EMF: The Research

EMFs and You: The Problems

EMFs adversely affect our brains, hearts, nervous systems, and more – the entire list of damage is extensive and far-reaching, yet often difficult to quantify due to the ambiguity of side effects. In order to understand the breadth of EMF exposure, we can divide the effects into symptoms, the underlying mechanisms that trigger them, and longer-term diseases and conditions that can result as a consequence of chronic EMF exposure. Though these lists are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, our knowledge is continually expanding as the frequencies and magnitude of EMFs have shifted over time.

Depending on several circumstances, such as predisposing genetic factors, symptoms may not always present; rather, one’s condition is not always proportionate to their level of exposure, as millions of Americans saturate themselves every day in critically dangerous thresholds of EMFs.

In the same way that a fast-food diet is equally unhealthy whether one is fit or obese, a lack of outward symptoms does not preclude the heightened risk for several cancers, auto-immune conditions, affective, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Alternatively, those who have developed electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) may react to level far lower levels than those outlined in most independent safety standards.

Thus, experiencing any cluster of the following symptoms requires further investigation to to determine the best course of action. Keep in mind, it is imperative to catch these symptoms as early as possible to prevent them from morphing into a debilitating hypersensitivity.

Prenatal and neonatal effects are especially deleterious, so I will dedicate a separate page to their health risks.

Outward Symptoms

• fatigue; lethargy^1,4

• heart palpitations; tachycardia¹

• insomnia^1,2; reduced REM sleep

• headaches^1,4

• dysesthesia (tingling, burning, or itchy nerve pain)²

• general feelings of discomfort¹

• cognitive impairment^1,4,5

• Depression & mood disturbances²

• eye pain & visual disruptions¹

• excessive thirst

• hair loss

• irritability²

• intolerance to stimulants and/or depressants (coffee, alcohol)

• anxiety or restlessness^2,3,4

• chest or lung pain

• increased susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections

• tinnitus¹¹

• skin burning or tingling; dermographism²

• dizziness^1,2

• loss of appetite^1,2

• movement difficulties¹; muscle pain

• nausea¹

• sinus irritation

• gastrointestinal discomfort

Physiological Mechanisms

• Increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, subsequent oxidative stress or damage^2,4,5,12

• DNA damage^4,5,12

• Mictochondrial dysfunction and increased apoptosis^3,5

• Sympathetic nervous system activation²

• Increased neurotransmitter & neuroendocrine release^2,5

• Rouleau formation (clumping) of red blood cells¹

• Decreased melatonin production^6,7**15

• Dysregulation of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis³

• Increased production of blood plasma corticosteroids³

• Increase of gluccocorticiod receptor activation in the amygdala³

• Neuronal cell apoptosis⁶

• Damage to myelin sheaths; demyelination & axonal damage⁵

• Hippocampal dendritic spine atrophy⁶

• Changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels⁵

• Activation of neural voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs)^2,5

• Decreased calcium ion channels in the hippocampus⁵

• Increased blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability⁹

Associated Illnesses

• Reproductive dysfunction & infertility¹²

• Increased risk for several forms of cancer^5,15: meningioma¹¹, gliomas¹¹, leukemia¹⁴, breast cancer^7,10

• Neurological damage⁵

•Neurodegenerative dieseases⁸

• Immune dysfunction⁵ – resulting in autoimmune disease

• Kidney damage⁵

• ADHD and learning disabilities (especially in children)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS)⁵ and consequent suicide¹³

• Reactivation of latent viruses, namely EBV¹⁶

The Studies

Bear in mind: this is only a small handful of the research that exists. For further investigation, a much more comprehensive list of studies can be found at Physicians for Safe Technology

1. Radiation from wireless technology affects the blood, the heart, and the autonomic nervous system

2. Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression

3. Long-term exposure of 2450 MHz electromagnetic radiation induces stress and anxiety like behavior in rats

4. Low intensity microwave radiation induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and DNA damage in rat brain

5. Possible Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Central Nerve System

6. Are rises in Electro-Magnetic Field in the human environment, interacting with multiple environmental pollutions, the tipping point for increases in neurological deaths in the Western World?

7. Long-term exposure to magnetic fields and the risks of Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer: Further biological research

8. Residence Near Power Lines and Mortality From Neurodegenerative Diseases: Longitudinal Study of the Swiss Population

9. Increased blood-brain barrier permeability in mammalian brain 7 days after exposure to the radiation from a GSM-900 mobile phone

10. Multifocal Breast Cancer in Young Women with Prolonged Contact between Their Breasts and Their Cellular Phones

11. Use of Wireless Phones and Evidence for Increased Risk of Brain Tumors

12. Effect of electromagnetic field exposure on the reproductive system