THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE
THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE
M.A. Katarina Kanjevac Milovanović1, Jovan Milivojević2
THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE
M.A. Katarina Kanjevac Milovanović1, Jovan Milivojević2
Summary: In the modern world, electromagnetic radiations have become very intense, so there is no place on the planet that they do not reach. Thus, the living world and people are continuously exposed to these radiations of different frequencies and wavelengths. In the last thirty years, numerous tests have been carried out in the world's most reputable laboratories, but so far no direct evidence has been found that these radiations are harmful to the human body, unless it is about radiation at small distances from the radiation source. The paper analyzes the sources of electromagnetic radiation, their strength and the frequency range in which they manifest. Also, based on international recommendations and regulations, certain protection measures are proposed that should be implemented by all participants in the process of creating electromagnetic radiation. The principles for preventing harmful effects and permissible values of electric and magnetic fields adopted by the International Association for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) and the EU are listed.
Key words: electromagnetic radiation, non-ionizing radiation, electromagnetic compatibility, microwave radiation, impact on health, quality of life
Abstract: In the modern world of electromagnetic radiation have become very intense and there is no space on the planet those not reaching. Living world and the people constantly exposed to this radiation of different frequencies and wavelengths. In the world in the last thirty years, numerous tests were conducted at the most prominent international labs, but so far there has been no direct evidence that the radiation is harmful for the human body unless it is not about radiation at small distances from the radiation source. This work analyzes sources of electromagnetic radiation, their intensity and frequency area in which it manifests. Also, on the basis of international recommendations and regulations, it proposes certain protection measures to be implemented by all participants in the process of electromagnetic radiation. Listed are the principles for the prevention of adverse effects and allowed values of electric and magnetic fields that have brought the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the EU.
Key words: Electromagnetic Radiation, Non-Ionizing Radiation, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Microwave Radiation, Impact on Health, Quality of Life
1 MSc Katarina Kanjevac Milovanović, Center for Quality, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Kragujevac, mail: kanjevac@kg.ac.rs
2 Jovan Milivojević, Center for Quality, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Kragujevac, mail: jovan.milivojevic@gmail.com
1. INTRODUCTION
Knowledge of radiation existed far in the past. Normally, at that time, only the influence of natural radiation was taken into account. Although the people of that time were probably not even aware of what kind of radiation it was and they even gave it some supernatural properties and called it the most different names, such as "demon door", "devil's field" and the like, they were still aware of their negative impact on human health. They tried to protect themselves from the mentioned radiations by avoiding places where there was a large amount of natural radiations, observing the relationship between animals and plants in selected places, trusting various fortune tellers, psychics and talisman records. Unfortunately, part of this tradition, due to low technical culture, has been retained by certain layers of the citizenry to this day. "When man is unable to understand natural phenomena, he tends to give them supernatural properties"Albert Einstein.
Over time, man worked more and more on the research of natural phenomena, physical laws, where he tried to find concrete methods of proof. Among the first "measuring" instruments that appeared were levers, plumb bobs and similar "devices". The disadvantage of these methods is that they are primarily subjective methods and the influence of the "meter" on the results shown is not negligible. In the same way, a big problem is the lack of expertise and ignorance of the basic physical laws of such "meters", which in many cases do not know what they are measuring, nor do they know the intensity, let alone the permissible limits.
With the beginning of industrialization, technical sources of radiation also appeared, of which there are more and more every day due to the progress of technology and consumer electronics. As the stuffiness of the closed space grows, that is. electrosmog, knowledge about the harmfulness of natural and technical radiation is becoming more and more pronounced, especially in today's time when environmental awareness is increasing. For a long time, that area was neglected and even deliberately ignored by large companies that were the main source of radiation, although the harmfulness of electric and magnetic fields is known, e.g. under power lines.
The French physicist and dowser Bovis distinguished the most diverse terrestrial and cosmic radiations and used various aids. It is known that the Chinese were able to detect cosmic and terrestrial radiation many years ago. Since then, there are also the first data on "dragon features". The Chinese emperor also had specially trained experts, who always investigated the construction site before starting the construction of a residential building so that it would not be built in a place where "evil spirits" come from the ground, bringing misfortune and disease. The ancient Persians, Celts, Egyptians and other cultural peoples were also familiar with healthy and harmful radiations.
2. ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
Electromagnetic radiation
Radiation is the transfer of energy via a particle or wave. Radiation transmitted by particles (neutrons, protons, mesons, etc.) is called corpuscular radiation, and that transmitted in the form of waves is called electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation represents a change in the electromagnetic field as a function of time. This radiation is the carrier of electromagnetic interaction (force) and can be interpreted as a wave or as a particle, depending on the case. the particles that quantify electromagnetic radiation are photons. Each charge generates an electromagnetic field by changing the speed of movement. This information spreads through space at the speed of light and the properties of the corresponding electromagnetic wave are directly related to the dynamics of the charge movement change. Alternatively, if we look at electromagnetic radiation as the emission of particles (photons), the energy they carry is directly related to the wavelength, that is, the frequency of the wave. The higher the frequency, the higher the energy of the photon. The exact relationship is described by Planck's relation E = hν where E is the energy of the photon, h is Planck's constant, and ν is the frequency of the wave.
The characteristics of electromagnetic radiation depend on its wavelength and as such are divided into electric, radio and microwave waves, then infrared, visible and ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma rays. The entire range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is called the electromagnetic spectrum.
The effect of these waves on humans varies depending on the frequencies and amplitudes of the signals, as well as the distance from the transmitter (base station) and the duration of exposure to these waves. Not to mention the harmful radiations that come "outside" from disturbed Earth's magnetism, underground water flows and tectonic movements (geopathogenic radiations), as well as from Hartman and Curry's global network (cosmic radiations). Today's tests unequivocally indicate that the joint action of geopathic fields with harmful effects and electromagnetic radiation can lead to a weakening of the organism.
Division of harmful radiation (Figure 1)
Geopathogenic radiations are harmful radiations whose sources are below the earth's surface. Their appearance can be caused by anything that cuts, layers or in any other way disturbs the natural homogeneity of the Earth's layers. This radiation group includes:
- irradiation of underground water courses
- radiation of ores and minerals
- radiation of geological cracks (fractures)
- radiation caused by the decomposition of organic matter.
Cosmic radiation is a form of geopathogenic radiation that is present at every place on the Earth's surface, in a certain geometric arrangement. These network radiations are created by the interaction of cosmic forces with the Earth's gravitational and magnetic fields. Lines of network cosmic radiation are not harmful in themselves, but there is a possibility that a beam of harmful radiation of some other origin can be transferred to them, forming nodes. Cosmic rays form the following networks:
- Hartman's global grid (direction N-S and E-Z)
- Curry's global network (direction N-E and J-Z)
Technical radiation - with the beginning of industrialization and the appearance of new technical devices of different origins and purposes, new technical sources of radiation also appeared. With the advancement of technology and consumer electronics, the harmfulness of these radiations is increasing day by day, but at the same time, people's environmental awareness is also increasing. For a long time, that area was neglected and even deliberately ignored by the big companies that were the main source of radiation. Technical radiation can be divided into the following groups:
a) non-ionizing: electric (current), electronic
Non-ionizing radiation is electromagnetic radiation with energy less than 12.4 eV. This radiation does not have enough energy to cause ionization in living organisms. Natural sources of non-ionizing radiation are rare and extremely weak. These are the Sun, distant pulsars, other space sources and terrestrial sources (lightning). With the development of electrical devices, the density of electromagnetic energy around us is much higher than natural levels.
b) ionizing: alpha rays (helium nucleus), beta rays (electrons) (-), neutrons (uncharged particles), gamma and x rays (em energy)
c) mechanical vibrations: vehicles, work on heavy machines, ultrasonic vibrations, faulty machines and devices.
3. SOURCES OF NON-IONIZING RADIATION
Sources of non-ionizing radiation include: ultraviolet radiation (wavelengths 100-400 nm), visible radiation (wavelengths 400-780 nm), infrared radiation (wavelengths 780 nm-1 mm), radio-frequency radiation (frequencies 10 kHz-300 GHz), low-frequency electromagnetic fields (frequencies 0-10 kHz) and laser radiation. We use and encounter sources of non-ionizing radiation in our daily life, starting from the space in which we live and work, to modern means of communication, and all of them were created by human activity. These sources can be grouped as:
(1) Natural sources
- Electric and magnetic fields created by the Earth with its magnetism
- Activities of the Sun
- Dynamics of the atmosphere (static electricity, lightning)
- Radiation from space (novae and supernovae, synchrotron fields, radio galaxies, etc.).
(2) Electric power plants and electrical devices
- Power plants and power plants (SNR) - equipment and devices installed in buildings and external facilities where circuits with currents greater than 1,000 A are closed, and non-insulated parts are under different, very high voltages.
- Transmission lines and substations in their immediate environment create magnetic radiation whose induction amounts to 5.0 μT and even more than 100 μT, and at a distance of (50 - 100) m these values drop sharply.
- Electric fields under transmission lines, at a height of 1 m from the ground, reach values of 0.6 kV/m and even more than 10 kV/m.
- Business buildings - electromagnetic fields are present due to installed electrical devices and electronic circuits.
(3) Means of transport
- Motor vehicles - electromagnetic fields from devices for igniting the fuel mixture in the engine and due to the operation of electric motors (especially in electric vehicles), navigation devices (satellite guidance)
- Airplanes - electromagnetic fields due to operation of radio and navigation devices and built-in electric motors
- Ships - electromagnetic fields due to operation of radio and navigation devices and built-in electric motors.
The strength of the magnetic field in vehicles reaches up to 50 μT, and the electric field up to 300 V/m (in airplanes the amounts are significantly higher).
(4) Appliances in the household
(4) Appliances in the household
- Television screens and computer screens create static electric fields and alternating electric and magnetic fields of different frequencies. While the older technologies of these devices created field strength, which at a distance of 30-40 cm amounted to 10 kV/m, and with the device itself and more, the new devices do not create fields higher than 700 nT, i.e. 10 V/m.
- Washing machine: 2 to 8.4 μT (distance: 1 cm)
- Electric ovens: 40 V/m
- Refrigerator: 30 V/m
- Vacuum cleaner: up to 20 μT
- Coffee machine: 16 V/m
- Toaster: 40 V/m
- Hair dryer: 40 V/m
- Music pole: 90 V/m
- Halogen table lamp: up to 1.5 μT, etc.
(5) Medical Devices
- Laser device
- Magnetic resonance device
(6) Funds for telecommunications, etc.
Of course, this is not a final list of sources of non-ionizing radiation, but it shows to a good extent the widespread use of these sources, without which the modern world cannot even be imagined.
4. ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND HUMAN HEALTH
Epidemiological studies and experimental research come to the conclusion that electromagnetic fields and waves (which are present all around us and whose intensity increases daily beyond the permissible limit) represent a constant danger to our health even when they are within the permissible limits. Experts have been warning for years that the first symptoms of diseases caused by the harmful effects of radiation are increased irritability and nervousness, insomnia, headaches, feelings of weakness and chronic fatigue, anxiety, tendency to depression, memory difficulties and problems with concentration, loss of vitality, reduction of physical and mental activity, etc. Today's tests unequivocally indicate that the joint action of geopathic fields with harmful effects and electromagnetic radiation can lead to a weakening of the organism (picture 2).
Epidemiological studies and experimental research come to the conclusion that electromagnetic fields and waves (which are present all around us and whose intensity increases daily beyond the permissible limit) represent a constant danger to our health even when they are within the permissible limits. Experts have been warning for years that the first symptoms of diseases caused by the harmful effects of radiation are increased irritability and nervousness, insomnia, headaches, feelings of weakness and chronic fatigue, anxiety, tendency to depression, memory difficulties and problems with concentration, loss of vitality, reduction of physical and mental activity, etc. Today's tests unequivocally indicate that the joint action of geopathic fields with harmful effects and electromagnetic radiation can lead to a weakening of the organism.
The most dangerous places are those where a person stays the longest, namely the bed or workplace.
The way electromagnetic radiation affects people depends on many factors. Of course, the most important thing is the power of the radiation source, but the radiation frequency also has a big impact. Considering the intensity of absorption in the human body, electromagnetic radiation can be divided into four groups:
- frequencies from 100 kHz to 20 MHz where absorption decreases with decreasing frequency and significant absorption appears in the neck and legs
- frequencies in the range from about 20 MHz to 300 MHz, where relatively high absorption occurs throughout the body, and at resonance, significantly higher in the head area
- frequency from the range of 300 MHz to several GHz at which considerable local non-uniform absorption occurs
- frequencies above 10 GHz where absorption occurs, primarily, on the surface of the body.
The primary and simplest harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation is heating. Exposure to radio frequency radiation in excess of mW/cm2 can cause severe damage to human tissue due to excessive heating. Under certain conditions, measurable heating of the tissue can occur even with radiation whose value ranges between 1 and 10 mW/cm2, but this does not necessarily cause tissue damage.
The very large and diverse number of sources of non-ionizing radiation in our environment has necessitated the adoption of appropriate regulations. In European countries, there are over 130 laws, regulations, standards and recommendations in the field of protection against radio-frequency radiation. Of particular importance is the recommendation of the Council of Europe of July 12, 1999, number 1999/519/EC.
The Law on Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation ("Official Gazette of the RS", No. 36/09) was adopted in Serbia, which regulates the conditions and measures for protecting human health and protecting the environment from the harmful effects of non-ionizing radiation in the use of non-ionizing radiation sources. On the basis of by-laws, sources of non-ionizing radiation of special interest are defined, among other things, for which the obligation to obtain a decision for use is prescribed.
4. THE EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE
In the last twenty years, psychologists have defined a new category that determines the behavior of an individual in the family environment, at work, in critical situations, etc. and that is the quality of life QL (qualitz life). The quality of life has such an influence on the perception of the environment, and it helps in overcoming difficult situations, such as crises at work, illnesses... The quality of life depends on many factors and, in principle, affects the fact that the individual enjoys a subjective feeling of satisfaction.
Electromagnetic radiation, both ionizing and non-ionizing, when it comes to people's quality of life, can be viewed from two aspects. The first is their impact on the development of the human community, and the second is their impact on human health. Today's civilization makes extensive use of electromagnetic waves and fields in a whole range of technologies. Thus, communications, radio and television, electricity, transport, medicine, computers are based on electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. This progress enabled people to have a high quality of life, which was unimaginable just a century ago. Penetration into space and its study are unthinkable without electromagnetic waves, as well as penetration into the world of microparticles. Their contribution to the development of modern civilization is of incalculable importance.
On the other hand, the negative impact of electromagnetic radiation is that it causes health problems in people under certain conditions (proximity to the radiation source, radiation power, wave frequency, ionization). At the same time, ionizing radiation is significantly more dangerous to human health than non-ionizing radiation. The good thing about everything is that non-ionizing radiation is in much greater use than ionizing radiation, and for this reason the risk to human health is greatly reduced.
If we measure the contribution of electromagnetic radiation or fields to the development and well-being of the human community and
negative effects on human health, we can conclude that the positive effects far outweigh the negative effects. In fact, the use of electromagnetic fields and waves is the foundation of the development of modern civilization.
5. CONCLUSION
A growing number of scientific studies confirm that, at this moment, the greatest threat to our health and well-being (and this applies to all other forms of life) is an insidious, ubiquitous and invisible form of pollution called "electropollution". Electromagnetic fields and radiations are contained in all matter that surrounds us at all levels of organization, from space to microspace. And the human body absorbs and emits electromagnetic waves. Information in the brain and at the cellular level is transmitted electromagnetically. man has been exposed to more or less all forms of electromagnetic radiation since his birth.
However, the development of technology has led to the application of a large number of devices and systems whose operation is based on the use of electromagnetic fields, so that the density and frequency of radiation in the space in which we live have increased many times. Now the human body is exposed to much higher doses of radiation than was the case with natural sources. Of course, that has a certain impact on the human body and its health.
In order to maximize the benefits of electromagnetic radiation and avoid negative consequences for human health, it is necessary:
- carry out systematic research on the impact of electromagnetic radiation on the human body and other living things
- normatively regulate the field of electromagnetic radiation (laws, regulations, standards)
- implement prescribed radiation protection measures with monitoring of their implementation
- disable the development of products and systems that function at the frequencies of radiation of the human body or its parts (brain, for example)
- establish an information system on electromagnetic radiation in order to have insight into the state of this area at any time.
Of course, the problem of electromagnetic radiation will be worked on even more in the future, when no human activity will be possible without the use of electromagnetic fields.
"I have no doubt at all that the increase in electromagnetic fields at this moment is the element that pollutes the environment on Earth to the greatest extent. I think that on a global level it is much more important than warming...and the increase in the amount of chemical elements in the environment" - Robert Becker, Dr. Med.
Each of us has the responsibility to take preventive steps that will protect us, our family and future generations.
LITERATURE
[1] RADIATION, REPUBLIC OF SERBIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SPATIAL PLANNING, Belgrade, October 2009
[2] An Instigation Of Relation Between Sustainable Development And Quality Of Life, Slavko Arsovski, Milan Pavlović, Zora Arsovski, Zoran Mirović, International Journal for Quality Research, Volume 3 - 2009 - Number 4
[3] Possible effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on Human Health, Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks SCENIHR, 21 March 2007
[4] Health Ef fects of Electromagnetic Fields, An Ro i n n Cuma r s á ide , Ma r a a g u s Acmh a i n n í Nádú r t h a Depa r tme n t o f Commu n i c a t i o n s , Ma r i n e a nd Na t u r a l Re s o u rc e s, D u b l i n 2 , I r e l a n d, www.dcmnr.gov.ie
[5] Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields, biological effects and health consequences (100 kHz-300 GHz), Paolo Vecchia, Rüdiger Matthes, Gunde Ziegelber, James Lin, Richard Saunders, Anthony Swerdlow, ICNIRP 16/2009
[6] Encyclopedia of Applied Spectroscopy. Edited by David L. Andrews. Copyright 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, ISBN: 978-3-527-40773-6
[7] ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION HAZARDS, David Jenn, Naval Postgraduate School, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Monterey, California, 2008
[8] UNCERTAINTY ESTIMATION IN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD MEASUREMENTS FOR ASSESSING COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY LIMITS, E. Karabetsos, G. Filippopoulos, Non Ionizing Radiation Office, Greek Atomic Energy Commission, 2003
[9] EFFECT OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON THE CELL FUNCTION AND PROTECTION WITH BIO-SPH, Stojan Velkoski, Georgi Kotevski, Gordana Zlateva – Velkoska, Garo Mardirossian, Research Center “Soncev Zrak” – Skopje, Macedonia; June 2005, www.soncevzrak.com
[10] S. Arsovski, M. Pavlović, Z. Arsovski, Z. Mirović, An Inestigation Of Relation Between Sustainable Development And Quality Of Life, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 4
[11] Stevan živojinović, Andrej Stanimirović, Knowledge, intellectual capital and quality management, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 4
[12] K. K. Milovanović, S. Arsovski, Extended Model of New Approach Impact on Quality, Safety and Competency of Product our Enterprises, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 2
[13] S. Arsovski, K. Kanjevac Milovanović, Extende Model Of Competitiveness Throug Application Of New Approach Directives, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 1
[14] M. K. Zogovic, I. Savovic, A. K. Arsic, V. Matovic, Quality of Test Results Expressed Through Measurement Uncertainty, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 3
LITERATURE
[1] RADIATION, REPUBLIC OF SERBIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SPATIAL PLANNING, Belgrade, October 2009
[2] An Instigation Of Relation Between Sustainable Development And Quality Of Life, Slavko Arsovski, Milan Pavlović, Zora Arsovski, Zoran Mirović, International Journal for Quality Research, Volume 3 - 2009 - Number 4
[3] Possible effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on Human Health, Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks SCENIHR, 21 March 2007
[4] Health Ef fects of Electromagnetic Fields, An Ro i n n Cuma r s á ide , Ma r a a g u s Acmh a i n n í Nádú r t h a Depa r tme n t o f Commu n i c a t i o n s , Ma r i n e a nd Na t u r a l Re s o u rc e s, D u b l i n 2 , I r e l a n d, www.dcmnr.gov.ie
[5] Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields, biological effects and health consequences (100 kHz-300 GHz), Paolo Vecchia, Rüdiger Matthes, Gunde Ziegelber, James Lin, Richard Saunders, Anthony Swerdlow, ICNIRP 16/2009
[6] Encyclopedia of Applied Spectroscopy. Edited by David L. Andrews. Copyright 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, ISBN: 978-3-527-40773-6
[7] ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION HAZARDS, David Jenn, Naval Postgraduate School, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Monterey, California, 2008
[8] UNCERTAINTY ESTIMATION IN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD MEASUREMENTS FOR ASSESSING COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY LIMITS, E. Karabetsos, G. Filippopoulos, Non Ionizing Radiation Office, Greek Atomic Energy Commission, 2003
[9] EFFECT OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON THE CELL FUNCTION AND PROTECTION WITH BIO-SPH, Stojan Velkoski, Georgi Kotevski, Gordana Zlateva – Velkoska, Garo Mardirossian, Research Center “Soncev Zrak” – Skopje, Macedonia; June 2005, www.soncevzrak.com
[10] S. Arsovski, M. Pavlović, Z. Arsovski, Z. Mirović, An Inestigation Of Relation Between Sustainable Development And Quality Of Life, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 4
[11] Stevan živojinović, Andrej Stanimirović, Knowledge, intellectual capital and quality management, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 4
[12] K. K. Milovanović, S. Arsovski, Extended Model of New Approach Impact on Quality, Safety and Competency of Product our Enterprises, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 2
[13] S. Arsovski, K. Kanjevac Milovanović, Extende Model Of Competitiveness Throug Application Of New Approach Directives, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 1
[14] M. K. Zogovic, I. Savovic, A. K. Arsic, V. Matovic, Quality of Test Results Expressed Through Measurement Uncertainty, International Journal for quality research, Volume 3, 2009, Number 3
