Biological Effects of Biological Effects of Environmental Electromagnetic Environmental Electromagnetic

EnergyEnergy

Andrew A. Marino, Ph.D.Andrew A. Marino, Ph.D.

SOME USES OF THESOME USES OF THEELECTROMAGNETICELECTROMAGNETICSPECTRUMSPECTRUM

300,000 MHz

Microwave relay

30,000 MHz

SatellitesRadarAir navigation

3,000 MHz

UHF TVMicrowave ovensPolice radio

300 MHz

FM radioVHF TVMilitary satellites

30 MHz

ShortwaveHam radioCB

3 MHz

Marine radioAM radio

.3 MHz

Marine navigation

.03 MHz

Navy communications

.003 MHz

Electric power

Cooking of TissueCooking of Tissue Shock or ElectrocutionShock or Electrocution

RECOGNIZEDRECOGNIZEDBIOLOGICALBIOLOGICALEFFECTS OFEFFECTS OFELECTROMAGNETICELECTROMAGNETICENERGYENERGY

Precautions To Prevent Burning & ShockPrecautions To Prevent Burning & Shock

Power Frequency

<10,000 microwatts

Broadcast Frequencies

U.S.-U.S.S.R. Split on the Safety U.S.-U.S.S.R. Split on the Safety Level for Electromagnetic BioeffectsLevel for Electromagnetic Bioeffects

ONLYONLYThermal BioeffectsThermal Bioeffects

ALSOALSONonthermal BioeffectsNonthermal Bioeffects

Broadcast Radiation at Mt. WilsonBroadcast Radiation at Mt. Wilson

CITY LOCATION MICROWATTS

New York 102nd floor, Empire State Building 32.5

Miami 38th floor, One Biscayne Tower 98.6

Chicago 50th floor, Sears Bldg. 65.9

Houston 47th floor, 1100 Milam Bldg. 67.4

Broadcast Radiation in Typical Tall BuildingsBroadcast Radiation in Typical Tall Buildings

Radar Levels Aboard the USS SaratogaRadar Levels Aboard the USS Saratoga

Radiation LevelsRadiation Levels(in microwatts) Near(in microwatts) NearRutherford, New JerseyRutherford, New Jersey

American Embassy in MoscowAmerican Embassy in MoscowIrradiated at 2-18 MicrowattsIrradiated at 2-18 Microwatts

Source: U.S. State Dept. 1975Source: U.S. State Dept. 1975

APPLIANCEELECTRIC FIELD

(volts/meter)

Electric Blanket 250

Broiler 130

Phonograph 90

Refrigerator 60

Food Mixer 50

Hairdryer 40

Color TV 30

Vacuum Cleaner 16

Electric Range 4

Light Bulb 2

Power Frequency Electric FieldPower Frequency Electric FieldOf Household AppliancesOf Household Appliances

Source: U.S. Navy 1972Source: U.S. Navy 1972

10-25 gaussSoldering GunHairdryer

5-10 gaussCan OpenerElectric Shaver

1-5 gaussFood MixerTV

0.1-1.0 gaussClothes DryerVacuum Cleaner

0.01-0.1 gaussLampElectric Iron

Power Frequency Magnetic FieldPower Frequency Magnetic FieldOf Household AppliancesOf Household Appliances

Source: U.S. Navy 1972Source: U.S. Navy 1972

BART SystemBART SystemCauses MagneticCauses MagneticFields 1000 Times Fields 1000 Times Greater than theGreater than theNatural Background Natural Background FieldsFields

Environmental Levels of Electromagnetic RadiationEnvironmental Levels of Electromagnetic RadiationIn Relation to Observed Biological EffectsIn Relation to Observed Biological Effects

Power Frequency Fields of a 765 kV Line inPower Frequency Fields of a 765 kV Line inRelation to Observed Biological EffectsRelation to Observed Biological Effects

Biological StressBiological Stress

Total U.S. Funding for ElectromagneticTotal U.S. Funding for ElectromagneticRadiation Bioeffects StudiesRadiation Bioeffects Studies

US Electromagnetic-RadiationUS Electromagnetic-RadiationBioeffects Program for 1978Bioeffects Program for 1978

TOTAL: $10,100,000TOTAL: $10,100,000

Source: U.S. Commerce Dept. 1979Source: U.S. Commerce Dept. 1979

• Artificial radiation in the environment10-6 - 104 microwatts

• About 100 studies — mostly Soviet —have shown bioeffects at more than1 microwatt

• Essentially no American studiesbelow 10,000 microwatts

• Stress

• Little funding by “public welfare”agencies

Summary: Biological Effects ofSummary: Biological Effects ofBroadcast-Frequency RadiationBroadcast-Frequency Radiation

• Artificial power-frequency electric &magnetic fields in the environment10-4 - 106 volts/meter

• About 80 studies have shownbiological effects

• Stress

• Little funding by “public welfare”agencies

Summary: Biological Effects of Power-FrequencySummary: Biological Effects of Power-FrequencyElectric and Magnetic FieldsElectric and Magnetic Fields

Health Risk at Both Power andHealth Risk at Both Power andBroadcast FrequenciesBroadcast FrequenciesBased on Laboratory StudiesBased on Laboratory Studies

Synergistic Effects UnknownSynergistic Effects Unknown

Small Research EffortSmall Research Effort