the treeof life
b y j o a n n e P i z z i n o , md . M P H m e d i c a l c o - e d i t o r
hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil?
V
ision. Hearing. Smell. Taste. Touch. Humans have relied
on their five senses to warn them of danger, find food,
and express love for . . . well, as long as there have been
humans.
Then science and technology began to show us what our five
senses could not. Bacteria were first observed by Dutch cloth
merchant, Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 1676, but it was almost
200 years until experiments by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch
were able to connect micro-organisms as the cause of disease.
And, as science and technology continue to expand, they not only
allow us to detect aspects of our environment more accurately,
they are creating the environment itself.
Cau se an d Effec t
When environmental exposures cause an effect that happens
rather rapidly, it is often easier to make the association.
For instance, although X-rays are unseen, unheard, and not
immediately felt, we know that exposure to high doses of ionizing
radiation can cause severe burns and even death in a few days.
Human ingenuity can even turn this potential danger into a tool,
for instance using radiotherapy to treat certain types of tumors.
But what about a newer, more ubiquitous form of non-ionizing
radiation that is also undetectable by our five trusted senses:
low intensity electromagnetic frequencies (EMF). Are you aware
that you are being bathed in a field of these EMF essentially
constantly if you live in the modern world? Here is a list of
just a few sources of extremely low frequency (ELF) and radio
frequency (RF) that we encounter daily: computers, microwaves,
washer/dryers, fluorescent lights, cordless phones, cell phones,
electrical wiring in walls, hybrid/electric cars, Bluetooth and
WiFi, power lines, cell-phone towers, radio/TV broadcast towers,
airports, military bases, Electronic Article Surveillance systems in
stores to detect shoplifters, blow dryers, electric toothbrushes,
plasma TVs. . . . And the list goes on.
What do we know about the health effects of this unnoticed
environmental co-habitant? Unfortunately, not enough. While
there have been almost two dozen studies of effects of EMF on
cells, humans and other animals, the data are conflicting.
Currently available peer-reviewed scientific literature reveals
low-intensity RF-EMF causes oxidative damage of DNA in living
cells. Other studies point to a clear increase in risk for some
forms of cancer, such as brain gliomas, while other studies have
not found increased probability of tumors. Hopefully, it will not
take two centuries for us to link exposure and health effects.
Li m i t i ng F ac t o r s
Several factors can limit the interpretation of studies,
including recall bias, participation bias, and even changing
technology and methods of use. Even when connecting
exposures that are easier to perceive such as cigarette smoking
or asbestos, it often takes tumors 20 years to show up in a way
that affects health. Therefore, it can require costly long-term
studies to determine if real risk exists. In the meantime, we are
all part of a grand experiment for which we tacitly give consent
by our use of these various technologies.
Until we have more definitive research, it may be wise
to limit your EMF exposure whenever possible. Use a corded
(land-line) telephone as your regular telephone. If you must
use a mobile phone, used a wired headset and/or use it
on speakerphone to allow it to be held farther away from
your head. (Bluetooth headsets are actually emitting EMF
continuously, therefore increase exposure close to the brain.)
Avoid keeping a cellphone on your body. Some studies link
infertility in men to carrying a cellphone in their pockets. Turn
off cellphone and tablets while sleeping, or at least keep them
out of the bedroom as radiation decreases farther away from its
source. When sleeping, turn off household WiFi, or better yet,
use Ethernet cables for computers. Children may be at greater
risk due to their developing brains, and are advised to avoid
use of cellphones or cordless phones at all.
Expand your awareness of how EMF may be affecting
your health. Additional resources can be found at http://
www.healthandenvironment.org/initiatives/emf, http://www.
bioinitiative.org/, and http://emrpolicy.org/. h&h
Joanne (“JP”) Pizzino, MD, MPH, is board-certified in Preventive Medicine as well as
Family Medicine. Contact her at Whole Health Solutions, 1350 SE Maynard Rd., Suite 201,
Cary, NC 27511, or visit her at www.whole-health-solutions.com or call 919-651-0820.
Originally published in Health & Healing in the Triangle, Vol. 18, No. 21, Health & Healing, Inc., Chapel Hill, NC, publishers. Reprinted with permission.