EMF Dangers

EMFs - The Dangers of Modern Convenience 

We are immersed in a world of technology, unable to escape from the moment our electronic alarm clocks awake us in the morning until the moment we snuggle under our electric blankets at the end of the day. We have been raised with the luxuries of modern appliances to simplify our lives.

 

Unfortunately, today we are faced with illnesses that were rare if not completely unheard of just a short century ago. While our technology continues to advance us to new heights, very little attention has been paid to the toll that such feats are exacting on our health. And it was not until very recently that a focus has been placed on the dangers associated with the very “conveniences” that were intended to improve the quality of our lives.

 

In the 1970’s researchers established a link between childhood leukemia and electrical power lines, creating an uproar in rural communities across America. It was found that power lines, like all electrical devices, emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that had the ability to cause cancer in children. Since this discovery, more researchers have devoted their attention to determining the full extent to which EMFs impact our health. While the research is relatively new, the findings thus far are frightening.

 

All power operated appliances and machinery, both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), emit electromagnetic waves. As the electromagnetic waves radiate away from their origin, they decrease in strength rapidly, dropping off almost completely at about 4 feet.

 

Such electromagnetic fields are measured in terms of Gauss (G) or milligauss (mG), 1/1,000 of a Gauss. The electrical wiring in your home, when operating properly, emits between 0.5 and 0.9mG. The EPA's recommended safety standard is 1mG.

 

 

"EMFs could turn out to be a far worse environmental disaster,
affecting far more people, than toxic waste, radiation or asbestos."

 

EMFs have been linked to a host of health concerns, including miscarriage, birth defects, breast cancer (in both men and women), adult and childhood leukemia, depression, suicide, Alzheimer’s  disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and ALS.

 

Researchers believe that, rather than causing direct harm, EMFs create subtle changes within the body that lead to serious diseases. Extensive research has been conducted examining the effects of EMFs on a hormone in the body called melatonin.

 

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the center of the brain and controls the sleeping and waking cycles, enhances the immune system, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and is a potent antioxidant that plays a part in preventing cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and heart disease.

 

Studies indicate that EMF exposure can shut down melatonin secretion in the body. Researchers at the University of North Carolina believe that the decreased levels of melatonin stemming from EMF exposure may cause depression and suicide.

 

Further research indicates that EMFs actually have the ability to alter the hormones estrogen as well as testosterone.

 

A study released in the Environmental Health Science Perspectives journal, indicates that exposure to EMFs from everyday household appliances has the ability to alter brain cell DNA. Additionally, EMF exposure increases the number of free radicals in the body, which wreak havoc on the damaged DNA cells.

 

 Cells experience “cell suicide” in which a cell self-destructs because it cannot repair itself. Most interestingly, their research suggests that even brief exposure can pose a problem, as it appears damage builds up over time.