EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS ON HUMAN

ABSTRACT

The man of 21st century is a man of comfort, totally depending and cannot spend a second without technology. Various equipment such as wireless phones, electrical/electronics equipment etc. has become an integral part of his life. Large numbers of these devices generates electromagnetic radiations. Also these electromagnetic devices have various uses in domestic, industries and medicine. In spite of all these important applications the electromagnetic fields, imposes great danger to the human body.

Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that is produce by oscillating electric and magnetic disturbance, or by the movement of electrically charged particles travelling through vacuum of matter. When something in the environment is called a pollutant, it implies that it is somehow harmful to nature and to human beings. This paper discusses the effect of the electromagnetic pollution on the human body and also the various sources responsible for electromagnetic pollution and safety guide to EMRs. This paper throws light on the other side of the emerging technology.

                                         INTRODUCTION

Electromagnetic radiation itself is a form of energy that is produce by oscillating electric and magnetic disturbance, or by the movement of electrically charged particles travelling through vacuum of matter. Electromagnetic radiations can be classified into two types ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. They are called so based on whether they are capable of ionizing atoms and breaking covalent bonds or not. Ultra violet and higher frequency radiations, such as X-rays or gamma rays are ionizing.

…INTRODUCTION CONTD.

infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays. Wave frequency differentiates one class of radiation from another. Figure 1 is a graphical representation of the spectrum of electromagnetic energy or radiation in ascending frequency (decreasing wavelength). Electromagnetic pollution is due to frequencies which are oscillating slower than visible light waves. But x-rays and gamma rays (which oscillate faster than visible light) are highly dangerous but they are rarely present at our dwelling places and workplaces. Electromagnetic pollution is everywhere.

…INTRODUCTION CONTD.

These pose their own special effects on the life of human beings. Non-ionizing radiation is associated with two major potential hazards that are electrical and biological. Moreover, induced electric current caused by radiation can generate sparks and create a fire or explosive hazard. The electromagnetic spectrum includes several different classes of radiation: low frequency, radio waves, microwaves,

 

SOURCES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS

In the last six years, researchers has made a lot of breakthroughs in understanding how electromagnetic fields affect living systems, not just humans, but all living systems. Electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) come from everything that uses electricity in our world today. Fluorescent lights the most used form of light in NEDDI or even in our homes have transformers. Another large source of EMF in our environment is motors. Electric shaver is an example. In fact, studies have shown that just a few minutes exposure to that kind of a field will affect you for more than 24 hours.

The biggest sources of electromagnetic radiation in our environment are transformers and electric motors.

…SOURCES OF EMRS CONTD

Other devices responsible for electromagnetic pollution are as follows:

•   Computers and related equipment

•   Cellular (mobile) phones

•   Information networks

•   Electrical appliances

•   Electronic equipment

•   Cell phone masts

•   Microwave ovens

•   Cables and conductors

•   High and low voltage power lines and many others.

ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS (EMRs)

Low Frequency EMRs

Strong electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of low frequency about 50 to 60 cycles per second (hertz, or Hz) are very harmful. It is possible to shield a house from electric field generated by a nearby power lines but is difficult to provide shielding from magnetic field generated by them. The magnetic field can be shielded by using the underground transmission system but the cost is much higher than the overhead transmission line system. The long-term exposure of low frequency EMFs may give rise to various health problems especially fatigue, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, sleep disorders and emotional instability.

 

Large numbers of individuals are becoming hypersensitive to EMR. EMR exists around power lines, power tools, boilers, electric stoves, heaters, freezers and television sets when in use using an electric iron or an electric keyboard or working with handheld power tools can quickly drain our energies. Stray currents and radiating fields can be present around us even if appliances are switched off. AC electric fields do not disappears when an appliance is switched off, only AC magnetic fields disappears.

High Frequency EMRs

High frequency electromagnetic field is mainly generated by the cellular phones, microwaves and antennas. High frequency EMFs is due to radio frequency energy in the frequency range of low, medium, high, very high, ultrahigh frequencies or microwaves and is often referred to as radio energy. The term radio frequency energy is used for all the frequencies between 30kHz and 300GHz. Biological effects of radio frequency (RF) energy are:

 

The RF energy heats up the tissues in a similar manner a microwave oven heats the food and it can be dangerous in case of prolong exposure.

Tissues can get damaged if exposed to RF energy because they are not capable of dissipating large amount of heat generated. This can lead to skin burns, deep burns and heat strokes.

Eyes are most affected by the RF energy because the lack of blood flow to cool the cornea can lead to cataract.

RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATIONS

•               Cellular Phones EMRs. Cellular phones work by emitting radio frequency radiations that are transmitted through the antenna in the phone. While using the cellular phone, the device and thus its antenna end up right next to the head and the radiation from it easily affect the brain.

•               Cordless Phones EMRs Swedish scientists have found that cordless phones give rise to the risk of cancer. Researchers studied malignant brain tumor patients on the basis of their usage of cell phones and cordless phones and they found that cancer risk was increased for those who used cordless phones and the user which use both have even higher risk.

 

HAZARDS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC POLLUTION

Electromagnetic pollution has various hazards like electrical hazards, fire hazards, biological hazards and DNA fragmentation.

•               Fire Hazard

Extremely high power electromagnetic radiation can cause sparks (electrical arcs). When an induced voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of the surrounding medium (e.g. air). These sparks can then ignite flammable materials or gases, possibly leading to an explosion. This can be a particular hazard in the vicinity of explosives or pyrotechnics, since an electrical overload might ignite them.

 

This risk is commonly referred to as Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO). On the other hand, the risk related to fuelling is known as Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel (HERF).

•               Biological Hazard

The most understood and discussed biological effect of electromagnetic fields is dielectric heating. For example, touching or standing around an antenna while a high-power transmitter is in operation can cause severe burns. These are exactly the kind of burns that would be caused inside a microwave oven. This heating effect varies with the power and the frequency of the electromagnetic energy. A measure of the heating effect

 

is the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which has units of watts per kilogram (W/kg). The IEEE^[5] and many national governments have established safety limits for exposure to various frequencies of electromagnetic energy based on SAR, mainly based on the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines.

•               Electrical Hazard

Strong radiation can induce current capable of delivering an electric shock to persons or animals. It can also overload and destroy electrical equipment. The induction of currents by oscillating magnetic fields is also the way in which solar storms disrupt the operation of electrical and electronic systems,

 

causing damage to and even the explosion of power distribution transformers, blackouts and interference with electromagnetic signals (e.g. radio, TV, and telephone signals).

•               DNA Fragmentation

In 2009 the study at the University of Basel in Switzerland found that intermittent (but not continuous) exposure of human cells to a 50Hz electromagnetic field at a flux density of 1mT induced a slight but significant increase of DNA fragmentation in the Comet assay. However this level of exposure is already above current established safety exposure limits.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

There are two major sources of electromagnetic pollution and their effects are different on human body, so different protection measures are required for both low frequency and high frequency electromagnetic pollution.

Low Frequency EMP:

•             It must be tried to minimize electromagnetic pollution, especially while sleeping when the pineal gland is most susceptible.

•             Also one should sleep in the dark or at least with a dim lamp to protect the immune-stimulating hormone melatonin.

 

•             Preferably all power points in the bedroom should be switched off and all electric leads with 2-prong plugs should be unplugged before going to sleep.

•             If the head faces a wall with power-points or other electric wiring inside the wall close to the bed, then bed should be moved towards the middle of the room.

•             While using electric blankets, the bed should be warmed beforehand and the plug should be removed before going to bed.

•             It should be tried not to habitually remain within a few meters of a working electric appliance.

High Frequency EMP

•             Human beings should spend less time on the cellular phones.

•             Cellular phones with a lower specific absorption rate (SAR) should be used. Use of cell phones should be limited in case of children below 10 years.

•             It should be avoided to make calls with a low signal and low battery as the cell phone will generate more radiation in an effort to compensate for it.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I want to say that electromagnetic fields are harmful and can have adverse effect on human body depending upon the intensity and frequency of the electromagnetic field exposed to. It is always a good idea to avoid unnecessary exposure to electromagnetic fields whenever possible. Though it is true that technology has made life very comfortable but it is at the expense of our health, it is our first duty to save our lives. Thus we should use technology wisely so that we can save ourselves as well as mother earth. Remember Health is wealth and wisdom is profitable to direct.

REFERENCES

Ø Ali Zamanian and Cy Hardiman, “Electromagnetic Radiation and Human Health: A Review of Sources and Effects”, Summit Technical Media, July 2005.

Ø Focke F, Schuermann D, Kuster N, Schar P, “DNA Fragmentation in Human Fibroblasts Under Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure”, Mutation Research 683(1-2), November 2009.

Ø Professor John E. Moulder, Ph.D., Electromagnetic Fields and Human Health.

Ø Ankur Mahajan, “Human Health and Electromagnetic Radiations”, June, 2013.

Ø "Standard for Safety Level with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3KHz to 300GHz". IEEE STD (IEEE) C95.1. Oct 2005.

Ø International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, “Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)”, Health Physics 74 (4), April 1998.

Ø http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/workbook/stroms.html.

 

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