EMF electromagnetic fields are widely present in nature and exist in every electronic device. These are the fields created by different types of electromagnetic radiation.Electromagnetic fields encompass a wide range of different types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from radio waves ultra-long to incredibly short gamma rays. EMF levels are created by electronic devices, which means we are exposed to them every day of our lives, sometimes for several hours at a time.
Think of the countless hours we spend on our phones or in front of other types of screens. A recent survey suggested that many of us could spend 50 days a year on our smartphones! This isn't the only survey indicating how extreme our mobile phone usage has become. This survey also revealed that we spend about 35 days a year on our smartphones. But wait! It gets even more extreme when you consider every screen or electronic device, including phones, TVs, tablets, laptops and PCs, 10 hours and 39 minutes of use per day on average!
But what does increased exposure to electronic devices mean? Scientific research has discovered a myriad of negative health effects caused by exposure to electronic devices. electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices plays an important role in some of these health effects.
Should you be worried and what is the risk? The science is clear that electromagnetic radiation from mobile devices can cause or contribute to a wide range of health problems and complaints. The effects of EMFs range from minor complaints like headaches and visual sensitivities to infertility and even cancer. it should be noted that
our knowledge of electromagnetic fields is growing all the time and there is still much to discover. Moreover, the complex effects of electromagnetic fields on our cells are exceptionally difficult to measure. Only in recent decades that we really had the slightest idea that electromagnetic fields could present dangers.
Why?
EMF radiation is divided into two major types. The first type of EMF is non-ionizing and has longer wavelengths, these are most commonly associated to electronic devices. Longer wavelength non-ionizing radiation such as radio waves and microwaves are generally less powerful and less penetrating, which means they have a much lower ability to harm us. The vast majority of radiation created by electronic devices are classified as non-ionizing.
On the other hand, ionizing radiation is much more powerful, penetrating and destructive. It includes x-rays and gamma rays which are known to cause cancer and other health problems, even in very small doses. Ionizing radiation should never be produced by consumer electronics.
CEM: how research has evolved
Until fairly recently, non-ionizing radiation was considered more or less completely harmless. It is true that it is much less harmful than ionizing radiation, but it is not absolutely safe and the effects of electromagnetic fields are starting to become clear.
The world has become increasingly digital and electronic. In addition to the vast amounts of new technology that we interact with every day, this technology usually stays on all the time. Even in the early 2000s, it would be rare to leave so many devices in sleep mode that you would likely turn them off when not in use. Electronic devices today are also much more powerful than they used to be and therefore have bigger batteries and burn them out faster.
In summary, today's electronic devices are:
A) More widespread
B) Always On
C) More powerful
It has changed the way we view electronic devices and the risks they pose to us.
In the 1990s, research into the effects of electromagnetic fields focused primarily on overhead power lines and industrial environments where people were exposed to high-powered electronic devices for hours at a time. The WHO discussed some of these studies where EMF exposure was found to be positively linked to the development of certain cancers. Today, faced with the evolution of electronic devices with our habits, the research agenda is moving towards a public health debate.
Given the massive exposure, scientists and public health officials have worked hard to determine if electronics, especially cellphones, are dangerous. Recently, this research agenda has been advancing rapidly, and in 2019 more than 250 scientists from fields including biology, oncology, public health and engineering signed a joint petition urging governments around the world to address more and more about the potentially dangerous effects of electromagnetic radiation.
Why does non-ionizing radiation harm us?
Non-ionizing radiation is formed in electrical circuits or is transmitted or received by antennas. To function, cell phones must communicate with other devices through their antennas which send and receive signals in the microwave and radio frequency (RF) range. Yes, your phone communicates with other themes using a type of radiation similar to that used by a microwave oven! Of course, the microwaves transmitted by telephones are different from those used by a microwave oven, but you can still see how destructive the radiation can become when heated.
The antennas of modern telephones are very powerful and this can heat them up a lot.
Heat, however, is not the only way EMFs can harm us.
Electromagnetic fields and the body
Our body is extremely complex and operates through a series of highly sensitive electrochemical processes. Our brain transmits millions of tiny messages and instructions per second using electrical impulses. Our nervous system senses our surroundings and transmits information along our nerve endings using tiny electrical signals. When we disrupt our body's natural flow, we can upset these delicate balances and DNA and cellular structures can be damaged quite quickly.
Electromagnetic fields such as those produced by telephones and other electronic devices are extremely weak in most cases, but so are our cells. EMFs interact with some of these electrical signals, preventing them from working as they should. Temporary disturbances probably pose no real problems, but repeated exposure definitely increases the risks. EMFs and radiation can also directly damage cells by essentially shaking cells or oxidizing water releasing free radicals which can then damage DNA.
The effects of electromagnetic fields: radiation and sperm function
Mobile radiation can be harmful in several ways. First, by impairing the sperm's ability to swim. Second, by reducing sperm vigor, and third by causing chemical changes that make sperm less able to survive. Again, the higher the exposure, the greater the negative impact of the radiation.
A large number of recent, well-conducted scientific studies have established beyond doubt that sperm exposed to cell phone radiation are less mobile, less viable, and prone to genetic damage and mutations. Exposure to mobile radiation can also cause hormonal changes that affect reproduction.
Besides sperm, cell phone radiation, Wi-Fi radiation, and low-frequency radiation can all damage cells and DNA. This leads to an increase in cancers and tumors thought to be linked to mobile phones and wireless technologies. In the same way that this radiation travels through the body to damage sperm, it can damage other cells and DNA.
The problem is compounded by the fact that we keep electronic devices in our trouser pockets, perhaps all day. It's not just the radiation itself that damages sperm, but also the heat emitted from phones and laptops. Essentially, our phones and other electronic devices emit both heat and radiation that can damage cells while raising testicular temperature, a primary cause of infertility.
The effects of electromagnetic fields: female infertility
The effects of EMFs on fertility are not exclusive to men. Studies of female reproductive hormones and embryos subjected to EMFs show damage that could mean reductions in reproductive health. Infertility is a possible result of increased exposure to EMFs, but there are possible links to DNA mutation in embryos that can even lead to birth defects.
The effects of electromagnetic fields: cancers and tumors
A growing body of evidence suggests that mobile radiation is responsible for tumors and cancers. Of particular note are brain tumors and breast cancer. A 2013 study showed an alarming link between young women who keep their phones in their bras and the unusual incidence of breast cancer in women under forty who have no family history of breast cancer. sickness. A UC Berkeley conference highlighted how thyroid and other neck cancers have also skyrocketed among young adults, likely correlating strongly with increased cell phone use.
Cancer is probably the number one concern of medical professionals and scientists. EMFs affect our cells in extremely subtle ways, but even tiny damage or disruptions in genetic signaling can potentially cause cancer.
The effects of electromagnetic fields: oxidative stress
Free radicals in the body are usually neutralized by antioxidants before they harm our cells, but studies show that the effects of EMFs can possibly disrupt these processes. Oxidative stress is a contributing factor in the formation of many diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease and autoimmune diseases. The potential for electromagnetic fields to disrupt processes so closely associated with oxidative stress has been considered one of the most worrisome potential public health time bombs associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
The same study also revealed a range of potential negative effects on our hormonal and endocrine systems.
How much EMF exposure is needed to cause damage?
The scientific consensus is so strong now that the question is not whether mobile radiation is harmful, but how much exposure is needed to produce that harm, and for how long?
It will take years for scientists to establish the precise danger threshold. In the meantime, millions, if not billions, of people are likely to experience regular, long-term exposure to mobile radiation at levels capable of causing genetic damage. In fact, this study suggested that over 3 billion humans per day are exposed to large amounts of EMF. There is enormous potential for harm and it is no wonder that the profile of scientific research into EMFs is rising rapidly.
Proximity
Proximity is the first risk factor that potentiates the effects of EMFs. It is widely accepted that many electromagnetic fields can only travel short distances. It's even possible that holding phones about 1cm from your head during calls can significantly reduce the amount of radiation you absorb.
The closer your phone is to your body, the greater the risk. Holding your phone to your ear during a call exposes your brain to increased electromagnetic radiation. If you regularly keep your cell phone in your pocket, or anywhere else near a sensitive organ, mobile radiation will enter your body. The greater the proximity, the greater the potential damage to cells and DNA, causing tumors, cancers, and male and female infertility.
Exposure time
Next to proximity is added the duration of exposure periods. As mentioned, the mobile phone usage statistics are staggering. It's fairly certain that most adults and many children spend enough time on their phones or electronic devices to account for a large window of risk.
Technical factors
Not all phones and devices produce the highest levels of radiation. Cell phone radiation is usually measured using a specific absorption rate or SAR. Find out which iPhones emit the most SAR here and which Android phones emit the most SAR here. Phones also emit more radiation under different conditions of use. For example, a phone with a limited signal will intensify its efforts to find one which in turn will cause a massive increase in the radiation it emits. It is therefore possible that phones with poor reception emit more radiation, which could be particularly problematic for those who travel in subways or subways.
Summaries of scientific evidence
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the danger posed by electromagnetic radiation. As a result, scientists have looked into several areas of risk, and there are now many studies to support the conclusion that mobile radiation poses a significant threat. The most serious consequence of exposure to electromagnetic radiation is the risk increased potential for infertility, cancer, tumors and genetic damage.
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