Are electromagnetic fields harmful to health?
Around there are thousands of kilometers of electric lines. Thanks to this network, from the places of production of electricity you reach the workshops, homes and necessary places. Evidently, these lines of electricity have a landscape incidence that, with exceptions, does not generate a special social concern. The concern is due to the health condition of the electromagnetic fields that produces electricity in cables and electrical appliances.
Natural electromagnetic fields
If one departs from scientific terminology, the word field is used when forces are revealed in a given place of space. The most well-known case is that of the gravitational zone and the force of gravity, for example, the apple, the mass, is attracted by the force of gravity that generates the earth, the second mass, that falls to the ground. Likewise, the electric charge in the electric field must withstand the electric force –field– that can generate the second electric charge. If the first electric charge is positive, another positive electric charge repels it, while the negative attracts it.
Electric charges generate electric fields. For example, the electrical charges present in the ionosphere generate a natural electric field. The movement of these electric charges produces magnetic fields such as movements of electrical charges in the core of the Earth. To measure magnetic fields, units called teslas (T) or microteslas (mT) are used. The Earth's magnetic field has an approximate intensity of 40 mT.
Industrial frequency electromagnetic fields
Electricity can be used as a direct or alternating current. The direct current is the one that does not change direction, for example the one generated by the electric batteries, while the alternating current is the one that periodically changes direction and intensity, for example, the one that reaches the homes and the factories through the electric grid. This current change is measured in hertzios. One of the most notable differences between electromagnetic fields generated in electrical installations and natural electromagnetic fields is that natural spaces are static due to their low periodic variation, while those of power are modified 50 times per second. These last are the electromagnetic fields that worry, of very low frequency.
Low-frequency electromagnetic fields are frequently mixed with X-rays, microwave and other radiation generators. There arises the first disagreement, because although for some they are the same, for others they have nothing to see. X-rays have a very high energy, enough to break the molecules that go through and cause mutations, that is, they are able to transform the structure of the genetic material.Therefore, in certain circumstances, X-rays are considered the cause of cancer. The microwaves do not have so much energy, the molecules that cross arrive until the heating, but not to break them, so the microwave ovens heat the introduced inside. According to supporters of the safety of electromagnetic fields, because the low frequency electromagnetic fields are not able to heat molecules or break them, some should not mix with others.
Electromagnetic medium Electromagnetic medium
Both of them, when someone is close to something that uses electricity, it is undeniable that they are exposed to electromagnetic fields. Limiting the influence of the electric field to the person is not difficult. It is obtained by placing any structure. When the field is magnetic, the question is different, since it is not possible to obtain insulation. There is no more to look at the magnetic field of the Earth, which crosses it in its entirety. For this reason, most of the investigations are carried out in relation to the effects of the magnetic fields. Thanks to the techniques used today, it has been possible to verify that the influence of the magnetic fields is constant 24 hours a day, and that this influence has nothing to do with the place in which it is located, and that the intensity of this field increases with the use of some electrical appliances.
Knowing that the effects of magnetic fields are constant, uncertainties may increase about their possible harmfulness to health. However, doses should be recovered, since the influence of electromagnetic fields is not the same. In the case of medications, every eight hours or every four hours with the same dose, it is evident that the effect is not the same; in addition, an increase in the dose can have negative consequences. This does not occur with electromagnetic fields, since there is no clear relationship between dose and effect. If necessary, the average daily dose may have a lot to see, or the dose received above a point… it is not clear.
The human body has its own electrical charges, especially in fluids rich in ions, such as blood. Under the influence of electromagnetic fields, these electrical charges move, forming electrical currents within the body. Although the amount of these currents can depend on many agents, in general it seems to be inferior to those that the body itself generates naturally. However, this does not mean that those exposed to electromagnetic fields do not notice anything; in particular, it can be felt itchy when the current intensity is high, and before the eyes light reflections are also perceived.
Do electromagnetic fields affect health?
As for the definitions that have appeared in the previous lines, with specific nuances, it would also be coincident which have a different position on this issue. Non-conformities appear when asked: Do electromagnetic fields have health effects? The Spanish Association of Electrical Companies has recently published a report with information and opinion on this subject. According to this report, so far scientists have not been able to prove that electromagnetic fields are harmful to health, but no one has proven otherwise. According to the electrical ones, certain tests carried out in laboratories have observed a certain relationship between electromagnetic fields and biological effects.
In the laboratories, two types of tests are usually performed: on the one hand the so-called In vitro, with cells isolated in the trials; on the other, the so-called In vivo, with animals or people. In the trials carried out with isolated cells, in vitro, it has been studied if the electromagnetic fields are able to produce changes in the genes, since if they had occurred, it would be relatively clear that the electromagnetic fields are able to initiate malformations and cancer processes. However, according to studies conducted, electromagnetic fields are not capable of causing changes in genes. In addition, to check whether or not electromagnetic fields have another effect on cells, other types of tests have been performed: whether or not they alter the movement of ions, whether they reduce the rate of protein production, whether or not cells have a response to hormones, whether or not they change the characteristics of the immune system, etc. There have been no convergent results, since sometimes there were changes and on other occasions no contradictory results have been presented. Therefore, although some influence has been noted in laboratory trials, it is still not known how electromagnetic fields can accurately affect living beings.
Of the investigations in vivo, with rats, hamsters and sheep, a clear conclusion has not been reached. In sheep trials no change was observed, while in trials with rats and hamsters it has been observed that electromagnetic fields could reduce the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that forms in the brain and conditions the sexual activity of animals, their behavior and other physiological functions. This reduction in production only occurred under certain conditions and circumstances, under the influence of electromagnetic fields of more than 100 T.
According to the association of electrical companies, it has not yet been possible to verify that the electromagnetic fields are harmful to health, nor the cause of this possible damage, and when talking about doses, what is more important, it has not been possible to determine from where the danger can arrive.
In addition to laboratory tests, in recent times, another type of research has been carried out to check whether there is any relationship between health problems and electromagnetic fields that are generated in the workplace. These studies have been carried out in several countries and electric companies say that in general there is no direct relationship. However, due to the risk of abortion, in Sweden the working time of women working in front of computers is limited. The International Committee on Occupational Safety has also adopted a decision in the same line: it is not necessary to modify working situations or working procedures because they do not cause any over-damage to health, but this issue should be followed.
Worries Worries Worries
In addition to the report issued by the electric companies association, there are other opinions. The last part of the decision adopted by the International Committee on Labour Security, which should be followed in this area, allows opening a new trend of opinion. According to this current of opinion, electromagnetic fields are directly related to increasingly widespread diseases such as cancer.
In July of last year, the European Union itself proposed that artificial electromagnetic fields remain exposed for as little as possible. The proposal points out that high voltage power lines, rail networks and radiations of electrical appliances can produce electrical shock, surface problems, and problems of the nervous system and heart.
Another example is the work done by the Institute of Safety and Hygiene in the Workplace. This institute has elaborated the table of the electromagnetic spectrum. Then, from the table, it offers a series of conclusions.
The electromagnetic spectrum would be formed:
- Static electric and magnetic fields (magnets, direct current conductors…).
- Very Low Frequency electromagnetic waves (electric lines of alternating current…).
- Low Frequency electromagnetic waves (induction welding machines).
- Electromagnetic waves of radiofrequency (radio and television waves, welding plastics…).
- Microwave (microwave ovens, mobile phones…).
- Infrared (infrared light, incandescent material…).
- Light (bulbs…).
- Ultraviolet (solar lamps, industrial soldering lamps…).
According to the Institute of Safety and Hygiene, the radiations present in the electromagnetic spectrum are not ionizing, since they are not able to modify the structure of atoms or molecules. However, the Institute considers that it has influence. For example, ultraviolet radiations are capable of producing surface problems and conjunctivitis, while infrared damage the retina of the eyes. Finally, they say that microwaves are extremely dangerous, since they act on the water molecules in the tissues.
Project CEM, international project
As can be seen, from the beginning, as indicated in this same article, things are not clear as to the relationship between electromagnetic fields and health problems. Therefore, in May 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the project called CMS to detect the existence or not of relationship between electromagnetic fields and health problems. The project, which will end in 2001, aims to clarify the issue of the breaking of links and put an end to the confusion of the different lines of research in this area. For this purpose it has several small objectives:
- To analyze scientific research on electromagnetic fields.
- Identify the most unknown aspects of research to determine where health risks come from.
- Promote a specific high quality research program on electromagnetic fields.
- Evaluate the health risks of electromagnetic fields during the conduct of the aforementioned research.
- International approval of the unified regulation on electromagnetic fields.
- Information on risks, management, communication and perception.
According to the World Health Organization, the implementation of the project has great importance for everyone to play with the same standards, such as, for reasons of economic interest, in several countries that were in the jungle of the Soviet Union, the limits of electromagnetic radiation are 100 times greater than those accepted in other countries. The adoption of such measures without knowing the influence of electromagnetic fields for the World Health Organization, taking into account only the economic benefit, can pose a risk.
Finally, another study, which has been compiled by researchers from all over the world and published in the report "Electromagnetic fields and human health ½". As for the summary of conclusions, we highlight:
- The electromagnetic fields created by alternate currents have some biological influence, however, the mechanism is not known and the possible damage has not been properly checked.
- It has not been possible to verify that the magnetic fields have to do with reproductive problems or with malformations or changes of behavior.
- As for the different types of cancer, mainly of leukemia and brain, there are no absolute results. Therefore, it cannot be said that they have relationship or not. The impact on adults has not been constant or repetitive, while in studies with children there is a slight upward trend in the risk of leukemia.
- The human being is exposed at all times to electromagnetic fields.
- Until the problem is resolved, it is recommended to move away as far as possible from the electromagnetic fields, as a precautionary measure, not for the existence of danger.
- The media, in general, offer a greater impact on the impact of electromagnetic fields, taking things out of their benefit.
- For the moment, no substantive reasons for establishing the international border are appreciated.
- Electromagnetic fields can be useful and beneficial in medicine, for example for the realization of magnetic resonances.
- The electromagnetic fields must be investigated more and better.
So far, research on electromagnetic fields. Although it is known that it does not report health benefits, in view of the observed it is difficult to affirm that the electromagnetic fields are harmful to health, more difficult even if they have no effect. The truth is that if we talk about environmental problems, the impact of artificial electromagnetic fields on the landscape, the safety of workers, working conditions, etc. It is evident. As with other topics, time and research will put an end to this topic. In not being able to completely isolate oneself, one must try to live well.
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