Coalition for an Underground Alternative

Coalition for an
Underground Alternative

Health Concerns > Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

BIOINITIATIVE REPORT

The attached massive report demonstrates more than a cursory relation between exposure to ELF-EMF and adverse health consequences.

A working group composed of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals (The BioInitiative Working Group) has joined together to document the information that must be considered in the international debate about the adequacy (or inadequacy) of existing public exposure standards.

This Report is the product of an international research and public policy initiative to give an

overview of what is known of biological effects that occur at low-intensity EMFs exposures (for

both radiofrequency radiation RF and power-frequency ELF, and various forms of combined

exposures that are now known to be bioactive). The Report examines the research and current standards and finds that these standards are far from adequate to protect public health.

Recognizing that other bodies in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, many European Union and eastern European countries as well as the World Health Organization are actively debating this topic, the BioInitiative Working Group has conducted a independent science and public health policy review process. The report presents solid science on this issue, and makes recommendations to decision-makers and the public. Conclusions of the individual authors, and overall conclusions are given in Table 2-1 (BioInitiative Overall Summary Chart).

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields disrupt magnetic alignment of ruminants.

Resting and grazing cattle and deer tend to align their body axes in the geomagnetic North-South direction. The mechanism(s) that underlie this behavior remain unknown. Here, we show that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELFMFs) generated by high-voltage power lines disrupt alignment of the bodies of these

animals with the geomagnetic field. Body orientation of cattle and roe deer was random on pastures under or near power lines. Moreover, cattle exposed to various magnetic fields directly beneath or in the vicinity of power lines trending in various magnetic directions exhibited distinct patterns of alignment. The disturbing

effect of the ELFMFs on body alignment diminished with the distance from conductors. These findings constitute evidence for magnetic sensation in large mammals as well as evidence of an overt behavioral reaction to weak ELFMFs in vertebrates. The demonstrated reaction to weak ELFMFs implies effects at the cellular and molecular levels.

To read more of this report by Hynek Burda, Sabine Begall, Jaroslav Cervený, Julia Neefa, and Pavel Nemecd, click here.

BioInitiative: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Radiation.

You cannot see it, taste it or smell it, but it is one of the most pervasive environmental exposures

in industrialized countries today. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or electromagnetic fields

(EMFs) are the terms that broadly describe exposures created by the vast array of wired and

wireless technologies that have altered the landscape of our lives in countless beneficial ways.

However, these technologies were designed to maximize energy efficiency and convenience; not

with biological effects on people in mind. Based on new studies, there is growing evidence

among scientists and the public about possible health risks associated with these technologies.

Human beings are bioelectrical systems. Our hearts and brains are regulated by internal

bioelectrical signals. Environmental exposures to artificial EMFs can interact with fundamental

biological processes in the human body. In some cases, this can cause discomfort and disease.

Since World War II, the background level of EMF from electrical sources has risen exponentially,

most recently by the soaring popularity of wireless technologies such as cell phones (two billion

and counting in 2006), cordless phones, WI-FI and WI-MAX networks. Several decades of

international scientific research confirm that EMFs are biologically active in animals and in

humans, which could have major public health consequences.

In today’s world, everyone is exposed to two types of EMFs: (1) extremely low frequency

electromagnetic fields (ELF) from electrical and electronic appliances and power lines and (2)

radiofrequency radiation (RF) from wireless devices such as cell phones and cordless phones,

cellular antennas and towers, and broadcast transmission towers. In this report we will use the

term EMFs when referring to all electromagnetic fields in general; and the terms ELF and RF

when referring to the specific type of exposure. They are both types of non-ionizing radiation,

which means that they do not have sufficient energy to break off electrons from their orbits

around atoms and ionize (charge) the atoms, as do x-rays, CT scans, and other forms of ionizing

radiation. A glossary and definitions are provided in Section 18 to assist you. Some handy

definitions you will probably need when reading about ELF and RF in this summary section (the

language for measuring it) are shown with the references for this section.

To read the complete report, click here.