Harbinger of Reality Re: EMFs

[Retrovision]

I'm going to quote some lines from the "Municipal Primer on Electromagnetic Fields" as given to me by a prominent figure on such matters.

"EMFs and Your Health
Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects on human health of 50-60 Hz electric and magnectic fields generated by transmission and distribution powerlines. Most of the research presently focussses on the possible cancer-causing effects of these electric and magnetic fields.


Until theend of the 1970s, concern focussed on electric fields generated by high voltage power lines. Criteria were established to limit the short circuit electric current that a person might experience while touching conductive object (e.g. a metal door handle) under or close to a line (the IRPA electric field standard of 10 kv/m)

(this study goes on in droves, I'll try to make it fathomable for you all...)

Magnetic Fields in Homes
No criteria were applied to magnetic fields. They did not seem to be OF concern to us, since they were weak and had only a low potential to induce an electric body. Magnetic fields are not weakened by most ofjexts. The magnetic fiel produced by power lines extends beyond the immediate power line corridor (the right-of-way). However, both electric and magnetic fields drop off with increasing distance from the source. At home locations, the strenghts of magnetic fields from power lines are comparable to those from other EMF sources in the house.

Other EMF Sources
The strengths of the electric and magnetic fields from household electrical appliances may be important. However, ezposure to these fields is usually intermittent. In contrast, people are continuously exposed to the magnetic fields from electric power lines. Ground currentrs in homes may also sometimes be an important source of residential exposure. Occupational exposure may be of hight levels for people working in the electricdal utility industry or with electrical equipment, such as welders."


and it goes on like this


I can now be honest in saying that I appreciate such "studies", we'd be less if not for them.

[Retrovision]

I feel like I need to go on...

IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN EMFs AND CANCER
(this report goes on)

"EMFs and Malignant Tumours in Children
The first human epidemilogical study that proposed that magnetic fields might be linked to malignant tumours in children was carried out in Denver (Wesrheimer and Leeper, 1979). This study was carried out because of some problems in its research methodology and not clear explanation was found for its positive results.

Subsequent studies have tried to confirm or refute this link. However, these studies have had trouble assessing to what degree people were exposed to EMFs before the diseaser started (especially ezposure everal years before).

Can Children get Cancer from EMFs?
Several epidemiological studies have reported increased cancer risks, especially for children living close to high-current power lines or in homes with background magnetic fields stronger than those exposed by healthy children. At this time, scientists do not yet know, whether magnetic fields, or methodological problems are responsible for the findings."

[Retrovision]

sorry, obviously I meant 'exposure,' 'several,' etc.

[Retrovision]

Use of Electricity and Leukaemia

We must acknowledge that, in spite of the increasing sure of electricity in in dustrialized countries in the last 40 years, we have not seen any important increase in leukaemia. While this is reassuring, we cannot reject the possible role of magnetic field exposure, since it is not clear if the increase in electricity consumption has been accompanied by an increase in personal exposures to EMFs.

Other health risks have been studeied less, and it is difficult to tell whether the results are significant. Some studies, somewhat flawed, suggest:
-an increase in deepresseion and migraines for residents of homes located near high voltage power lines or exposed to slightly higher than average magnetic field strengths and cellular telephones
-poorly functioning pace makers due to EMF interference, also from the use of electrical appliances


Conclusion

The risk of childhood cancer, perhaps influenced to exposure to magnetic fields from an electrical system, cannot be neglegted.

However, it is difficult to make specific health forecasts. It maybe be estimated in a very approximate manner that if childhood leukaemia is truly caused by magnetic fields, then between 30 and 60 children in canada could be afflicted in Canada could be afflicted each year with leukaemia due to the fact that they live near an electrical system (Levallois et Gauvin, 1994).

The potential risk is not negligible for public health. Several important studies on childhood leukaemia and EMFs are resently underway in Canada and the US. Their first results will not be available before 1997-98 >yes, this is an old study, like I mentioined< but they will help determine the situation for North America. Results of experimental studies with humans as well as in the loratory (animals and cells) will also help clarify the possible link between EMFs and Cancer.