Electrosmog or Electric smog refers to the sum of all man-made electromagnetic radiation, both AC and DC, that are present in surrounding environment. Some typical components that add together to create electric smog include: power lines, and external transformers. as well as the wiring and all appliances inside out homes that create electromagnetic fields, such as leaking microwave ovens, and electric blankets, mobile phone radiation, fluorescent lighting, electromagnetic waves.[1] The sea of radiation, now commonly referred to as "electric smog" is thousands of times stronger in large metropolitan areas compared with the countryside.[2] Electric smog can be broken down into three components: Magnetic fields: Any wire, power line, or electric appliances which have current flowing produce magnetic fields. Some New Age activists believe that the characteristic 50-60 Hz Alternating current may have subtle biological influences that manifest themselves as various diseases after years of chronic exposure to manmade magnetic fields.[1] Electric fields Electromagnetic radiation Electric smog activist believe that creating an electric smog free area in the home and around sleeping areas is important because people spend one third of their lives laying in bed potentially surrounded by electric smog that is blocking the healthing processes[clarification needed] of the body that are suppose to be active during sleep.[3] For this reason a whole cottage industry has evolved to help people with this belief to supply people with RF shielded blankets, RF shielded sleeping masks, RF shielded sleeping tents and sleeping bags.[4] Some migraine headache suffers attribute aggravation of their headache condition to a temporary increase of electric smog and ozone levels which put the mind and body under increased stress. Contents 1 Compact florescent lighting 2 Regulation by country 2.1 Germany 2.2 United States 3 See also 4 References Compact florescent lighting In recent years, since the phasing out of incandescent light blubs (2012-2014), electric smog activists have alleged that newer CFL lamps may be triggering migraine headaches, exacerbating skin problems, and disrupting the body's ability to produce melatonin by contributing the "electric smog".[5] Activist alleged that they have replaced every light bulb in their house with CFL lights, and yet the failure rate is the same as formerly conventional incandescent light bulb while at the same time exposing their bodies to increased levels of electric smog emissions that were not present when incandescent light bulbs were the de facto standard.[5] Regulation by country Germany In Germany an Ordinance referred to as the "electric smog ordinance" provides governmental regulation about acceptable electromagnetic radiation levels by defining maximum Specific absorption rates that are allowable in each band of the radio frequency spectrum. United States In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has laid down regulation called the Maximum Permissible Exposure that defines safe exposure limits to electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. See also Electromagnetic radiation and health Trifield meter Guassmeter Electric field meter EMR meter EMR Effects on the human body by frequency While the most acute exposures to harmful levels of electromagnetic radiation are immediately realized as burns, the health effects due to chronic or occupational exposure may not manifest effects for months or years. Extremely-low-frequency RF High-power extremely-low-frequency RF with electric field levels in the low kV/m range are known to induce perceivable currents within the human body that create an annoying tingling sensation. These currents will typically flow to ground through a body contact surface such as the feet, or arc to ground where the body is well insulated.[57][58] Microwaves Microwave exposure at low-power levels below the specific absorption rate set by government regulatory bodies are considered harmless non-ionizing radiation and have no effect on the human body. However, levels above the specific absorption rate set by the FCC at considered potentially harmful. ANSI standards for safe exposure levels to RF and microwave radiation are set to a SAR level of 4 W/kg, the threshold before hazardous biological effects occur due to energy absorption in the body. A safety factor of ten was then incorporated to arrive at the final recommended protection guidelines of a SAR exposure threshold of 0.4 W/kg for RF and microwave radiation. There is disagreement over exactly what levels of RF radiation are "safe," particularly with regard to low levels of exposure. For instance, Russia and eastern European countries in particular set SAR thresholds for Microwaves and RF much lower than western countries. Two areas of the body, the eyes and the testes, can be particularly susceptible to heating by RF energy because of the relative lack of available blood flow to dissipate the excessive heat load. Laboratory experiments have shown that short-term exposure to high levels of RF radiation (100-200 mW/cm²) can cause cataracts in rabbits. Temporary sterility, caused by such effects as changes in sperm count and in sperm motility, is possible after exposure of the testes to high-level RF radiation Long-term exposure to high-levels of microwaves, is recognized, from experimental animal studies and epidemiological studies in humans, to cause cataracts. The mechanism is unclear but may include changes in heat sensitive enzymes that normally protect cell proteins in the lens. Another mechanism that has been advanced is direct damage to the lens from pressure waves induced in the aqueous humor. Exposure to high-power microwave RF is known to create effects ranging from a burning sensation on the skin and microwave auditory effect, to extreme pain at the mid-range, to physical microwave burns and blistering of skin and internals at high power levels. Millimeter waves Recent technology advances in the developments of Millimeter wave scanners for airport security and WiGig for Personal area networks have opened the 60 GHz and above Microwave band to SAR exposure regulations. Previously, microwave applications in these bands were for point-to-point satellite communication with minimal human exposure. Radiation levels in the millimeter wavelength represent the high microwave band or close to Infrared wavelengths. [59] Infrared Infrared wavelengths longer than 750 nm can produce changes in the lens of the eye. Glassblower's cataract ) is an example of a heat injury that damages the anterior lens capsule among unprotected glass and iron workers. Cataract-like changes can occur in workers who observe glowing masses of glass or iron without protective eyewear for many hours a day. Another important factor is the distance between the worker and the source of radiation. In the case of arc welding, infrared radiation decreases rapidly as a function of distance, so that farther than 3 feet away from where welding takes place, it does not pose an ocular hazard anymore but, ultraviolet radiation still does. This is why welders wear tinted glasses and surrounding workers only have to wear clear ones that filter UV. Visible Light Moderate and high-power lasers are potentially hazardous because they can burn the retina of the eye, or even the skin. To control the risk of injury, various specifications – for example ANSI Z136 in the US, and IEC 60825 internationally – define "classes" of lasers depending on their power and wavelength. These regulations also prescribe required safety measures, such as labeling lasers with specific warnings, and wearing laser safety goggles during operation (see laser safety) As with its infrared and ultraviolet radiation dangers, welding creates an intense brightness in the visible light spectrum, which may cause temporary flash blindness. Some sources state that there is no minimum safe distance for exposure to these radiation emissions without adequate eye protection.[60] Ultraviolet Short-term exposure to strong ultraviolet sunlight causes sunburn within hours of exposure. Ultraviolet light, specifically UV-B, has been shown to cause cataracts and there is some evidence that sunglasses worn at an early age can slow its development in later life.[61] Most UV light from the sun is filtered out by the atmosphere and consequently airline pilots often have high rates of cataracts because of the increased levels of UV radiation in the upper atmosphere.[62] It is hypothesised that depletion of the ozone layer and a consequent increase in levels of UV light on the ground may increase future rates of cataracts.[63] Note that the lens filters UV light, so once that is removed via surgery, one may be able to see UV light.[64] Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can lead to melanoma and other skin malignancies.[1] Clear evidence establishes ultraviolet radiation, especially the non-ionizing medium wave UVB, as the cause of most non-melanoma skin cancers, which are the most common forms of cancer in the world.[1] UV rays can also cause wrinkles, liver spots, moles, and freckles. In addition to sunlight, other sources include tanning beds, and bright desk lights. Damage is cumulative over one's lifetime, so that permanent effects may not be evident for some time after exposure.[65] Ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths shorter than 300 nm (actinic rays) can damage the corneal epithelium. This is most commonly the result of exposure to the sun at high altitude, and in areas where shorter wavelengths are readily reflected from bright surfaces, such as snow, water, and sand. UV generated by a welding arc can similarly cause damage to the cornea, known as "arc eye" or welding flash burn, a form of photokeratitis. X-rays Exposure to ionizing radiation such as X-rays are known to cause cataracts.[66] X-ray radiation in a dose of 500-800 Rads directed toward the lens surface can cause cataracts, sometimes with a delay of several months to a year before the opacities appear[67] The principal hazard associated with use of x-ray equipment is localized skin burns following exposure to the primary beam. Experience with exposure of relatively large areas of skin to radiation has shown that it requires doses of approximately 300 Rads (3 Gray) to produce a visible reddening of the skin. Doses of approximately 1500 rad (15 gray) are required in order to produce serious burns with blistering. When doses reach 3000 Rads (30 Gray) very serious burns requiring skin grafts or amputation may result. The burn symptoms may require from one to several weeks to develop, depending on the dose.[68] Ionizing radiation can cause. See, radiation-induced cancer, radiation burns, and radiation poisoning. Note: As of 2014, there are currently no commercially available soft x-ray detectors that operate in the 50 eV to 10 keV range.[69] Gamma rays Large doses of gamma ray and other ionizing radiation can cause extensive cellular damage and death. Epidemiological data on survivors of the atomic bombs, dropped during World War II on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, comprise the largest body of evidence on the effects of high levels of ionizing radiation exposure. These data demonstrate a higher incidence of cancer among exposed individuals and an increased probability of cancer as the level of exposure increases. A whole-body exposure to 5 or more gray of high-energy radiation at one time usually leads to death within 14 days. This dosage represents 375 joules for a 75 kg adult (equivalent to the chemical energy in 20 mg of sugar). Since gray are such large amounts of radiation, medical use of radiation is typically measured in milligray (mGy).[citation needed] As experienced from follow-up after radiation therapy, epilation may occur on any hair-bearing skin exposed to doses above 1 Gy. Hair loss may be permanent with a single dose of 10 Gy, but if the dose is fractionated permanent hair loss may not occur until dose exceeds 45 Gy. The salivary glands and tear glands have a radiation tolerance of about 30 Gy in 2 Gy fractions, a dose which is exceeded by most radical head and neck cancer treatments, potentially causing dryness. Dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia) can become irritating long-term problems and severely reduce the patient's quality of life. Similarly, sweat glands in treated skin (such as the armpit) tend to stop working, and the naturally moist vaginal mucosa is often dry following pelvic irradiation.[citation needed] A dose of 8 Gy or more to the ovaries generally causes permanent female infertility.[70] See, radiation-induced cancer, radiation burns, and radiation poisoning. General RF exposure Canada Safety Code 6 recommends electric field limits of 100 kV/m for pulsed EMF to prevent air breakdown and spark discharges. Additional rational for EMF restrictions is to avoid auditory effect and energy-induced unconsciousness in rats.[71]
“Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75." ~ Benjamin Franklin Translation: zombie apocalypse. Death by electromagnetic toxicity. The Living Dead. The Unburied. Sigh...
this isn't something you would feel or notice walking through a room. people like to be alarmist where technology is concerned. the health of the natural environment is a real concern. but this is about something else entirely. back in the days when the only consumer electronics were radios with vacuum tubes, this electronic smog, as it has now so alarmingly been labled, cosisted primarily of static from poorly tuned automobile ignition systems. but as our technology has continued to become increasingly sophisticated, it has also become increasing vulnerable to 'crosstalk' from each other of itself. complex and powerful electromagnetic signals fill the air where technology is concentrated in mutual proximity to each other. so we come up with a generic term for this. its not something immediately life threatening for organic life forms. though prolonged exposure could have some effects. after all, the central nervous system is a form of organic data processing technology. though it caries and transmits its signals in ways somewhat less dependent on electromagnetic radiation. (and thus, at least somewhat less susceptible to it, then our technological artifacts are to each other, which is the real and primary concern this is about) (as for permanent loss or reduction of fertility, is that not a GOOD thing? i would certainly think it so. when i was in the air force, i took advantage of the radar jamming systems in our squadron to irradiate my nads in the hope of making them infertile. don't know if it worked. as far as i know i've not fathered any kids though. and again, i consider this a good thing)
