EMR information item

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The terms, electromagnetic energy (EME), electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and electromagnetic field (EMF) are all used to describe emissions associated with the use of electricity.

The term EMR has been chosen for use in this document which is intended to raise awareness of an environmental health factor which has the potential to harm human health.

On behalf of the most vulnerable section of the community - our children, we seek appropriate protection from unnecessary EMR exposure in the school environment and elsewhere.

On the educational scene, a number of politicians are proud to announce and justifiably so, that every child in Australia will have the benefit of computer use to assist in their education.

In this regard we would ask that the Government carefully consider the following.

Today, more than ever before, the health of a growing child is challenged by our polluted environment which includes - electromagnetic field radiation (EMR) an environmental factor which has the potential to cause harm to human health.

The personal computer, and both mobile and cordless phones have recently increased the sources of electromagnetic radiation in the young child's environment. Parents allow the very young to speak to Grandma on the mobile phone, and introduce pre-schoolers to the wonders of the computer, unaware that the EMR emissions from each device has the potential to disrupt the delicate balance of the child's biological system.

The developing child is believed to be particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of EMR. Teenage females may be especially at risk due to their cyclical hormonal systems.

Of concern is the growing dependency of the teenager on the use of the mobile/cordless phone. Scientific researcher Dr Gerard Hyland words should be noted. He has commented recently that low powered cordless house phones, may pose a greater risk than the mobile phone as they are generally used for longer periods of time.

Our concern is with EMR from all sources, but the focus here is on that from the personal computer and radio telephone apparatus in the hands of children.

Clearly personal computers add to the educational resources of the student of all ages, and the mobile phone provides for social interaction and can add a sense of security in some situations.

But if not designed and used with EMR safety in mind, these devices will also serve to increase the exposure to EMR with attendant possible risk of serious health consequences, for the individual and society as a whole.

Not appearing in official statistics and thus completely overlooked are the influences surrounding all serious health conditions. There are inevitably a number of stress affected people associated with every cancer and chronic fatigue (and other) patient. Carers, parents, siblings and extended family are all, to some degree, stress affected by their connection with such patients. Often medical treatment is required for these people also, adding to the cost to community as a result of the disease.

In 1990, one prominent computer manufacturer acted responsibly by calling for industry regulation of the EMR emissions from computers. Manufacturers are now observing the Swedish Standard of EMR emission levels which, though technically based rather than health based in design - does restrict levels to less than those found in older models.

Keeping such standards in mind, it is advisable to assume that any existing computer that does not have a low emission label is likely to emit levels of EMR now considered unacceptable. Therefore it is prudent at all times, to observe a distance of 60 centimetres between the operator and the screen, as well as a distance of one metre from any computer in the near vicinity. This includes all computer hardware. Properly 'grounded' monitor screen filters are available which will reduce such electrostatic and electric field emissions. Even so, distance is still required to reduce emissions from parts that may not be so readily shielded such as cables.

Though EMR emissions can be low, there is no guarantee that a 'low' level is safe.

Levels of magnetic fields below 2 milliGauss are said to be unlikely to be harmful, the electric field levels are not usually considered, yet some scientists now believe this is an oversight and that the electric fields may well also be implicated in EMR health consequences. The inhalation of chemical gases given off from the heated components of a computer during operation, should also be considered. Adequate ventilation of the room is necessary. New computers may also pose a chemical hazard to health via heavy metal (such a Cadmium) particles as the standard air filters fitted to personal computer cooling fans do not stop such particles being expelled. Special filters can be purchased to ensure this hazard is removed.

The Sydney Morning Herald article (SMH 15.4.1996) reports that Dr Sato, a paediatric neurologist in Japan found in a study, that either directly after or during a video game session, 30% of children develop eye strain, headaches, and other health problems. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and trouble with concentrating were reported. Dr Sato said he was shocked at the reports of seizure and loss of consciousness. A condition known as TV epilepsy is experienced by some children due to the flicker of the TV screen.

These reported conditions seem to be mostly related to the visual effects of the screen , hazardous enough, even without the EMR emissions !

There are scientific studies that have determined that changes in intensity of such environmental cues as light, temperature and magnetic fields, influence neuropsychiatric conditions such as bulimia, anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, suicide, schizophrenia, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. (Ref i)

The human brain has been found to have altered electrical activity as an 'after effect' of continuous, frequency specific exposure to EMR. (Ref ii)

There have been recent press reports of children experiencing eyesight problems associated with computer use, possibly from overuse.

In NSW and Victoria there are reports of increased incidence of high school age girls developing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Figures on CFS obtained from the U.S. Centre For Disease Control and Prevention, indicate more than 80% of CFS sufferers are female.

Adverse physical effects reported by computer operators are: Dry eyes, mouth and throat, headaches, extreme tiredness, also concentration and memory difficulties. There is anecdotal evidence of symptoms disappearing after installation of an adequately grounded screen filter and anti-static mat.

The Public Sector Union has a fact sheet on office hygiene, where PCs are concerned, And there are a number of reports of employers taking seriously the concerns of people in the workplace, regarding EME exposure.

The cordless phone is known to produce hot spots on the face after 15 minutes use - it is also suspected of implication of the development of adolescent CFS. Other symptoms reported are dizziness, headaches, loss of memory. The radiation from these devices is believed to interfere with brain electrical activity. There are now special concerns that cheaper rates for mobile phones will result in increased adolescent phone use, and so more EMR exposure.

The release of the findings of an international panel of experts should be noted. This states that extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) should be regarded as a possible human carcinogen, (Ref:iii)

At the present time we do not have a responsible Health and Safety Standard that addresses the levels of EMR exposure other than those which causes the obvious heat shock and burn on contact. Long overdue is the setting of a Health & Safety Standard which seriously addresses the non-thermal levels of EMR, that by induction, are known to cause biological effects now strongly associated with many serious health conditions including cancer.

Until we have a Health Standard which deals with the EMR exposure in total, an interim measure of extreme caution in the form of warnings against exposure should be issued for:

These interim measures should be enforced in the interests of children and the community in general. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty of care of those in charge of community welfare. In this regard and in the community interest we respectfully ask that:

Until Australia has established an acceptable health standard for levels of human exposure to environmental EMR, interim measures that observe extreme caution in allowing EMR exposure be exercised and:

WHEREAS, Australia does not have a health standard regarding EMR exposure to the Community and

WHEREAS, Studies show children to be the most vulnerable to adverse effects from EMR exposure and

WHEREAS, Computer use increases the exposure to EMR to the operator and whereas cancer incidents, diabetes, asthma and other serious health conditions in children are increasing and ,

We believe the government is duty bound to ensure that all EMR exposures in the classroom at all levels, from child minding centres to high school level, are reduced to at least the recommendations of the NCRP Committee.

R. Goodman et al., Departments of Pathology & Physiology, Columbia University, New York N.Y. 10032 USA.

(ii) Bell G.B., Marino A.A., Chesson A.L., Frequency-specific blocking in the human brain caused by electromagnetic fields.(1994) Journal Article

(iii) NCRP Scientific Committee 89-3 on Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields. June 1995 Section 8.

(iv) Sandyk Professor Reuven WEAK MAGNETIC FIELDS AS A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC MODALITY IN PARKINSON'S DISEAESE. Neurocommunication Research Laboratories, 36 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811, U.S.A.