We are surrounded by this invisible health risk

Thursday, May 26, 2011 by: Shona Botes
Tags: electropollution, health risks, health news

(NewsTarget) Almost all of us use electrical appliances and cell phones on a daily basis. Few people take a moment to stop and think about the side-effects of the electromagnetic fields that these appliances have on our health. Even fluorescent lights produce electromagnetic fields.

Electric blankets have been linked to childhood leukaemia and miscarriages because of the fact that electromagnetic fields created by them are able to penetrate up to 7 inches into the body. People who are exposed to fluorescent light at home or in the workplace can experience feelings of reduced alertness which in turn can lead to feeling more tired than usual. This is because the electromagnetic fields which are emitted from these lights cause red blood cells to clump together.

Clock radios which are electric emit relatively high electromagnetic fields, so these should ideally not be placed at or near your bedside. Other electrical items which emit low levels of electromagnetic fields are hairdryers, washing machines, refrigerators, electric shavers and vacuum cleaners. Basically, anything which requires electricity to work will emit a level of electromagnetic field around it.

X-rays and so-called diagnostic scans expose people to unnecessarily high levels of electromagnetic fields and radiation. A study undertaken by Dr Nancy Wertheimer showed that children who live close to overhead power lines are 3 times more likely to develop cancer and leukaemia. A safe distance to live from overhead power lines and neighbourhood transformers is estimated to be a minimum of around 1000 feet away. Another source of high levels of electromagnetic fields is incorrect house or office wiring. An inspection carried out by a qualified electrician will be able to determine this.

Other conditions which may be caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields are fatigue, severe headaches, brain cancer and tumours, nervous system damage, fluctuations in blood pressure, tinnitus, sleeplessness, asthma, allergies, arthritis, memory and concentration problems, nausea, weakened immune systems, epilepsy, Alzheimer`s, strokes, heart attacks, severe cases of exhaustion, birth defects and even miscarriages. Children are especially sensitive and susceptible to exposure and side-effects caused by electromagnetic fields.

There are safety measures that one can take to help reduce your exposure to electromagnetic fields. These include unplugging and turning off all electrical appliances when they are not being used, avoiding prolonged exposure to computers and TVs, keeping all electrical appliances at least 6 feet away from your bed, not keeping your cell phone close to your bed at night (even if it is used as an alarm clock) and using electrical appliances for as brief periods as possible. Keeping plants indoors can also be beneficial; they are able to absorb some of the radiation and electromagnetic fields present in the home while producing the negative ions which are necessary for our bodies.

Sources:

http://www.ecolibria.com.au/Resources/Electr...
http://www.ez-detox-diet.com/dangers-of-elec...
http://www.squidoo.com/radiation
http://www.alternative-magnetic-therapy.com/...

About the author

Shona Botes blogs about green living, budgeting, saving money, natural remedies and humour (which is often combined with the abovementioned topics). Her spare time is spent tending to her organic herb garden, cycling and engaging in photography.
Her blog may be viewed here
Some of her photography work may be viewed here
Other articles written by her may be viewed here