Information on Electromagnetic Stress

Electromagnetic stress
Over the last few centuries our exposure to electricity has increased by a phenomenal amount. Our houses are increasingly filled with gadgetry, time saving devices, lighting, TVs and stereos. At work a large proportion of people spend the majority of their day on a computer and surrounded by electrical machines. All these electrical appliances give off electrical fields. The electricity rays out from the appliance in what is called a "field". Electromagnetic fields are always vibrating; they always spread out into space indefinitely and carry alternating electric and magnetic vibrations.

A danger to health?
Even though we now know that things which are invisible and imperceptible to us are not necessarily harmless, (e.g. radioactivity and X-rays), electricity has become such a central part of our lives that it is hard to question its unseen effects. Yet evidence of its potential danger to health is continually accumulating, and can no longer be disregarded.

"As far as the science itself goes, I think there are four major areas about which there can be little doubt as to the significance of the findings:

The effects on the immune system. A reduction in the ability of the circulating white blood cells to kill tumour cells. This has been shown in cell culture work and partially corroborated in animal studies.
Effects on foetal development. There is evidence not only from abnormalities but also in psycho-sexual development. Epidemiological work has shown that miscarriages may be linked to electric blanket use and some electrical home heating.
The area of the control and regulation of cell growth, including tumour formation.
The effects on the central nervous system and the brain in ways which affect very powerful hormonal mechanisms, which in turn have connections to cancer and cancer-related problems."

"Generally, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can be biologically active, capable of making changes in the structure of human and animal cells which are exposed to them."
"In animal studies, frequencies between 15 and 60 Hz have been shown to alter cellular protein synthesis, disrupt RNA synthesis and reduce immune response."

What causes electromagnetic stress?
"It must be remembered that ALL items connected to the mains electricity supply will give off both electric and magnetic fields when working. At low frequencies (usually the frequency of our mains electricity supply which vibrates 50 times every second), the electric and magnetic components of the fields are not related mathematically to each other and so it is necessary to think about them separately." When an electrical appliance is plugged in at a wall socket, it will give off an electric field, even when it is switched off at the appliance. The further you are away from an appliance, the weaker the field will be, as electric fields decrease with distance."

This means that although most people are completely unaware of it, during most of our day we are passing through electrical fields. For some people this causes no physical symptoms but it is not good for anybody to be exposing themselves to this type of stress.

Symptoms commonly experienced can include:

Immune dysfunction: colds, flu and increasing ill health
Psychological problems: Inability to concentrate, increased anxiety, depression, aggression, irritability, anguish, apathy, insomnia and memory loss
Increased instance of epileptic seizures
Dizziness, vertigo, disorientation, breathlessness
Loss of appetite, nausea
High blood pressure, haemorrhage, nosebleeds
Eye problems: damage to cornea, early need for glasses, dry/itchy eyes.
Skin problems: eczema, dry, red, blotchy skin, dermatitis.
Joint pains: unexplained wrist, arm, shoulder and back pain.
Hearing a buzzing, high pitch vibration, other hearing difficulties
Still birth, lower birth weight, stunted growth
Burning sensation and sweating
Tingling in the fingers, shaking, nervous system agitation

As you can see from this list 'symptoms of electromagnetic stress vary considerably'. Some people merely experience a feeling of lethargy, lack of concentration and fatigue, particularly when using the computer. Others have much more severe reactions to this form of pollution and studies have even linked Electromagnetic fields to childhood leukaemia.
Anyone can react to electromagnetic fields and it is becoming more and more common for people to do so.

How can I protect myself?

1. Measure the fields
Firstly you need to find the source of the Electro-magnetic fields around you. In this way you can determine which area in your home has the highest levels and move beds and other furniture to accommodate this. This will help you to arrange your house so that the majority of your time is not spent within areas of high electrical and magnetic fields. Check our products page to measure EMF's.

2. Avoidance to reduce the effects of electromagnetic stress

Move furniture, particular the bed and seating arrangements, away from areas of high electrical fields.
It is important to bear in mind the items that are used close to the body. Hair dryers for instance produce high electrical fields as do electric blankets, which of course are very close to the body all night long. "Electric under blankets and over blankets give off high magnetic fields that penetrate about 6 or 7 inches into the body." Click here to visit the page of the website.
Avoid the use of electrically operated adjustable beds and furniture, as these give off strong magnetic fields.
Electrical clocks and clock radios should be at least one metre from your head and baby alarms should also be placed at least one metre in distance from the infant.
VDUs and TVs are of course a major source of electrical fields. It is a good idea to sit as far away as possible from the monitor and/or use a device to neutralise the electrical fields.

3. Products which may help with electromagnetic stress
We offer a wide range of products to protect from electrostress. These include meters and monitors so that you can measure the fields, products for personal protection, products to protect you in your home or office and products to help clear the body of electrostress.

Disclaimer
Information included in this website is intended for information purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for consultation with a medical practitioner.

References
Water Electricity and Health, Alan Hall, p43 and p1
Callaghan P.S1977: Turning into Nature, Routledge and Kegan Paul. From Water, Electricity and Health, Alan Hall p.2-3
(Milham and Ossiander, in a paper published in 2001), Electrical Hypersensitivity, a Modern Illness, A and J Philips.
(Adley RW, in Norden B, Ramel C, eds, Interaction Mechanisms of Low-level Electromagnetic Fields in Living Systems, Oxford University Press, 1992)
Your Healthy House, What doctors don't tell you, edited by Lynne McTaggart
Tecno AO booklet and EMF and Microwave protection for you and your family, A & J Philips.
Killing Fields in the Home?, Alasdair and Jean Philips, Green Audit Books, p. 7 and p.67