Transcript EMF (electromagnetic radiation fields) Findings on Health

EMF
(electromagnetic radiation fields)
Findings on Health Dangers
Click on http://emfct.com and watch first video
Presentation on findings to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Dr. Kathryn J. Biacindo
California State University, Fresno
April 08, 2008
EMF Probabilty of Risk
Based on research findings in Ellen Sugarman
(2008, 4th ed.), Warning: Electricity Around
You May Be Hazardous to Your Health
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Supported by EPA studies, director Michael
Halper, stated, “In all my years of looking at
chemicals, I have never seen a set of
epidemiological studies that remotely approached
the weight of evidence that we’re seeing with ELF
electromagnetic fields.”
Supported by the $7 million study performed by
the California Department of Health Services, in
which all DHS scientists believe that EMF can
cause some degree of increased risk for childhood
leukemia, adult brain cancer, Lou Gehrig’s disease,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and miscarriage.
NOTE: Lobbying from PUCs have forced the
change of wording from “probable increased risk”
to “possible” increased risk.
Click on http://emfct.com and watch video 15
EMF is a Class 2 Carcinogen
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IARC, division of the World
Health Organization,
classified low frequency EMF
as a Group 2B carcinogen
(cigarettes are in the class)
EPA (1990) had categorized
EMF as a Class 2 carcinogen
Based on a 25 year
longitudinal study in Sweden,
EMF was classified as a Class
2 carcinogenic as early as
1989
Click on http://emfct.com and
watch video 11
EMF—SOME FACTS
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Safe levels for EMF exposure have been set at 2 milli
Gauss
Property values around transmission lines are reduced
by an average of 30%
Transmission lines emit an average of 100 milli Gauss
The EPA concluded, after a 15 year study, that there
was a positive association between EMF and site
specific cancer, cancer of the central nervous system,
and lymphomas
Animals, birds, and fish exposed to transmission lines
do not migrate properly, have mating cycles disrupted,
and fail to eat properly
Studies cited by power companies that there is
no risk from EMF have been reversed
ORIGINAL INTERPRETATION
OF RESEARCH FINDINGS
(Peter A. Valberg, 2001)
To see report, click on
http://wwww.www.powerlinefacts.com/Expert%
20Testimony/Valberg%20testimony.htm
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Associations between wire code
classification of homes and
disease showed no causal
effects from EMF
As the steady magnetic field of
the earth is 570 mG, and has no
measurable adverse effects, it
can be assumed that the lower
magnetic field levels of power
lines would also have no ill
effects
U.S. EMF RAPID program
found negative outcomes
between EMF and health
effects
National Academy of Sciences
on EMF “Science can’t prove that
anything is safe. But so far we have
failed to find a hazard.”
UPDATED FINDINGS
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EMF lowers melatonin to a non-beneficial level in the
body (low levels predispose one to cancer, stress, and
depression) [Dr. Neil Cherry, 1997]
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Click on http://www.emfct.com and watch video 16
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ELF causes breast cancer --a cell that is 5% active
with cancer will become 95% active after exposure to
as little as 5 mG; this is true for both men and women
(ELF acts as a co-carcinogen)
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A review of 35 international research studies had 33
establish a conclusive link between brain tumors,
leukemia, and other forms of cancer. Policy
recommendations place a warning not to live any
closer than 200 yards of transmission lines.
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Russian scientists have done more studies on EMF
than any other country, and report EMF is connected
with high blood pressure, chronic stress, immune
system dysfunction, changes in white and red blood
cell counts, metabolic changes, and headaches. (Havas,
2002)
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Click on http://www.emf-health.com and watch video
SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE ON HOW
EMF EFFECTS THE PHYSICAL BODY
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Deteriorates melatonin in the
body
Destroys healthy blood cells
Breaks apart DNA strands
Changes firing rates in brain
cells
Leaks calcium ions in brain
and cells
Alters EEGs
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Most studies conducted at UCLA
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http://www.equilibra.uk.com/emfsbio.shtml
Goldsworthy, Andrew (2007), The biological
effects of weak electromagnetic fields.
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It is impossible to argue,
with these findings, that
EMF is safe, as the
power companies have
repeatedly stated.
SOME CURRENT HEALTH STATISTICS
BASED ON EMF RESEARCH
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11 of 65 workers on the 1st floor of a
telephone company developed cancer from
the electric equipment housed in the room
adjacent to their office
A San Francisco elementary school had 22
cases of cancer among staff who worked in
the front of the building near overhead high
voltage power lines and four pole mounted
transformers [Fresno’s Slater elementary
school has been closed due to parallel
findings.]
Clinical research showed that human cancer
cells in a lab experiment exposed to 60hz
electric fields proliferated and within one
week were cloning six times as fast as
normal.
Children whose mothers had used electric
blankets during pregnancy showed a 300%
increase in brain tumors.
RECENT INTERNATIONAL
EVENT on March 28, 2008
Hundreds of thousands of
households worldwide shut
off their electrical power for
an hour on the night of
March 28th. This was in
protest of the effects EMF
has on the ionization of the
atmosphere, destroying
negative ions and thereby
being a major contributing
factor to global warming.
A BRIEF HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF
EMF AS RELATED TO CANCER
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18
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Before EMF
Low EMF
EMF Today
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2
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Electricity
VDTs
Cell phones
WHAT DO THE PUCs DO WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL’S
HEALTH IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY EMF?
Two major health problems—
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Pacemakers (heart problems)
– EMF disrupts the
pacemaker
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EMFSS (electromagnetic
field sensitivity syndrome)—
disabling symptoms include
vertigo and fainting,
confusion, fatigue and
weakness, headache, spasms,
and nausea
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James A. Beal, EMF
Consulting, Wimberly, TX
ANSWER:
NOTHING
They hold fast to their
interpretation of data that
EMF is not the causal factor.
This is based on review of the research with the following
caveats:
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Exposure of lab animals to ELF did not duplicate real life
exposures from power lines and equipment. High
frequency transients were not used (this is the energy surge
produced by motors light switches, electronic controllers
going on). (Maisch, 1998)
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Research is only conducted looking at the safe level of EMF,
2mG. So, when the NCI reported no evidence of EMF and
childhood cancers, it overlooked the fact that numerous
studies found a statistically significant increase in
leukemia for exposure in excess of 3mG. (Maisch, et al.,
1998)
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National Academy of Science reviewed research and found
no conclusive evidence that exposure to EMF produces
cancer, looking at the studies which showed no effect, and
omitted those papers that had found a biological
response. (Mild, K.H., 1997)
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NCRP draft report (National Council on Radiation
Protection and measurements, 1995) supported a plausible
connection between ELF/EMF and disruption of normal
biological processes, with detailed implications for human
health—this draft has not been made available to the
public.
POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
As EMF radiation has been proven to be hazardous, producing more energy is a
wrong choice from both a health and environmental standpoint.
1.
Bury the transmission lines.
2.
Finance solar cells for high energy users.
3.
Create new laws to reduce energy usage.
It has been done in Japan, and
significantly lowers the electropollution.
Set limits of kilowatt
usage; once these are exceeded, user must resort to solar power.
In Japan, all offices must
keep their temperature set at 83 degrees, and it has significantly lowered
power usage.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE
FRESNO AREA
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Before any new power lines,
substations, or transformers are put
up, aggressive research must be
performed to determine the health
affects on the Fresno residents.
A survey should be developed,
based on research findings to date
on EMF, to measure the health
impacts of the current exposed
population.
If the PUCs cannot prove that the
current power configuration is safe,
they should devise and implement
safer alternatives.