Yuck. What a problem. Maybe I live too close to strong electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
(Full disclosure: my sweat really doesn't glow in the dark. I just used the headline shamelessly to get some clicks)
EMFs include electric fields generated by charged particles in motion, and radiated fields, such as TVs, radios, hair dryers and microwave ovens.
When we think about our favorite radio station, we realize these energies have the ability to influence particles at great distances. Back in the day, I could pick up WJR (which broadcasts from Detroit) when I was visiting family in West Virginia. Why? Because radiation from their tower in Detroit influenced the atoms all the way to that distant car radio antenna in on I-77, allowing it to pick up the signal.
Sticking with the radio example, we also see that the field is strongest near the source and decreases as you move away from the source.
Despite the many wonderful conveniences of electrical technology, we don't know enough the effects on our bodies. It is a controversial issue, but scientists are in agreement that more research is necessary to determine safe or dangerous levels.
If you are really into acronyms, you'll love this: there is an organization called the Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Research and Public Information Dissemination Program (RAPID). Whew!
They've been researching for twenty years to determine if electric and magnetic fields associated with the generation, transmission and use of electrical energy pose a risk to human health.
Guess what they've discovered: there is clear evidence that health effects of EMF are not obvious and that risk relationships, if risk is identified, are not simple.
What does that mean? They can't prove anything one way or the other.
But some people have an issue called electromagnetic hypersensitivity (ES), and that is proven to be a danger. I'll go into that in another post.
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