Non-ionising radiation sources

CRC Handbook of Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields by Charles Polk & Elliot Postow
The first edition of this book has been recognized as the standard reference on biological effects of electric and magnetic fields from DC to microwaves. But much has changed in this science since the book's original publication in 1986. With contributions from eighteen leading researchers, this latest edition includes authoritative discussions of many new developments and will quickly become the new, must-have resource handbook. Dielectric properties of biological tissue are thoroughly examined, followed by chapters on physical mechanisms and biological effects of static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields. New chapters on topics that were treated very briefly in the first edition now receive extensive treatment. These topics include electric and magnetic fields for bone and soft tissue repair, electroporation, and epidemiology of ELF health effects.
[Yes, this is a "free plug"].

Enhanced Deposition of Radon Daughter Nuclei in the Vicinity of Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
(Or see the local copy ).

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON NON-IONIZING RADIATION PROTECTION (ICNIRP)
In 1974 the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) (a nongovernmental organization in official relations with WHO) initiated activities concerned with non-ionizing radiation by forming a working group which, in 1977, became the International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee (INIRC). In the late 1980s the Association and Committee members discussed the advisability of the Committee becoming a separate organization in view of the increasing number and importance of issues related to NIR protection and standards. These discussions led, in 1992, to the Committee being chartered to continue its work as the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection.

Welcome to the INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECT (WHO)
The International EMF Project was established by WHO in 1996. For the Project, EMFs are defined as electromagnetic fields with frequencies from 0 to 300 GHz.

EMF, ELF, & RF RADIATION POLITICS, SCIENCE, and EDUCATION
by Arthur Varanelli
This page is presented in the public interest and is the opinion of a concerned citizen. Information presented on this page is from public domain sources only, such as USENET postings, published media articles, press releases, public statements, public documents, identified and verified e-mail, and such. Private conversations, communications, or meetings, are not mentioned here.

Literature Resources for Understanding Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields by Robert B. Goldberg, Ph.D.
Robert Bruce Goldberg received his Ph.D. from the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1975. He has a research and teaching background in cellular developmental biology and endocrinology. For the last decade, Dr. Goldberg has served as Information Ventures' Director of EMF Publications including the EMF Database, EMF-Link, BENER Digest Update, and the EMF Health Report. Together with members of IVI's biomedical group, he produces specialized technical reports and provides scientific analysis and review for private sector and government clients.

Powerlines Cancer FAQ
As the title implies, quite a few details about the area in a Q & A style. Maintained by John Moulder {no relation }, Medical College of Wisconsin. Also see the related Static Fields Cancer FAQ and FAQs about Cell Phone Base Antennas and Human Health.

Electromagnetic Fields and Human Health
The effects [of EMF's] were largely unknown until around the 1990's, when multiple studies were released, demonstrating contradictory results. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States government began reviewing the available literature and studies available on the subject. Their conclusion is somewhat startling; the EPA recommended that EMFs be classified as a Class B carcinogen - -a "probable human carcinogen" that should join the ranks of other toxins like formaldehyde. After their initial response to EMFs, utility, military and computer lobbyists came down hard on the EPA, demanding hard proof and indisputable evidence for their claim. The EPA retracted their classification of EMFs as a carcinogen shortly thereafter, adding "at this time such a characterization regarding the link between cancer and exposure to EMFs is not appropriate because the basic nature of the interaction between EMFs and biological processes leading to cancer is not understood."

Cellular Towers -- Exposure Levels and Public Health
Every day, new cellular telephone base stations seem to go up all over the country. Most of these cell sites have fairly tall towers (50 to 200 feet) on which the antennas are mounted and often need a zoning variance to permit their construction. This may require a zoning hearing which can focus the public's fears over the possible effects of exposure to EMF. What kind of EMF radiation do these cellular towers produce? Here, we put the potential risks associated with this technology into perspective.

Nonionizing Radiation and Fields
The intent of this standard is to ensure that nonionizing radiation sources are identified and inventoried, users are properly trained to work with and around these sources, and measurements are taken to evaluate employee exposures. Controls to mitigate hazards are implemented when surveys indicate that exposures can exceed acceptable limits.
[from LLNL's Health and Safety Manual].

FEB - The Swedish association for the electrically and VDT injured (Föreningen för el- och bildskärmsskadade)
On this server you will find information in English and/or Swedish about the "Electrical Oversensitivity" or "Electrical Hypersensitivity" phenomenon. We try to build a reference database for this area of research that you can search or download. Information about the FEB association in Sweden is available in English, as well as addresses to similar associations worldwide. A few more popular articles are also available. We also intend to keep summarized reports on current research.
[new server at http://www.feb.se/].
[Also see huge list of References at FEB]

Extremely Low Frequency and Very Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Field Emissions From Video Display Terminals
In recent years, the question has been added, "is there a possible link between video display terminal (VDT) use and miscarriage?" The question comes from reports of occasional groups or "clusters" of miscarriage among VDT workers. Yet the moot comprehensive epidemiological studies to date are telling us that the risk of miscarriage among VDT workers does not differ from the risk of miscarriage within the whole population. In spite of such epidemiological findings, there is still concern within the workforce about this question.

Background Paper on "Power Line Fields and Public Health"
Physicists are often asked about the potential health hazards of ELF/EMF. In 1979, an epidemiology study by N. Wertheimer and E. Leeper reported an enhanced rate of leukemia for children living near 60-Hz electrical power lines in Denver, Colorado. This study catalyzed the wide-spread opinion that it is dangerous to live near electrical power lines. However, this study has been widely criticized inasmuch as the assignments of wire configurations (type of nearby power lines) to residences were made subjectively and with the investigators' knowledge as to whether an afflicted child or control had lived there.

POWER LINE FIELDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH
The scientific literature and the reports of reviews by other panels show no consistent, significant link between cancer and power line fields. This literature includes epidemiological studies, research on biological systems, and analyses of theoretical interaction mechanisms. No plausible biophysical mechanisms for the systematic initiation or promotion of cancer by these power line fields have been identified.

The Imprudence of "Prudent Avoidance"
In 1988, shortly before he died, Andrei Sakharov commented on the fate of the earth. Interestingly enough, rather than comment on the hydrogen bombs that he co-invented, he stated: "... in fact, I am now inclined to regard the many-faceted ecological threat to our environment as our most serious long-term problem.1" Because I agree with this very long-term assessment, it is troubling to me to see environmental funds and political capital wasted on false threats. In particular, I am concerned that the quasi-legalistic concept of "prudent avoidance" is being used to chase the phantom risk of cancer caused by extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines.

Solar ultraviolet radiation effects on biological systems
The Sun is responsible for the development and continued existence of life on Earth. We are warmed by the Sun's infrared rays and we can see with eyes which respond to the visible part of the Sun's terrestrial spectrum. More importantly, visible light is an essential component of photosynthesis, the process whereby plants, which are necessary for man's nutrition, derive their energy. However, the deleterious effects of sunlight on biological systems are due almost entirely to radiation within the ultraviolet spectrum of the Sun's emission.

Health Effects from Increased Exposure to Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) Radiation due to Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Stratospheric ozone protects the biosphere from potentially damaging doses of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B). Recent depletion of stratospheric ozone could lead to significant increases in UV-B reaching the Earth's surface. UV-B radiation is responsible for a wide range of potentially damaging human and animal health effects, primarily related to the skin, eyes, and immune system. Human exposure to UV-B depends upon an individual's location (latitude and altitude), the duration and timing of outdoor activities (time of day, season of the year), and precautionary behavior (use of sunscreen, sunglasses, or protective clothing). An individual's skin color and age can influence the occurrence and severity of some of the health effects from exposure to UV-B.

Solar Radiation and Cancer by Joseph Scotto
[From the US NCI]

UV Radiation
Sunburn is evidence that a person has been exposed to too much UVB too quickly. A person's potential to develop skin cancer is related to their exposure UVB radiation. In New Zealand, about one person in three will develop a skin cancer during their lifetime. Most are not the deadly melanoma type. The incidence and mortality rates of melanoma in New Zealand have been increasing among men and women in the last 30 years (Cox and Coombs, 1989). Each year, about 300 New Zealanders die of skin cancer (about half of the number killed on the roads). New Zealand and Australia have a very high melanoma incidence compared with other countries.

NOAA and EPA Press Documents related to UV exposure
  • Announcement of Experimental Ultraviolet Exposure Index
  • Summary of the Progress of the Experimental UV Index Qs & As for Meteorologists
  • Bulletin of Sample Public Health Messages to Accompany UV Index
  • The Experimental Ultraviolet Index Factsheet: Explaining the Index to the Public
  • Technical Appendices to the Experimental UV Index Factsheet

Ozone Depletion FAQ Part IV: UV Radiation and its Effects
from Ohio State Uni.

UV Radiation
The Cancer link . The principle danger of skin cancer is to light-skinned peoples. A 1%decrease in the ozone layer will cause a estimated 2%increase in UV-B irradiation; it is estimated that this will lead to a 4%increase in basal carcinomas and 6%increase in squamous-cell carcinomas.[Graedel&Crutzen]. 90% of the skin carcinomas are attributed to UV-B exposure [Wayne] and the chemical mechanism by which it causes skin cancer has been identified [Tevini]. The above named carcinomas are relatively easy to treat, if detected in time, and are rarely fatal. But the much more dangerous malignant melanoma is not as well understood.

UV radiation and outdoor work
In Australia there are 750 deaths from skin cancers. In the ACT in 1990, 8 people died as a result of melanoma. 140,000 cases of skin cancers were reported in 1990 in Australia. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world.
[from ACT Occupational Health and Safety Office].

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RADIATION AND HEALTH
Subjects will include: Exposure of human populations to both ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, physical and biological methods of dosimetry, molecular radiation biology and carcinogenesis, metabolism of isotopes at cell tissue and whole body levels, epidemiological procedures, results of Chernobyl related studies, dose reconstruction, problems of occupational exposures, detection of long term effects (carcinogenic, genetic and non-neoplastic), risk assessment and psychosocial considerations including counseling and evaluation of radiation associated post-traumatic stress disorders.
[slated for Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel Nov 3-7, 1996]

IVI Online
Provides substantive information about major health challenges, including electric and magnetic fields (EMF), herbicides and pesticides, chemicals and other hazards in the workplace, pharmaceuticals, and cancer.

Mobile Telephone Communication Antennas: Are They a Health Hazard?
In recent times, concrete towers have been erected throughout the metropolitan areas in Australia.These towers carry the antennas that are required for the mobile (or cellular) telephone network and are located at base transceiver stations. The antennas emit radio frequency (RF) radiation. Concerns have been raised, both by people living or working adjacent to a tower and by parents of children who play or attend school near a tower, about the possibility of adverse health effects arising from exposure to this radiation.
No adverse health effects are expected from continuous exposure to the RF radiation emitted by the antennas on mobile telephone base station towers.
[This report is from the Australian (federal) Department of Health. It was dated mid-1996. See also the Health Department's statements on Electromagnetic & Optical Radiation and, in particular, the outline of related methodological problems in The Controversy Over Electromagnetic Fields and Possible Adverse Health Effects ].

Kym Horsell /
Kym@KymHorsell.COM

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