Mobile phone radiation and health

Electromagnetic or e- smog ( from electrical and smog ) is a colloquial term for the totality of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, one of which is accepted in part, that they might have ( unwanted ) biological effects.

The compatibility detectable emissions of electromagnetic for the environment, in particular the health compatibility and reasonableness for the people are referred to the concept of environmental electromagnetic ( EMF ). Beings who experience such effects apply as electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The permissible limits are to be regulated under the environmental electromagnetic compatibility in various guidelines, standards and laws. Effects of electrosmog on technical installations are, however, described in electromagnetic compatibility.

The concept of the electromagnetic smog underlying word describes a combination of English smoke (smoke) with fog (fog) in the air, which can lead to a harmful excessive concentration of air pollutants in the air especially when temperature inversions. In line with this, the term designates an excessive electrosmog " concentration " of electromagnetic fields with potentially harmful effects on the biota, people, animals, plants, other living organisms and individual cells. The term Electrosmog in the sense of the term is often used pejoratively. Linguistically, the term can be electro classify as Dysphemismus because it is considered negative.

Demarcation

The not exactly defined term electrosmog and blurred demarcation usually include thermal heat radiation, as well as higher-frequency ionizing radiation as a result of radioactivity, although this is also electromagnetic waves.

The following electromagnetic phenomena are usually associated with and, for example:

• Electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, the current-carrying electrical conductors and electrical harmonic currents leading neutral conductor surrounded, with all electrical equipment in the lead, with drives and the electrical heat generation;
• Fluorescent lamps, energy saving lamps and other light generators; ( for details see also here )
• Eddy currents at induction cooktops and other technical applications of the induction
• For power lines and along railway lines electrified,
• Also in the form of return flows, ( stray ) stray currents and short-circuit currents

History

Fears about possible adverse effects of high voltage power lines and electromagnetic fields on the environment and human health are not new and have existed since the beginnings of the technical use of the mid-19th century, as is the following example from the area of ​​the beginnings of the electric power industry:

In 1890 it was forbidden officers of the Royal General in Bavaria, to attend the opening ceremony of the first German AC - power plant, the Elektricitäts works Reichenhall or to enter the engine room. The first public power station in Bavaria serves the public lighting in Bad Reichenhall and as a reason for banning the unique for its time high voltage of 2 kV was specified. Nevertheless, there are when working with high voltage to avoid electrical accidents very well require special safety measures, such as they are today, that, inter alia in the five safety rules standardized and rules as live working.

Also fears about the technical precursors of today base stations in the field of communications technology, there was with the advent of the first RT and the telegraph stations. Thus, in April 1911 in the U.S. magazine The Atlanta Constitution about the possible danger of the waves of radio telegraph reported that in addition to loss of teeth, over time should lead to hair loss and is to make people crazy.

"When the wireless age arrived - and wireless telephony will soon be added to wireless telegraphy - our air will be so charged with electricity did human beings want to feel its influence in a hundred different ways. Already It Seems to have attacked our teeth. Tomorrow we find june, did our hair is dropping out from the same cause, and Eventually it june deprive us of our senses and even our lives. "

As a remedy, a protective clothing, which looks like a raincoat, is proposed. You should protect the wearer against the harmful effects of the waves of radio telegraph:

" Unless some process of insulation of this character is ADOPTED, HOWEVER, the only course for us to pursue will be to wear insulated garments to protect us. This garment will take the form of a rubber coat, with a helmet of the same material. The Entire Facebook will have to be kept covered, goggles being Provided for the purpose of sight, and at air valve for breathing purposes. "

Detection and measurement

Around a same current-carrying conductor produces a static dc magnetic field. The field strength of the resulting electric field is also expressed in volts per meter (V / m ), the voltage can be measured with a voltmeter.

Around an AC -carrying conductor creates a dynamic alternating magnetic field, which we supposed to low and high frequency alternating fields is different ( with different potential biological effects ). To measure the field strength of magnetic fields, the magnetic flux density is used, which is given in Tesla (or earlier in gauss), they can be measured with a Tesla meter. Likewise for the generated electric field portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, is measured in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 10 GHz with a " spectrum analyzer ". For each measurement, the percentage measurement error of the device or the measurement procedure should be observed and taken into account in the expression of results.

Biological effect

In the subjective definition of what might be causing electromagnetic pollution, not only physical relationships play a role, but also various forms of science and technology anxiety. The debate about the effects of electrosmog is performed frequently emotional, subjective and unscientific. In this context, are not uncommon various warnings in the media from the negative effects. For studies Manipulierungsvorwürfe be mutually applicable, in relation to the type of data collection and the conclusions from the results.

An open discussion is often prevented with ideological hardness in order to save the expense of a balanced assessment, or because uncomfortable results are feared. Man throwing each other before to manipulate studies in their own sense, or deliberately to draw the wrong conclusions and constructed conspiracy theories. Often also a general proof of the harmlessness, for as yet unknown, suspected active models is required, which can not be fulfilled from epistemological reasons. In principle, only a certain harmfulness could be detected.

The Provincial Health Directorate warned of Salzburg (2003), without citing evidence: electro smog can affect, among others, the autonomic and central nervous system, hormones, chromosomes and cells and interfere. Too much and too long electromagnetic stress can also lead to various diseases (quoted from ) (see hypersensitivity )

The WHO describes " Low-frequency electric fields influence the human body just as they influence any other existing material from charged particles. When electrical fields encounter conductive materials, they influence the spatial distribution of electric charges on the material surface. They cause a current flow through the body to ground. Low-frequency magnetic fields to induce currents in the human body, the flow paths in the closed circuit. The strength of these currents depends on the strength of the external magnetic field. Are these currents strong enough, then they can stimulate nerves and muscles or affect other biological processes. "

The WHO " concludes [ ... ] that the current knowledge of situation does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, there are still some gaps in knowledge about biological effects, which makes further research necessary. Healthcare "Here is the definition of is " " by the WHO to consider " a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. " ( " Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well- being and not Merely the absence of disease or infirmity. " )

The International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC), which is part of the WHO, has low frequency magnetic fields (such as from power lines ) classified in 2002 as "possibly carcinogenic " (see carcinogen category 3).

In a statement, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection to various publicly discussed studies which indicate possible damage resulting from electromagnetic radiation, all studies are criticized for various methodological error or lack of repeatability of the alleged results without exception. At the same time warns the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, non-ionizing radiation may have health consequences: To avoid potential health risks, the BfS recommends to minimize personal exposure to radiation through their own initiative.

Suspected harmfulness

Supporters of the thesis "electrosmog is harmful," suggest that the currently common in everyday electromagnetic radiation harmful an effect on the human organism, even if the levels are low and thermal effects given the low energies are negligible. That conclusion is confirmed in their opinion by independent scientists ' studies, which have found with a certain statistical significance of a damaging effect and a large number of subjective statements about mood disorders.

It is argued that in many technologies and substances also at a later time their harmfulness was found and therefore caution is also required in electromagnetic fields. Examples of ionizing radiation such as X- rays, radioactivity or certain chemical substances such as asbestos or thalidomide are called. Evidence on the health effects are based primarily on anecdotal reports.

Denied harmfulness

Proponents of the theory of "electrosmog is harmless " argue that it is not sufficient to provide statistically significant studies to prove injury. Even if the effect does not exist and all the studies are free of errors, it is expected that is found in 5 % of the studies erroneously a " statistically significant " effect. These often come in the experimental setup or error in data collection, who feigned a significant effect. Meaningful only independently significant reproducible studies. Studies that found a harmful effect, but had not been able to be reproduced or there are methodological or systematic error has been made. Studies that have found harmful effects caused by electromagnetic were, only in the laboratory, which is performed without consideration of real conditions without the consideration of other local contexts locally ( for example, additional charges ). Studies showed no association with electro- sensitive individuals allegedly between radiation exposure and onset of symptoms ( nocebo effect ), also appeared several times complaints even when new but not yet connected to transmission towers.

Subjective impressions say nothing about the existence of damage, since they are subject to suggestive influences and therefore not usable.

Offered on the market countermeasures

Sometimes so-called electrosmog or mobile phone radiation filters are offered that are built into the mobile phone from the radiation protection. The effect is at least doubtful, since this " filtering " creates not a closed shield. Their use could affect radio contact of the equipment and disrupt existing between mobile phone and base station control circuit. In response, the mobile device would send a higher power than would be required without the " filter ", and a possible harmfulness would be increased rather than decreased.

To reduce the low-frequency, alternating electric fields in homes, demand switches are recommended. Such a switch installed according to the fuses in the electric meter and fuse box, disconnects the line in the house distribution system from the mains as long as it is taken no electricity, but it connects again automatically as soon as a load is switched on. Small electrical loads ( such as electric alarm clock, charger or equipment with stand-by function) can be prevented by their continuous draw this electrical switch.

High-frequency electromagnetic alternating fields can be shielded with electrically conductive, fully enclosed envelopes. Gaps or openings reduce the shielding effectiveness. As a rule of thumb that an opening from an area of ​​about one tenth of the signal frequency corresponding wavelength shielding significantly affected. The shielding effect of non-ferromagnetic metallic housing against magnetic fields due to eddy currents in the body, its magnetic field partially compensates for the incident fields. The quantity of shielding effectiveness is measured by the size of shielding effectiveness.

Scientific research

To date there are no widely accepted scientific evidence of the harmful effects of electromagnetic pollution caused by mobile towards people. Proved so far in general the thermal effect of high frequency on hydrated tissue, followed orient the threshold determinations. All possible effects on cell groups and, where applicable, any resonance in single cells, have yet to be sound proof. All alleged effects in the brain or along the nerve pathways are also far without sound evidence. On the topic of electromagnetic pollution are very many studies and surveys done and continue to run. The EMF portal called in February 2010 13.391 publications.

In the 1990s, there have been various studies of electromagnetic fields on the blood -brain barrier in rats with varying results. So were published by a working group led by the scientists Salford and Persson various studies that have frequently observed abnormal nerve cells already at a SAR of 0.002 W / kg (1/ 1000 of the present-day limit ). This effect was up to a SAR of 0.2 W / kg, more, further increases, however, were ineffective. From the BfS is the study especially for the subjective categorization of the results in no, little criticism and many abnormal cells. Similarly, the indirect method of measurement of the SAR is criticized. Salford himself could not reproduce the results of this study so far.

A similar 1997 study showed, however, at 0.3 and 1.5 W / kg no significant increase, but only at 7.5 W / kg, well above the limit. Also, a Japanese study comes at no significant increase at 2 W / kg. An Australian study could not detect any correlation between the SAR and the consequences.

In the so-called Naila study was to investigate whether a numerical correlation between the distance to a mobile station and the number of cancer cases is noted in a region. Here, a significant increase in the group in a radius of less than 400 m compared to the comparison group outside this range was observed. From BfS this study is mainly criticized that it defines fields and diseases as cause and effect, without checking whether any relationship exists (cum hoc ergo propter hoc). This requires further weaknesses are named, such as that the total number of cancer cases is significantly lower than would be expected and that the classification is too imprecise in near and far.

The REFLEX study had initially shown apparently that in extremely strong fields, a reproducible relationship between everyday electromagnetic radiation and cell damage can be made. These were lab results, even if they had been true, no conclusion on diseases that are caused by such radiation. The reflex study is now being considered, according to media reports regarding allegedly identified strand breaks in the genome as invalid because laboratory results appear to have been deliberately falsified by a staff member.

A controlled double-blind study of effects of GSM mobile phone signals on humans was published in 2007. Scientists at Wayne State University and Uppsala University, USA and the Swedish Karolinska Institutet found after three-hour phone - typical radiation to the head among other Electroencephalography a disturbed sleep pattern at a significantly high number of subjects. The control group was subjected to an apparent irradiation (no GSM cellular signals). The group assignment (true / apparent irradiation) was guessed by the subjects only with random probability. We used a GSM signal of 884 MHz with an averaged SAR of 1.4 W / kg. Were evaluated by the subjects reported observations and neurophysiological data.

In January 2008, the Environmental Epidemiological study on cancer incidence in the communities Hausmannstätten and Vasoldsberg of the Salzburg Provincial Health Office was published in Austria. Trigger for the study was the observation of a cluster of cancer cases in these communities. The study comes to the conclusion that an increased cancer risk vorliege near a single mobile station of that company Mobilkom Austria and led a significant increase in cancer rates of residents back to the alleged 1984-1997 operated in Hausmannstätten mobile phone base station in the C network. In February 2008, it turned out that no C -to-mobile channels existed for this period at the site in question. Mobilkom Austria put in a lawsuit against the author of the study in addition to aerial photographs taken in 1989 by the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying, on which the site in question no transmission tower can be seen, the official chronology of Wählamts ago, from which also shows that at the site in that time period no mobile station has been operated. The study was withdrawn in November 2008.

The IARC classifies cell phone radiation as "possibly carcinogenic" one. , It refers to a study from 2004, which identified an increased by 40 % risk of developing a glioma with intensive use of mobile phones.