Fowler Associates Labs

STATIC ELECTRICITY AND EFFECTS ON HEALTH

ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SAFETY NETWORK-INTERNATIONAL

by Constance Harness

The following is an article paraphrased from the web site indicated below. This report highlights some of the more controversial claims asserted by experts in the electromagnetic field pertaining to the serious consequences of exposure to artificially generated electricity which is prevalent in our environment. This static electricity is produced by electrical equipment and by friction of synthetic furnishings. A condition known as ELECTROSTRESS Hyper-sensitivity (EHS) is used to describe the condition of being hyper-sensitive to static electricity and electropollution in their environments. The shock of static electricity is observed in cold or hot, low humidity atmospheric conditions. Symptoms for the hypersensitive can range from mild to severe. Mild meaning muscle weakness/fatigue, clumsiness, dry eyes, memory lapses, and behavior problems.

Photocopiers, air-conditioners, computers in the office, home appliances such as hair dryers, dishwashers, washing machines, cooling fans, and other equipment or appliances are known producers of static electricity when there is friction of air molecules. One computer operator was literally thrown from his chair by the force of the static voltage discharge as he switched on his computer. Where relative humidity is low, as much as 35,000 volts of static electricity can be produced by walking across a carpet, 12,000 volts from a vinyl floor, and 18,000 volts from a urethane foam-padded chair.

Anecdotal evidence suggests considerable problems ensuing from exposure to electromagnetic radiation - some more serious as outlined below.

1. Static electricity could trigger explosions due to the static sparks and nearby volatile substances.

2. Some persons have experienced a hot feeling about the face after a 15-minute use of a cordless phone.

3. Dry Eye irritation was eliminated by the use of an antistatic mat at the computer.

4. The magnetic field unit of measure is named in memory of Nikola Tesla, a prolific inventor, who harnessed the alternating electrical current and invented fluorescent lighting. He was beset with a variety of strange, incapacitating illnesses. He also observed that alternating current energy when traversing the wire manifested itself not only in the wires but also in the surrounding space in the form of heat, light and mechanical energy and even chemical affinity.

5. Don't sleep beside the wall where the meterboard is housed. This has been known to cause a variety of health effects, disturbed sleep, insomnia, and depression to name a few. One report is of three couples in one cancer support group where all three have contracted breast cancer and prostate cancer. The common element among them is that they all slept beside the wall where the electricity meterboard was located. Also noted was a decrease in the hormone melatonin in persons who slept near a source that produced a 2-12 milliGauss field level. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland during hours of darkness. Reduced melatonin can have adverse effects on digestion, moods, sexual and reproductive cycles, and the immune system. Abnormally low levels of melatonin have been found in older people with insomnia and Alzheimer's disease.

6. A study of selected cancers in Swedish railway workers, 1969-1979 showed evidence that ELF frequency magnetic fields, by blocking melatonin's oncostatic action, can also act at the cellular level to enhance breast cancer cell proliferation.

7. To illustrate the need for normal light-dark cycle, even the Zygo Cactus will nor form flower buds if exposed to night light.

CONCLUSION:

1. Use of antistatic mats can reduce the shock of static electricity and its effects.

2. The sleep cycle for humans should be as free from light or EMR exposure as possible.

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The above article is a paraphrased summary taken from the following web site. Please access this site for references and the full report.

http://www.sydpcug.org.au/~aamca/snet/info2.htm