Mythbusters: EMF

At least from EMF.

Tom

 

Thank God!

 

i already had kids.

 

I've read that 2.5mB is the cut-off for constant EMF exposure, which means some of the cars in the list, including the Prius, have EMF levels that people are not meant to be exposed to around the clock (if you buy into all this). On the other hand, and to put things in prospective, the average hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, or electric can opener emits 300mG or more. It's all aboutlong term.

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I applaud doing actual research into the prevalence of EMF. But the fact that there are other cars with higher EMF than the Prius does not provide much comfort.

A friend of mine who served on nuclear submarines once told me about how one of his fellow mariners had a scare when his radiation detection badge came up positive. It was a big deal to track down how he was exposed, and were there any others similarly exposed. Everyone was relieved when it turned out that he had worn the badge while on a transcontinental plane flight. The sub was innocent - it was the cosmic ray exposure of high altitude flight.

I did not find it the least bit comforting to know that plane flights expose you to enough radiation to scare a nuclear sub worker. People working around nuclear equipment know about the dangers, and they are carefully monitored. Nobody seems to know or be concerned about the much more common exposure of plane flights.

I don't know if EMF is dangerous. And for that matter, I doubt that the variety of things we call EMF are all equally bioactive. Since we evolved with a relatively stable magnetic field from the earth, we're probably well adapted to it. But these machine driven sources at higher frequencies are new to the biosphere. The idea of resonance seems important - there are probably biological processes that are more sensitive to some frequencies than others.

There are plenty of modern things to be alarmed about such as all the chemicals that have been recently introduced to the environment. The medical use of CT scans is way out of line with prudent usage. Mammograms cause cancer, the very disease they're suppose to provide protection against. High fructose corn syrup is certainly more damaging than anything that EMF has been accused of.

The basic problem is that we are negatively impacted by the flood of toxic exposures in the modern world. One x-ray isn't a big problem. But the total impact of multiple x-rays, pesticides, plane flights, and maybe EMF adds up to medical damage. Cancer seems to be an attrition process - when the damaging processes get ahead of the protective processes, you're in trouble.

I'd like some real science about just how bioactive EMF is. Meantime, I'll continue driving my Prius, and watch out for any Cobalt drivers dropping off...

 

Ionizing radiation is a whole different thing than EMF. There is no question that ionizing radiation is bad for living organisms, although natural exposure is inevitable. The reason that the submariners were concerned is that the exposure was unexplained, not that it was at a dangerous level. Submariners normally receive less exposure to ionizing radiation than us surface dwellers, even when they are on nuclear boats. Water is a good natural shield. Any unexplained exposure is a cause for investigation. It could have indicated a leak or failure to follow procedure.

As an example, say you come home and find your front door standing open. This would be cause for investigation. It may have simply blown open if you didn't latch it, or you may have left it open, but in any case it is unusual and warrants investigation.

Tom

 

Well, if you really want to be scared all your life, then be scared.

The fact is the Prius (and any OTHER car as well) do not generate significant magnetic fields. The earth's magnetic field swamps whatever you measure by a significant factor (100 times more powerful).

Perhaps if you are suicidal I can send you a magnet from a hard drive. It's so powerful it can seriously damage your finger if you get it between the magnet and "keeper". Physical damage that is. It will crush your finger!

Just sleep with this magnet under your pillow. Then you won't have to worry about this EMF BS any more!

Oh, and it's NOT EMF! EMF is "Electro-Magnetic Field". We are talking here of magnetic fields only. It seems nobody is bothering to also measure the electric fields. Probably due to the fact they are swamped by even more noise (radio transmitters, power lines, etc. etc.).

 

There have been some new studies about the danger of cell phones and a connection with brain tumors. I understand that Ted Kennedy was a frequent cell phone user.

 

Correlation does no equal causation.

 

Excellent point. Correlation is useful for suggesting areas of study, but in no way does it equal causation. My house is painted blue, and we have never, ever had a zebra stampede in our yard. The color blue keeps zebras from stampeding.

Tom

 

That's like saying, "There have been studies about the danger of cell phones and a connection with cowardly drunken womanizers. I understand that Ted Kennedy was a frequent cell phone user"



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It continually amazes me how people use lack of knowledge as proof of safety. Lack of study does not equal safety, only ignorance of the topic.

Magnetic fields do have biological impact. A quick google turned up this one: http://www.biophysicsnet.ro/rjb/articles/109/ftru.pdf "

In other words, sperm that can remain active for 20 hours in a zero magnetic field only last 15 hours in the usual earth magnetic field.

Product opportunity here. Zero magnetic field rooms to treat infertility. Couples having problems conceiving a baby could have sex in a ZMF room, and stay there for at least 20 hours to give the sperm their best chance. Well, actually, the guy could leave.

The reverse may also be true. Higher than normal earth magnetic fields may act as a contraceptive.

Next question. Is the 1/3 extension of viable life of sperm also true of the rest of the body? What effect does a higher than GMF field have on length of life?

 

Thank you. I learned something. I assume that is the point of this forum and your post. I don't understand the tongue sticking out. Is that a smug Prius owner thing?

 

The tongue sticking out is because he made a silly comment. His statement was factious to the point of being ridiculous, and he wanted to make sure that was understood.

Tom