UNSAFE CHEMICAL ADDITIVES and EMF
ACESULFAME Found in artificial sweeteners, chewing gum, diet drinks, frozen desserts, baked goods without sugar. Study in 1970 found it might cause cancer. NUTRASWEET - Found in most diet foods and drinks and equal. BROMINATED VEGETABLE OIL - Gives cloudy appearance to citrus flavored soft drinks BUTULATED HYDROXYANISOLE - Retards rancidity in foods containing oils. Animal studies increase cancer risks. HEPYTL PARABAN - Preservative in bean and soft drinks. Rarely used now. OLESTRA - A fat substitute that reduces absorption of fat-soluble carotenoid from fruits and vegetables. It also blocks lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene that reduce cancer risks. POTASSIUM BROMATE - Found in some breads. Banned in England in 1989. Most breaks down but tiny amounts have caused cancer in animals. PROPYL GABLATE - An antioxidant preservative. Found in chicken soup base, gum, vegetable oil, meat and potato sticks. Used with BHA and BHT to prevent oil from spoiling. Might cause cancer. SACCHARIN - Found in Sweet and Low and no sugar added foods. 350 times sweeter than sugar. Can cause bladder and ovarian cancers. Increase potency of other cancer causing chemicals. SODIUM NITRATE, SODIUM NITRITE - A coloring flavoring preservative. Found in bacon, corn beef, hot dogs, ham, lunchmeats, and smoked foods. The nitrite stabilizes the red color in cured meats and adds flavor. Prevents hot dogs and bacon from looking gray and prevents bacterial growth. Creates nitrosamines especially fried bacon that is carcinogenic. Ascorbic acid and erythorbic acid I now added to prevent nitrosamine formation.
UNSAFE ARTIFICIAL COLOR ADDITIVES
BLUE 1 (candy, pop and baked goods) small cancer risk BLUE 2 (pop, candy, pet food) brain tumors in male mice CITRUS RED 2 (skin of some Florida oranges) only at risk if eat peels GREEN 3 (candy and pop) rarely used since 1981. Causes bladder cancers. RED 3 (cherries in fruit cocktail, candy, baked goods) Thyroid tumors in rats. FDA wanted it banned but never happened. RED 40 (candy, sausage, soda, pastries and gelatin desserts) Widely used, has caused problems in mouse studies. YELLOW 6 (pop, candy, sausage, baked goods) The third most widely used dye. Implicated in adrenal and kidney cancers. Small amounts of several carcinogens can contaminate Yellow 6.
UNSAFE EMF
WHAT ARE SAFE LEVELS OF EMF?
Studies have shown a possible link between ELF magnetic field radiation and health hazards at levels as low as 2-3 mG. Some scientists are recommending 'prudent avoidance" for long term exposures to magnetic field levels of more than 2-3 mG. This is also in line with Swedish Government recommendations. Sweden is recognized as a pioneer in this field and has some of the most stringent guidelines for EMF among western countries.
WHAT ARE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS?
There are two different types of electromagnetic fields, they are electric fields, and magnetic fields. These fields can combine and travel together as an electromagnetic wave/radiation. Radio and Television transmissions are a good example of electromagnetic waves. Others examples include, infrared (heat), visible light, X Rays, and gamma rays.
The focus of this brochure is on electromagnetic fields, uncombined. And more specifically, the detection and measurement of these fields at Extremely Low Frequency (ELF), and Very Low Frequency (VLF).
WHAT ARE MAGNETIC FIELDS ?
Magnetic fields are regions where invisible lines of force produced by permanent magnets and other magnetic sources are experienced or measured. All objects on Earth are subject to the Earth's own magnetic field. The magnetic fields associated with magnetic materials such as permanent magnets and the Earth's magnetic field are constant (non-alternating). Magnetic fields can also be produced as a result of electric current passing through a conductor, This is known as Electromagnetism. If the current is alternating (changing polarity, as in AC electricity), the resultant magnetic field is also alternating at the same frequency as the current producing it. Low frequency magneticfields are usually difficult to shield against. Magnetic fields go through concrete, steel, and even solid lead with ease. There are some alloys (MU Metal for example) that can attenuate alternating magnetic fields. It also possible to cancel them with another field of opposite phase or polarity. Video display terminal shields generally have NO effect on magnetic field component generated by these devices. The grounded VDT shields can affect only the electric field component.
Alternating magnetic fields have been shown to produce biological effects.
WHAT ARE ELECTRIC FIELDS ?
The electric fields are regions where invisible lines of force produced by presence of ELECTRIC CHARGE or POTENTIAL is experienced or measured. Static electricity Is a good example of effects of electric fields. We learned in primary science classroom, that by rubbing a piece of ebonite or glass with silk, the ebonite can attract small pieces of paper (invisible lines of force). The ebonite is said to be electrically charged by the rubbing action. The electric field surrounding the charged ebonite is of constant polarity. Electric fields are present whenever there is electricity. Much like magnetic fields, if the electricity is alternating (AC), the resultant electric field produced will also be alternating at the same frequency. A power cord connecting an appliance to an outlet will have an electric field surrounding it whether the appliance is tuned on or off (presence of electric potential is all that is needed). However a magnetic field will only be present around the cord if the appliance is turned on (electric current must flow).
Unlike magneticfields, the electricfields can be felt if strong enough (largerthan 40 kiloVolt per meter). Electricfie'ids can also be shielded much easier. A grounded conductive mesh or screen surrounding the source of electriclield (a VDT for example) can eliminate it. A similar screen surrounding the object to be protected is just as effective. This is also known as the Faraday cage (Faraday - a well known scientist famous for his work in electromagnetism). The electric fields are easily disturbed (or distorted) by presence of conductive objects and the human body.
Most Electrical/Electronic devices emit Electromagnetic Fields. These include electric generating and transmission equipment such as utility power lines and transformer stations. In the home they include almost all electrically operated appliances such as the TV, HI-Fl, MICROWAVE, STOVE/OVEN, VACUUM CLEANER, CLOCK-RADIO, ELECTRIC BLANKET, etc. In the office they include The COMPUTER and the VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL (VDT), PRINTERS, COPIERS, FAX, LIGHTING etc. And in the factory, all electrically operated TOOLS, OVENS, WELDING EQUIPMENT, etc.
WHAT ARE ELF AND VLF ?
ELF is short for Extremely Low Frequency. This defines a group of frequencies in the Electromagnetic Spectrum that generally include both ELECTRIC/MAGNETIC oscillations (or fields) in the range of 5-2000 Hertz (Hertz - cycles/second). The main source of electromagnetic field in the ELF region is the sixty Hertz electromagnetic oscillations from electric power and the devices using it. The television receiver and the computer Video Display Terminal produce a saw tooth shape sixty Hertz Electromagnetic Field due to their deflection circuitry as well as the sinusoidal sixty Hertz from their power source.
VLF is short for Very Low Frequency. This defines a group of frequencies in the Electromagnetic Spectrum that generally include ELECTRIC/ MAGNETIC oscillations (orfields) in the range of 2,000-400,000 Hertz. The main source of VLF electromagnetic field around us are generally produced by Video Display Terminals and Television receivers. This is due to the horizontal deflection circuitry of VDTs or TVs. The frequency of the emissions are typically 16,000 Hertz, however with the higher resolution VDT's this frequency can be much higher (including their harmonic content).
WHAT IS MILLI GAUSS (mG) ?
A Gauss is a unit of MAGNETIC FIELD strength measurement. A milli Gauss is one thousandths of a Gauss (1G - 1000 milli Gauss). There areother units used for measurement of magnetic fields such as; Tesla(Webers persquare meter), Ampere-Turns/meter. TheTRACER is calibrated in unit of Gauss since it is the unit most commonly referred to and used in North America. TRACER is also available with indications in units of Tesla.
WHAT IS VOLT PER METER (V/M) ?
Volt per meter is the unit used to indicatethe strength of an ELECTRIC FIELD. The unitof kilovolt per meter is also used for strongerfield strength measurements, such as ones around power generating and transmission equipment. One kilo volt per meter is equal to 1000 volts per meter (V/M).
WHY MEASURE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION ?
Epidemiology studies have shown a possible link between EMF and Increased health risks. Since we are surrounded with numerous sources of EMF in our everyday lives, knowing the position and the strength of these fields can assist in exposure reduction. This is especially true with magnetic fields since shielding them is very difficult or sometimes impossible. By measuring the fields around the office or home, you may take some simple steps such as rearranging the equipment or furniture to reduce exposure . Measurements can also be taken to- check for EMF shield effectiveness, and equipment emission levels.
WHAT ARE SAFE LEVELS OF EMF?
Studies have shown a possible link between ELF magnetic field radiation and health hazards at levels as low as 2-3 mG. Some scientists are recommending 'prudent avoidance" for long term exposures to magnetic field levels of more than 2-3 mG. This is also in line with Swedish Government recommendations. Sweden is recognized as a pioneer in this field and has some of the most stringent guidelines for EMF among western countries.