Health Effects of EMF Exposure
In the review of a long term comprehensive EMF risk assessment
study by the California Dept. of Health Services, all reviewers
concluded that it is highly likely that EMF causes some forms of
cancer, along with chronic neurological conditions like ALS(Lou
Gerhig's disease) and depression. They also found a significant
likelihood that EMF causes cardiovascular problems and increased
suicide(37). Actually there is strong evidence in the medical
literature already supporting these conclusions and documenting
mechanisms by which the effects occur. The evidence is based on
the fact that mercury exposure has been documented to cause all
of these conditions(50), and EMF exposure has been documented to
cause significant release of mercury into the body from those
who have amalgam, the majority of the population.
Some studies have found persons with chronic exposure to
electromagnetic fields(EMF) to have higher levels of mercury
exposure and excretion(38). Magnetic fields are known to induce
current in metals and would increase the documented effects of
galvanism(45). EMF is also documented in animal and human
studies to cause cellular calcium efflux and affect calcium
homeostasis(39,40), which may be a factor in the reduction of
melatonin levels caused by EMF exposure in animal and human
studies(40,41). In studies on chicks this had significant
adverse effects on viability of embryos and chicks. Melatonin is
known to be protective against mercury and free radical
activity, as well as regulating the circadian rhythm cycle and
sleep cycle. EMF exposure lowers melatonin production and
disrupts the sleep cycle(41). Another study provides evidence
for an association between occupational electromagnetic fields
and suicide(46). The authors indicate that a plausible mechanism
related to melatonin and depression provides a direction for
additional laboratory research as well as epidemiological
evaluation.
Occupational exposure to higher levels of EMF have also been
found in many studies to result in much higher risk of chronic
degenerative neurological conditions such as ALS(42),
Alzheimer's Disease(43), as well as Leukemia and Cancer(44).
Since EMF causes increased mercury exposure in those with
amalgam, and mercury is also known to cause these conditions,
the relative importance of mercury or other factors is not clear
since the studies were not controlled for mercury levels or
number of amalgam fillings.
(37) California Dept. of Health Services, California EMF
Program, Draft of final risk evaluation report,
www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/ehib/emf/RiskEvaluation/riskeval.html
(38) F.Schmidt et al, "Mercury in urine of employees exposed to
magnetic fields", Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen, 1997, 117(2): 199-202;
& Sheppard AR and EisenbudM., <SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:
underline">Biological Effects of</SPAN> electric and magnetic
fields of extremely low frequency. New York university press.
1977; & Ortendahl T W, Hogstedt P, Holland RP, "Mercury vapor
release from dental amalgam in vitro caused by magnetic fields
generated by CRT's", Swed Dent J 1991 p 31
(39) Aldinucci C; Palmi M; Sgaragli G; Benocci A; Meini A;
Pessina F; Pessina GP. The effect of pulsed electromagnetic
fields on the physiologic behaviour of a human astrocytoma cell
line. Biochim Biophys Acta 2000, 11;1499(1-2):101-108.
(40) Pablos MI; Agapito MT; Gutierrez-Baraja R; Reiter RJ; Recio
JM. Effect of calcium on melatonin secretion in chick pineal
gland I. Neurosci Lett 1996 Oct18;217(2-3):161-4; & Nikaido SS;
Takahashi JS. Calcium modulates circadian variation in
cAMP-stimulated melatonin in chick pineal cells. Brain Res 1996
15;716(1-2):1-10; & Youbicier-Simo BJ; Boudard F; Cabaner C;
Bastide M. Biological effects of continuous exposure of embryos
and young chickens to electromagnetic fields emitted by video
display units. Bioelectromagnetics 1997;18(7):514-23 ;
(41) Juutilainen J; Stevens RG; et al; Nocturnal
6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate excretion in female workers exposed
to magnetic fields. J Pineal Res 2000 ;28(2):97-104; & Akerstedt
T; Arnetz B; Ficca G; Paulsson LE; Kallner A. A 50-Hz
electromagnetic field impairs sleep. J Sleep Res 1999
Mar;8(1):77-81
(42) Savitz DA; Checkoway H; Loomis DP. Magnetic field exposure
and neurodegenerative disease mortality among electric utility
workers. Epidemiology 1998 Jul;9(4):398-404; & Savitz DA; Loomis
DP; Tse CK. Electrical occupations and neurodegenerative
disease: analysis of U.S. mortality data.Arch Environ Health
1998 Jan-Feb;53(1):71-4; & Johansen C; Olsen JH. Mortality from
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, other chronic disorders, and
electric shocks among utility workers.Am J Epidemiol 1998 Aug
15;148(4):362-8; & Davanipour Z; Sobel E; Bowman JD; Qian Z;
Will AD. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and occupational exposure
to electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 1997;18(1):28-35.
(43) Sobel E; Dunn M; Davanipour Z; Qian Z; Chui HC. Elevated
risk of Alzheimer's disease among workers with likely
electromagnetic field exposure. Neurology 1996 ;47(6):1477-81; &
Sobel E, Davanipour Z. Electromagnetic field exposure may cause
increased production of amyloid beta and eventually lead to
Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 1996 Dec;47(6):1594-600; & Sobel
E; Davanipour Z; Sulkava R; Erkinjuntti T; Wikstrom J et al;
Occupations with exposure to electromagnetic fields: a possible
risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Am J Epidemiol 1995 Sep
1;142(5):515-24.
(44) London SJ; Bowman JD; Sobel E; Thomas DC; Garabrant DH;
Pearce N; Bernstein L; Peters JM. Exposure to magnetic fields
among electrical workers in relation to leukemia risk in Los
Angeles County. Am J Ind Med 1994 Jul;26(1):47-60; & Caplan LS;
Schoenfeld ER; O'Leary ES; Leske MC. Breast cancer and
electromagnetic fields--a review. Ann Epidemiol 2000
Jan;10(1):31-44
(45) Mercury Exposure and Health Effects from Dental Amalgam
Galvanism,
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/galv.html
(46) van Wijngaarden E, Savatz D, Kleckner R, Cai J, Loomis D.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields and suicide among electric
utility Workers: a nested case-control study. Occup Environ Med
2000; 57:258-263.
(50) ALS: the Mercury Connection,
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/als.html
Depression: the Mercury Connection:
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/depress.html
Mercury related health effects from amalgam fillings,
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/amalg6.html
( B.Windham(Ed.), over 2000 peer-reviewed medical studies
reviewed and reference
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