Why Electromagnetic pollution becomes a growing health concern
Electromagnetic pollution is caused by electromagnetic field or EMF radiation. EMF is a combination of electric and magnetic fields that occur in our environment both naturally and artificially.
Of the two, artificial EMF poses a greater risk to human health. Its sources include:
- power lines
- mobile phone base stations
- and numerous modern appliances powered by electricity, batteries and motor
Prolonged EMF exposure or exposure to high levels of human-made EMF radiation can
- damage brain cells and DNA
- cause cancer (leukemia in children and brain tumor in adults)
- and adversely affect central nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems
Studies linked electromagnetic pollution to:
- decreased testosterone levels in men
- miscarriages in pregnant women
- birth defects in babies
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cataracts
- depression and suicides
- chronic fatigue and more
According to World Health Organization (WHO), "Electromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation are spreading."
The office of Technology Assessment of the Congress of United States recommends a policy of "prudent avoidance" of man-made electromagnetic fields.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - the research arm of WHO - classifies extremely low-frequency magnetic fields as Group 2B carcinogen (considered possibly carcinogenic to humans).
Sweden lists electromagnetic field as Class 2 Carcinogens, right along with tobacco.
Jittery over potential lawsuits, several industries and utility providers have resorted to rerouting power lines or locating them underground, and redesigning products (computer monitors and electric blankets) to minimize EMF exposure.
In the US for example, over $1 billion was spent on rerouting power lines in 1998 alone.
Electromagnetic pollution - A greater threat than other pollutions
Man-made sources of EMF radiation such as power lines, mobile phones, computers, TVs, microwave ovens, radar and radio transmitters provide continuous low-level radiation. It could be the ultimate straw that breaks our delicate immune systems already weakened by chemicals, drugs, poisons in the air, water and food we consume.
Chemical and biological pollutions of man's environment are widely known, admitted and addressed by international health bodies. Unfortunately, electromagnetic pollution threat is often denied and covered up, making public education and protection hard.
What worries us is the continued unlimited expansion of electromagnetic force usage, which like nuclear force and gravity, is considered 1 of the 4 basic forces of the universe today.
As a result, no place left on earth that is free from man-made abnormal electromagnetic radiation.
As technology advances, electromagnetic pollution - the "by-product" of modern technology - can only get worse. It is not known how to provide an electromagnetic pollution-free environment compatible with modern demands for technological conveniences that will further overcrowd the already overcrowded electromagnetic spectrum in our environment.
As some scientists point out, there is no place to hide where electromagnetic pollution is concerned. But there are many things you can do on an individual level to protect yourself.
The first step starts with knowledge. Read on and find out more.
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