The majority of us are accustomed to the contemporary comforts of electronics. But very few of us are aware of the potential health concerns posed by the technological advancements that keep our society running.
Invisible energy waves are emitted by our electricity lines, telephones, microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, laptops, and other products. Anywhere electricity is utilized, both at home and at work, electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are created.
Some specialists worry that electromagnetic fields might have negative health impacts.
Should we be concerned, though?
Some scientists continue to doubt the safety of EMF exposure, despite the fact that the majority of experts disagree that most EMFs are hazardous. Many claim that not enough study has been done to determine if EMFs are safe. Let's look more closely.
What are EMFs?
The sun has been emitting waves that produce electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, since the universe's inception. We can observe the sun's energy radiating out at the same time as it emits EMFs. This light can be seen.
Electric power lines and indoor lights became widely used around the start of the 20th century. EMFs are naturally produced by the sun, and scientists discovered that the power lines giving all that electricity to the world's population were also producing them.
Over time, scientists discovered that a large number of newly developed electrical equipment also produce EMFs. As medicine developed, it was discovered that several of its diagnostic and therapeutic tools, including X-ray and CT imaging systems, produced EMFs.
90% of people on the planet now have access to and utilize electricity and electrical equipment. It follows that a significant amount of power and EMFs are produced globally.
However, despite all of those waves, most experts do not believe that EMFs pose a health risk.
Types of EMF exposure
There is radiation throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. On one end of the spectrum, this radiation has extremely high energy (also known as high frequency), and on the other, it is very low energy (also known as low frequency).
Examples of high-energy radiation include:
x-rays
gamma rays
some higher-energy ultraviolet (UV) rays
This radiation is ionizing, which means that it has the ability to "ionize," or remove one electron from an atom, cells at the atomic level. Ionizing radiation may harm the DNA and cells in the body, which might lead to cancer and genetic abnormalities.
Extremely low-frequency (ELF) radiation is at the other end of the spectrum. This kind of radiation is non-ionizing. The majority of studies concur that it is insufficient to harm DNA or cells, despite the fact that it can cause atoms to vibrate or move around in the body.
In between ELF radiation and high-energy radiation on the spectrum are other types of non-ionizing radiation, like:
radiofrequency (RF) radiation
visible light
infrared
In most types of radiation, the electric and magnetic fields combine to form a single field. The outcome is referred to as an electromagnetic field (EMF).
However, the magnetic and electric fields of ELF radiation can function separately. Therefore, we refer to these two various fields in ELF radiation by the words "magnetic field" and "electric field."
In summary, here are the two types of EMFs that you might be exposed to:
High-frequency EMFs. This kind of radiation is ionizing. The scientific community concurs that prolonged exposures can harm cells or DNA. dependable source Low quantities of this radiation are produced by medical devices like X-ray machines and CT scanners. Gamma radiation from radioactive substances and UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds are other sources.
Low- to mid-frequency EMFs. This kind of radiation is non-ionizing. It is considered to be innocuous to individuals and moderate. This radiation is emitted by common household items including microwave ovens, smartphones, hair dryers, and washing machines, as well as by power lines and MRI equipment. Extremely low frequency EMFs (ELF-EMFs) and radiofrequency EMFs are included in this group of EMFs (RF-EMFs).
Non-ionizing EMFs can be produced by both natural and artificial processes. An illustration of a natural EMF is the earth's magnetic field. Two categories of EMFs produced by non-ionizing radiation and created by humans are recognized:
Extremely low-frequency EMFs (ELF-EMFs). Several things, including power lines, electrical cabling, and home equipment like electric shavers, hair dryers, and blankets, can produce this non-ionizing radiation field.
Radiofrequency radiation. Wireless gadgets including mobile phones, smart meters, tablets, and laptop computers create this non-ionizing radiation field. Additionally, MRI equipment, radar, satellite stations, and radio and television broadcasts also produce it.
Sources of radiation
As you get farther away from the source of the waves, the strength of the EMF exposure lessens. The following are some typical sources of EMFs with various radiation levels:
Non-ionizing radiation
microwave ovens
computers
smart meters
wireless (Wi-Fi) routers
cellphones
Bluetooth devices
power lines
MRI machines
Ionizing radiation
ultraviolet light (UV) radiation. UV radiation comes naturally from the sun, and from man-made sources like tanning beds, phototherapy, and welding torches
X-rays and gamma rays. This type of radiation comes from both natural and human-made sources. Natural sources include radon gas, the earth’s radioactive elements, and cosmic rays that hit the earth from beyond the solar system. Human-made sources include medical X-rays and CT scans and cancer treatment.
Research on harmfulness
In the scientific literature, there is dispute on whether and how significant of a threat EMFs are to human health.
Non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the radiofrequency range have been categorized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 2B, a potential human carcinogen. Electronic gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices generate these fields.
The World Health Organization oversees IARC (WHO). It frequently brings together working groups of scientists from different countries to assess the cancer risks posed to people by environmental and lifestyle variables.
In particular, glioma, a malignant form of brain cancer, was mentioned as a potential association between RF radiation and cancer in individuals in the most recent IARC study from 2011.
According to this finding, there may be some danger. The study underscored the necessity for the scientific community to closely examine the relationship between cellphone use and the risk of developing cancer. It stated that further study was required to fully understand significant, ongoing cell phone use.
According to some academics, the IARC should change the categorization of non-ionizing radiation to a Group 1, a recognized carcinogen, because there is already sufficient proof of harm from prolonged, low-level exposure.
In what would become the biggest study, researchers started digging deeply into the potential connection between smartphones and cancer in 2000.
Comparing cancer cases in those who use cellphones and others who don't.
More than 5,000 people in 13 nations were monitored for cellphone use and cancer rates by the researchers. They discovered a tenuous link between glioma and the exposure rate that was greatest.
The side of the head where persons typically spoke on the phone was where the gliomas were most frequently discovered.
However, the researchers said that the link was insufficient to draw the conclusion that smartphone usage causes cancer.
In a smaller, more recent study, researchers examined data collected over almost two decades and discovered that those exposed to high concentrations of ELF-EMFs over an extended period of time had a higher chance of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a kind of adult leukemia.
European researchers also discovered a potential connection between EMF and pediatric leukemia. According to a review of prior research, ELF-EMFs may be responsible for up to 5% of cases of juvenile leukemia.
However, they pointed out that the lack of EMF monitoring made the outcome equivocal. They suggested conducting additional research and improving monitoring.
One analysis
According to more than two dozen research on low-frequency EMFs, which are cited by Trusted Source, these energy fields may contribute to a variety of neurological and psychological issues in humans.
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), or brief burst of electromagnetic radiation, has been shown in one study to have an impact on rats' nerve activity.
They proposed that prolonged EMP exposure may be detrimental to cognitive function and might result in pathology resembling Alzheimer's disease. They also stated the need for greater study.
Additionally, preliminary study shows that the heat produced by RF-EMFs may have an impact on the body's tissues and neurological system. According to a study on rats and mice, the heat from cellphones may have an impact on neuronal activity and bodily tissue heatingTrusted Source. More research, according to academics, is required.
One further review of the research
Radiofrequency EMFs have been linked to neurological and cognitive impairments, according to a reliable source. The outcomes of the published research, however, may not necessarily be applicable to humans because it was conducted either on cells or animals.
Most scientists agreed that more investigation was required.
Possible symptoms related to EMFs in the studies included:
headache
tremor
dizziness
memory loss
loss of concentration
sleep disturbance
Danger levels
Depending on where you reside, a variety of agencies monitor and enforce EMF exposure levels at the global, national, and local levels using a patchwork of different processes.
A database that lists the vastly varying exposure limits and enforcement procedures in several nations is kept up by the electric industry in the United Kingdom.
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection provides the majority of international guidelines on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) (ICNIRP). It bases its recommendations on an analysis of years' worth of peer-reviewed scientific research about the negative effects of RF EMF exposure on human health.
ICNIRP is a non-governmental organization that has been approved as a Trusted Source by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The World Health Organization (WHO) modified its global ICNIRP guidelines in 2020 to recommend limiting exposure to higher RF electromagnetic fields between 100 KHz (kilohertz) and 300 GH (gigahertz).
The "fundamental restriction" in the ICNERP rules now states that employees shouldn't be subjected to current electric densities in their head, neck, and trunk that are larger than 10 mA m-2 while at work.
For the general population, a lower limit of 2 mA m-2 is specified to allow for youngsters and those who could be more sensitive.
Electric current density is measured using the equation 10 mA m-2. It means "10 milliamperes per square meter."
One thousandth of an ampere is called a milliampere. It is the level above which effects of electric and magnetic fields on body tissue and mental function have been demonstrated.
Although a few states have enacted their own regulations, there are no federal limitations on the total amount of EMF exposure in the United States. Additionally, monitoring EMF exposure from certain items and technology is the duty of several federal governmental organizations.
In the US, guidelines for EMF exposure are coordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The ICNERP Guidelines are commonly used.
The ICNERP EMF exposure limits shield individuals from "well-known biological and physiological impacts of exposure to high EMF levels," according to the EPA's EMF Guidelines.
But when it comes to modest doses of EMF radiation, the EPA has a different perspective. Because there is no scientific proof that low levels of electromagnetic radiation harm people's health, the EPA stated in its EMF Guidelines that it neither recommends nor imposes limitations on low-level EMFs.
The EPA released its 2020 official reportTrusted Source, a literature analysis of 70 significant research carried out between 2008 and 2018, to back up its claim on the relative safety of low-level EMF radiation. The report included a variety of other health issues in addition to cancer.
The management of EMF exposure from diverse technologies, facilities, and goods is a special responsibility of a number of governmental entities in the United States. Local governments occasionally enact their own restrictions and rules.
Here are some examples of federal controls:
electronic gadgets
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source establishes standards for all electronic devices that generate ionizing or non-ionizing radiation.
mobile phones
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and cell phone towers and establishes exposure limits. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), together with participation from other governmental organizations, produced the standards on which the FCC's rules and regulations are based.
Digital meters.
The smart meters—those devices on the sides of homes and businesses that employ a cellular transmitter to measure electricity consumption—emit radiation, and the FCC sets exposure limits for that radiation.
electric wires. EMFs from electricity lines are currently not subject to any government regulations in either residential or commercial settings.
usage in medicine.
Ionizing radiation is used by many medical equipment and processes to identify and treat diseases and illnesses. Radiation treatment, CT scans, and X-rays are a few examples. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the FDA, the EPA, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission all have regulatory responsibilities for the safety of these treatments and equipment (NRC).
nuclear energy
The EPA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the NRC are a few regulatory organizations that share responsibilities for policing nuclear energy and organizing emergency response.
Imported products.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) screens imported goods to be sure they’re free of harmful substances.
Workplace.
Exposure to EMF in workplaces is governed by legislation and enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
EMFs in daily life
Magnetic fields are created by electric current, whereas electric fields are created by voltage. In V/m, electric fields are measured (volts per meter). Magnetic field strength is expressed in T. (microteslas). At various times and places, both electric and magnetic fields have variable strengths.
Different devices consume different amounts of voltage, which causes variations in electric fields. The electric field will be greater the higher the voltage that is applied to a device. Even when there is no current flowing, there is still an electric field.
Electric current creates magnetic fields, which change according on the strength and volume of the current being utilized. The magnetic field will be greater the more electric current a gadget utilizes.
The wide range of magnetic field intensities surrounding items can surprise you. It's possible that the size or power of the gadget has no bearing on the magnetic field's intensity. Additionally, even amongst comparable items, the magnetic field's intensity might differ significantly.
For instance, some hair dryers create a lot of EMF while others barely do. Everything is based on the product design. Additionally, the amount of exposure varies greatly depending on how close you are to the device and how long you are exposed.
It is challenging to determine the EMF for items with accuracy because to these variations. However, the EPA nationally as well as globally as well as WHOTrusted Source and ICNERP have claimed that the usual living environment's EMF exposure is quite low.
Learn more about some of the most prevalent EMF fields in the following paragraphs.
Power lines
Under high-voltage transmission lines, we frequently experience the greatest electric fields.
This high voltage is lowered by transformers before it enters your house or place of business. In certain ways, your house's walls can serve as a protection. The field is strongest just beneath the power lines.
With distance, both magnetic and electric fields experience a considerable loss in strength. The field is weaker the farther away your residence is from high-voltage power lines. The magnetic field in the background may be quite weak in residences that are not close to power lines.
Televisions and computer screens
Televisions and computer displays both generate magnetic and electric forces at different frequencies. Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens don't generate a lot of magnetic or electric forces.
Because of this, current TVs—which often have LCD, LED, or plasma screens—emit very little radiation. However, it's sufficient to advise against letting kids come too near. It is believed that there is little risk when watching from a couch some distance away.
Wireless devices
The FCC requires that all wireless communications devices sold in the United States meet minimum guidelines for safe human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) energy.
The FCC has established exposure limitations in terms of Specific Absorption Rate for wireless devices that operate at 6 GHz or below and are intended for use close to or against the body (cellphones, tablets, and other portable devices) (SAR).
This gauges how quickly the body is absorbing RF radiation. The FCC limit is 1.6 W/kg (watts per kilogram).
The FCC has confirmed that all wireless products sold in the US do not breach FCC exposure restrictions. These restrictions include a safety buffer set by the FCC. The FCC has the right to revoke its clearance of a gadget if it turns out that it doesn't function as disclosed.
To find the SAR value for your phone or one you intend to buy, go to the FCC ID Search database and enter your phone’s FCC ID number. You’ll usually find the number somewhere on either the case or the device. You may have to remove the battery to find the number.
Microwaves
The usage of microwaves ranges from raising bread to cooking potato chips to sending television broadcasts. However, the majority of us utilize microwave energy in microwave ovens.
If used properly, microwave ovens are thought to be secure. Microwave radiation and superheating have caused burns and other damage in humans, although abuse is the main cause.
While operating at very high power levels, microwave ovens contain shields that almost eliminate radiation leakage outside the oven.
The FDATrusted Source has set a lifetime limit for microwave leakage from ovens at 5 milliwatts (mW)Trusted Source per square centimeter, or around 2 inches. According to the FDA, this restriction is much lower than a point at which people are known to be harmed.
In order to stop microwaves from being generated if the door is open, microwave ovens must additionally incorporate safety mechanisms. To ensure that its criteria are satisfied, the FDA examines ovens in its lab. Every oven offered for sale in the US must include a label certifying that it complies with safety requirements.
EMFs in your home
EMFs are produced by every electrical item in your home. The majority of people still get relatively little daily EMF exposure, according to the ICNIRP recommendations. The electrical current-carrying cables in your home are probably the source of a large portion of your EMF exposure.
Additionally, being close to electrical equipment like refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines exposes you to short-term high exposures. Moving further away from these appliances causes the EMF radiation to abruptly decrease.
An EMF meter may be used to measure the EMF levels in your house. You may buy these portable gadgets online. But keep in mind that most have low accuracy and can't monitor EMFs with very high frequencies, which limits their usefulness.
To arrange for an on-site reading, you may also give your neighborhood power provider a call.
ELF fields differ depending on where you are. For instance, you can obtain a reading of zero if you place your meter to the right of a dryer. The reading may be greater if moved one foot to the left. So be sure to test the electrical equipment in several areas both inside and outside of your home.
Check readings at other locations along your walls as well, as a significant portion of the electrical current in your home is carried by wires that pass through the walls. Consider transferring a reading to a different location in the room if, for example, you discover that it is higher there than it is elsewhere in the room.
Symptoms of EMF exposure
The precise and exact impacts of exposure to EMFs on human health have not yet been established. We could learn more through research in the upcoming years.
Numerous illnesses have been linked to EMF exposure in certain studies, although most scientists agree that additional research is required. Numerous research rely on cell or animal models, which are unreliable when used to study human health.
Additionally, some of these symptoms have been linked to a syndrome known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), in which patients link exposure to EMFs with a variety of non-specific symptoms.
EHS has not been proven by the medical community, despite the fact that some people do occasionally suffer symptoms that are upsetting and even incapacitating.
No credible research currently links EHS symptoms to EMF exposure, and EHS isn’t considered to be a medical diagnosis. The medical field advises that further research is needed.
Still, some research gives tentative support to EMF symptomatology. Here are symptoms that some studies have suggested:
sleep disturbances, including insomnia
headache
depression and depressive symptoms
tiredness and fatigue
dysesthesia (a painful, often itchy sensation)
lack of concentration
changes in memory
dizziness
irritability
loss of appetite and weight loss
restlessness and anxiety
nausea
skin burning and tingling
Protection from EMF exposure
The actions you can take to reduce your EMF exposure depends on the type of radiation you’re concerned about. Read on to learn what steps you can take.
Low- to mid-frequency EMFs
Keep in mind that this group of EMFs also includes radiofrequency EMFs and extremely low frequency EMFs (RF-EMFs). Any electric gadget may create this kind of radiation.
From refrigerators and vacuum cleaners to televisions and computer monitors (when they are turned on), these gadgets are all around us.
Extremely low frequency and radiofrequency EMFs are unlikely to have any negative health impacts, according to WHOTrusted Source. Using your cell phone and other electronics should feel secure. As long as you maintain a reasonable distance from power lines, you may also consider them to be safe.
With distance, the EMF intensity surrounding appliances gradually decreases. The magnetic fields around the majority of home appliances are more than 100 times lower at a distance of 1 foot than what is recommended by the ICNERP for the general population.
Don’t sit or linger near appliances. One of the best ways to avoid EMF exposure in your home is to keep your distance from appliances. You need to get up close to turn on the television, open the fridge or microwave, and load the washing machine. Just keep these close encounters short, and don’t sit next to appliances — or allow your kids to.
Put your phone down. Especially when you aren’t using the phone, place it away from you. At night when you sleep, put it in another room.
Use the speaker function or earbuds with your phone. This will reduce RF exposure to your head. Earpieces do generate and emit fields, but not nearly as much as your phone. Using earpieces or speakerphone, you can greatly reduce exposure to your head.
Don’t carry your phone in a pocket. Try to carry your phone in a bag or briefcase when you’re out.
Unplug occasionally from electronic devices and electricity. Take a day off from electronics, or even several days. Your body will thank you!
High-frequency EMFs
Remember, this is the type of radiation that’s potentially dangerous to your health. High levels of high-frequency EMFs can damage DNA and cellsTrusted Source. Low levels of this radiation come from medical devices like X-ray imaging machines , and UV rays from tanning beds or the sun.
To reduce high-level exposure and associated risks, try these tips:
Limit X-rays. Only receive X-rays that are medically necessary.
Limit your time in the sun. You need some sun for your health, just not too much. Also, avoid sun during the middle of the day when the rays are strongest.
Limit time in tanning beds. If you must have that quick summer tan, just limit your time under the lights.
If you want to calculate your effective dose of ionizing radiation per year, you can try using the EPA’s Dose Calculator. It carries a warning from the EPA that ionizing radiation is the type of EMF that’s dangerous because it can potentially harm body tissues and DNA.
START HERE AND PURCHASE YOUR EMF SHIELD
https://www.digistore24.com/redir/448909/fernando974/
https://www.digistore24.com/redir/403418/fernando974/
.jpg)