A synopsis of Electromagnetic Fields by Blake Levitt (ISBN 0-15-628-100-7)

Everything, from the basic heartbeat to bone regeneration has an electrical component in the human body. The human body has the ability to receive, conduct and transmit electrical signals.

A few European insurance companies charge higher premiums to customers using cell phones. Do they know something we don’t?

In 1948 the Mayo Clinic confirmed adverse effects of microwave exposure. Their research showed increases in cataracts, and testicular degeneration. Later research showed increased risk for internal bleeding, leukemia (30 studies), headaches, brain tumors (20 studies), melanomas (10 studies), heart conditions, and liver problems. It is important to note that more studies exist showing EMF’s adverse effects than the relationship between smoking and cancer.

The FDA wants more research on devices and has criticized the cellular phone associations’ carte blanche statements about safety. The FDA notes that such devices can induce relatively high specific absorption rates in the part of the body closest to the phone. The FDA has issued an advisory warning that hand-held cellular phones should be used only when necessary and conversations kept brief.

Do you ever stop to think about how a remote control device works? Or what occurs behind a wall when you flip a switch and the lights come on? How the nightly news gets to your TV from the news station? What about automatic door openers? This is proof of the technology we take for granted and assume is safe.

Electrons can move up and down in different orbits in an atom when they are excited. This releases energy in different forms. Energy may take the form of light, heat, sound, electricity or nuclear activity just to name a few.

Radiation is the term used to describe energy in motion radiating away from its source. It is expressed in wavelengths calculated along what is called the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum is divided into ionizing and nonionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation consists of short waves (like x-rays) and can cause permanent damage on a cellular level. Nonionizing radiation consists of longer waves. Although less powerful they cause a host of biological effects.

Our most common experience with electric fields is with static electricity. Electric fields are produced whenever the positive and negative charges are separated.

A magnet field is created by the spinning of electrons around the nuclei in the iron itself. For this to occur, the atoms must be aligned in the same direction so that the individual fields within each atom combine into one big magnetic field.

Some electric and magnetic fields can be measured with inexpensive gaussmeters. Ou are looking for measurements of less than 1 milligauss as ideal. The higher the electromagnetic spectrum, the shorter the wavelength. The shorter the wavelength, the more readily it is absorbed by living things.

Unlike electric fields, magnetic and electromagnetic fields penetrate through everthing. He pass through walls, people, etc. unless there is a high iron content. A magnetic field can magnetize the iron in the blood and exert a force on other electrolytes in the blood.

Radio towers generate strong fields. Just because your radio is off the set generates a strong electromagnetic field in front and behind the set. Once upon a time, an office consisted of a typewriter and a dial phone. Now there is eight hours exposure to cross frequencies generated by copiers, computers, fluorescent lights, numerous kinds of screens, faxes, modems, and printers.

The earth is composed of a magnetic grid with intersecting lines called ley lines. These vary from place to place and depend on presence of underground mineral deposits and streams of water that create magnetic fields.

If a car radar device beeps constantly near your home or place of employment, it could mean the area is blanketed with potential hazardous frequencies.

Research shows a 50 percent increase in miscarriages in women who slept in electrically heated water beds or under electric blankets. Electric blankets give off high magnet fields especially at the edges due to the positioning of the wires. This is especially true in blankets made prior to 1992.

Another well designed study of 1583 pregnant women showed a 40 percent increase in miscarriage rate for women working with computers for more than 20 hours per week.

Several studies have reported rises in melanoma for those who work under fluorescent lights. The fluorescent tubes have strong magnetic fields and create Ultra Violet Radiation.

Swiss and Italian studies have found that pacemakers can be disrupted by digital cellular phones brought close to the person’s chest. Hearing aids also malfunction because of cellular phones. Hospitals have now banned the use of cellular phones in the hospital because they interfere with so many pieces of equipment.

So what are some things I can do to reduce exposure? Use a cordless phone only to answer phone calls outside, come indoors to continue the call on a corded phone. Restrict cell phone use to emergencies only. Position motorized electric clocks three feet from head while sleeping. Do not use electric blanket. Rethink using a waterbed. Run the dishwasher while you are out of the kitchen. Do not place beds on the wall behind a refrigerator or TV. Sit at least six feet away from a TV set. Use a gaussmeter to check fields in your work and home.

When using a gaussmeter be sure and check everything; the following is just a sample list: TVs, light switches, microwaves, ovens, remote controls, cell phones, dishwashers, computers, all beds, where play equipment is placed, hair dryers, irons, vacuums, etc. Test with the item off and with it on. When it is on, see how far you must be to get less than a 1 milligauss level exposure. You can’t get away from total exposure but you could reduce unnecessary exposures.