Electric Fields – the Importance of Measuring Them

Electric Fields – VITAL to measure

Electric fields are an important part of an EMF audit.

In an nutshell, extremely low frequency (ELF) AC electric fields are present where there is any household wiring or any appliances plugged in. They exist where there is a potential.

You can read more about the science behind ELF AC electric fields here. The focus here is on the importance of assessing them.

I measure ELF AC electric fields

There are a pinch (not even a handful) of people who actually measures and assesses ELF AC electric fields. I am part of this small group and have assessed these since graduation. This is one of four EMF areas which I assess. I also assess ELF AC magnetic fields, high frequencies and “dirty” electricity.

Most EMF audits only cover ELF AC magnetic fields and high frequencies – half of what we assess!

ELF AC electric fields is NOT assessed by measuring body voltage. Body voltage gives an indication of exposure when someone is laying on their bed… that is all. ELF AC electric fields need to be measured with specialised equipment – as the fields are incredibly easy to influence. This means that if I put a meter in or very near the field, it will change. If I enter the field or move very close to it, it will change. (You can read more about the concept of earthing mats – which are all about managing this form of EMF here.)

The Wisdom of Those Sensitive to EMF

ELF AC electric fields emanate from the wall. People who are electromagnetically sensitive position their bed in the centre of the room. I have seen this time and time again when assessing their places. Their beds are well away from all the walls.

As well, they often turn circuits off – which can reduce the fields.

Case Study

Recently, I was called to complete an Essential Audit for a client who was primarily concerned about EMF. One of the biggest concerns was the smart meter – as is often the case.

Like with all audits, an emphasis is placed on where a person spends time.

So, I completed each of my layers of assessment, including my 4 levels of EMF testing.

Level 1: high frequencies – due to the position of the smart meter. Areas where the client spent time were well within Building Biology Guidelines.

Level 2: ELF AC magnetic fields – again, these were well within acceptable levels as per the Building Biology Guidelines.

— This is where other EMF audits stop —

Level 3: “Dirty” Electricity – levels here were up to 7 times higher than the goal, so needed to be addressed.

Level 4: ELF AC electric fields – the levels were mind-blowing!

Building Biology Guidelines state (using a potential-free probe) that levels of ELF AC electric fields should be below 1.5V/m. The levels I measured were above 50V/m.

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OUTCOME

I was able to advise my clients on the best course of action for their situation. I gave them both immediate steps and a longer term solution.


As you can see, if only two levels were completed, the advice would have been that the area is safe.

Clearly, having assessed 4 levels of EMF, it is unsafe. As such measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety of my clients.

What Does the Science Say?

Very little – but enough! 

The biggest focus of research over the last 40 years has been on ELF AC magnetic fields and high frequencies.

ELF AC electric fields are difficult to measure.

Maes

However, Maes (2015, 3) states that,

“studies show that long-term exposures of only 10 V/m increase the risk for childhood leukemia, cancer and other health problems.”

Cech, et al

Cech, et al (2008) studied the impact of ELF electric fields on pregnant rats: “By vectorial addition of the electric current densities, it could be shown that under worst case conditions the basic restrictions recommended by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) guidelines are exceeded within the central nervous system (CNS) of the mother, whereas in sole field exposure they are not.

However, within the foetus the induced current densities do not comply with basic restrictions, either from single reference-level electric fields or from simultaneous exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Basic limits were considerably exceeded.”

Gok, et al; and Guler, et al

Two other studies were looking to explain the effects of AC ELF electric fields.

a) Effects in the brain and retina in pregnant rats (Gok, et al, 2016), and

b) Discover the effectiveness of antioxidants from AC ELF electric fields exposure (Guler, et al, 2009).

The premise can be made from the scope of the research is that there are biological effects in these different areas.

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Reiter

Research was done by Reiter (1993) into the effects of ELF electromagnetic field exposure and its effects on melatonin production.

Reiter concluded that the mechanisms remain unknown, but the effect exists.

Blank

Some findings were included in the BioInitiative Report, including:

Electric fields exert a force on electrons, and have been shown to stimulate protein synthesis in HL60 cells (Blank et al, 1992), E coli (Laubitz et al, 2006) and muscle in vivo (Blank, 1995).

(Blank, 2007, 9)


Despite the limited body of research, there is growing evidence that demonstrates health or biological effects within the body.

Thus the levels of all types of EMF should be as close as possible to nature. Else, they should fall within the no or slight concern categories of the building biology guidelines.

What Should You Do?

Book a call, so I can work out how best to meet your needs.

References

Blank, M (2007) BioInitiative Report: Section 7: Evidence of Stress Response (Stress Proteins): Health Risk of Electromagnetic Fields: Research on the Stress Response (Online) Available at http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/sec07_2007_Evidence_for_Stress_Response.pdf (3 February 2017)

Cech, R, Leigeb, N, Pediatitis, M (January 2008) Current Densities in a Pregnant Woman Model Induced by Simultaneous ELF Electric and Magnetic Field Exposure Phys Med Biol 2008 Jan 7;53(1):177-86. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/1/012. Epub 2007 Dec 19. (Online) Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18182695 (27 January 2017)

Gok, DK, Akpinar, D, Hidsoglu, E, Ozen, S, Agar, A, Yargiciglu, P (December 2016) The Developmental Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electric Fields on Visual and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Adult Rats Electromagn Biol Med. 2016;35(1):65-74. doi: 10.3109/15368378.2014.987923. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Guler, G, Turkozerr, Z, Ozgur, E, Seyhan, N (February 2009) Antioxidants alleviate electric field-induced effects on lung tissue based on assays of heme oxygenase-1, protein carbonyl content, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and hydroxyproline. (Online) Sci Total Environ. 2009 Feb 1;407(4):1326-32. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.050. Epub 2008 Nov 22.

Maes, W (June 2015) Questions About the Standard of Building Biology Methods and the Building Biology Evaluation Guide (Online) Available at https://buildingbiology.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sbm-2015-questions-english.pdf

Mobile Phones – Aussie Kids

Changes To Mobile Phone Use and Ownership in Aussie Kids

Recent Roy Morgan research finds that girls own their first mobile phones earlier than boys.

Children between the ages of 6-13 were surveyed, along with children 14 years and over. They found that from the age of 8-9 years old, 12% more girls than boys own mobile phones.

The survey is discussed here, and this graph is taken from this page.

Concerns About Young People Using This Technology

Apart from:

  • the lack of real face-to-face social skills
  • the risk of 24/7 bullying
  • the fact that WHO and IARC classified radiofrequency EMF (used for wireless technology) as a possible human carcinogen

… there are numerous concerns about the use of mobile phones, particularly for the young developing/growing bodies.

Recently at the 2016 Environmental Sensitivities Symposium, Dr Mary Redmayne shared research that she did in 2009 into New Zealand ‘tweens usage of mobile phones, comparing it to nowadays. She found that many children used their phones “covertly” – inside their pockets and so forth, which can be particularly problematic in terms of the proximity to reproductive organs.

I am not going to delve into that here… merely point out ways to stay safe.


Staying Safe from Mobile Phones

I am going to add to this list:

1) Divert/forward mobile phones to your corded landline, and then turn your mobile phone off.

2) Don't hold onto your mobile phone when it is on or in use.

3) Carry your phone in a Radiation-Reducing Phone Case to reduce what you are exposed to – and ideally keep it in flight-mode while you do this.

4) Air-Tube Earphones are a better alternatives to the standard ones – but speakerphone is better still.

5) Put your mobile phone in flight mode and turn it off when it is not in use.

6) Charge it overnight – well away from bedrooms.

7) A side note – if you use a tablet – follow these steps to hardwire it, so that you don't have to use wi-fi.

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Some extra tips for mobile phone safety from Environmental Health Trust:

Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or when moving at high speed… as automatically power increases to emit a maximum amount of radiation because the phone repeatedly attempts to connect to each nearest network antenna.

 

Children should only use cell phones for emergencies. Children’s skulls are thinner than adults’ and their brains are still developing. Hence, radiation from cell phones penetrates more deeply into their brains and is likely to cause more damage.

Avoid using your cell phone in metal contained spaces like a car, elevator, bus, train or airplane.

Protect your fertility. This radiation has been shown to damage sperm and the ovaries. Many people move the phone away from their head to reduce exposure but down to their torso forgetting that a cell phone or laptop to the abdomen results in higher radiation absorption to the reproductive organs.

 

Read your cell phone manual to find the minimum distance the federal government recommends that your cell phone must be kept away from your body. Keeping it closer than the designated distance can result in a violation of the FCC Exposure Limit. Exceeding FCC levels is proven to result in burns, sterility, and brain damage. Learn more about fine print instructions at ShowTheFinePrint.Org.

Remember that these “minimum distances” in the cell phone manuals do not protect you from nonthermal effects such as sperm damage, damaged brain cells and increased brain cancer risk. Federal guidelines are set thousands of times too high to protect from these “nonthermal” effects from long term low level cumulative exposures.

Special Note if You're Pregnant It is especially important for those who are pregnant to reduce cell phone exposures because research has shown cell phone radiation can damage to the brain and reproductive system in developing pregnancies. To learn more, please go to the Baby Safe Project.

#mobilephonesafety #mobilephone #EMF

Hawthorn University Holistic Detoxification Presentation

Hawthorn University: Holistic Detoxification

Hawthorn University offer high level online training to health practitioners, predominantly naturopaths. So, I was thrilled to receive an invitation from Hawthorn University to present a webinar.

I have watched many of their webinars, which are available for free and are presented by highly respected people, so as you can imagine, getting an invitation from them was such an honour.

The topic which I presented on is, of course, so dear to my heart – Holistic Detoxification: How to Create a Healthy Home Which Supports Healing.

Too often I hear stories of people on the (expensive) merry-go-round of treatments, objects, supplements, drugs… when in many cases the cause is environmental and can easily be addressed by changing the environment.

I wanted to help students of natural therapies and practitioners understand more about this and avoid unnecessary treatments and delays.

In a nutshell, the topics that I covered in my webinar include:

  • why detoxification is so important
  • case studies
  • our built environment
  • hindrances to detoxification
  • action steps for your clients/patients
  • when to think of the environment

After the webinar, I was able to answer the questions asked by the audience – and they were such fabulous questions.

I would like to publicly thank Hawthorn University for the opportunity to present this webinar, all of the audience members, and everyone who has watched it since. What an honour!! 🙂

Hawthorn University Presentation

#hawthornuniversity #holisticdetoxification #buildingbiology #health

Some Facts About Mobile Phones

International Scientists Talk about Mobile Phones

Australia has really blessed in the latter weeks of 2015 with international scientists coming to share their expertise in public lectures.

At the end of November 2015, Dr (PhD) Devra Davis presented to the Australian public her lectures on “The Truth About Mobile Phones and Wireless Radiation.”

Davis has been involved in public health for decades. She was instrumental in having cigarette smoking banned in airplanes! (Remember when people did that?? It is horrifying to realise that this was changed in my lifetime!)

Mobile Phones = High Frequencies | Radiofrequency EMF

Mobile phone and wireless radiation relies upon high frequencies (which includes radiofrequencies) – the same as that used in our cordless phones, wireless, smart meters, wireless baby monitors, microwave ovens, game consoles and so forth. The exposure standards for these are based on a fluid filled plastic construction (ie like a bucket of water) and the heating effects that this level of radiation has on the water. They are based entirely upon what is termed “thermal effects” – that is, does it heat the tissue?

Given that there are a multitude of other effects – bioeffects and health effects – that take place well below the heating of tissue, these exposure standards are way too high.

To top it off, in 2011, IARC classified radiofrequencies as 2B “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Earlier in 2015, around 200 scientists from around the world petitioned the WHO to move this up to category 1 of known carcinogens.

There are a few key points from Davis' lectures:

  • Buried inside our iPhones are some warnings. See for yourself – go to Settings -> General -> About -> Legal -> RF Exposure
  • Children are being marketed to, with devices such as the pad potty. In a recent interview, “Davis is particularly horrified by the enrolment of infants in their parents' gadgets. ‘There is no reason whatsoever that anybody should be giving a cell phone to an infant in the crib, yet there are thousands of apps for babies in cribs,' she observes. ‘If you must give a cell phone to a toddler, at least make sure it is in flight mode.'” (read the article here)
  • A study in India shows that mobile phone radiation is “causal to sperm damage” – so, fellas, have a think about where you keep your mobile phone

As well, she and her colleagues are creating models to show the effects of mobile phone radiation – which when you can see it, it is even more alarming.

You can view her Melbourne lecture here:

ACEBR at RMIT

Unfortunately, there are some scientists with their minds closed to possibilities – perhaps fattened wallets ensure that eyes and minds stay blinkered? – and this group are now in positions to make decisions. At the December ACEBR event held at RMIT, it became clear that all terminology has been reinvented to help blur the lines and keep people confused. Some terminology that Croft have redefined at that event are:

  • “Thermal effects” apparently now refers to any health or bioeffects that suits their team of researchers. By doing this, they can maintain that EMF has thermal effects at high levels, and has no other effects. Effects on sleep, according to the speakers at this meeting, is a thermal effect, under their new definition
  • “Science,” for some of the speakers at this meeting, “science” refers to “our truth.” In that, if it is something they disagree with, then it is “not real science”

The Precautionary Principle

Another outrageous attitude presented at the ACEBR event included that there was no need to follow or establish precautionary principles “because we don't want to alarm the public.”

The Precautionary Principle is all about keeping the public safe. If there isn't enough science to prove that something is safe, we need to exercise caution.

Consumers believe that what they can access in shops or online is SAFE FOR THEM. Consumers have the right to think this. Decision-makers have the responsibility, or even duty of care, to make sure that they are safe… but it is in this last step that the system falls apart.

In the meantime, believing the effluent that flows from the mouths of the affluent scientists who are no longer impartial and show a clear bias, is unwise because it is unsafe.

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Take Action To Protect Yourself

If the decision-makers don't have the guts to protect you – take action yourself. There are a few more articles you can read here:

More Information from the Scientists on Mobile Phones

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski (Finland) also did two lectures in Melbourne, “Wireless Radiation and Human Health: How Reliable Is the Scientific Evidence?” (slides here) and “Mobile Phone Radiation and the Blood Brain Barrier: Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on the Human Endothelium” (slides here).

Leszczynski was one of the 30 scientists invited by IARC to make the decisions about how to classify RF back in 2011.

Some key points from Leszczynski's lectures:

  • A regular mobile phone user is someone who uses their phone for one call a week, every week for six months – so that makes many people a few steps beyond excessive users??
  • Since 2011, some very important research has been published:
    • CERENAT found an increased risk of glioma, temporal tumours with occasional and urban use
    • Lerchl found increased risk of lung and liver tumours in animals; and an increased risk in brain tumours in heavy phone users
    • Schmid and Kuster found that exposure of the skin, blood and muscles may well exceed 40W/kg (way in excess of the SAR levels) at a cellular level

Leszczynski wants to see IARC classify radiofrequencies as 2A – as probably carcinogenic to humans.

For more information on mobile phones and more

Listen to interviews:

~10 minute interviews:

Read more research and link to the scientists who care about your health:

#EMF #EHS #phoneradiation #devradavis #dariuszleszczynzki #cellphones #mobilephones #smartphones

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski on Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on Human Endothelium

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski is a leading scientist in the area of EMF. He is presenting a public lecture. The topic: Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on Human Endothelium.

Prof Leszczynski, PhD, DSc Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland, Chief Editor of ‘Radiation and Health’, Lausanne, Switzerland.

About Prof Dariusz Leszczynski's Lecture

Several animal studies suggested that mobile phone radiation may cause leakage of the blood-brain barrier. Studies of my research group, using cultures of human endothelial cell line, have shown that mobile phone radiation, at levels permitted by the current safety standards, activates Hsp27/p38MAP kinase stress response pathway.

EMF and Skin

Exposure of endothelial cells to mobile phone radiation caused transient increase in phosphorylation (activity) of the Hsp27 stress protein and p38MAP kinase. Activation of the Hsp27/p38MAPK pathway led to re-distribution of the F-actin in cytoplasm and an increased stability of the F-actin stress fibers. This, in turn, led to shrinkage of the endothelial cells.

These observations suggest that mobile phone radiation might affect endothelial permeability and potentially cause leakage of the blood-brain barrier.

Furthermore, it is likely that the activation of the Hsp27/p38MAPK pathway affects also endothelial gene expression, as shown by the analysis of changes in expression of endothelial transcriptome and proteome.

The only human volunteer proteomic study, performed by my research group, has indicated that mobile phone radiation might alter protein expression in human skin.

mobile phone radiation might alter protein expression in human skin.

Further studies are necessary to determine whether changes of transcriptome, proteome and bloodbrain barrier permeability are caused by mobile phone radiation in human brain.

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Prof Leszczynski’s Lecture – WHEN and WHERE

Melbourne University, Friday, 11th December, 2015, at 2.00PM

Richard Newton Rooms, Level 5, Electrical Engineering Building, University of Melbourne

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski’s Lecture – HOW


Concerned that EMF May be Affecting Your Health?
Let's talk! Book a call here >>

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski Wireless Radiation and Human Health Policies

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski, who holds two doctorates in molecular biology and biochemistry, is presenting a FREE public lecture

Between 1992 and 2013 Prof Dariusz Leszczynski worked at the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. During the years 2003-2007 he worked as the Head of Radiation Biology Laboratory and from 2000 to 2013 as a Research Professor.

He has spent several periods working at different universities around the world: 1997-1999 – Assistant Professor at the Harvard Medical School, 2006-2009 – Guangbiao Professor at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China and 2012-2013 – Visiting Professor at the Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.

Among others, in 2009 Prof Dariusz Leszczynski testified in the US Senate and in 2015 in the Canadian House of Commons hearings on cell phones and health and in 2014 advised Minister of Health of India.

In 2011 he was one of the 30 experts, invited by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, who classified cell phone radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

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About Prof Dariusz Leszczynski's Lecture

“Wireless Radiation and Human Health Policies: How reliable is the Scientific Evidence?”

The scientific evidence for biological and health effects of radiation emitted by the wireless devices is contradictory. Different areas of investigation included epidemiology, human volunteer studies, animal and in vitro studies. For all, there are both, studies showing effects and studies showing lack of effects.

When considering the impact on human health, the most important results are those obtained in human studies. Health policy recommendations and safety limits must be firmly based on the scientific evidence.

But the question is, how to make reliable health policy recommendations and how to set adequate safety standards, when the scientific evidence is contradictory, when the quality of science is poor or when there are gaps in the scientific evidence.

Should the precautionary policies be considered, especially of the Precautionary Principle, as defined by the European Union?

These are important health-policy-related questions. They will be addressed in the context of the currently available scientific evidence of the wireless radiation effects and its quality for decision-making.

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski's Lecture – WHEN and WHERE

Monash University Wednesday, 9th December, 2015, at 11AM, the Lecture Theatre of The Alfred Centre (5th floor) 99 Commercial Road

Prof Dariusz Leszczynski's Lecture – HOW

You do not need to register or RSVP to this event.

Worried about how Wireless Technology May be Affecting Your Health?
Contact Lucinda >>

Dr Devra Davis on Wireless Devices & Biological Effects

Epidemiologist and Toxicologist Dr. Devra Davis will be presenting a FREE public lecture in Sydney

Dr. Davis is an internationally recognised expert on electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and other wireless transmitting devices. She is the Founding Director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute- the first institute of its kind in the world, to examine the environmental factors that contribute to the majority of cases of cancer.

Her presentation will outline:

  • the evolution of the mobile phone and smartphone
  • the background to the current radiation safety standards (SAR)
  • modelling exposures to children and adults from mobile phone and wireless radiation with breakthrough animations of children’s exposure and risks
  • the mobile phone and secondary insurance industries approach to this important topic
  • new global studies on the health consequences of mobile/ wireless radiation policy developments:
  • “The Right to Know” Law. New legislation in California U.S.A. requiring mobile phone retailers to fully disclose the radiation levels of the mobile phones and ways in which to reduce exposure.
  • current requirements regarding mobile phones in Belgium, France, Israel, India, Taiwan and other high tech nations
  • a proposed system “Would you give two cents?” to create funding for cross-disciplinary training in electrical engineering and medicine, identifying important data gaps and carrying out cutting edge research as Australia currently has more mobile phones than people.

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In the past Australia has led the world in safety standards including:

  • first country in the world to have compulsory seat belts
  • leader in gun control laws
  • first country in the world to implement plain packaging cigarettes
  • a leader in product and food disclosure legislation

However, Australia is falling behind in addressing the significant issues associated with safe mobile phone use.

Dr. Davis’ address is compelling listening for parents and students, educators, those concerned about liability arising from mobile phone use, government legislators or any organisation in which mobile phones and wireless devices are used on a daily basis.

Her address will ask you to reconsider your relationship with this essential piece of technology and provide clear tips on the path to safer use.

WHEN and WHERE to see Dr Devra Davis:

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

UNSW Kensington, The Law Building Lecture theatre G02, NSW

HOW to book to see Dr Devra Davis:

Concerned about EMF?
Let us assist you with a Virtual Indoor Environmental Health Assessment.

Sick Building Syndrome – What Does it Mean?

What is a “Sick Building”?

Have you heard about “Sick Building Syndrome”?

This is where the occupants of a building are sick because of something in a building where they spend time.

What makes people sick are known as “environmental stressors” – environmental hazards that place a stress on our immune system.

This can be anything from water damage and mould, to indoor air quality, to electromagnetic fields. It may be from components of the building itself, such as lead. Or even from the land where the building was erected – a form of “geopathic stress.”

In Australia, this term is somewhat understood, but far less people really understand what “Building Biology” is.

An Interview

When I began this career, I was an active committee member of my professional association. In my time as President, Nicole Groch from LivingSafe.com.au interviewed me about “building biology.”

Here is a snippet of it:

You may have heard of someone using a Building Biologist to check out their home for radiation, mold and sick building syndrome, but you really are not exactly sure what it is they do and who they are….

I personally have hired a Building Biologist to come out and measure the EMF from the Smart Meter in our home and I am very glad I did. It wasn’t just the smart meter that was the problem. It was also our transformer base study lamps, that we were using as bedside lamps and high EMF hot spot was found in our bedroom from an unearthed water pipe running under the floor. Thanks to the Building Biologist we were able to correct these hazards.

So what is a Building Biologist?

In a nutshell, a Building Biologist is a person who has been trained to assess the potential health hazards of a building or built environment. We adopt the Precautionary Principle, that is, if something hasn’t been proven to be safe, then we err on the side of caution and aim to minimise exposure or risks.

… Read it all here.

Another Interview

As well, I chatted with Nicole Bijlsma about Building Biology, the changes in the field, and what is required of a Building Biologist.

https://youtu.be/50SDRUsDU7Q



#buildingbiology #environmentalsensitivities

revised 20/4/20