Conditions & Diseases

Hard Science linking EMF Exposure to Ill Health and Cancer

The huge increase in electromagnetic energy in today's modern electronic-charged environment coincides with an alarming increase in new-age ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, tinnitus, depression, hormone dysfunction, Alzheimer’s disease and leukemia, and with a huge spike in childhood cancers.

The body of empirical evidence confirming that the EMF exposure causes health problems and damages human cells is very strong. Children are more at risk than adults and many children are now showing signs of electrical sensitivities. Long-term exposure to electrical contaminates are known to have a variety of adverse health effects including many types of cancer.

• On May 31, 2011 The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The official classification of wireless EMF as Group 2B puts wireless radiation in with 260 other substances already classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” this includes substances such as lead, styrene and the pesticide DDT. This decision mirrors the 2001 IARC finding that extremely low frequency (electrical power lines and appliances) be classified as a 2B Carcinogen based primarily with respect to childhood leukemia. It also said that there was "insufficient" data to draw any conclusions on other cancers.



• A study released in 2008 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was based on data representing 90 percent of the U.S. population found caner rates for children highest in the Northeast US. Lead author of the study Dr. Jun Li said: “Environmental factors might play a role, including exposure to radiation. Radiation has been linked with the most common types of childhood cancer -- leukemia, lymphoma and brain cancers.



• Martin Halper, the EPA's Director of Analysis and Support says, "I have never seen a set of epidemiological studies that remotely approached the weight of evidence that we're seeing with EMFs. Clearly there is something here."



• In 2001, Ahlbom et al. conducted a review into EMFs and Health, and found that there was a doubling in childhood leukemia for magnetic fields of over 0.4 µT (4 milligauss)



• In 2005 Draper et al. found a 70% increase in childhood leukemia for those living within 200 metres (656 ft) of an overhead transmission line, and a 23% increase for those living between 200 and 600 metres (656 and 1,969 ft).



• The California Health Department of Health, EMF Program 2002 concluded: "EMFs from power lines, home wiring and appliances can cause some degree of increased risk of childhood leukemia, brain cancer, Lou Gehrig's disease and miscarriages."



• David Carpenter, Dean at the School of Public Health, State University of New York believes it is likely that up to 30% of all childhood cancers come from exposure to EMF.



• In well-conducted, blind studies Professor Magda Havas at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario found significant links between “dirty electricity” in homes and schools and diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and diabetes and to asthma, ADD/ADHD in children. Havas also found a link between cordless digital phones and changes in the heart rate of 40% of subjects tested.



• Published in 2007 by an international working group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professions The BioInitiative Group concluded that the existing standards for public safety for EMFs are completely inadequate to protect your health. The report includes studies showing evidence that electromagnetic fields and exposure to radio frequencies can:
  
  
  • Affect gene and protein expression (Transcriptomic and Proteomic Research)
  
  
  
  • Have genotoxic effects -- DNA damage
  
  
  
  • Affect immune function
  
  
  
  • Affect neurology and behavior
  
  
  
  • Cause childhood cancers (Leukemia)
  
  
  
  • Impact melatonin production; Alzheimer’s Disease; Breast Cancer
  
  
  
  • Promote breast cancer (Melatonin links in laboratory and cell studies)
  
  
  
  • EMF have been shown to cause other potentially harmful biological effects, such as leakage of the blood brain barrier

Probably the most convincing evidence of potential harm comes from living cells themselves when they start to manufacture stress proteins upon exposure to EMF. The stress response occurs with a number of potentially harmful environmental factors, such as elevated temperature, changes in pH, toxic metals, etc. This means that when stress protein synthesis is stimulated by radiofrequency or power frequency EMF, the body is telling us in its own language that RF exposure is potentially harmful.