The Health Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation - Coursework Example

THE HEALTH EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION Introduction The increased use and dependence of technology creates new sources of electromagnetic field (EMF) which affects human organisms, especially their biological system. Electricity is an important tool and fuel for life and a by-product from this is EMF which is also known and “dirty electricity”. EMF is generated when current flows in a conductor, which means when there is electricity EMF is always there. All around us, at home or at work, in the streets and everywhere, there are electrical and magnetic radiation that affect our daily lives, although we cannot fully sense or feel it. We might not feel it but it is just within or above the skin. Telephone signals travel in the atmosphere through waves which can be in units as small as micro or nano volts. Due to electrical systems, telecommunications systems, computers, the Internet, and all the other devices for wireless communication, there is an increase of this kind of EMF and magnetic field, wherein some studies have found its negative effects on the human body. It creates electric and magnetic energy waves, and is now common in the atmosphere. Extremely low frequency (or elf) is produced by electrical appliances at home but high intensity EMF is produced by high voltage power lines and other electrical and communication transformation systems. The earth’s surface produces EMF because of cosmic and earth radiation. Researchers referred to some factors related with technology and frequency waves as electrophysiotherapeutic factors. Examples of these are: extremely low-frequency EMF currents, for example, 60 Hz in USA and 50 Hz in some areas of the world; low frequency range of up to 1,000 Hz, alternating currents with amplitude modulation; high frequency with electrical component prevalence – deep tissue heating; ultrahigh-frequency; optic polychromatic radiation; and other sources of EMF (Vesselinova 250). At low frequency, there is the presence of high-intensity currents from power transformers and transmission line and other inductors and welding equipments. These produce high-intensity magnetic field. High frequencies are caused by antennas or radar. Previous studies used numerical techniques, for example, the studies of Gandhi et al. which induced current density in human body tissues by means of the impedance method (qtd. in Dughiero, Forzan and Sieni 1553). Electric and magnetic fields’ negative consequence on the human body vary due to different frequencies received. Reilly indicated that a low frequency of 100kHz can provide nervous stimulation (qtd. in Dughiero, Forzan and Sieni 1553). The International Committee Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (qtd. in Dughiero, Forzan and Sieni 1553) has issued reference limits formulated in accordance with the induced currents on human body. These are measurable quantities, such in the form of magnetic flux density, taken from basic restrictions. This may take some expert skill because it might lead to overestimation. (Dughiero, Forzan and Sieni 1553). Induced current density is measured to determine if it has effect on the different parts or organs of the human body. The Health Effects of EMF The possibility of ill effects is not new. In the U.S., it was discussed as early as 1960s when NASA was concerned with the health of astronauts who travelled beyond the earth’s magnetic field. Others raised the issue on health of scientists working on nuclear fusion, who were exposed on very strong EMF. (Takebe et al. 6). Studies revealed that electromagnetic radiation causes biological effects on animals and birds (Dhami 6507). Draper and colleagues found in an epidemiological study that electromagnetic radiation created by high-voltage lines may cause childhood leukemia (qtd. in Qin et al. 1534). Epidemiological studies found positive risk factors for some cancer types like leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, lung cancer, and other types of cancer. Santini et al. argued that short-term effects of EFM could cause sleep disturbance, depression, headache, and other minor sicknesses, like respiratory problems (qtd. in Dhami 6507). However, these are not conclusive and chronic effects caused by EMF have not been considered as established facts. There were studies, such as those by Dolk et al., Stagg et al., Marinelli et al., and Hardell and Carlberg, which found that ‘slow long-term exposure may cause cancer, brain tumors, and DNA damage.” (qtd. in Dhami 6508). Studies by Anderson et al. and a host of other authors found that EMF interacts with biological systems leading to biological effects (qtd. in Yalçin and Erdem 3934). Goodman et al. indicated that people working on these high voltage installations and communication systems are exposed to EMF (qtd. in Yalçin and Erdem 3934). Takebe et al. reported that experimental studies have not clearly provided information on the effect of EMF, particularly on “cell survival, growth, differentiation and other functions” (Takebe et al. 7). An example is the medical staff and people exposed to EMF. The medical staff is exposed to various occupational stressors, resulting in health and well being problems (qtd. in Vangelova et al. 551). The medical staff who are involved in physiotherapy are vulnerable to illnesses due to their kind of work. They are at risk of infections, emotional attachments to their patients, exposure to chemicals, and also exposure to EMF radiation because of “the different devices as equipment for microwave and high frequency diathermy, pulsed magnets, d’Arsonvale devices, optical sources (UV, IR and visible), lasers etc.” (Vangelova et al. 551). Causes and Possible Explanation Some possible explanations for biological effects of EMF are: gravitation of ferromagnetic particles composed of biological molecules bear some magnetic characteristics; gravitation is also caused by diamagnetic and paramagnetic anisotropic molecules; because of the generated magnetic force, there is a vertical difference to the ionic flow; there are structural arrangements or changes in mid-products in the electron transfer; effect is caused by the currents generated in the organism due to induction of electrical and static areas (Yalçin and Erdem 3934). Many biological molecules occur in the cells, in particular from elements like C,O,H,N and S, which are the building blocks of protein molecule, and most atoms spin in these cells. There are also other types of protein molecule. EMF affects EMF-sensitive atoms, where there are head value electrons. When there is exposure, a change in their ultra thin structure occurs. Changes particularly occur in the energy levels of uncoupled EMF sensitive electrons of molecules, which are in the cells of living beings exposed to EMF and which are partially unstable. The changes that are reflected on the lives of molecules and the energy that comes out, affects the ratios of chemical reactions and thus noticeable chemical changes will occur at different EMF intensities (Yalçin and Erdem 3934). Some biological molecules are highly diverse in structures and when they are exposed to electrical fields, these structures change. The induced current in the biological system causes the positively and negatively charged molecules in the environment to float to opposite directions. The scenario exists in which “the structural ingredient order of the environment changes and there is an increase in the concentration of certain loaded ions in different parts of the cell” (Yalçin and Erdem 3934). This situation is known as “electrophoresis,” which is popularly used in experiments in biological molecules. In biological systems, determination is based on ionic strength and viscosity. EMF affects the cytosolic fraction, made up of molecules soluble in cytoplasm. Yalçin and Erdem argue that evaluation of the effects on organisms exposed to EMF is complicated due to the complexity of biological systems. Many experiments about the effects of electrical or magnetic fields are performed on both complex structure and simple structured organisms. Since most of the biological structures are varied, when they encounter EMF, they show significant cellular changes. This scenario can be demonstrated by examining the responses of molecules, ions and membranes under electrical and magnetic fields. The effects of electrical and magnetic fields in the cell levels are listed as: membrane changes, ionic effects, nucleic acid and gene expression, enzymatic activity, biorhythms and hormones, and genotoxic effects (qtd. in Yalçin and Erdem 3935). The changes that occur in the human membrane caused by EMF affect the concentration of certain specific ions inside the cell and the corresponding cellular activities. Certain leukemia cells were reproduced in 60 Hz EMF and research was conducted on how EMF affects these concentrations. Research results that there were no important changes in the intracellular concentrations of the cells that were reproduced by EMF. In high field concentration experiments, intracellular concentration was not affected (qtd. in Yalçin and Erdem 3936). Can studies prove the health effects of EMF? The studies of Dr. Savitz and colleagues of the University of North Carolina provided valuable information on power-frequency EMF exposure and possible health effects. Dr. Savitz has intensively published on the subject of EMF and the health effects. Together with his colleagues, they have studied 138,905 people working on power lines and electric utilities in the United States. The researchers studied 4,833 cancer patients, in which 505 of these were believed “exposed to EMF greater than 4.3 microtesla (uT)” (Takebe et al. 6). They found that leukemia did not develop on this particularly group, although brain tumors significantly developed on the exposed group (Takebe et al. 7). The Swedish group, popularly known as Ahlbom et al. (qtd. in Takebe et al. 7) has studied an estimated 500,000 individuals residing within 300 meters of high voltage transmission power lines. Their studies received popularity because of the number of respondents involved. Their findings revealed the highest relative risk of 3.8 “with an estimated time-weighted average exposure of more than 0.3 microtesla” (Takebe 8). There was no positive correlation between adult leukemia and brain tumor noted (Takebe 8). Epidemiological studies conducted in the United States addressed the public concern of the health effects of EMF. Many lawsuits emanated from concerned parties against electric power firms. The U.S. Congress authorized a program known as EMF RAPID Program to conduct studies on health effects of EMF. Studies involving public and private companies focused on biological effects and the conclusion was that EMF was a “possible carcinogen,” but there was no direct evidence, e.g. the epidemiological studies, to support this. The final conclusion was that the evidence was “very weak” for the possible health effects of EMF (Takebe et al. 9). Takebe et al. reported that “almost no experimental studies” could support EMF as a hazard (10). Experiments on the “possible carcinogenic effects” are not convincing enough to support the claim. But the experiments proved that EMF may have “promoting effects,” which means it promotes cancer that is existing and has been initiated by other factors. A chemical or agent that starts cancer means it “initiates” cancer, but a chemical or agent that promotes cancer which is already existing is called “promoter.” For example, some studies found breast cancer could be caused by dimethylbenzanthracene (DBMA) and promoted by EMF. Leukemia and tumors could not also be caused by EMF per experiments in the EMF RAPID Program (qtd. in Takebe et al. 11). Other reports provided negative effects of EMF. However, one study reported an effect, but it used extremely strong EMF, as high as 400mT (microtesla) (Takebe et al. 11). Conclusion Scientific experiments have not proved that EMF has health effects on humans, but there are unclear results of the negative relation on the strong concentration of EMF on the biological system. Some of these experiments were conducted with strong EMF or low frequency (elf). There were no empirical studies to prove the relationship between health effects and influence or presence of EMF. The studies provide varied results leading us to conclude and recommend that more empirical studies and meta-analysis are needed to prove that EMF has negative effects on the biological system. For instance, the report of Takebe et al. indicated that EMF (or elf) has no carcinogenic effects, but the authors cited experiments proving the “promoting,” instead of the “initiating” effects of EMF. We provided explanation from the literature on the difference between the two. The authors explained that the studies and reports about the relationship of EMF and health effects could point to the “promoting” effects of EMF. More empirical studies should be focused on this issue. Works Cited Dhami, A. K. “Study of Electromagnetic Radiation Pollution in an Indian City.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.184 (2012): 6507-6512. Web. ProQuest. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. Dughiero, F., M. Forzan and E. Sieni. “A Numerican Evaluation of Electromagnetic Fields Exposure on Real Human Body Models Until 100 KHz.” The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 29.6 (2010): 1552-1561. Web. ProQuest. 5 March 2015. Qin, Q., Yu Chen, Ting-ting Fu, Li Ding, Ling-li Han, and Jian-chao Li. “The Monitoring Results of Electromagnetic Radiation of 100-kV High-Voltage Lines in One urban Location Chongqing P.R. China.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 184.1 (2012): 1533-1540. Web. ProQuest. 3 Mar. 2015. Takebe, Hiraku, Takeshi Shiga, Masamichi Kato and Eisuke Masada. Biological and Health Effects from Exposure to Power-Line Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: Confirmation of Absence of any Effects at Environmental Field Strengths. Tokyo, Japan: Ohmsha, Ltd., 2001. Print. Vangelova, Katia, Michel Israel, Desimira Velkova and Michaela Ivanova. “Changes in Excretion Rates of Stress Hormones in Medical Staff Exposed to Electromagnetic Radiation.” Environmentalist. 27.1 (2007): 551-555. Web. ProQuest. 5 Mar. 2015. Vesselinova, Lyubina. “Electromagnetic Fields in Clinical Practice of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine: A Health Hazard Assessment of Personnel. Environmentalist.” 32 (2012): 249-255. Web. ProQuest. 3 Mar. 2015. Yalçin, Sevil and Günham Erdem. “Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields.” African Journal of Biotechnology. 11.17 (2012): 3033-3941. Web. ProQuest. 3 Mar. 2015. Read More