Magnetic Fields
The most well known Magnetic Fields come from the earth shown in
figure 1. These are referred to as static magnetic fields which our bodies use every day. Birds and fish use the earth's magnetic fields to migrate to their birth place. It is when we are exposed to man-made magnetic fields the body reacts negatively.
Magnetic fields permeate most materials unhindered, which is why they are so difficult to shield. Only special metal alloys (e.g. mu-metal, soft iron) can redirect harmful magnetic fields. These fields also permeate human bodies unimpeded. With increasing frequency, the eddy currents and electric potentials created within the human body also increase.
Figure 1
Since 1988 the Health Department of the City of Hamburg (Germany) requires that residential homes and daycare centers be located far away enough from strong sources of power-frequency fields so that a mean value of the urban background radiation will not be exceeded. Based on measurements taken by Baubiologie Maes this average value ranges from 0.2 to 0.5 mG (20 to 50 nT).
Warnke and Altmann observed grossly abnormal behavior of bees underneath high-tension power lines in extremely high magnetic fields. Bees not only tended to become overly aggressive, but they also yielded less honey. Depending on the field strength, the abnormal behavior was more or less obvious ranging from restlessness, unnatural movements, irritability, closing up or abandoning bee hives to even stinging each other to death.
Magnetic field research; epidemiological studies:
- 1979 – First work by Nancy Wertherimer – ridiculed
- Significant risk increase from 1-3 mG
* Cancer
* Childhood leukemia
* Tumors
* Migraines
* Depression, irritability, sleep disorders
* Hormone, nerve, heart disorders
- Statistically significant for children (less so for adults)–Swedish Karolinska Institute Study, 1992 (500,000 people)
* >1 mG cancer risk doubles
* >2 mG cancer risk triples
* >3 mG cancer risk quadruples
- Ontario Hydro Study, 1996 (30,000 employees)
* Magnetic & electric fields combined=> leukemia RR 11.2
* Magnetic Fields alone=> leukemia RR 1.6
Today – 1000’s of peer reviewed studies exist, but the US government still claims no link to health effects exists.
Distance is Your Friend
A/C Magnetism penetrates all building materials in your home: Brick, Glass, Sheetrock, Wood and even Steel. Therefore, it is important to know what are the possible sources:
Class One Point Source:
- Refrigerator
- Range hood fan, room fan
- Clocks, TVs, Computers
- Florescent light ballast
Class Two External To the Building:
- High Voltage Transmission Lines
- Distribution Lines to the home
- Transformers
Class Three Unbalanced Line Source:
- Wiring error in the home
Over 70% of the homes in California have a Neutral path wiring error where two circuits have the neutral wires joined in a junction box.
The good news is A/C magnetic fields decrease with distance by I/r3. For Class One Point Source devices, 1-2 feet may make all the difference.
Solutions Against A/C Magnetic Fields
1. CPAP or Clock
Can the appliances on your nightstand within 1-2 feet from your head cause cancer long-term? Yes. It seems the CPAP machine is prolific now and has made it into every bedroom. This device has 2 dangers: A/C Magnetism and Voltage Potential. I recently measured the A/C Magnetism on my CPAP machine and it was 99.5 mG. According to BioInitiative, the safe level is below 1 mG. At 1 foot away it was 6.5 mG and at 2 feet it was .5 mG. Therefore, I moved the CPAP to the other side of the nightstand. Lastly, I measured the Voltage Potential on the heated air hose to the mask. It was 750 v/M. The Safe level is less than 5 v/M. To solve this problem, I switched back to a non heated hose.
You may have just an alarm clock on your night stand and think your fine. Not so. Some clocks put off up to 28 mG. Again the safe level is less than 1 mG. If you move the clock 2 feet away from your head to the other side of the night stand, you will be under 1 mG.
Note: To be sure, you should always make your own measurements with meters.
2. Electric Panel Dangers
The home Electric Panel can be a source of high A/C Magnetic fields. In my home the meter measures 75 mG at the panel. This is because the two HOT wires are separated by about 6 inches inside the panel. To get below 1 mG, I have to be about 4 feet away from the panel. In some homes the panel can be in the bedroom as shown here. To solve this, just move the bed to the opposite wall.
Note: Make sure the panel is not on the other side of the wall. Standard sheet metal does not stop A/C Magnetic fields. You can purchase specialized metal (Mag-Stop) shielding to cover the panel.
