EMF at home

Parents, is your home safe for your children? 

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - Benjamin Franklin

Electric devices emit Electromagnetic radiation.

With a simple meter anyone can make sure they maintain a safe distance from them and limit exposure for themselves and those they care for.

Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiationto Fuels (HERF)

Many  studies  have  been  done  about  fuel  vaporsbeing   accidentally   ignited   by   electromagneticradiation. Tests aboard ships and in laboratories haveshown   that   the   chances   of   this   happening   are   lowbecause of other conditions that must exist at the sametime   to   support   combustion   of   the   fuel.   Althoughaccidental ignition of fuel by RFR is unlikely, you stillneed  to  be  aware  of  the  potential  hazards.  The  mostlikely time this might occur is during a ship’s refuelingevolutions,   commonly   called   UNREPs   (UnderwayReplenishment).  Many  ships  also  carry  at  least  onehelicopter or have the ability to refuel a helicopter and,therefore, carry fuel to support helo operations. All ofthese   operations   are   inherently   dangerous   bythemselves   and   require   the   utmost   attention   andalertness. As a junior Fire Controlman you most likelywill   be   personally   involved   in   these   refuelingoperations.   You   need   to   be   aware   of   the   potentialhazards  associated  with  Fire-Control  radar  and  fuel.As  a  senior  Fire  Controlman,  you  need  to  know  thehazards  of  electromagnetic  radiation  to  fuel,  so  youcan ensure that your division personnel are working ina safe environment.

RADAR   RESTRICTIONS.—ElectromagneticRadiation  Hazards  (U)  (Hazards  to  Personnel,  Fueland  Other  Flammable  Material)  (U),   NAVSEA  OP3565/NAVAIR16-1-529/NAVELEX   0967-LP-624-6010/Volume   I   specifies   the   safe   distances   fromradiating sources at which fueling operations may beconducted. Figure 3-1 indicates safe distances betweenfueling  operations  and  a  conical  monopole  antenna,based on transmitter power. Each type of antenna hasits own chart. Refer to your ship’s Emissions Control(EMCON)   bill   for   specific   guidance   concerningfueling operations.

FUEL  RESTRICTIONS.—As  the  RFR  energyradiated   from   high-powered   communications   andradar equipment installed on ships increased in recentyears,  the  Navy  shifted  to  less  volatile  fuels.  Undernormal   operating   conditions,   volatile   mixtures   arepresent only near aircraft fuel vents, open fuel inletsduring over-the-wing fueling, and near fuel spills.Before   fuel   vapors   can   ignite,   three   conditionsmust exist simultaneously:

1. For  a  given  ambient  temperature,  the  mixture must contain a specific ratio of fuel vapor to air.
2. There must be enough energy in the arc or spark to produce the appropriate temperature for ignition.
3. The   length of the arc must be sufficient to sustain the heat in the arc for the time required to initiate a flame.

Each of these conditions is likely to vary for every situation, and two of the conditions may exist at anygiven time. Although all three conditions will probablynot   occur   simultaneously,   the   consequences   of   anaccidental   explosion   make   it   very   important   to   becareful. 

Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO)

The  high  intensity  radio  frequency  (RFR)  fieldsproduced   by   modern   radio   and   radar   transmittingequipment   can   cause   sensitive   electroexplosivedevices   (EEDs)   contained   in   ordnance   systems   toactuate prematurely. The Hazards of ElectromagneticRadiation   to   Ordnance   (HERO)   problem   was   firstrecognized  in  1958.  The  prime  factors  causing  theproblem have been increasing ever since. The use ofEEDs  in  ordnance  systems  has  become  essential.  Atthe same time, the power output and frequency rangesof  radio  and  radar  transmitting  equipment  have  alsoincreased.RFR energy may enter an ordnance item through ahole or crack in its skin or through firing leads, wires,and   so   on.   In   general,   ordnance   systems   that   aresusceptible to RFR energy are most susceptible duringassembly,   disassembly,   loading,   unloading,   andhandling in RFR electromagnetic fields.The most likely results of premature actuation arepropellant   ignition   or   reduction   of   reliability   bydudding. Where out-of-line Safety and Arming (S + A)devices   are   used;   the   actuation   of   EEDs   may   beundetectable  unless  the  item  is  disassembled.  If  theitem does not contain an S + A device, or if RFR energybypasses the S + A device, the warhead may detonate.Ordnance   items   susceptible   to   RFR   can   beassigned   one   of   three   HERO   classifications,   basedupon   the   probability   that   they   will   be   adversely a f f e c t e d     b y     t h e     R F R     e n v i r o n m e n t .     T h o s eclassifications are:1.   HERO   Safe.   An   ordnance   item   sufficientlyshielded   or   protected   to   make   it   immune   toadverse   effects   from   RFR   when   used   in   itsexpected shipboard RFR environments.2.   HERO susceptible. Ordnance containing EEDsproven by tests to be adversely affected by RFRenergy to the point that safety or reliability maybe in jeopardy when the ordnance is used in RFRenvironments.3.   HERO   unsafe.   Any   electrically   initiatedordnance item that becomes unsafe when:a.   Its internal wiring is physically exposed.b.   Tests  being  conducted  on  the  item  requireadditional electrical connections to be made.c.   Electroexplosive   devices   (EEDs)   havingexposed wire leads are present, handled, orloaded.d.   T h e i t e m i s b e i n g a s s e m b l e d o rdisassembled.e.   The item is in a disassembled condition.f.   The item contains one or more EEDs and hasnot   been   classified   as   HERO   safe   orsusceptible   by   either   a   test   or   designanalysis.To ensure the HERO safety and HERO reliabilityof   ordnance   systems,   the   Naval   Sea   SystemsCommand  sponsors  an  extensive  testing  program  todetermine  their  susceptibility  to  RFR  energy.  HEROrequirements   and   precautions   are   provided   inNAVSEA   OP   3565/NAVAIR   16-1-529/NAVELEX0967-LP-624-6010/Volume   II,    ElectromagneticRadiation  Hazards  (U)  (Hazards  to  Ordnance)  (U).You will find your ship’s specific requirements in itsHERO Emission Control (EMCON) bill.The  commanding  officer  of  each  ship  or  shorestation   is   responsible   for   implementing   HEROrequirements.   He   or   she   must   also   establish   aprocedure  to  control  radiation  from  radio  and  radarantennas   among   personnel   handling   ordnance   andpersonnel controlling radio and radar transmitters. Thecommanding   officer   does   this   through   a   commandinstruction  based  on  the  ship’s  mission  and  specialfeatures. This instruction is usually part of the Ship’sOrganization Manual and is the basis for departmentand division instructions

Bluetooth EMF Safety

Health Effects, Risks & Dangers of Bluetooth Radiation
Are Bluetooth Headsets Dangerous?

All Bluetooth Headsets and Technologies emit wireless microwave radiation.

Microwave frequencies have a short wavelength and a rapid rate of oscillation. This is what enables them to travel long distances carrying information without needing to be contained in a wire.

The short wavelength and rapid oscillation of microwave frequencies also make them adept at being able to penetrate living tissue down to a cellular level.

This characteristic is what led Soviet Russia in the 1950's to utilize microwave frequencies for weapons. By beaming microwave radiation at the US Embassy in Russia, the Soviets were able to induce leukemia in several US ambassadors.

Microwave Radiation Exposure Dangers from Bluetooth

Using any type of wireless technology is putting yourself in a field of microwave radiation. The effects of long term microwave radiation exposure upon the body have been documented in countless studies for decades.

Long-term exposure to microwave radiation has been linked to:

• cancer
• leukemia
• brain tumors
• alzheimers
• autism
• ADD
• miscarriages
• birth defects
• autoimmune illnesses
• multiple sclerosis
• hair loss
• suicide

Microwave radiation has been shown to affect biological changes within the body. These biological changes happen on a cellular level and their effects can be passed on to offspring via genetic damage (DNA, RNA).

Using a Bluetooth Headset exposes the brain, the ears and the eyes to a strong field of microwave radiation.

Studies have linked Bluetooth Headset use to:

• blindness
• deafness
• brain tumors
• neck pain
• skin rashes
• headaches

Bluetooth Wireless Radiation vs Cell Phone Radiation

Bluetooth Technology uses the same microwave radiation to transmit data as cell phones do to receive calls. The only difference is the range. A cell phone antenna picks up signals from cell phone towers and satellites, while a Bluetooth headset/technologies is receiving radiations from a few feet away.

Bluetooth Radiation Hazards and Safety Testing

Bluetooth radiation has been even less tested than cell phone radiation. The lack of any formal studies have enabled the 'experts' to claim that Bluetooth radiation is safe. This claim is based not on research proving Bluetooth radiation safe, but rather on the lack of any research proving it to be unsafe. This type of hollow safety claim is a technique used to by companies to buy time for new technology because time equals money.

What the FDA Says About Bluetooth Technology

The FDA has approved Bluetooth Technology for use by consumers without any regulations or premarket testing, which is exactly how cell phones were approved. However, it seems that as of 2006 the FDA felt a need to revisit its approval on cell phones in lieu of a recent study conducted by the Swedish National Institute for Working LIfe that showed cell phone users have a 240% greater risk of developing brain tumors on the same side of the head where they use their phone. Bluetooth headsets function in the same radiowave frequency as cell phones.

Bluetooth Technologies (wireless keyboards, printers, etc.) emit the same microwave radiation as the headsets and pose similar health problems.

Electromagnetic radiation and human safety

Non-ionising radiation covers the electromagnetic spectrum from DC to 300 GHz (and light to above ultra-violet, after which it becomes classified as ionising radiation). Electromagnetic radiation is essentially caused by any electrically driven device, and is of course generated intentionally in communication systems.

Typical Industrial applications often exhibiting high electromagnetic radiation levels include: metal welding, heating and hardening, plastics manufacturing (moulding, welding and lamination) and electrical power distribution. This radiation is typically found in the vicinity of the instrumentation, but it may cover a significantly large area, depending on the levels of radiation and how low its frequency is.

Typical communications applications with potentially high levels include all radio frequency communication systems (HF, VHF and UHF bands/radio, television, CB, etc), cellular communications from 900 MHz to 2,7 GHz (base stations, repeaters and cellular handsets), satellite communications (typically in band segments between 2 to 30 GHz) and radar systems (commercial and military).

These transmissions are typically in the format of fixed directional (repeaters, satellite base stations, etc), swept directional (radars, etc) and omni-directional (cellular base stations and repeaters). Therefore the levels of environmental exposure to such transmissions may be limited, depending on antenna-patterns and lobes.

Electromagnetic radiation

The term 'electromagnetic' refers to two components - an electrical field/plane and magnetic field/plane. Both fields have individual dangers associated with them, and also combined dangers. The electrical field has good propagation properties in free-space (and many materials), but is easily stopped by a shield (grounded metal foil, etc). The magnetic field penetrates almost any material, but is generally more of a 'close-range' danger.

Due to these properties of the magnetic field in particular, electromagnetic radiation is generally divided into two categories: near field and far field. As a rule, the near field is deemed as anything less than three times the wavelength, the far field anywhere more than three wavelengths from the source. Wavelength is calculated by dividing the speed of light (~300 000 000 m/s) by the frequency (in Hz) of the radiation in question.

In the near field, the electrical and magnetic components carry no relationship in terms of field strength and must therefore be measured individually, especially as the magnetic field is typically very high. However, in the far field a relationship exists between the two components and it is really only necessary to measure one component. As the electrical field is now much more prominent, it is typically this component that is measured.

E (V/m) = H (A/m) x 377 Ω

Generally the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the human body can be categorised according to frequency, as low-frequency (LF) being from DC (0 Hz) to 32 kHz, and high-frequency (HF) being anything greater than 32 kHz. The effects on the body include:

LF:

* Low levels: Subtle changes in the body's calcium metabolism have been noted.

* Medium: Changes in protein and DNA synthesis, and evident nerve effects.

* High: The excitability of the central nervous system is changed.

* Very High: Severe heart dysfunction and acute dangers to one's health.

HF:

* The areas of the body with the least blood flow (bone structure, eyes, etc) are most endangered. The body is heated by the radiation, with the obvious effect being burns. May also cause blindness, various types of cancer, hormonal changes, stunted cell growth and may have an effect on the immune system.

The concerns as to the possible effects were raised to a high level during the 1990s, with several studies conducted. This led to various standards being created to attempt to control and limit the exposure to this radiation. In Europe the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) was created and in April 1998 the standard 'Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)' was published. This standard has been widely accepted and applied. In South Africa, the Department of Health has a division called the Directorate: Radiation Control. They have selected the ICNIRP-standard for use in South Africa, and have also published a document, with the same name, based on the ICNIRP-guideline.

The Department of Health is responsible for administering the Hazardous Substances Act, 1973 (Act 15 of 1973), which may include most high-power electrical systems and most transmission equipment. According to the Act, any person who wishes to import or manufacture such devices has to obtain a licence in terms of section 4(i) (b). This licence is issued if the product complies with the internationally recognised requirements for safety and performance. Should such a licence be required and consequently be issued by the Department of Health, then conformity to the document 'Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)' of the Directorate: Radiation Control, becomes a legal requirement. If no legal requirement for conformity exists, the document is merely a guideline, with pro-active control of radiation being the key.

Ultimately, apart from any possible legal requirements, it is always wise to be pro-active and ascertain whether a possible radiation hazard does exist for both employees and communities in the surroundings of any potentially hazardous equipment.

Accutronics is the representative of several manufacturers of products for RF and microwave transmission applications. One of these companies is called Narda Safety Test Solutions (Narda-STS). It is a manufacturer of radiation monitoring equipment, used specifically to monitor non-ionising radiation.