ELF radiation

There is thus a possibility of electromagnetic warfare (Bearden, 1986). A population bathed in ELF radiation at a frequency known to interact with electrochemical processes in the brain might develop a degree of mental retardation. 

The question of whether RF (microwave range) and ELF radiation alone is toxic to humans remains an open question. What seems clear is that coexposure of electromagnetic radiation at virtually all frequencies with xenobiotic chemicals increases free radical formation and oxidative stress, with corresponding health consequences. 

Nonionizing radiation consists of parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that correspond to microwaves, also identified as RF waves and extremely low frequency (ELF) waves. RF waves range from 300 MHz to 30 GHz and correspond to AM radio, FM radio, TV, mobile telephone, and micro-wave oven transmissions. ELF waves are in the 50-60 Hz range and correspond to electrical transmission power line emissions. 

The conflicting results just discussed raise the question of what are safe levels of exposure to ELF, or for that matter UV and RF as well. It is opined here that the answer may lie in a consideration of what chemicals the test organisms were co-exposed to at the time of electromagnetic radiation exposure. Co-exposures could come from xenobiotic species present in the home, workplace, or laboratory, environmental chemicals, and/or dietary uptake. 

Potemra, T.A., Ionizing radiation affecting the lower ionosphere, in ELF-VLF Radio Wave Propagation. Holtet, J.A. (ed.), Reidel Publishing, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 21, 1974. 

ELF and VLF Radio waves TV waves Micro waves Infrared Radiation Ultra- idolet X Radiation -rays Gamma rays... 

As noted above with regard to ELF and VLF radiation, there is no evidence that electric fields have an effect on humans (except in cases where pacemakers are used). In fact, there are no common lab situations where laboratorians would be exposed to strong static electric fields. 

Health Protection Agency publications No 4 ELF Electromagnetic Fields and Neurodegenerative Disease, Health Protection Agency - Radiation Protection EHvision, Chilton (2001)... 

ELF and VLF Radio Waves TV Waves Micro Waves Infrared Radiation Ultraviolet X-rays Radiation Gamma rays... 

Extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) photons have frequencies in the range of approximately 3-30,000 Hz. This radiation is rarely used in an experiment in a chemistry lab, except... 

In the worker health study commissioned by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the University of California study team looked at physical agents such as radioff equency (RF) radiation, and extremely low fi equency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) which arise from the use of electrical current, fifi They defined various ELF exposure parameters based on both fab and non-fab devices or equipment that might have a relevant ELF-MF. In the fab category they included ion implanters, sputterers, epitaxial reactors, diffusion furnaces, other furnaces, microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, and etchers/ashers. In the non-fab devices category they included microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, final test and probers. Figure 3 provides a box plot of the area levels for ELF-MF that were measured by the researchers during site visits. 

---