100Hz at 2.5mG at the embryo itself. The EMF's affect a special coating on cells within the embryo which allows the cells to move to their correct position within the embryo. With damage to this coating the cells no longer move and development stops.
Immune
System
50Hz EMF's Reduces the white blood cells ability to kill invading bacteria and neutralise foreign substances.
Melatonin
levels
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin levels in the blood rise during sleep. Melatonin cleans the blood of highly reactive substances called free radicals which damage anything they come into contact with. This damage can cause cancer.
Melatonin also governs sexual development, the bodies metabolism, depression, and the sleeping and waking cycle.
Intercellular
Communication
EMF's effect the way cells talk to each other in the body thus our bodies reactions and processes are speeded up or slowed down making us seem more awake or less awake.
Brainwaves
EMF's also modify our brainwaves
Sources of EMF's
Powerlines in the street and in the home
(These EMF's are mainly a problem when there is large power use from them)
TV
and Radio Transmitters
Radar's
on boats and aircraft
Mobile phones and mobile phone transmitting towers
Car tyre's with magnetised metal cords when they rotate give off 4 to 50mG from 6 to 2000Hz on the back seat.
Electric
Blankets
Background EMF's are everywhere
One big problem with studies to date is that so called control groups are exposed to nearly as much EMF's as the "exposed groups" Therefore it is like trying to detect the difference between a smoker of 3 packs of cigarettes a day and a smoker of 2 packs a day.
It is clear however that exposure to alternating magnetic EMF's of much more than 2mG and is a health hazards, and we should all do our best to minimise our exposure where ever possible.
This can be done in many ways such as turning off electric blankets before getting into bed, situating bedrooms away from powerlines at the front of houses, and high power devices in the home such as electric hot water systems, and main power cables.
F A Frequency implies that a change in direction of an item
being observed has taken place.
EMF “Electromagnetic Fields” - for our purpose this means
electromagnetic AND electric fields.
ELF Extra Low Frequency
i.e. between 0Hz up to 300 Hz (cycles per second)
RF EMF’s at Radio Frequency’s
Microwave Electromagnetic waves at microwave frequency’s
Gauss – G a measure of magnetic field strength
i.e. the strength of attraction of a magnet.
Amp – A a measure of the volume of flow of electricity by the number
of electrons passing a given point in a given time.
Volt – V a measure of electrical pressure,
i.e. the difference in the number of electrons in a given area
(minus) as opposed to another area (plus).
Volts per metre a measure of electric field strength.
i.e. electrical pressure per metre between two points.
Watt – W a measure of power delivered or consumed
i.e. the amount of energy delivered or consumed.
Hertz – Hz Cycles per second e.g. the 50Hz power supply in your home
changes direction 50 times every second.
Mega – M the unit of measure multiplied by 1,000,000
e.g. 1 Mega Hertz (MHz) is 1 million Hertz
Kilo – k the unit of measure multiplied by 1,000
e.g. 1 Kilo Hertz (kHz) is 1 thousand Hertz
milli – m the unit of measure divided by 1,000
e.g. 1 milli Amp (mA) is 1 thousandth of an Amp
micro the unit of measure divided by 1,000,000
e.g. 1 micro Amp is 1 millionth of an Amp
Typical 50Hz Power, Magnetic Field Strengths Around The Home
Background 1.2 mG
Background near an Electrical Substation 5 mG
At Wall next to Electrical Substation 14 mG
Computer @ 1 meter 1 mG
Clothes Iron @ handle 80 mG
Clothes Iron @ 1/3 meter 8 mG
Home Welding Transformer at no load @ 1 meter 15 mG
Home Welding Transformer at full load @ 1 meter 150 mG
Angle Grinder @ hand 700 mG
Drill @ forefinger 7,000 mG
Drill @ wrist 2,000 mG
Electric Blanket 48 mG
Typical Magnetic Field Strengths Near High Current Power Lines
Background around the home normally 0.1 to 2.5 mG
Background around the home near power lines 5 to 10 mG
Background under power lines 60-100 mG
Typical RF Field Power Levels Per Metre Square
In A Large City From Sources Such as
Mobile Phones, Radio Transmission, TV Transmission etc.
From the Sun (not alternating) 0.01 milli Watts per m2
Average Background 5 milli Watts per m2
1% of the population exposed to RF fields exceeding 10 milli Watts per m2
Typical Frequencies given off by computer VDU’s and TV’s
Power Supply 50 Hz
Vertical Deflection Coils 50 to 90 Hz
Horizontal Deflection Coils 15-35 kHz
Various Radio, TV and Microwave Frequencies
AM Radio and TV 530 kHz to 170 kHz
FM Radio and TV 88 MHz to 108 MHz
Mobile Phones 800 MHz
Microwave Ovens and Transmitters 3,000 MHz and upward