It is scientifically accepted that electromagnetic fields affect biological organisms and for that very reason the European Council has called for proposals in order to investigate such harmful effects. This article explains some of the work carried out by the EU (European Union) to identify the underlying side effects of man made Electromagnetic fields in short EMF. However before continuing it is important that readers bear in mind the following information:
Electromagnetic fields
An electromagnetic field has an electrical and a magnetic part. The magnetic part is generated by any flow of current and is measured by the unit tesla, named after a world known scientist Nicola Tesla. When someone stands under a power line he or she is exposed to an electrical voltage gradient but also is exposed to a magnetic field both types of fields can produce biological effects. Nevertheless the magnetic fields can penetrate living tissues in an easier way than electric fields do, therefore it makes such flow highly prejudicial for humans and other living creatures.
The European Council
As 50% of the people in the European Union are concerned about the health risks of electromagnetic fields, the European Commision presented its first report in 2002 and the second in 2007. They were based on the Recommendations of July 1999 on "The limitations of the exposure of the general public to EMF”.
They then designed a set of basic restrictions as well as safety regulations.
As a matter of fact the second report updates and presents initiatives based on the information elaborated in investigations conducted within the 27 Member states.
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly identified Health Risks
The SCENIHR (Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly identified Health Risks) developed a report in March 2007 where it is stated that there is a need of a proper evaluation and assessment of possible health effects from long term exposure to IF (intermediate frequencies) as human exposure to such fields is increasing.
Such document refers also to investigate the effects of extremely low frequencies and static fields.
In relation to children the European Council explains "The previous conclusion that ELF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic, chiefly based on the results of epidemiological studies on childhood leukaemia, is still valid." but it has not been demonstrated yet the same for breast cancer, or cardiovascular diseases. In fact it is not yet defined either, that is to say confirmed or denied if ELF (electromagnetic low frequencies) generate neurodegenerative diseases or brain tumors.
On the other hand, new risk assessments are required to properly study the effects of new technologies which involve static magnetic fields in humans such as the MRI (Magnetic Resonance imaging).
Finally, the SCENIHR also recommended further investigation in RF (radio frequencies) and in IF, ELF, and static fields as it seems that the latter one can cause also genotoxicity and developmental and neurobehavioural effects. In order to continue the research the European Commission invested several million euros to organize the FP7, the 7 Framework Cooperation programme, a project that includes the investigation of the side effects produced by mobile telephones, and wireless communications devices.
Sources:
- UNESCO.WHO.IVPAB Seminar "Molecular and cellular mechanisms of biological effects of EMF" March, 2005, Yerevan.
- Bioelectromagnetic Current Concepts. Sinerik N. Ayrapetyan. UNESCO Chair- Life Sciences International, Postgraduate Educational Center, Yerevan, Armenia and Marko S. Markov. Research International, Buffalo Office, Williamsville, NY, U.S.A. http://www.springer.com/medicine/book/978-1-4020-4277-5.
- Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks. http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scenihr/docs/scenihr_o_006.pdf
Dinah JL Novak - Years of hard work within investigative journalism (online, print and TV ), scientific research and academics (BA and BSc) have provided ...
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