Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation: Human Bioeffects and Safety

421 Pages·2002·11.257 MB·\421

by  Riadh W.Y. Habash (Author)

Electromagnetic Fields
and Radiation

Electromagnetic Fields
and Radiation
Human Bioeffects and Safety
Rifldh W. V. Habash
University of Ottawa
, ,
Ottawa Ontario Canada
Marcel Dekker, Inc. N ew York • Basel
ISBN: 0-8247-0677-3
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Family is life’s gift.
I dedicate this book to Najat and to our favorites
Gandhi, Mara, Marina, and Mikeli.

Preface
OBJECTIVES
Since the start of life on Earth until the beginning of the twentieth century, weak,
natural low-frequency electric and magnetic fields (in addition to the earth’s static
geomagnetic field) determined the earth’s electromagnetic (EM) environment
These natural fields come from two main sources: the sun and thunderstorms.
However, since the beginning of the twentieth century, our environment has
contained a variety of fields and waves, of natural origin and technically
produced.
Electromagnetism is a basic force of nature, just like nuclear energy and
gravity. It is found almost everywhere. Currently, this energy is utilized in
various ways, though we still lack the full understanding of its fundamental
properties. Many inventions of the late twentieth century, ranging from everyday
home and office appliances to cellular phones, are so important and so
advantageous; we wonder how we ever lived without them. These inventions
have become an integral part of our modem life. We just need to know that they
are.safe.
In recent years, there has been a developing awareness that EM fields
produced by everything, ranging from power lines to cellular phones are
implicated in a variety of illnesses, including cancer. This has become a very
controversial issue. Authorities are sending conflicting messages due to
insufficient knowledge. That is probably, a situation of crises, when authorities
claim this is not an important matter and the public does not have to worry about
using a cellular phone or living next to a cellular base station or power line. A
closer look shows that it may not be wise to ignore the potential health hazards of
electromagnetic fields. Effects are produced by very low magnitude forces, which
are not easy to explain. The effects may be divided into various categories,
according to their nature and functions.
Over the years, a lot of cutting-edge research regarding these effects has been
carried out. Researchers are now trying to identify the various types of effects
that may lead to health risks to humans. Nonionizing electromagnetic fields are
one of the newer environmental hazards that may lead to adverse effects on
human health. Such effects must be carefully considered and are of prime
importance in protecting the public.
This book is divided into two self-contained parts and one introductory
v
vi Preface
chapter. Part I deals with extremely low frequency (ELF) fields, while Part II
deals with radio frequency radiation (RFR). These two parts are composed of
twelve chapters, each consisting of several sections dealing with distinct aspects
of electromagnetic fields and radiation.
Chapter 1: Introductory Topics
This chapter is an introduction to electromagnetic fields and radiation. It includes
basic scientific information—the familiar reader may skip most of it. It is
included in order to enable this book to stand on its own. Further details of the
basics may be found in any electromagnetic textbook. This chapter focuses on the
fundamental scientific information that is associated with the use of
electromagnetic energy. In so doing, a general overview is provided of the related
scientific terms that are being used. Brief sections on the historical development
of the subject and my perception of the controversy over possible electromagnetic
health effects are discussed. Literature resources, which may be useful for the
reader, are also included.
Part I: Extremely Low-Frequency Fields
Part I is composed of Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. The purpose of this part is, first to
describe the characteristics of extremely low-frequency (ELF) fields. Second, to
discuss the current research strategies and their implications for three central
ideas: sources of ELF field exposure; human health issues including laboratory
investigations and epidemiological studies; and safety standards and approaches
for managing the exposure. If your interest lies only with radio frequency
radiation (RFR), Part I may be safely skipped. Of course, you are encouraged to
read this part for more information.
Chapter 2: Sources of Electric and Magnetic Fields
In this chapter, we will only look at a small part of the EM spectrum, the ELF
portion. This is the part of the spectrum where much research has been carried
out, although substantial work has also been done in relation to the RFR portion.
We should note that in the ELF range, electric and magnetic fields are not
coupled or interconnected in the same way they are at higher frequencies,
therefore, it is more correct to refer to them as electric and magnetic fields rather
than electromagnetic fields. The reader is provided with details of ELF exposure
sources such as transmission and distribution lines, substations, transformers,
video display terminals (VDTs), and other related appliances. This chapter also
Preface vii
focuses on the major problems that are associated with the coupling of fields
generated by the above sources and other objects.
Chapter 3: Bioeffects of ELF Fields
In this chapter, I follow a classification of biological levels while describing the
ELF bioeffects. This involves studies on free radicals, cells, tissues, organs,
whole organisms, and the population. Also, I emphasize research studies to
identify possible biological effects and health implications on the human body
due to exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Significant attention has been
given to study the relationship between exposure to ELF fields and cancer. A
distinction is made between experimental studies of cells, taken either from living
organisms, from cell cultures, or of grown cells for the purpose of shedding light
on possible interaction mechanisms, and studies of animals, to clarify possible
interaction mechanisms. Assessment of risk could be applied to humans.
Chapter 4: Epidemiological Assessment Studies
Chapter 4 provides a comprehensive scenario for the development of
epidemiological studies. Some of these studies have suggested that a link may
exist between exposure to ELF fields and certain types of cancer, primarily
leukemia, brain cancer, and breast cancer. Other studies have found no such link.
In addition, many noncancer epidemiological studies have also been considered.
Chapter 5: Regulatory Activities and Safety Trends
This chapter delves into the details of major engineering issues related to the
safety and ELF exposure. These issues are regulatory activities and health safety
standards, electric and magnetic field measurement methods, field measurement
surveys, and field management techniques. This chapter reviews a majority of the
older as well as the emerging, protection guidelines for electric and magnetic
field exposure. Information about the possible mitigation measures that might be
considered is also described.
Part II: Radio Frequency Radiation
Part II places a strong emphasis on radio frequency radiation (RFR). The
discussion covers physical properties, sources, bioeffects and health hazards,
human exposure guidelines and safety standards, RF site survey, RF modeling
techniques, instrumentation and measurement, and dosimetry. This part is