Frequently Asked Questions

Every object whether living or non-living emits Electromagnetic Radiations (EMR). The most important characteristic of any radiation is the energy that it carries. In general, the EMR emitted from electrical and electronic gadgets and devices in our modern world - power lines, transformers, electrical panels, building wiring, computers, lights, clocks, appliances, televisions, hairdryers, mobile phones, cordless phones, microwave ovens, Wi-Fi, TV/radio/mobile towers, etc have far more energy than the other objects.

Hence, the term "Electromagnetic Radiation" is generally associated with the radiation from wide range of electronic gadgets especially used for wireless communication.

Today, over a thousand research studies have linked Electromagnetic Radiations to important biological effects. One of the most authentic and widely circulated BioInitiative Report (BIR) - 2012 written by an independent group of scientists concluded that yes, the EMR affects the human beings.

In the beginning, it was assumed that EMR could not affect human health because EMR cannot ionize molecules like UV rays, X-rays and nuclear radiations. The exposures are usually too low to cause significant heating of body tissue. However, similar to the way that EMR can cause interference problems for sensitive electronics and computer system, the research is beginning to suggest that low-level EMR can definitely influence and interfere with sensitive bio-electromagnetic processes within our cells, brains and bodies.

The research further suggests that the pineal gland can somehow sense the daily changes of the earth's magnetic field, and does utilize this information to regulate our wake-up and sleep cycle. Studies demonstrate that EMR can suppress the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland at night, the main hormone that regulate our wake-up and sleep cycle.

A broad array of studies imply that EMR is linked to a variety of health problems including but not limited to dizziness, sleep disruption, headache, concentration, amnesia, depression, fatigue, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer, Parkinson’s disease, tinnitus and ear damage, irreversible infertility, itchy or burning skin sensations and skin rashes, DNA damage and increase in cancer risk.

There are increasing numbers of people who report "hypersensitivity” to EMR, similar to the way that some individuals have become "hypersensitive" to substances, often as a result of over-exposure in the past.

Pregnant women, newborn babies and children are more prone to the health risks associated with the EMR because their immune system is less developed than that of adults, have smaller brain size, thinner bones and larger water capacity.

The strongest evidence comes from a series of epidemiological studies that have reported increased childhood cancer risks in homes with higher EMR from power lines. Scientists at the Washington State Department of Health reported that the modern rise of childhood leukemia (absent in primitive cultures) is closely linked to the original date of electrification of homes. A wide variety of occupational studies have linked EMR to cancer in adult workers.

In the laboratory, human cancer cells exposed to high EMR grew significantly faster than unexposed cancer cells. Recently, independent studies from Europe have reported increased tumors and cancer risks linked to the use of mobile phones and cordless phones. The cancer risk was highest when people started their use since childhood.

The research suggests that certain EMR might adversely affect the pineal gland's secretion of melatonin at night. Melatonin is one of our bodies' most potent natural cancer fighters, as well as a vital hormone that regulates our wake-up and sleep cycle. Lowered levels of melatonin have been linked with breast, ovarian, prostate and melanoma cancers, as well as with psychological disorders such as depression and suicide. We all know what happens if we do not sleep well - not only are we more worn-out and irritable, but also we are much more likely to catch an illness because our immune function is low. So, it appears that EMR may simply cause long-term stress and interference with our sleep and immune functions — weakening the body’s natural ability to maintain health and fight a variety of diseases.

EMR that affect our lives comes from mobile towers, mobile phones, Wi-Fi, cordless phones, wireless equipment, etc. Another common source is from power lines — both the high-voltage power lines on metal towers and the neighborhood distribution lines on wooden poles or buried underground. Computers, fluorescent lights and the equipment at work are other significant sources.

In our modern world, everyone is exposed to some level of EMR. However, exposure levels vary greatly depending on location. Unfortunately, without testing, it is very difficult to predict the actual EMR levels found in any particular home or office because the EMR can be emitted from unexpected and unknown sources such as neighbour's Wi-Fi or a cordless phone when not in use. Therefore, it is recommended that actual levels are measured at that location with proper test meters.

First, you can arrange beds, couches and chairs to stay as far away as possible from the obvious EMR sources. Limit your family’s use of mobile phones and cordless phones as much as possible, especially for pregnant women, newborn babies and children. For your computer, use only wired components, nothing wireless if possible. Also avoid using Wi-Fi, or at least turn it off when not in use. Since EMR can be emitted from so many unseen and unexpected sources, it is recommended that you measure with a test meter to determine what the actual exposure levels and sources are.

Yes, in most cases you can. With the proper test meter, you can test your home, school, workplace or any other location for EMR. You can test power lines, transformers, wiring, electric meter panels, computers, televisions, appliances, mobile phones, cordless phones, etc. You can test where you sleep, and where your children play. And, perhaps most important for the long term, you can pre-test potential new homes and apartments before you decide to buy or rent.

A professional test consultant can help assure that a thorough and accurate EMR survey is performed. Also, some professionals may have the expertise in the reduction of EMR. The professionals can help you to:

• choose the right kind of test meters.
• measure the EMR for your own situation
• review your measurements and how they compare to potential safety levels
• explain what exactly you can do to reduce the levels.

There is great controversy about what levels are safe, so you will have to make your own decision. BioInitiative Report (BIR)-2012 prepared by 29 authors from 10 countries, 10 holding MDs and 21 PhDs, one is the Chair of the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation and one is a Senior Advisor to the European Environmental Agency recommends that the EMR levels in the homes should be 1 µW/ Meter2 or less.

Once you discovered the high EMR, the solution may be as simple as moving a bed or couch farther away from a strong EMR source. If the solution is not easy or obvious, then you may consult a professional - someone who has technical experience in the reduction of EMR.

Yes, to a certain extent.

One of the biggest and growing concerns now is the widespread use of Wi-Fi and wireless computer hardware. Many computer products are made with wireless installed, and sometimes, even if you think they are off, the hardware is still emitting. Use hard-wired connections preferably, and few wireless devices, to help reduce the exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation.

Move all computer hardware, such as the CPU and printer, as far away from your body as possible. That jumble of electrical cords near your feet can be a strong EMR source. Move these farther away, and even better, they can be shielded and grounded. LCD flat screen monitors generally emit much lower EMR levels than the old CRT (big TV tube type) monitors.

Mobile phones tend to cause the greatest exposures to EMR for most people, and especially for the brain. How to shield the user from the phone, yet allow the signal to reach the nearest mobile tower? This contrasting requirement is extremely difficult to meet, and many advertised products are not of much help. The safest choice is to limit and reduce the time spent on mobile phones, especially for children, pregnant women and old people. Even if the calls from mobile phones are "free", an increased risk of brain tumor is not. Here are your choices:

• Make calls short as less talk, less exposure.
• If signal is poor, avoid making calls.
• Hold the mobile away from body.
• Prefer speaker mode.

Some of the research studies from Europe are showing similar health risks from the use of cordless phones as that of mobile phones. The radiations emitted from cordless phones is similar to mobile phones, except that the exposure levels are somewhat lower. However, the base of cordless phones emit radiations continuously, even when the phone is not in use! Similar to mobile phones, the best alternative is to severely limit the use of cordless phones. It is better to unplug them and use only land-line hard-wired telephones.

We are bio-electromagnetic systems. Our heart and brain are regulated by internal bioelectrical signals. Environmental exposures to artificial EMFs interact with fundamental biological processes in the human body which is in reality a bio-resonance system. Technology is changing at a staggering pace. We are now exposed to forces and energies that did not exist decades ago.

Electro-Hyper Sensitivity is a condition in which a person reports heightened sensitivity or serious health symptoms related to EMR exposures of one kind or another. This condition is typically verified when, by simply removing the EMR source or removing the person from the source, the symptoms disappear, but reappear when the source is reintroduced. People with Electro-Sensitivity are often very troubled by the normal EMR levels found in a typical home or work environment. Therefore, special measures are often needed to reduce the exposure levels further. It is also called Electrical Sensitivity, Electro-Sensitivity, Electromagnetic Sensitivity and Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity.

In Sweden, EHS is officially recognized as a functional impairment, where 280,000 people receive government assistance to shield their living spaces against EMR.

Better you assess your environment to see what the actual EMR levels are in your home, workplace, and especially where you sleep. Many people with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity will need to reduce their long-term exposures to levels well below those found in the average home or office, to relieve their symptoms.

Scientists no longer argue whether or not EMR affects human health, which is accepted by and large. However, there is still big controversy about the extent and severity of these health effects at common exposure levels. Some believe that the overall impact on our health is relatively minimal when compared to other environmental issues like cigarettes, asbestos or air-pollutants. Others argue that the studies are not yet consistent or conclusive enough to warrant action. For many years, experts such as Dr. Granger Morgan at Carnegie Mellon University have recommended a policy of "prudent avoidance" - reducing EMR whenever possible without excessive cost or inconvenience.

There is a growing support, especially in Europe, for applying the "precautionary principle" - that while the health risks to the general population are not conclusively proven, the risks are plausible enough to warrant protective action. In 2007 and again in 2012, an international group of scientists, researchers and public health officials concluded in the BioInitiative Report that the existing scientific knowledge has grown strong enough to alert the public and urge governments to develop new safety limits. The report warned that the existing safety limits for EMR from power lines and wireless devices like mobile phones are inadequate to protect public health, and recommended lower safety limits based on the available research.

In recent years, a variety of national and international health organizations have reviewed the EMR issue. Some have concluded that the evidence for health effects is still not conclusive. Others have concluded that the scientific evidence is strong enough to demonstrate significant health effects. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of WHO designates mobile phones as "possible human carcinogen” [Class 2B].

In 2001, scientists with the Washington State Department of Health reviewed historical data and reported that the sudden appearance of childhood leukemia in modern societies is closely linked to the original electrification of homes. In their 2002 summary report on Electromagnetic Radiation, scientists with the California Department of Health Services (DHS) reviewed the research and wrote "all three of the DHS scientists are inclined to believe that EMR can cause some degree of increased risk of childhood leukemia, adult brain cancer, Lou Gehrig's disease and miscarriage."

India used to follow ICNIRP Guidelines of safe radiation density of 4.5 Watt/M2 for GSM900 and 9.2 Watt/M2 for GSM1800. However, ICNIRP guidelines clearly state that these are for short term exposure and not for long term exposure. Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) Report recommended adopting 1/10th of ICNIRP guidelines in 2011 and presently this is followed in India.

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) reported highest measured reading of power density as 450 mW/M2 and most of their readings are within 1 to 100 mW/M2. That is why they always claim that they are within the safe limits. However, BioInitiative Report (BIR)-2012 recommends the safe limit for 24 hours exposure should be less than 0.001 mW/M2.

Better you assess your environment to see what the actual EMR levels are in your home, workplace, and especially where you sleep. Many people with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity will need to reduce their long-term exposures to levels well below those found in the average home or office, to relieve their symptoms.

Radiation level at a place depends upon the power transmitted, radiation pattern of the antenna, and distance from the transmitting towers. BioInitiative Report (BIR)-2012 recommends the safe limit for 24 hours exposure should be less than 0.001 mW/M2, which includes apartments, schools, hospitals, offices and playgrounds. Safe radiation density can be 1 mW/M2, where people spend few minutes a day. Currently in India, base stations transmit 20W/carrier, so in the main beam, a distance of less than 500 meters is not safe.

Children and pregnant women are more sensitive to radiation, and hence they should not be exposed to high radiation for longer time. Old people and patients have weak immune system and hence they are also more susceptible to high radiation.

The Bluetooth radiation from the earpiece strikes you just the same way as a mobile phone because it exposes you to the similar radiation levels since it operates in close proximity to the body.