Understanding the Roots of Dirty Electricity

Until recently, people suffering from electrical hypersensitivity could find little medical evidence to support their assumptions, nor any means to relieve their discomfort.

The fact is, research is now indicating that electrical pollution is at the root of a very real problem for many people who have a biological reaction to the poor power quality that is generated by common electronic devices, household appliances and power lines.

Chronic fatigue, depression and body aches, to memory loss, insomnia and a host of other health concerns, many of the symptoms related with these problems can be directly attributed to an exposure to what is known as “dirty electricity”. In simple terms, this is a type of power characterized by higher frequencies that can have a negative impact on our bodies.

Why our concerns over electrical pollution have not been validated as readily as other forms of pollution — such as air, water or noise pollution — is understandable.

Until now we haven't been able to gauge the amounts of harmful dirty electricity that exists in our homes or in the workplace. Yet still, our dependence on electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, fax machines and many types of appliances and entertainment systems continues to rise.

Part of the problem is that it's difficult to measure the harmful effects of something that is invisible and odorless, especially when it is something we assume should be perfectly safe.

› Read the Consumer Information Fact Sheet: What is Dirty Electricity.

NEWSWorthy & Scientific Research

• Cell Phones and Towers
• Dirty Electricity and EM Frequencies
• EM Fields
  

› Go to the NewsWorthy & Scientific Research Page

› Updated Weekly Go to our NewsBlog for additional links and media releases

Research

Articles Summary

› Dirty Electricity and Electrical Hypersensitivity: Five Case Studies, by Madga Havas and Dave Stetzer, World Health Organization Workshop on Electrical Hypersensitivity, 25-26 October, 2004, Prague, Czech Republic. PDF.

Article Summary:

A multifaceted paper that explores the nature of electrical hypersensitivity, dirty electricity and how Graham-Stetzer filters can improve power quality by reducing the amplitude of harmonics and transients on electrical wiring. The paper also delves into how an improvement in power quality can have a direct impact on reducing the symptoms in diseases associated with electrical hypersensitivity, including multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

› Graham-Stetzer Filters Improve Power Quality in Homes and Schools, Reduce Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetics, Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, and Headaches, by Magda Havas and Dave Stetzer, International Scientific Conference on Childhood Leukaemia, London, 6-10 September, 2004.

Article Summary:

A preliminary study into the effectiveness of Graham-Stetzer Filters and how they can reduce the levels of dirty power in schools, homes and offices. More importantly, the results of the study indicate a clear relationship between the blood sugar levels among diabetics, MS symptoms, headaches, and fatigue and higher levels of dirty power.

› Teacher and Student Response to the Removal of Dirty Electricity by the Graham-Stetzer Filter at Willow Wood School in Toronto, Canada, by Magda Havas, Michelle Illiatovitch and Cameron Proctor. Presented at the 3 rd International Workshop on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, 4-8 October, 2004, Kos, Greece.

Article Summary:

A paper is a single blind study that addresses the correlation between improved power quality at Willow Wood School and improved student performance. This not only raises questions about the impact of improved power quality but also suggests electrical sensitivity affects more people than commonly assumed, which is of particular concern as the modern classroom becomes increasingly dependent on electric/electronic equipment.

› The health effects of electrical pollution, The National Foundation for Alternative Medicine, Washington, DC.

Article Summary:

In light of the current proliferation of electronic equipment, the general assumption that our electrical environment is carefully studied and monitored — and is actually safe — is a large misconception among the general public. This paper addresses the source of these problems and, in particular, investigates the nature of one of the most potent contaminants due to this dangerous electrical environment: radio frequency radiation (“dirty electricity”).

› An Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Attenuates Insulin Secretion From the Insulinoma Cell Line, RIN-m by Tomonori Sakurai, Akira Datake, Shoichiro Sumi, Kazutomo Inoue and Junji Miyakoshi. Bioelectromagnetics 25:160-166 (2004).

Article Summary:

An exploration into the effects of exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field (ELFMF) on insulin secreting cells. In this case insulinoma cells were used instead of islets thanks to the ease of being able to generate large quantities of functional cells and the stability of the resulting cell population. The findings of this study address insulin release and secretion, and help contribute to continued research into diabetes.

Additional Articles

Consumer Information Package

› What is Dirty Electricity? Consumer Information Fact Sheet, Dr B. Art Hughes, PhD Power Engineering, Stetzer Electric. PDF.

› Graham-Stetzer Filters Information Brochure. PDF.

Educational Information Package

› Go to The Educators and Schools section of this site.

Medical Information package

› Problems with 50-hz Magnetic Fields in Human Adults Living Near Power Transmission Lines.

› Changes in Health Status in a Group of CFS and CF Patients Following Removal of Excessive 50 Hz Magnetic Field Exposure. Journal of Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine Vol. 21 No. 1; April '02:

› Clinical and physiological investigations of people highly exposed to electromagnetic fields. Intenational Workshop, St. Petersburg, Russia October '00.

›International Seminar on Electromagnetic Fields. GLOBAL NEED FOR STANDARDS HARMONIZATION. October '98. Slovenia.

› Help Remove Cancer-Promoting EMFs from Power Lines, Homes, Schools, and Workplaces By Don and Mary Hillman.

› World Health Organization Workshop on Electrical Hypersensitivity, October, '04. Dirty Electricity and Electrical Hypersensitivity: Five Case Studies. Magda Havas and David Stetzer.

› “An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound of Cure” Leukemia and Diabetes Increase with Electrical Exposure (EMF). News, October '04.

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Research

Research

Relevant Links

› Compilation of Articles from lacrossetribune.com. PDF. Outlining the issues around dirty electricity. Terry Rindfleisch, 12-10-06.
› Search Archives online at lacrossetribune.com. La Crosse, Wisconsin.

› Wi-fi: should we be worried? Nicki Daniels. The Times, Health features, December 11, 2006. timesonline.co.uk. Times Newspaper Limited. Concern about the safety of wireless networks is mounting, with people blaming everything from headaches to cancer on the technology.
This article highlights the issue and inconclusive research with respect to cell towers.

› Earthwatch - Dirty Electricity. Why Your Appliances Might be Making You Sick by Paul Henderson. Vitality, Toronto's Monthly Wellness Journal. April 2006.

Information on electromagnetic fields and its effects on human health

› World Health Organization www.who.int/peh-emf/en

› National Foundation for Alternative Medicine www.nfam.org

› The Swedish Association for the ElectroSensitive www.feb.se

› Center for Devices and Radiological Health www.fda.gov/cdrh

› National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid

› Electrical Pollution Solutions www.electricalpollution.com.

Additional Resources

› Benevento Resolution Press Release September 19, 2006. PDF.

Summary:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE . September 19, 2006
Elizabeth Kelley, ICEMS Management Secretariat
info@icems.eu
Scientists Urge Greater Precaution and Independent Research, to Protect Health from Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields.
A group of scientists are urging people to take sensible precautions against potential health risks related to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF).

They also call for a full and independent review of the scientific evidence that points to hazards from current EMF exposure conditions world-wide, and for an independent, publicly managed research program to investigate critical issues of health and safety.

At a meeting held in Benevento, Italy in last February, 2006, these scientists reviewed current scientific evidence on potential health effects related to EMF exposure in the extremely-low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) band of the electromagnetic spectrum (0-300GHz).

Energies of these frequencies, called non-ionizing, are used in electrical transmission, distribution and electrical use by the public, by radio and television broadcasts, cellular transmissions, wireless internet access and more.
› Press Release PDF

› Benevento Resolution. The Precautionary EMF Approach: Rationale Legislation and Implementation. February 22, 23 & 24, 2006. PDF.

Summary:

The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) held an
international conference entitled, The Precautionary EMF Approach: Rationale, Legislation and Implementation., hosted by the City of Benevento, Italy, on February 22, 23 & 24, 2006. The scientists at the conference endorsed and extended the 2002 Catania Resolution
› Resolution PDF

› Listen at Wisconsin Public Radio Archives
Joy Cardin - 07/27B
Scroll down the page to
Thursday
7/27/2006
7:00 AM
Real Audio File
When you turn on the lights, dirty electricity may be affecting your health. So say Joy Cardin's guests, who say electricity pollution is widespread, but offer ways to stem the problem.
Guests: Dave Stetzer, industrial electrician, and president of Stetzer Electric. Magda Havas, professor of environmental and resources studies, Trent University, Ontario. She's conducted several studies of the health effects of dirty electricity.

› Electromagnetism:  3% of the population hypersensitive, 50% sensitive. André Fauteux, La Maison du 21e siècle. The Healthy Housing Magazine. June 2006. PDF.

› Earthwatch - Dirty Electricity. Why Your Appliances Might be Making You Sick by Paul Henderson. Vitality, Toronto's Monthly Wellness Journal. April 2006.

› The Globe and Mail
DOES POWER CORRUPT? by MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT

Tuesday, March 28, 2006, Page A3

Kevin Byrne is a man in the prime of his life who feared he had an old man's problems. Last summer, he was devastated by chronic back pain and thought his hips were about to give out.

› Electricity disorder a real health problem: WHO.
Kevin Byrne speaks with Canada AM.
Trent University professor Magda Havas speaks with Canada AM.
Updated Wed. Mar. 29 2006 11:01 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
As a healthy man in his late 40s, Kevin Byrne couldn't understand what was causing his chronic back and hip pain. X-rays by his doctor yielded no results.
"The pain was so intense, it just didn't seem right," said Byrne, appearing on CTV's Canada AM Wednesday.

NOW | MARCH 9 - 15, 2006 | VOL. 25 NO. 28
There's something lonely about parties. Especially if you're one of the few who isn't celebrating. And as laptop lovers citywide rejoice in the announcement that downtown Toronto will be a wireless Internet hot spot by the fall, critics worry that we may be feeding a new form of smog that hangs in the air without a trace and makes a growing number of us sick: electrical pollution.