Mobile phones, computers, tablets, plasma televisions, Bluetooth devices, hands-free, wireless routers and modems, cable networks, smart watches and VR.
The surge in technology growth over the last two decades has made us more connected than ever and this growth shows no indication of slowing. However there is an apprehension growing as evidence is mounts associated with the EMF exposure from these devices.
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are energy or electrical fields that span our entire environment and interact with biological and physical energy fields. Increasing in wavelength or frequency, EMFs consist of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays.
Various health concerns have risen in connection to extremely low frequency EMFs (ELF-EMF) and radiofrequency EMFs (RF-EMFs), which possess frequencies slightly higher than ELF-EMFs. Power lines, electrical networks, and various household electric appliances such as ranges, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners and hair dryers, generate ELF-EMFs. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection has set occupational and public limits for ELF-EMF exposure to protect both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. RF-EMFs are used in communication systems and, therefore, produced by mobile phones, cordless phones, utility “smart” meters, remotes, and wireless networks. Exposure guidelines are allegedly maintained in the US by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP).
There are concerns about the possibility of long term health effects due to EMF exposure. Unfortunately, we live in a world that deems most of these concerns illegitimate until
absolutely proven otherwise. Additionally, with only fifteen strong technological years behind us, long term studies are nonexistent, creating more friction among technological devotees and skeptics.
The WHO issued a statement that the, “IARC has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), a category used when a causal association is considered credible;” however, the studies used in this conclusion had various shortcomings, making the final proposition more lenient than reality may present. Despite the ambiguous language set forth by the WHO, the International Journal of Oncology recently published a case-control study that confirmed “an association between mobile and cordless phone use and malignant brain tumors” and supported “the hypothesis that RF-EMFs play a role both in the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis.”
Exposure to RF-EMFs and ELF-EMFs during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood is particularly concerning, as the high rates of cellular differentiation and organ development may be more sensitive to these fields and yield greater health effects. Recently the Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews argued, “there are unignorable amounts of studies indicating the increased risk of cancer, hematologic effects and cognitive impairment” from EMF exposure. Additionally, a “growing number of studies reveal the impacts on metabolism and endocrine function…reproductive system and growth…thyroid functions, adrenal hormones, glucose homeostasis and melatonin levels.” Research continues to progress in assessing the statistical significance of the known association between childhood leukemia and ELF-EMF exposure.
The negative health outcomes of EMF exposure span beyond the scope of cancer in both children and adults. Numerous research publications, summarized in the most recent update of the BioInitiative Report, also draws attention to EMF-induced changes in neuronal activity, function and toxicity, leading to neuropsychiatric and cognitive problems, disturbances in neurotransmitters, increased oxidative stress, reduced cytotoxic activity and immune dysfunction, and much more.
When viewed in totality, the possible health consequences of EMF exposure are much greater than many may have anticipated. Only time will draw a clearer picture of the part toxic EMF exposure may play in a diagnostic workup and the functional medicine paradigm, but it is clear, at present, that taking precautions and minimizing lengthy exposure would be prudent, especially among pregnant women and children.
