Demystifying The Emf Myth

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)
& Its Effects on Human Health:

DEMYSTIFYING THE EMF MYTH
CAPELLAN, FRANCES LEANA L.

ARCH 176 Research Paper
“We are using electricity and wireless technologies
as never before, we are seeing in our civilization an
apparent unstoppable wave of desire for the use of
these electronic technologies.
Every wireless and electronic device in your home radiates
millions of frequencies every second –
this creates stress to the nervous system.”
Source:
Electrosmog, Electrostress and Sleep Disorders, 2010
“Research now links long term exposure
to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with
chronic health issues, from stress,
fatigue to cancer.
Overwhelming numbers of scientists now
agree that EMFs created by cell phones
power lines and other technologies are
carcinogens. But like any massive public
health threat, it may be years before
the talk stops and the action starts. In
the meantime, people are getting sick.”
Source:
“Are You Living in A Soup of Dangerous Radiation?” (2010)
http://safespaceprotection.com
“It is now believed that extremely low
frequency (ELF) magnetic fields,
such as those emitted by traditional
(non-flat screen) computer
monitors, as well as laptops with
unearthed power sources (such as
their batteries), have biological
effects that may have the potential
to affect the growth of developing
tissue, contribute to miscarriage or
birth defects, promote the growth of
cancer cells, interfere with the cell
processes and functions and alter
neurological functions.”
Source:
WALLSTREET JOURNAL, “The Flipside of Laptops” (2009)
http://www.livemint.com/2009/09/07213620/The-flip-side-of-laptops.html
Contents
1.0 All We Need To Know About Extremely Low Frequency
(ELF) Electromagnetic Fields
2.0 Facts / Effects of Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency
3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and
Cancer
4.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and
Other Health Effects
5.0 Summary:
Standards and guidelines for ELF field exposure
6.0 Conclusion
1.0
All We Need To Know About Extremely Low Frequency
1.1 What are electromagnetic fields (EMF)?
1.2 What are ELF electromagnetic fields
generated by powerlines, wiring and
appliances?
1.3 How strong are ELF fields near power-
lines, wiring and appliances?
1.1 What are electromagnetic fields (EMF)?
• Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a combination of

invisible electric and magnetic fields of force.
• They occur both naturally and due to human
activity.
1.0 All We Need To Know About Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields
Humans are exposed to electromagnetic fields
generated by natural phenomena such as the earth
magnetic field or lightning, but also by human
activities, including the use of power lines and
electrical appliances.
Naturally Occurring EMFs
• Naturally occurring EMF are for
example, the earth static
magnetic field to which we are
constantly exposed, electric fields
caused by electric charges in the
clouds or by the static electricity
produced when two objects are
rubbed together as well as
sudden electric and magnetic
fields caused by lightning, etc.
Man-Made EMFs
• Man-made electromagnetic fields (EMF) are for example

generated by extremely low frequency (ELF) sources, such as
power-lines, wiring and appliances (the focus of this study) as
well as by higher frequency sources such as radio and
television antennas and, more recently, cellular telephones
and their antennas (which are not reviewed in this study).
1.2 What are ELF electromagnetic fields generated by
powerlines, wiring and appliances?
• Most electricity
carried in powerlines,
wiring and appliances
is alternating current
(AC).
• Electromagnetic fields produced by sources other
than electricity, such as cellular phone antennas,
have higher frequencies and are therefore not
classified as Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) fields,
nor are they discussed within this study.
1.3 How strong are ELF fields near power-lines, wiring and
appliances?
• Because electricity is so much a part of

our lives, there are electromagnetic
fields around us most of the time.
• We are exposed to electric and magnetic fields
from many sources including high, medium
and low tension (voltage) power lines, electric
wiring inside buildings and electric appliances
such as refrigerators, computer monitors,
electric saws and drill presses.
• While strong electric
fields are produced by
high voltage electricity,
strong magnetic fields
are produced by strong
electric currents (high
amperage).
• A general rule is that relatively strong electric
and weak magnetic fields are observed below
high voltage transmission lines, whereas
household appliances and industrial devices
and machines may produce weak electric and
strong magnetic fields.
• Both electric and magnetic
fields weaken with distance
away from the source.
• With respect to magnetic
fields, field strength weakens
more rapidly from point
sources, such as appliances,
than from line sources, such
as power lines and wiring.
• Overlapping fields can interact
to strengthen or weaken the
total effect.
• Therefore, the strength of the
electric and magnetic fields
depends not only on the
distance from the source but
also the distance from, and
location of, other nearby
sources.
2.0
Facts/ Effects of Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency
2.1 How do we measure exposure to ELF fields?
2.2 What happens when we are exposed to
ELF fields?
2.1 How do we measure exposure to ELF fields?
• The exposure to
electromagnetic fields can
be measured using
specialized instruments or
estimated from other
parameters.
2.0 Facts / Effects of Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields
• Electric and magnetic fields
can be measured in
practically every
environment or estimated
from other parameters.
• Environmental levels of ELF
fields are very low, typically
5-50 V/m for electric fields
and 0.01-0.2 µT for magnetic
fields.
Much higher exposures can
take place in some
workplaces and possibly
outside the workplace for
many of us for shorter
durations.
• There are very precise instruments to measure
electric and magnetic fields, but there is a lack
of consensus on what exposure characteristics
should be measured to determine health
effects.
• Calculation methods are available to evaluate
human exposure, but there are uncertainties
in the results.
2.2 What happens when we are exposed to ELF fields?
• Several theories try to explain how

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) fields
could possibly produce biological
effects.
• A well-established interaction
mechanism is that currents and electric
fields are induced in living tissues by
ELF electric and magnetic fields, but
other possibilities, which may even be
more important at typical exposure
levels, are also being explored.
• ELF electric fields are greatly
attenuated (weakened) inside
the body.
• A well-established interaction mechanism is
that external ELF electric and magnetic fields
induce electric fields and currents in biological
tissues. This is a basic physical mechanism for
interaction of ELF fields with living organisms.
• The electric field induced within the body
increases with the frequency of the external
field and the size of the exposed body.
• Above a certain threshold level, these induced
electric fields and currents provoke a reaction
from some specific cells. This threshold is well
above typical human exposure levels.
• Typical exposure at home results in very small
induced electric fields, while some exposure at
work and exposure directly under very high-
voltage power lines may be greater resulting
in electric fields of about 1 mV/m in some
tissues.
• In order to understand the effects of electric
and magnetic fields on animals and humans,
their electrical properties have to be
considered.
• Static magnetic fields, which are not attenuated
by the organism, can exert forces on moving
charges, orient magnetic structures and affect
the energy levels of some molecules.
3.0
Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic
Fields and Cancer
3.1 Do ELF fields cause cancer in animals?
3.2 Do ELF fields cause cancer in children?
3.3 Do ELF fields cause cancer in adults?
3.4 How are ELF fields classified with
respect to cancer?
3.1 Do ELF fields cause cancer in animals?
The overall conclusion of the

many studies available is that
Extremely Low Frequency
(ELF) fields do not cause
cancer in laboratory animals.
3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer

• Long and short term effects of ELF magnetic
fields on cancer development in animals have
been investigated. Several studies focused on
different types of cancer including leukaemia
as well as skin, brain, liver and breast cancer.

Most studies did not demonstrate any
carcinogenic effect. Some studies did show an
increase in cancers but these findings have
not been confirmed in similar studies. No ELF
magnetic field study on animals has indicated
an increase in leukaemia or lymphoma.

3.2 Do ELF fields cause cancer in children?
• Overall, studies show an

increase in childhood
leukaemia when children
are exposed to relatively
strong magnetic fields in
the home. However, the
evidence is considered
limited because of various
possible biases.

3.3 Do ELF fields cause cancer in adults?
• So far there is no
consistent indication
that ELF fields can
cause cancer in adults.

3.4 How are ELF fields classified with respect to cancer?
• ELF magnetic fields were classified by the

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as
"possibly carcinogenic to humans" based on limited
evidence for childhood leukaemia.
4.0
Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic
Fields and Other Health Effects
4.1 Do ELF fields cause reproductive effects?
4.2 Do ELF fields cause genetic and related
effects?
4.3 Do ELF fields cause other health effects in
animals?
4.4 Do ELF fields cause other health effects in
humans?
4.1 Do ELF fields cause reproductive effects?
• On the whole, available

studies do not indicate that
Extremely Low Frequency
(ELF) fields harm reproduction
and development in animals
or humans.
4.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Other Health Effects
• Many laboratory experiments exposing mammals
and other animals to strong static magnetic and
ELF electric fields, have consistently shown no
harmful effects on reproduction and development.
• Exposure of the fetus to
ELF magnetic fields
generally does not result
in major harmful effects
on development and
reproduction in mammals.
4.2 Do ELF fields cause genetic and related effects?
• Most studies show no indication that ELF fields

are directly harmful to genetic material. However
it is possible that ELF fields enhance the effects of
agents (substances, factors or situations) that are
known to induce mutations or tumors.
4.3 Do ELF fields cause other health effects in animals?
• There were many studies on laboratory

animals to investigate non-cancer effects
but no consistent effects were found.
4.4 Do ELF fields cause other health effects in humans?
• Many studies on humans involved tests, which were

performed on volunteers, mainly on their immune
system, blood, melatonin hormone, cardiovascular and
central nervous systems.
• Despite a few subtle and transitory effects, the
overall conclusion is that there is no convincing
evidence that ELF fields cause other harmful
health effect at environmental exposure levels.
5.0
Summary:
Standards and Guidelines for ELF field exposure
5.0 Standards and Guidelines for ELF Field Exposure
• The WHO International

EMF Project has compiled
a worldwide database of
standards limiting
exposure to EMF.
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Protection for the
Philippines
“Radiation Protection Standards for Radiofrequency Radiation

in the Frequency Range 3 kHz to 300 GHz”
– Issued by the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT)
and the Department of Health (DOH)
– Issued: October 11, 2004
– Published in an Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
(February 14, 2005)
– Limits based on ICNIRP
– Compliance: Mandatory
Source:
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Protection: Philippines" BHDT
DOH-Philippines, 10 Mar. 2005.
http://www.who.int/docstore/peh-emf/EMFStandards/who-0102/Asia/Philippines_files/table_rp.htm
• Issuance of Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR)

Evaluation report to RFR facilities prior to installation
to determine the minimum safe distances from the
transmitting RFR equipment that a person must
maintain without exceeding the limits for
occupational and non-occupational exposure.
• This initial RFR report shall be a desk top evaluation
based on calculations using the technical data
provided by the RFR facility concerned and by the
National Telecommunication Commision (NTC)
Source:
• Compliance shall be verified by

direct measurements through the
conduct of Radiation Protection
Survey and Evaluation (RPSE) by a
team composed of
health physicist of the BHDT
and/or technical staff from the
NTC.
– Coverage / Group Protected:
All Public and Occupational Buildings
– Frequency Range Covered: 3 kHz –
300 GHz
Source:
6.0
CONCLUSION
• ELF magnetic fields are classified by IARC as "possibly
carcinogenic to humans" based on limited evidence for
childhood leukaemia at relatively high exposure levels.
ELF fields do not appear to cause cancer in laboratory
animals or in adults. (See: Section 3.0)
• Overall, the many studies available do not indicate that

ELF fields cause harmful non-cancer health effects,
neither in animals nor in humans. (See: Section 4.0)
6.0 Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Book
• Baker-Laporte, Paula, Erica Elliott, and John Banta. "Case Studies." (pp.274+)
Prescriptions for a Healthy House: a Practical Guide for Architects, Builders, and
Homeowners. New Society Publishers, Canada: 2001.
Internet Sources
• "Electro Smog Awareness and the E-Cover Solution." E-Cover. Royal Health Foam and
Inner Wise - Electrosmog, 2010. Web. 3 July 2010.
<http://www.esmogcover.com/en/eletrosmog_electrostress_sleep_disorders.html>.
• "Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Protection: Philippines." BHDT, DOH-Philippines, 10
Mar. 2005. Web. 14 July 2010. <http://www.who.int/docstore/peh-
emf/EMFStandards/who-0102/Asia/Philippines_files/table_rp.htm>.
• "Scientific Facts on Electromagnetic Fields from Power Lines, Wiring & Appliances."
GreenFacts - Facts on Health and the Environment. 2004. Web. 4 July 2010.
<http://www.greenfacts.org/en/power-lines/index.htm#4>.

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Demystifying The Emf Myth

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Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

& Its Effects on Human Health:

CAPELLAN, FRANCES LEANA L.

• Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a combination of

• Man-made electromagnetic fields (EMF) are for example

• Because electricity is so much a part of

• Several theories try to explain how

The overall conclusion of the

3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer

3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer

3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer

• Overall, studies show an

3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer

3.0 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer

• ELF magnetic fields were classified by the

• On the whole, available

• Most studies show no indication that ELF fields

• There were many studies on laboratory

• Many studies on humans involved tests, which were

• The WHO International

“Radiation Protection Standards for Radiofrequency Radiation

• Issuance of Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR)

• Compliance shall be verified by

• Overall, the many studies available do not indicate that

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