Electromagnetic Radiation

and the Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation

Links to topics covered on this page:

• power lines.

• cell phones.

• microwave ovens.

• HAARP research facilities.

• high-energy electromagnetic radiation.

• low levels of ionizing radiation

Danger From Power Lines

Although by the mid-1990s the scientific studies showed no ill effects from proximity to power lines, some of the mythology remains. Similar studies involving such diverse topics as microwave ovens and cell phones have exposed no danger to the consumer, despite continuous warnings from certain individuals and consumer groups.

Power Lines, Cell Phones, and Cancer

This web site links to a number of other sites that present the issue of danger from electromagnetic radiation from a clearly scientific perspective. Much good information is referenced.

Unfounded Fears: The Great Power-Line Cover-Up Exposed

Paul Brodeur was a very influential critic of the way electromagnetic fields were handled by Governmental agencies up to the early 1990s. His work in this area, consisting primarily of a series of three articles in the New Yorker magazine that formed the basis of a 1993 book, "The Great Power-Line Cover-Up," has since been shown to be of little scientific value, except perhaps in forcing the scientific establishment to more thoroughly document the case for the basic harmlessness of such radiation. This web site contains a critique of his works on electromagnetic fields by Ruth Douglas Miller, PhD, described therein as "A Paper Commissioned by the IEEE EMBS Committee on Man and Radiation." References to the original Brodeur articles are given in the Introduction. A related reference document, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) gives a large number of scientifically accurate COMAR publications discussing this issue.

Video: Currents of Fear (Frontline, June 13, 1995); Frontline Videos, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134

This is an interesting video, first run on PBS in the Frontline video series in 1995. Several scientists involved in various aspects of the study of low-energy electromagnetic radiation attempt to change the position of a group of parents whose small children developed cancer, in their opinion due to proximity of high-tension power lines. Paul Brodeur appeared as an "expert" on the anti-power line side.

BACKGROUND PAPER ON POWER LINE FIELDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH (March 29, 1996; Sec. I and VIII, published in Am. J. Phys. 64, 974-981 (1996)

This is perhaps the definitive scientific paper on the effects of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation, written by David Hafemeister of the Physics Department at California Polytechnic State University, for the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society.

POWER LINE FIELDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH; Statement by the American Physical Society, April 15, 2005.

This is an important statement by the American Physical Society regarding the safety of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation. It updates and reiterates the APS statement of April 23, 1995 on this subject.

THE IMPRUDENCE OF "PRUDENT AVOIDANCE"; Physics and Society, Vol. 24, No. 3, 9-11 (July 1995)

This is an important paper both for its application in the area of low-frequency electromagnetic fields and other areas in which unsubstantiated safety claims have been made that would require significant amounts money and effort to correct. Professor Hafemeister points out that mitigation without actually scientifically determining a causal relationship with actual medical problems is probably not in the best interest of society.

Danger from Cell Phones

Power Lines, Cell Phones, and Cancer

This web site links to a number of other sites that present the issue of danger from electromagnetic radiation from a clearly scientific perspective. Much good information is referenced.

• Danger and Fun with Microwave Ovens

Physics inside a Microwave Oven.

(Click on "Fun" then "Microwave.") Lots of neat stuff to do with your microwave oven besides cook with it. Perhaps you can find the site: "Things to do with your microwave oven when your mother is away."

UVa How Things Work: Microwave Ovens

This is a wonderful site, put together by Prof. Louis Bloomfield for his class "How Things Work." Go there to get information on almost anything, but be careful what you copy onto your term paper.

Superheating and microwave ovens

This site has a nice explanation of how water may be superheated in a microwave oven, with several interesting related links and a nice video (mpeg or Quick Time formats) of superheated water exploding when instant coffee is added to it.

How to build yourself a One Atmosphere Plasmoid

This is a weird site that discusses how to use your microwave oven to make a relatively stable plasma. Care must be excercised in carrying out an experiment like this.

Danger from Research Facilities

High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP)

This major physics research project, aimed at finding out more about the atmosphere, is the subject of a scientifically "questionable" video that goes by the title of "Holes in Heaven."

Danger from high-energy electromagnetic radiation

The Why Files: RADIATION REASSESSED

A good web site with scientifically accurate coverage in a number of areas related to radiation and its effect on people.

• Danger from low levels of ionizing radiation

Resource Letter EIRLD-1: Effects of inoizing radiation at low doses; American Journal of Physics Volume 67 # 5, May 1999.

Excellent list of reference materials, thoroughly covering applicable journals, books and major web sites that deal with the subject areas of leukemia, solid cancers, lung cancers, childhood cancers, effects of low and very low dose rates, the relationship of low dose effects and background, epidemiological studies of low dose behavior, supra linearity or hormesis, and policy implications.

United States Department of Energy Low Dose Radiation Project

Description of ongoing research project sponsored by the Department of Energy to determine the dangers, if any, of low-levels of background radiation.

National Academy of Science: Board on Radiation Effects Research

Home page for Board on Radiation Effects Research, which is involved in research into effects of ionizing radiation as well as low-frequency electric and magnetic fields.

BEIR V: Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation

Copy of the original and rather lengthy BEIR V report.

BEIR VII Committee: Exposure to low-level, low-LET ionizing radiation

Information about the BEIR VII Committee on exposure to low-level, low-LET ionizing radiation, including the Committee mandate from the National Academy of Science.

Letter to the BEIR VII Committee (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation) of the National Academy of Sciences Signed by 133 organizations and individuals from 13 countries worldwide

Letter signed by a large number of individuals and organizations in support of further research into the biological effects of low-level radiation.

"Deadly Deceit," review of BEIR V (1990)

This is a very strong critique of the BEIR V report, that tended to minimize the long-term dangers of low levels of high-energy ionizing radiation. Interesting reading with a lot to think about.

Risk Estimates of Low-Level Ionizing Radiation.

Short summary article supporting research into dangers of low-level ionizing radiation.

John W. Gofman: Radiation-Induced Cancer from Low-Dose Exposure: An Independent Analysis; San Francisco: Consolidated Printers of Berkeley, California (1990).

This guy is on the fringes regarding the effect of low level ionizing radiation, actually suggesting that the bad results of radiation exposure become relatively more serious the lower the level.

Health Effects of Low-Level Radiation; American Nuclear Society Position Statement, June 2001

Position statement by the ANS critical of use of the linear no-threshold theory for low doses of ionizing radiation, but nevertheless calling for a National Academy of Science panel to study the situation. Contains a long list of excellent references.

Validity of the Linear No-Threshold Theory of Radiation Carcinogenesis at Low Doses

Excellent article by University of Pittsburgh physics professor Bernard L. Cohen establishing hormesis as an important effect in the epidemiology of lung cancer due to radon gas. Seminal article originally published as: Cohen, B.L. Test of the linear no-threshold theory of radiation carcinogenesis for inhaled radon decay products. Health Phys 1995;68:157-174

RADIATION RISKS AND LINEARITY: SOUND SCIENCE?

Sound scientific review of the linear no-threshold theory applied to radiation, including discussion of various aspects of the problem.

Radiation Risk and Ethics by Zbigniew Jaworowski

Excellent article arguing that it may be unethical for governmental authorities NOT to inform people of the LACK OF DANGER from small doses of ionizing radiation, just as it is unethical for governmental authorities not to inform people of exposure to LARGE doses of radiation.

It’s Time to Tell the Truth About the Health Benefits of Low-Dose Radiation

Good technical article supporting use of hormesis in analyzing the danger of radiation.

RADIATION HORMESIS AFTER 85 YEARS: Background Radiation is Good for You

Interesting history of hormesis with a bit of droll humor thrown in. These guys seem a bit reactionary, but nevertheless this article presents sound science and history.

BELLE:Biological Effects of Low-Level Exposures

Contains discussion of recent results of studies of low-level exposure to various toxins, including radiation, and the possibilities of hormesis in analysis of these exposures. See also:

THREE RESPONSES TO BELLE Newsletter Vol 6, No. 1, March 1997 LOW DOSE LINEARITY:THE RULE OR THE EXCEPTION by Martha Crawford and Richard Wilson

The June 2006 Fifthe International Conference on Hormesis

Coal Combustion: Nuclear Resource or Danger, by Alex Gabbard

Points out power possibilities of the uranium wasted when coal is used as generator fuel.

Annotated list of references regarding dangers of low levels of ionizing radiation.

• Other Print References

Leif E. Peterson, et al: Effects of Ionizing Radiation: Atomic Bomb Survivors and Their Children; Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press (1998).

Colonel Russ Zajtchuk, MD, U.S. Army, ed.: Textbook of Military Medicine: Medical Consequences of Nuclear Warfare, Part 1, Volume 2; TMM Publications, Office of the Surgeon General, United States (1989).

The lightning photograph used as wallpaper for this page is compliments of General Atomics Plasma Sciences and Technologies Educational Outreach