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What can be done about the problem?
There has been a dramatic increase since
World War II in the use of systems and devices emitting EMFs;
humans are exposed to these fields in the home, in the
workplace, and in the external environment. Even though life
on earth developed in a sea of weak natural EMFs ranging in
frequency from a few cycles per second to the extremely high
frequencies of radioactive and cosmic radiation, the intensity
of EMFs from man made devices and systems are typically far
above the levels of this natural background radiation in our
urban environments. More importantly, the man made EMFs are
completely different from natural EMFs in terms of their
oscillation properties which show a constant rather than a
random pattern of variation.
The rapid development of higher and higher intensities of man
made, constantly oscillating EMFs from new technologies is
expected to continue and even accelerate, as we adopt an
increasing number of systems and devices emitting such fields.
This development can not and should not be stopped, as most of
these devices are extremely helpful and provide improved
quality of life to millions of consumers.
However, with the present scientific knowledge in mind, it is
obvious that something must be done to protect consumers
against potential hazards associated with the EMF emissions.
And users are definitely worried; in a poll conducted in the
UK by Mori (May 1999), it was reported that 40 % of regular
mobile phone users are afraid of potential health problems on
the background of the scientific reports.
Industry associations are eagerly trying to downplay the risks
and frequently state that there is no proof of any health
risks of EMF exposures. However, the fact is that:
- Man made EMFs evidently induce
significant biological effects in human cells, tissues
and whole animals. These biolgical effects are linked
to biochemical and physiological events believed to be
associated with the development of adverse health
conditions whenever there is evidence of such
interactions, there is justified reason for concern;
- A majority of epidemiological studies
point to an association between adverse health
conditions and EMF exposures; this is another reason
justifying public concern.
Added together, these two individual
dimensions of "circumstantial evidence" brings a
third dimension into the matter of concern. Therefore, the
only statement which can be made for certain is:
"There is no scientific evidence that man made EMFs
are safe".
The options available to consumers who are concerned about
being "guinea pigs" in the large scale experiment
set up by the electrical, electronics and telecommunications
industries are the following:
- Prudent avoidance of the near field
of systems and appliances emitting strong EMFs such as
cellular phones and base stations, computers, hair
dryers, power line systems, transformer stations, TV
transmission towers, photocopying machines, food
processors, microwave ovens, sewing machines, electric
motors, etc. This is often not practical, and
consumers may not be knowledgeable about the proximity
of transformer stations, underground power lines, cell
phone towers, etc. In many occupations it is not
possible to cut down the use of devices like cellular
phones and computers. Besides, as research has shown,
nobody knows what safe levels of EMF exposures are.
- Use of devices like the ear piece for mobile phones; however, many cell phone users place their handsets in their belts when they use their ear piece, thereby exposing large deposits of blood cells in the hip bone marrow or their genitals to the radiation. Furthermore, even at a distance, the radiation from a mobile phone antenna may induce significant biological effects.
- There are physical shielding devices available in the market, especially for cell phones, and some of these sell well. The problems associated with shielding are the following:
- It is not practical to shield
against ELF fields which penetrate virtually all
materials except a special metal alloy (mu metal)
which is as expensive as 24 ct gold; thus, a
shield for a cell phone would do nothing to the
ELF emission from the handset body;
- The shield may take away some of the microwave radiation of the cellular phone antenna; however, the level of the radiation will still be far above the thresholds for induction of biological effects which may to be thousands of times below the level actually emitted from the antenna;
- The shield will in many situations hamper the operation of the phone, depending on the direction to the nearest base station; if the head of the user is in the direction of the nearest base station, the phone will have to increase its output power to reach an alternative base station.
- Shielding devices may appear clumsy and unattractive.
- There are products being offered in
the market consisting of little containers filled with
"magnetized water", claimed to emit a
protective magnetic field which eliminates potential
hazards of the radiation. There is no published and
peer-reviewed scientific backing for these claims.
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A scientific solution to the problem:
EMF Bioprotection
The EMF Bioprotection technology is a scientifically developed solution to the EMF problem. The technology is published and peer-reviewed, and its ability to neutralize biological effects induced by EMF-exposures has been tested and confirmed independently by five laboratories in North America and Europe.
The technology was developed in a large, on-going research project at the Catholic University of America (CUA), Department of Physics in Washington, D.C. The research project was initiated in 1986 and funded in its first five years by the U.S. Army Walter Reed Army Institute Department of Microwave Engineering.
The background for the project was a concern of the U.S. Army about the biological effects and potential health consequences to personnel exposed to EMFs. Since World War II, the U.S. Army has been the worlds largest user of electrical, electronic, and telecommunication equipment and was the first to recognize effects induced by EMFs on military personnel (radar operators on WW II battleships).
The EMF Bioprotection technology is patented in U.S.A. The patent application for the technology is endorsed by the U.S. Army (letter below). The U.S. government owns all non-commercial rights to the technology, whereas non-military rights belong to the company EMX Corporation. The company will shortly be introducing products in the marketplace to provide protection for consumers worried about potential health effects of EMF exposures. The EMF Bioprotection technology is designed to prevent non-thermal biological effects of EMF exposures. When the biological effects are prevented, there can not possibly be any health effects associated with non-thermal exposures.
The technology works by blocking the EMF-induced physical-chemical interactions around the cell membrane receptors, probably by preventing cooperative sensing from happening. In this way, the cascade of biochemical events which would result inside the cell as a function of membrane receptors sensing the constant, oscillating EMF, is prevented from being triggered. The EMF Bioprotection™
technology re-establishes the situation around the cell as if it was non-exposed. This is illustrated in Figure 26.
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Fig. 26: How the EMF Bioprotection™
technology blocks biological effects. |
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Fig. 27: The time
variance of a natural EMF frequency,
amplitude and waveform varies at random. (top)
A "man-made" EMF, emitted from the internal
circuitry
of a digital mobile telephone. Frequency, amplitude and
waveform are constant for a certain time period.
(bottom)
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The EMF Bioprotection™ technology works by simulating natures random EMFs. The research
team at CUA found that the requirement for biological events to be induced by EMF exposure is that the EMF apart from being spatially coherent like all fields external to the body is steady for a minimum period of time (constant oscillation) [refs. 52, 53, 54].
The CUA research team found like other scientists working in this area that ELF and microwaves induced remarkably similar biological effects. Especially ELF and ELF modulated microwaves are virtually identical in their ability to induce biological effects.
Most important: The scientists found that superimposing a random, "natural"-type ELF field ("noise" field) on a steadily oscillating EMF could mitigate the induced biological effects; and if the noise field was properly engineered, any biological effect tested was completely eliminated.
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Fig. 28: Noise field superimposed on the constant ELF emitted from the circuitry
of digital mobile phone.
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Fig. 29: EM noise inhibits the 60-Hz ELF-induced ODC activity in cells. |
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Among many other studies, the team of scientists in CUAs laboratories exposed about 3000 chicken embryos to EMFs. They found that:
- Steady, oscillating EMFs increase the rate of neural abnormalities in chicken embryos by a factor of approximately 2.5. (Figure 30)
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Fig. 30:
EMF-induced
abnormalities in chicken embryos. (Farrell et al, 1997)
Pictures (a)-(d) show normal, unexposed embryos
following a 48 hour incubation. The spinal cord is the
"tail" of the embryo, and the neural tube
inside this appears completely normal; so does the
developing brain. Picture (h) is a transverse section at
the level of the hindbrain for embryo (a) as indicated
by line (h) in picture (a). This brain is normal.
Pictures (e)-(g) and (i) show neural tube and brain
defects induced by electromagnetic fields. In (e)-(g)
arrows indicate neural folds of open neural tubes in the
spinal cord. This is an abnormality known in humans as
spina bifida. The hindbrain shown in (i) of embryo (g)
is abnormal - totally flattened - compared to the normal
brain shown in (h).
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- There is a biochemical explanation to this. EMFs significantly change the activity of the important growth enzyme ODC (also related to cancer), making the availability of the enzyme inappropriate at critical stages in the development of the embryos. For example, during neurolation (formation of the neural tube) the activity of the enzyme is too little, causing the incomplete closure of the neural tube on the chicken embryos shown above.
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Fig. 31: The red line shows EMF-induced changes in the activity of
ODC. (Litovitz et al, 1993) |
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- Superimposing a noise field on the 60 Hz field caused the embryo abnormality ratio as well as the ODC enzyme activity to become normal.
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Fig. 32: ODC activity in unexposed, exposed and exposed+noise chick embryos. |
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This series of experiments is just one of many studies performed on different biological systems and different induced biological effects.
The scientists discovered that a noise ELF-type field could also eliminate the biological effects of a microwave-type field, either continuous wave or ELF modulated microwave.
The explanation of this is not scientifically resolved, but it is an experimental fact. It is believed to be related to another experimental fact mentioned earlier, that ELF and microwave fields by some yet unknown mechanism induce similar biological effects, probably due to:
- Amplification mechanisms in and around the cell membrane;
- Cooperative sensing in the cell membrane receptors.
In popular language, superimposing the noise field re-establishes the normal, unexposed situation around the cell membranes, by inhibition of charge-redistribution around the cell caused by the steady oscillating field, and/or by inhibiting the membrane receptors sensing of the changed electromagnetic environment, no matter whether this change is caused by microwave radiation or an ELF field.
The graph below (Figure 33) shows the inhibition of a biological effect induced by cell phone microwave radiation (digital TDMA phone), using an ELF noise field. The biological effect is a change in the activity of the important growth enzyme ODC. The stronger the noise field, the better the inhibition of the induced effect. If the noise field is strong enough, it is possible to completely eliminate the induced effect.
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Fig. 33: Inhibition of digital phone effects. |
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The efficacy of the EMF Bioprotection technology in preventing EMFs from causing biological effects has been independently tested at five different laboratories on numerous biological systems and markers. In all tests, EMF-induced biological effects were effectively eliminated, and it has also been reported that the bioprotection noise field does not in itself induce any biological effects.
Laboratories having tested the efficacy of the EMF Bioprotection technology:
1) Department of Physics, and Department of Biology and Institute for Biomolecular studies, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Att.: Dr. T.A. Litovitz [refs. 52, 53, 54].
2) Department of Anatomy, The University of Western Ontario, and Departments of Biochemistry, Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada. Att.: Dr. A.H. Martin [ref. 55].
3) Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. Att.: Dr. R. Goodman [refs. 56, 57, 58].
4) Institute of Communication Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark, and Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Aarhus, Denmark. Att.: Dr. S. Kwee [ref. 59].
5) Bioelectromagnetics Research laboratory, Center for Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle. Att.: Dr. Henry Lai.
Re 1). Tests performed at the Catholic University of America (CUA)
A) EMFs change the activity of the important growth enzyme ODC. This significant biological effect, relevant to cancer promotion and teratogenesis (fetal abnormality induction) has been shown in many biological systems. The scientists at CUA found that the EMF Bioprotection™ technology was capable of eliminating EMF-induced (ELF as well as microwave) ODC activity changes in
- Mouse cells [ref. 16, 47,52, 2598];
- Chicken embryos [ref. 60];
B) EMFs induce a factor two-and-a-half increase in the rate of neural abnormalities in developing chicken embryos. This can be explained by the induced change in ODC enzyme activity which alters the rate of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, increasing the risk of something going wrong in a developing embryo or the balance between healthy and transformed cells in a mature organism. The EMF Bioprotection technology was tested on the chicken abnormality ratio, and it was totally efficient in reducing the abnormality ratio to the normal level.
C) Specifically, the research team at CUA tested the ability of the EMF Bioprotection technology to eliminate biological effect (ODC activity rate) induced by mobile phone microwave radiation. It was shown that the noise field was totally effective in eliminating the microwave induced biological effect.
D) The team has worked extensively on the effects of EMFs on the ability of chicken hearts to survive a simulated heart attack (anoxia). When the chicken hearts were exposed for just 20-30 minutes of EMF exposure, they had consistently higher chances of surviving a simulated heart attack. This is due to the fact that EMF exposures stress the heart, and this is beneficial for short time intervals. However, when they were exposed for an extended period, or repeated short term exposures, they had significantly lower chances of surviving simulated heart attacks. The reason for this is that repetitive or chronic exposures cause a down-regulation in the stress response to the EMF, leaving substantially smaller resources to defend a life-threatening condition like anoxia. This is backed by epidemiological data, showing that electrical utility workers has a significantly higher mortality rate of infarcts. The EMF Bioprotection™ technology relieves the heart from stress, eliminating the biological effect of down-regulation.
These data has not yet been published.
Re. 2). Tests performed by the University of
Western Ontario (UWO), Canada
At UWO, the scientists have found that EMF change the activity of a critically important enzyme called 5nucleotidase which has a multiplicity of functions vital to developing nervous and brain tissue. The tests were performed in developing chicken embryos, and the scientists found that the induced effect persisted even after the field was removed. The scientists tested the efficacy of EMF Bioprotection™
technology on these induced biological effects and found that they were negated.
Re. 3). Tests performed by Columbia University (CU)
A) EMFs induce an increase in the transcript levels of c-myc, a proto-oncogene found to be associated with the onset of cancer. The test were performed on human leukemia cells. The scientists found that EMF Bioprotection™ technology was able to eliminate the gene expression change induced by the EMF exposure.
B) EMFs alter the expression and transcription of genes responsible for the onset of stress protein production, and an associated alteration of the biosynthesis of these substances which are produced in response to all stresses like heat shock, radioactive radiation, anoxia, bacterial and viral attacks, toxic chemicals, etc. The scientists at CU showed that the EMF Bioprotection™ technology was capable of eliminating the induced production of stress proteins, demonstrating that the noise field prevented the stress condition in the cells, caused by the
EMF. The test was performed on human breast cancer cells.
C) EMFs suppress the production of neurotransmitters and other brain and nerve substances, one of these being dopamine. This is believed to influence the function of the brain, and a permanent low level of dopamine is believed to be associated with Parkinsons disease. The scientists at CU have applied the EMF Bioprotection technology to the induction of this biological effect and have found that these effects are completely eliminated.
Re. 4). Tests performed at Aalborg and Aarhus
Universities (AU) in Denmark
EMFs have been shown to increase cell proliferation rates in cell cultures and primitive animals (nematodes). The scientists at AU showed that application of the EMF Bioprotection™ technology completely eliminates the EMF-induced increase in cell proliferation rates.
Re. 5). Tests performed at the University of
Washington (UW), Seattle
EMFs have been observed by the scientists at UW to cause a change in the function of the brain. This has been confirmed by studies at the UK National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), the Bristol Royal Infirmary and the British Army. At UW, the scientists demonstrated that the EMF Bioprotection technology was capable of eliminating EMF-induced impairment in the learning of rats. The study has not yet been published.
The test studies of the EMF Bioprotection technology are summarized below, organized according to biological effects induced by EMFs and potential health consequences which may result from these biological effects . The research provides ample support for the hypothesis that the superimposed EMF noise field functions by preventing the fundamental sensor mechanisms situated in the receptors of the cell from reacting to the constantly oscillating EMF stimulus. This blocks the triggering effect in the cascade of events leading to significant biological effects and potentially adverse health conditions.
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Fig. 34: Tests performed with EMF Bioprotection technology reporting that biological effects induced by EMFs are blocked.
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As it appears from this overview, the EMF Bioprotection™ technology has proven its ability to eliminate a broad variety of EMF induced biological effects, along any of four critical pathways of biological events:
- Gene expression is the fundamental starting point of all metabolic processes in the cell, if you fiddle with that, anything can happen. Gene expression changes caused by external factors can be very adverse, triggering unpredictable cascades of undesirable biological events leading to such different conditions as cancer, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, brain and heart functional impairment, blood disorders, allergies and asthma, mood and behavioral disorders, sleep disturbances, headaches, fatigue, circadian rhythm disorders, etc. It has been demonstrated that the EMF Bioprotection™
technology eliminates
EMF-induced gene expression changes related to cancer and biological stress.
- There is epidemiological as well as laboratory evidence that EMFs change the function of the heart and induce stress which may lead to down-regulation of critical defense and repair mechanisms. This has been shown to adversely affect the mortality rate related to infarctions. It has been shown on live chicken embryos that the EMF Bioprotection™ technology eliminates the
EMF-induced impairment of heart defense and repair mechanisms.
- There is laboratory evidence that EMFs significantly change the activity of important enzymes related to growth and development of nerve and brain tissue and cancer cells, causing changes in metabolism and cell proliferation which may lead to cancer or fetal abnormalities. The EMF Bioprotection™ technology has been shown to eliminate such effects in cells and chicken embryos. The
EMF-induced changes in cell metabolism may lead to changes in the production and secretion of critical endocrine and brain hormones and neurotransmitters, which are vital to the proper functioning of brain, nerves and organs, and important to the bodys defense against cancer. EMF Bioprotection™ technology has been shown to eliminate
EMF-induced changes in the production of such substances, and to normalize
EMF-induced changes in brain function of rats.
- There is laboratory evidence of EMF-induced stress in cells, organs and animals. This is expressed as a change in cell metabolism triggering production of stress proteins, the universal response of a cell exposed to a potentially adverse insult. Stress in short periods is actually beneficial to the organism; however, if the stressful condition persists, such as in the chronic or repetitive exposure to electromagnetic fields, the mechanism of down-regulation comes into play. This may lead to situations where the cells are exhausted, and cannot prepare for further life-threatening stressors such as chemical toxins, bacterial or viral attack, ionizing radiation, anoxia, etc. The consequence of such situations may be excessive cell death, leading to degeneration of tissue in the brain or nerves (Alzheimers and Parkinsons). The EMF Bioprotection™ technology has been shown to eliminate
EMF-induced stress responses.
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Providing products with the
EMF Bioprotection technology
The development and testing of the EMF Bioprotection™ technology has been going on since 1986 by the team of 15 scientists at
CUA. The testing will continue, and more laboratories will be involved in this work in addition to the five laboratories already involved.
The development and testing was initiated and funded in the first five years by the U.S. Army. In 1991, a research and development company called EMX Corporation was founded to continue funding of the research, and to develop a technological platform for providing protection to consumers with the EMF Bioprotection™ technology.
EMX Corporation has offices in London, New York and San Jose, and has developed and tested a microchip-based implementation of the EMF Bioprotection™ technology. This will allow manufacturers and distributors of electric, electronic and telecommunication systems, devices and appliances to offer their customers protection against biological effects induced by the EMFs emitted from their products.
EMX Corporation will work with these companies to help them to integrate EMF Bioprotection™
technology in their products in a practically and cost-efficiently way.
The first product incorporating EMF Bioprotection™ is aimed at the mobile phone market. EMX Corporation has entered into an agreement with a large mobile phone battery manufacturer, incorporating EMF Bioprotection™ in their product line. These products are offered existing users of mobile phones. To obtain protection, users of mobile phones just have to buy a new battery for their phone with the EMF Bioprotection™ technology incorporated.
EMX Corporation will be working together with other companies, providing bioprotection to users of hair dryers, electric hand tools, vacuum cleaners, computers, microwave ovens, etc.
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