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Comments and Mail From Our Readers
1998

Last modified on: Thursday, September 12, 2002 09:17:32
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December 8, 1998
USA I saw your article on the use of EMFs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. I have been using a Bi-Phase 5000 frequency generator (Rife type) for the past 2 years. I have been disabled with chronic progressive MS since 1990. The frequency generator has been very successful. The removal of the pathogens, vitamin supplements, and homeopathic remedies has not done the job yet. My existing frequency generator would need a coil or another device plugged into one of the 5 outlet ports to accomplish the very low magnetic field intensities needed. An input from my pineal gland needs to be energized with EMFs for the 5-HT neurons to be able to synthesize and release adequate pulses of 5-HT into the synapse. I need the magnetic field intensity or range (i.e. 7.5x10-5mG), the frequency numbers (i.e. 2-7 Hz) to construct this add on device to the generator. Also what is the best type of device to treat my MS symptoms? TENS type probes, speaker? Let me know all you can to help me. I hate being as disabled as I am right now! Where do I place the probes?
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: The articles I believe you refer to are summaries of research reports appearing in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We make every effort to convey the content of these publications accurately and provide what information we can (as it is available in the publication) to help the reader to evaluate the validity of the results presented. We are not able to evaluate the work experimentally, and we are not generally aware of treatment details beyond those given in the reports. I cannot answer your specific questions about coil configurations and placement, or use of TENS signals to provide symptomatic relief. There are 3 MS summaries on EMF-Link that may have caught your attention. Two are by Sandyk, a physician who has published a substantial number of case reports on treating MS with his own specific very low intensity magnetic field conditions, and a third brief report (letter) from a group from Denmark. These references can be used to obtain a copy of the papers from a medical library. You may also wish to contact Dr. Sandyk directly, although his treatments appear to be much lower in intensity than those you are using. These papers, and an additional 50 others that we have compiled in our database, represent preliminary reports of experimental treatments that most physicians would consider interesting but unreliable. From all indications, magnetic field treatments are without side effects so, in this sense they "can't hurt." However, the effectiveness of the treatment remains to be proved and I would encourage you to investigate any alternative therapies while working with an established physician to be sure you are getting the best care that allopathic medicine can provide. Those of us with a scientific background approach these therapies with skeptical caution out of concern that treatments may be promoted unrealistically. On face value, the results reported do suggest there may be some benefit to the magnetic field treatments, so in the absence of effective alternative treatments I think there is some value in investigating magnetic therapy further. I wish you the best in finding an effective therapy for your condition.

November 30, 1998
USA I am a student at Lake Superior State University studying Electrical Engineering program. One of the classes that I am enrolled in is "Electro-Magnetic Fields". One of the requirements of the course is to write a research paper relavent to the course material. I have decided to research the effects of high voltage power lines on the people living around them. I am specificaly interested in researching the cancer causing effects in relation to the high voltage power lines. I stumbled across your page while looking for materials. I was wondering if you could supply me with any information relavent to my research. I am looking for case studies for both sides. I was also hoping to find scientific explanation of how high voltage power lines can cause cancer. I must present this paper to my class and need to explain scientifically from an engineering view point as to why there is a concern in this field. If you can supply me with any information I would appretiate it very much. Thank You for your time.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Your topic is a broad one and is addressed by many sections of our web site. A good place for you to start for college level work would be the recent Working Group Report produced by NIEHS, available at no charge as a PDF document on their web site. There is, at present, no good explanation of how high voltage lines can cause cancer (if they do) but epidemiologic evidence suggesting such an association and some theoretical work to suggest possible mechanisms. The Working Group Report also provides a good introduction to this material. Regards, Bob

November 23, 1998
USA I am an AP chemistry student at Astronaut High School, in Titusville, Florida. I am doing a science research project on Planaria regeration under radiation. I am going to put my planaria under strong EMF's and then see how it affects regeneration. However, I do not know a source of strong EMF's that I could expose the planaria to. Could you tell me any sources of very strong EMFs and the information I need to reproduce the same kind of radiation, so I can do my experiment.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Your EMF source would depend on the type of EMF you are interested in looking at. You might want to start your research by looking at published studies in this area and design your experiment based on following up on previous results. For example, one research group has reported regeneration abnormalities with a combined Static field and time-varying field set up according to cyclotron resonance conditions. Here are some references to their publications:
WEAK EXTREMELY-LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD-INDUCED REGENERATION ANOMALIES IN THE PLANARIAN DUGESIA TIGRINA.
Jenrow, K. A.; Smith, C. H.; Liboff, A. R.
Dept. of Physics, Oakland Univ., Rochester, MI 48309 (RR/A.R.L., K.A.J., C.H.S.)
Bioelectromagnetics 17(6):467-474, 1996
WEAK EXTREMELY-LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS AND REGENERATION IN THE PLANARIAN DUGESIA TIGRINA.
Jenrow, K. A.; Smith, C. H.; Liboff, A. R.
Dept. of Physics, Oakland Univ., Rochester, MI 48309 (RR/A.R.L., K.A.J., C.H.S.)
Bioelectromagnetics 16(2):106-112, 1995
You might have trouble producing the same cyclotron resonance fields unless you have a gauss meter and a fluxgate probe for the static fields, but you could easily wind Helmholtz coils and power them with a battery to get a large static field. A simple time-varying 60-Hz field could be produced using line current, but you should be sure you have help from your teacher in setting up that kind of source safely. You might also look for effects with other types of fields such as a static field produced by a rare earth magnet. If you look at these papers you will see that a very strong field may not be what is needed: the animals seem to show effects at a particular intensity and increasing the field strength does not necessarily increase the effect. Another area to look at is behavior: planaria and other organisms have been reported to orient their direction in response to a magnetic field. Planaria have been used in simple T maze studies. Would a magnetic field affect how well the planarian responded in the maze? Would planaria raised in a magnetic field do better or worse in a maze where the directional cue was a magnetic field? Here is a basic reference in this area:
MAGNETIC GUIDANCE OF ORGANISMS.
Frankel, R. B.
Francis Bitter Natl. Magnet Lab., Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
Annu Rev Biophys Bioeng 13:85-103, 1984
Good luck with your project. Regards, Bob
Reply to Dr. Robert Goldberg from student Reader: Thanks for the reply. I decided to use cell phone radaition as it is a relevent source of radiation today. I have been rather upset by the new studies showing that cell phone radiation may cause cancer. I have set my mind on finding how this radiation affects Planaria and their regeneration. I have been unable to find out the cellular phone radiations wavelength, intensity, frequency and what exactly cellular phones give out. I contacted the cellular phone manufacturers, but they do not give me this information as it would affect their sales and they are too interested in making money and don't care about our health. I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me this information so that I can reproduce the radiation and see if radiation affects the regeneration of planaria. Thanks for the help.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Cell phone signals are fairly complex, in the radiofrequency range (around 800 MHz and above) and differing depending on the analog or digital encoding system they use. Research experiments use transmitter sources set up to produce a simulated signal, but this would be difficult for you to do. Other studies have used actual cell phones, transmitting the sound to a video motion picture to human subjects using the phone for 30 minutes at a time for example. This is possible, but could be expensive unless you have a phone with unlimited hours of usage (you could call your planaria and play an audio recording to them for several hours a day). You might want to check with your teacher about setting up a simple radio transmitter as an alternative. Regards, Bob

November 23, 1998
USA Many years ago there was concern about the use of a waterbed heater. We're considering purchasing a waterbed for our 4 year old but are concerned about the long term electro-magnetic effects. Is this something to still be concerned about? Thank you in advance for your response.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: There is still some concern, but also some studies suggesting the effects, if any, are weak. Electric bed heaters and blankets result in relatively high personal magnetic field exposures because the heating coil is relatively close to the body and is cycling on through the night (6-8 hours) on a daily basis. Exposure from appliances like an electric can opener are generally higher but occur for perhaps 10 seconds a day. Results have started to appear (so far just as presentations at scientific meetings) from a study conducted by the California Department of Health Services, Berkeley, California, to look into increased risk of spontaneous abortions among women using waterbeds and electric blankets. Results do not show a significant increase however, as the group discovered only after they started taking field measurements, exposures vary greatly for women using the beds. There are differences in the location of the heater coil, the room temperature (and therefore how frequently the heater cycles on), and other variables that make for huge differences in actual EMF exposures for individuals in the "exposed" group of women. The investigators are trying hard to sort out a way to better characterize who is exposed and to what type of EMF. Abortions were looked at because diseases like cancer have even a longer time period before they appear so they are even harder to examine from the point of view of EMF exposure. In short, there is not much more information than there was a few years ago and no greater or less indication of risk. At the least, it does not appear that there is a very strong effect because, if there were, it would be expected to appear even with the variable exposures for the group of waterbed users. New studies come out all the time however, so if you decide to adopt a waterbed, you may want to keep up with the new developments on our web site and by subscribing to the EMF Health Report. Regards, Bob

November 23, 1998
USA I am a licensed Architect in Massachusetts and am currently designing many schools for students in grades PreK to 12th. I am very concerned about EMF exposure to the students, both from sources outside the school building (i.e. transformers, primary vaults, overhead neighborhood and distribution lines) and from sources within the building (electric rooms, panel boards, wiring, fluorescent lights, etc.). I am seeking information to help me further understand the impact of these sources on the children (exposure limits, etc.) and information on shielding via distance (first) and materials (second). Any information or leads that you could provide would be both helpful and sincerely appreciated. Thank you.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: There is an approach, formally proposed by a group at Carnegie Mellon University as "prodent avoidance," which acknowleges the uncertainty about EMF health effects but suggests making whatever low or no cost changes are necessary to keep field levels as low as possible. In the design phase there are many things you can do a little or no cost to minimize exposure in the schools, and even from a legal point of view that would seem worthwhile. We are a small business specializing in the biomedical research in this area. We have some information on engineering issues, but that is not our primary focus and what I can suggest is mostly a starting point. Several years ago there was a presentation at a research meeting specifically concerned with school architecture. The abstract, taken from our EMF Database, indicates he reviewed more or less what you are interested in:
EMF CHECKLIST FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS CONSTRUCTION (MEETING ABSTRACT).
Cavin, B., III.
Dept. of Architecture, Cal Poly, Pomona, CA 91768
Annual Review of Research on Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields from the Generation, Delivery and Use of Electricity, 17-21 November, San Antonio, TX, p. 34 1996
Funding: U.S. DOE, Office of Utility Technologies, through Oak Ridge Natl. Lab.
BENER number: 14834
ABSTRACT TEXT:
In many parts of the country electric and magnetic fields, (EMF), in schools have become a matter of discussion and debate. This 29-item checklist focuses on the magnetic field components of EMF, the major concern of scientists and health officials. It provides practical ways to minimize exposure to magnetic fields in the building of new schools. The checklist deals with conventional "no- and low-cost" techniques. It proceeds step-by-step from initial planning and site selection through construction, furnishing and occupancy. It considers the entire school campus as well as individual areas and rooms. It is intended as a practical document for school facility planners, school building advisory committees, project managers, school architects, engineers and inspectors. It will enable them to evaluate, in a systematic way, the many decisions they can make in order to reduce exposures to EMF's. While some of the information in the annotated checklist can be applied to existing school facilities, it is most relevant to new construction where there are numerous opportunities to minimize EMFs at no cost or low cost. In California, where this checklist was developed, the Public Utility Commission advised the state's utilities that at this time it is reasonable to carry out no- and low-cost measures to reduce magnetic fields when constructing new electric utility facilities. In these instances in California no- and low-cost is defined as up to 4 percent of the project cost if it achieves at least a fifteen percent field reduction. For school projects this may be defined differently. The use of no- and low-cost techniques outlined in this checklist vs. using "EMF standards" may significantly minimize EMF exposures without getting bogged down in controversy which could come from using fixed standards. In addition to the annotated checklist the appendices include sections on minimizing EMFs during school remodeling, EMF surveys, use of portable classrooms, and EMF shielding. Options are considered in the various stages of school construction: program development; site selection; site planning; building design; construction documents; construction; and occupancy. Because a school campus uses much more electricity than a typical home, there are bound to be some areas on campus with fields much higher than found in a typical home. Simple forethought in planning and design can place such areas in low-occupancy locations. The 4 basic no- and low-cost techniques for EMF avoidance are: (1) maximize distance between EMF sources and high-occupancy areas. (2) Maximize cancellation of magnetic fields be minimizing the distance between conductors in the circuit and strict adherence to the National Electric Code. (3) Avoid "net current" conditions by adhering to established electric codes and using sound engineering practices to keep circuits balanced. (4) Reduce electrical current. This checklist is provided to help review options for utilizing these 4 field reduction techniques. The 29 EMF considerations which comprise the checklist will be presented in the presentation. (0 Refs).
California has been leading the country in this area and the California Department of Public Health group (EMF Program, 5900 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94508: Dr. Vincent DelPizzo, (510) 450-3818; vdelpizz@hwl.cahwnet.gov) could be an excellent contact for information on what they have done. Finally, there are several articles in our EMF Health Report that will help you understand the health issues, some articles on home and school measurements, and material on the ongoing research to help you keep up with the changes coming from the scientific work. This information is available on our web site, but please feel free to contact me if you have any difficulties finding it. Regards, Bob

November 20, 1998
USA (Child's message) My name is Stephanie and I'm doing a science project for school symposium. My science soon to be project is, Do Computer Terminals Produce High Levels of EMF? and my problem is how to put this question into a science project. I also want to know if you could send me information on if Computer Terminals "do" produce high levels of EMF because I looked all over the internet to find the answer to my question , but they always gave me something different. Please write as soon as possible because time is not on my side.
(Father's message) My daughter is doing a project on the effects of computer teminals and EMF but all the information we try to get you we have to pay for. I do not mind paying but the information is only for a one time 8th grade science contest project. Is there any one out there who can help. I would even appreciate someone saying this is a bad project to pursue due to the lack of information or the expense of obtaining it.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: I must admit that requests as general as the first one your daughter sent are often not answered. The indication of a brief time frame, the lack of background information on what grade level she is working at, along with lack of evidence of some basic background knowledge on the topic in particular made me reluctant to reply. We are a business rather than an academic institution and so are only able to answer selected requests for information. However, since you seem concerned and took the time to follow up, let me offer a few suggestions which, if they are not in time for this project, might help you in the future. To get your daughter started, you need to get her to think about exactly what she wants to ask. Basic to every science project, school project or research effort, is a question in a form that can be answered with some experiments that will give you some meaningful insight into a bigger problem. It is relatively easy to measure the extremely low frequency fields produced by computer terminals with an instrument called a gauss meter. A simple meter can even be constructed from a coil of wire and a multimeter. More complex meters can be used to measure field components in the higher frequency range (if this is a physics project her teacher should be able to help). However, once you have field levels the question of what is "safe" becomes harder to determine. On the general safety issue, booklets produced by the EMF RAPID program (information available free on our web site) are a good place to start. There are a number of epidemiologic studies of VDT (visual dispay terminals) that you should be able to locate on a biomedical database like Medline, but, again depending on her level in school, they may be too complicated for her. If your daughter is at a more elementary level, I suggest focusing on less complex questions. With a simple meter you could investigate questions such as (1) do all computer monitors (e.g., in her school) produce the same amount of EMFs and, if not, is there more variation between brands than between models of the same brand, (2) where does the EMF come from in the monitor, is it coming from the front (so the user is most exposed) or from elsewhere in the unit, can you relate the field to parts of the monitor (assuming you have permission to open the case and see what is inside -- but do be careful about letting any high voltage capacitors discharge before touching anything inside the VDT (3) how far do you have to get from the computer monitor before you can no longer detect the EMF coming from it? On the biological side, you could construct an experiment in which you raise plants or simple laboratory animals (such as worms) close to a VDT, but you would have to identify a suitable control situation (something that produces the same light, heat, vibration, etc. as the VDT but without the EMF) to compare your VDT-exposed creatures to in order to be able to identify any meaningful changes. Such an experiment may be closer to your daughter's interest, but would be more difficult to do well and more likely to result in an outcome that cannot be interpreted. The field measurement questions are much easier to ask and answer in a reasonable period of time, and the process of investigating them will give your daughter an introduction into how real science is done. Regards, Bob
Editor's Note: We are very sorry, but due to the overwhelmingly large volume, we are unable to respond to requests for help with homework or science projects. You will find a lot of background information if you visit a local college or university science library. Ask the librarian or your teacher how to do a literature search to find the information you need.

November 17, 1998
USA I live in the basement of my house, with the head of my bed directly under the circuit breaker box. I was advised by an electrician of the potential dangers associated with EMF radiation, sleeping as I do near both this power source and numerous water lines. I am wondering if I am in any immediate danger, or if study of the effects of household apliance generated EMFs is too inconclusive at this point to give me an accurate assesment of the situation. Any reply, however brief (even a simple "yes" or "no" would suffice) would be greatly appreciated, as my health is potentially at risk. Thank you very much.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Your simple question is actually rather complex given the uncertainty about health effects of low-level EMF exposures. Our web site, articles in the EMF Health Report, and the recent detailed review of the research contained in the NIEHS Working Group Report will give you some idea of the complexity of the issues you raise. In particular, there are some studies that suggest risk from appliance exposures and ground currents in the water lines, but these indications are relatively unreliable. It is fairly hard to get a good estimate of how much exposure a person gets from appliances, especially since the time period of interest is when diseases like cancer are forming, and that is often many years before diagnosis and field measurement. In general, the risk estimates based on proximity to power lines are stronger, and we don't know if that is real, a result of being able to get better long-term estimates of exposure, or related to some aspect of power lines that have nothing to do with EMF. To provide a simple answer to your question, (1) without measuring the field levels with a gauss meter it is hard to be sure, but it is likely that EMF levels at the head of your bed are likely to be significantly higher than in other parts of the room, (2) if your room arrangement allows you to move the position of your bed to a less exposed location, why not do it if you are concerned about possible risk. This approach has been formally proposed as "prudent avoidance," taking low or no cost approaches to reducing your personal exposure. If it turns out that there is no health risk at all from EMF exposure, you will have lost little or nothing by taking this action. Regards, Bob

November 16, 1998
USA In your 7 April 1995 answer to John Chu, you were unclear in what could be considered a safe distance to locate a home away from a high tension wire. He was considering a home 600 feet away from a power line. My understanding is that the exposure to emf goes down exponentially as you move away from an emf source. Thus, wouldn't 600 feet be a safe distance? Can you give the distance it would take to get down to a 1 or 2 mG exposure for a) the typical and b) the highest current carrying high tension wire towers? I have 4 year old triplets and we've been looking at a lot about 400-500 feet away from some large power towers. We currently live about 250 feet from towers, although they seem smaller than the ones in the new location. It's been over 3 years since your answer. Has any evidence emerged that would give a more definitive answer to the EMF question?
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Your basic understanding about how fields decrease with distance is correct and 600 feet should be far enough from most transmission lines to result in only minimal magnetic field level increases in the home, if any. However, I did not specify a "safe distance" for two reasons. First, background level magnetic fields are a reasonable assumption, but I would think that measurements, or at least a quantitative estimate based on modeling the line current, would be needed to be certain. Magnetic field levels depend on the current in the line not the voltage, and you would have to know how much peak current the particular line carries as well as the distance to estimate the actual magnetic field levels. Secondly, because of uncertainties in the research results I feel very uncomfortable calling any level below the shock hazard level safe or unsafe. For most people, finding levels that do not place the home much above the average residential levels from outside sources (about 1 mG) would be considered acceptable. I don't think the evidence from epidemiologic studies is sufficient to say that fields of 3 or 5 mG are dangerous, but neither do I feel confident that long-term hazards from this level of exposure can be completely ruled out. The results to date just don't provide enough information to clearly support either position. Even the most recent research has been interpreted in this ambiguous way. The National Cancer Institute study of childhood leukemia, for example, was described by the investigators and most press reports as indicating no harmful effects, yet there was a significant risk increase associated with measured exposures over 3 mG and indications of some problems in the completely negative wire code results. In our EMF Health Report we have made a major effort to try to explain the basis for the uncertainty and controversy in these epidemiologic studies as clearly and fairly as possible. We also try to provide readers with some understanding of the underlying bioeffects research. In your own case you may want to get measurements to determine the magnetic field level on your property rather than guessing based on line distance. Many utility companies will perform such measurements for their customers without charge. Once you have that information, you will have to decide for yourself if the levels are unreasonable based on what others are commonly exposed to and how convincing you find the indications of risk to be in the research. I feel that this is a personal decision based on one's own comfort level in view of the scientific uncertainty. Regards, Bob

November 16, 1998
Spain The station, which has several dishes, mainly receptors, at what distance what would be the effect, if any, produced by the radiation? Any information would be gratefully received as we have to make a decision by Tuesday 17 November. Many Thanks.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: I am not completely sure what sort of station you are concerned about from the limited information in your message, but if these are receiving stations for satellite communications there would be no electromagnetic emissions from the receiver at all. If these are a microwave communications point, the risk should be low because the microwaves are sent in a fairly directional way to the receiver. Even more widely broadcast signals are of minimal concern if the station you are near is a receiver: only broadcast sources (like TV and radio broadcast towers) have been raised as concerns, and the validity of even that concern has been strongly questioned. Regards, Bob

November 16, 1998
Argentina Hello from Argentina. I have the following question: My wife is pregnant and we are worried about the exposure of the growing baby to the EMF produced by our PC. I have a 586 with a Samsung Syncmaster 3 of 14". I need to know what would be the best thing to do. Until now she is avoiding the computer as much as possible (she almost doesn't use it at all), but I would like to know more about this subject, as most doctors don't say nothing about this to the pregnant women. Thank you very much.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: In the 1970s there was some concern raised about possible adverse effects (early abortions, fetal abnormalities) for women working with computer terminals. There was one fairly strong study from California that confirmed this concern, but many other studies showed no increased effect and supported the idea that the original observed "cluster" of adverse pregnancy outcomes among computer workers were a result of chance. In addition, newer computer monitors are producing lower levels of extremely low frequency magnetic fields so that they are no longer a very high source in the environment. Individual units do vary a lot, so I have no idea how strong the fields are from your Samsung relative to other available models (you could always get a gauss meter and measure it). In short, current research information suggests that while it is not possible to be absolutely sure VDTs are "safe" from an EMF standpoint, results suggest there are minimal if any effects from computer use. There are some well recognized ergonomic and stress factors with computer use in an occupational setting, but these have nothing to do with EMF. If your wife is concerned, you may want to avoid exposure just to avoid the concern, but there is not a strong scientific reason to fear for your health. This is one of those areas that can change as we get more information, so if you have concerns with EMF issues in general you might want to keep up with new developments on our web site or through our EMF Health Report publication. Regards, Bob

November 12, 1998
Uganda I would like information concerning the specific effect of EMF from high voltage electricity power lines on the health of people living under or near such lines. I am not able to subscribe to your EMF Health Report which I have seen on web because I am a student with no money. I will be very grateful if you send me the information.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Of course, since we are a small business without government support for our EMF activities I would like to encourage you to purchase our publications, but I understand your financial limitations. There is an extensive literature on possible health effects associated with transmission line exposure including occupational and residential epidemiologic studies, whole-animal studies, and basic laboratory research. When we reviewed the area a few years ago we used close to 1000 references. Our EMF Database, which covers bioeffects over the full EMF spectrum, has over 24,000 citations. Much of this information can be obtained at a good biomedical library, and the citations can be identified through a review paper or by searching a public database like Medline (it can be searched without charge). A good place to begin your review is with the reports produced by the US EMF RAPID Program, especially the recent Working Group Report which provides a complete and fairly up-to-date summary. A copy of the report, as a PDF document, is available without charge over the internet. Regards, Bob

November 11, 1998
USA My problem is in my office where there was arc welding work done recently. Since that time my monitor has been 'messed up' and not usable. We have had some help in this problem and have discovered a noticeable DC magnetic field in my office. What are any hazards health-wise and data-wise in this situation? The plan is remove and 'degauss' all of my metal furniture in my office. What about the metal in the walls, could they require degaussing as well? I am very concerned about health related issues and data integrity issues. Are there any health issues that I should be aware of so that I should be removed from this office space? Is my PC safe and what about my diskettes and tapes that I have stored in my office? My monitor seems to be permanently damaged, as well. I am a systems analyst and am responsible for an enormous amount of data. Losing any of it would be devastating. Thanks for your time.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: If I understand the situation correctly, you suspect that high magnetic fields produced during the welding operations magnetized steel structures in your office and disrupted your computer monitor. I doubt the welding was a cause, because such effects are usually produced by a very large large static (DC) magnetic field not an AC arc welder. That large a field could also wipe out your hard drive and magnetic diskettes in the office. You didn't indicate how strong the magnetic fields are in the office, and that would be critical to answer your questions about problems with data, etc. DC fields and degaussing operations are, of course, dangerous to data on magnetic storage medium: if you put a diskette under a refrigerator magnet then try to read the data on it you will see what I mean. I have seen situations where structural steel beams in a building distorted the color and shifted the image on a monitor. The test, and cure, is to move the monitor away from the walls and see if the image changes (the effect is temporary and there is no damage to the monitor). The mass of steel, magnetized or not, would distort magnetic fields in the area and therefore disrupt the monitor image. One way of checking for structural steel (other than looking at the building plans) is to get a compass and move it along the wall, looking for abrupt needle movements. A larger magnetic field can misalign the electron guns in a TV or monitor, and that is repaired by adjusting the alignment. Degaussing would not harm anything, but I doubt it would solve the problem. In general, static fields are not considered as biologically active, at least at modest field strengths, as time-varying fields. Beyond that generalization, it is hard to say much about health risks, especially without knowing what field levels you are getting in your office. We have a great deal of information on the health issues on our web site and I could suggest some basic material if you are interested. Regards, Bob

November 10, 1998
Mexico I work as a professor for a private university in Monterrey Nuevo Leon Mexico, and I am doing research on the HEALTH EFFECTS OF HUMAN EXPOSURE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS GENERATED BY HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES NEAR OUR RESIDENCES. Do you have any information about this? What are the regulations or specifications you follow to know what is the safe distance between electrical installations (substations electrical plants and power lines) and our houses? How could we convince to our government to follow the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance? How could we stop at least a little, the irrational increase of electrical installations near our homes? Monterrey is an industrial city and we have serious problems with electrical installations in residences zones too near our houses. There are several groups rejecting against this. We are not against the industrial progress we only want to live in peace and healthy, what could we do? We do not want to live surrounded so many electrical installations so near our families.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: There is an extensive literature on possible health effects associated with transmission line exposure including occupational and residential epidemiologic studies, whole-animal studies, and basic laboratory research. When we reviewed the area a few years ago we used close to 1000 references. Our EMF Database, which covers bioeffects over the full EMF spectrum, has over 24,000 citations. A good place to begin your review is with the reports produced by the US EMF RAPID Program, especially the recent Working Group Report which provides a complete and fairly up-to-date summary. A copy of the report, as a PDF document, is available without charge over the internet at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/home.htm. As you formulate more specific questions, you may want to take advantage of some of our services. Our bimonthly newsletter, the EMF Health Report, contains a great deal of information on your area of interest and some of the back issues would provide you with an excellent summary of recent research. We can also do a search of our EMF Database on electromagnetic field bioeffects research, and report for you on what has been done on a particular topic area, such as exposure guidelines established by international agencies. This database contains original detailed summaries of research reports written by our scientific staff that provide virually all of the detail you need for understanding EMF research studies and their significance. The cost for this is $325.00 for the search and the first 25 abstracts, plus $2.00 per abstract for additional abstracts. Most clients establish a maximum number of abstracts (and cost) before doing the search, and send in payment with a detailed description of what they are interested in to initiate an EMF Database search. Let me know if we can assist you in this. Regards, Bob
Reply to Dr. Robert Goldberg from Mexican Reader: Dear Dr. Goldberg, Thank you very much for your answer. It is very important for us all this information, I will check it carefully, and of course I will buy the abstracts you mentioned in your mail, but I would like to be sure that it is the information we need. Would you please explain to me what should I do to take advantage of your services. Should I fill in a written form? Should I give you the specifications about the information I need? Please let me know. Cordially.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Most of the basic services are listed on our EMF-Link web site. Under the "EMF Health Report" button you can find a listing of all the articles published in back issues and decide which issues you might want in particular. For a general introduction to what is happening now in the research, you might want to initiate a Health Report subscription starting with the first issue of 1998: that will give you a summary of developments with the end of the EMF RAPID program (the US federal government program to evaluate possible health hazards associated with transmission and use of electric power). The BENER Digest Update contains a selection of detailed research summaries from the literature going into our EMF Database (about half of the new material going into the database also appears in the print publication). This publication is more complete and has more technical detail than the health report and is intended for people with a professional interest in the subject. A database search would make sense if you want to research a particular subject, such as the standards and guidelines you mentioned. Our publications can be ordered on line at the web site, or you can print out order forms and mail a check if you would rather not submit credit card information over the internet. If you want to do a database search, we should discuss in more detail exactly what kind of information will be useful to you. Usually with a search, we establish an account of $400.00-$500.00 and bill against it. For example, we can send an initial batch of 25 abstracts, let you review them, revise the search to better meet your needs, and send you a final output (of, for example, 100 abstracts) within the cost of a single search. If this is a new subject area for you, I suggest you start with the EMF Health Report and the RAPID Working Group Report. If I can be of additional help please let me know. Regards, Bob

November 10, 1998
USA I am seeking some professional advice. We have put a deposit on some land in Vermont which has a primary power line running through it. According to Central Vermont Public Service Corporation this is a "46kV transmission line originally constructed in 1929 and substantially reconstructed in the 1980's." "CVPSC has no plans for upgrading the line, but such an upgrade, perhaps to 115kV, is certainly possible within the tranmission sytem of Vermont." My wife is concerned about the potential health hazards of such a line which would be within 300 feet of the home. We have two weeks to make a decision. Based on the voltage of the current line, and the upgraded line - (in your professional opinion) is there a health risk we should be concerned with? Thank you in advance for your help.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Basic background information on the possible health effects associated with transmission line exposures has been summarized in a publication from the US EMF RAPID Program. You might want to look at their "Questions and Answers About EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electrical Power" booklet in full text on our website or available by mail (call 1-800-363-2383 to request a copy). It is hard to be sure from your description exactly how much exposure you might expect from the transmission line on the land you are considering. Generally, people are concerned with magnetic fields, which depend on the current going through the line rather than the voltage. The intensity of the magnetic field should decrease very rapidly as you move away from the line. You may be able to get an estimate of magnetic field levels directly around the line from the Vermont utility company, or you could have measurements made on your land with a gauss meter to map the field distribution. Keep in mind that measurements will be valid for the use of the line at the time of measurement: if you can pick a time of peak electricity usage you will get a better idea of the maximum field levels. Given the usual load on a 45 kV line, or even a 115 kV line, you are not likely to have very high magnetic field levels at a distance of 300 feet, but of course your potential exposure depends on where "within 300 feet" you are planning to build. Once you have an idea of the exposure, you will have to decide what sort of health risk it represents and what risk you are willing to accept. There is a great deal of debate on this topic and the research is ambiguous regarding effects of low-level exposures. Our bimonthly newsletter, the EMF Health Report, contains a great deal of information on your area of interest and some of the back issues would provide you with an excellent summary of recent research. In specific, I addressed the question of deciding about power lines near a prospective home in a feature article entitled "THREE COMMON QUESTIONS FROM THE REAL WORLD: ONE SCIENTIST'S ANSWERS" in the volume 5 number 5 issue (September/October 1996). This article is also available for individual purchase over the web at http://infoventures.com/web_store/web_store.cgi. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase and there are magnetic fields associated with the line at your homesite, you may want to use the EMF Health Report and our web site to keep up on the latest developments in EMF health effects research. Regards, Bob

October 26, 1998
USA I was recently approached by a person trying to interest me in becoming a Nikken products distributor. The presentation was very impressive, but I do not want to deal in a product that may have negative side effects on individuals. In your research have you discovered whether or not the Nikken magnetic products have any negative effects on healthy individuals? If so, could you please e-mail me and tell your findings so I can make a positive decision.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: The static magnetic fields produced by medical magnetic products have not received a great deal of attention and there are a limited number of research reports that directly answer your question about safety. In general, most of the adverse health effects identified in epidemiologic studies (like cancer) are associated with time-varying fields, while the field from magnets are mostly constant (or very, very low frequency due to motion of the magnet on the body). At the same time, there are only a few studies that suggest the magnets can have any positive effect either: in particular a couple of recent studies that indicate a potential application in blocking pain. If you are thinking about this as a business, you may want to look into the research in more detail. We maintain a database on electromagnetic field bioeffects research, and can do a search and report for you on what has been done. The cost for this is $325.00 for the search and the first 25 abstracts, plus $2.00 per abstract for additional abstracts. Most clients establish a maximum number of abstracts (and cost) before doing the search, and send in payment with a detailed description of what they are interested in to initiate an EMF Database search. Let me know if we can assist you in this. Regards, Bob

October 3, 1998
USA If the computer monitor in my office continually flickers, and my office is located right inside the wall where the electric wires enter our building, is this a cause for concern for my health. How can I have my office checked for EMF? Thanks.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Magnetic field effects on video display terminals (VDTs) usually appear as jitter (a vibration of the image) rather than flickering, and occasionally as a shape distortortion also. Flicker is usually a result of not having a high enough scan rate (newer monitors and video cards can be set to 72 Hz or higher to avoid flicker). Try changing the location of your monitor to be sure it is not a problem with the monitor itself. If your VDT problems are the result of magnetic fields from the 60-Hz magnetic fields in the incoming power line, it is possible to shield the monitor but usually the best solution is just to move it away from that point because the fields drop off very rapidly with distance. Regards, Bob

September 16, 1998
USA I am aware of the EMF and ELF issues, but I'm not sure what you mean by "magnetic field/s" per se, such as in these titles found at your website: Occupationally Related Magnetic Field Exposure And Male Subfertility, or Magnetic Brain Stimulation: Safety Studies, or Residential Exposure To Magnetic Fields And Risk of Canine Lymphoma, or Sensitivity of The Human Brain To Magnetic Fields: Evocation of Epileptiform Activity. My interest is related to the fact that I am currently looking into "magnetic therapy" -- i.e., using magnets to help with pain, arthritis, and so forth, such as magnets worn on the body or made into mattress pads and blankets. Also I have questions about gauss. What's considered 'safe' or 'ideal' as opposed to unsafe or dangerous? For example, I would imagine (tho' I don't know this) that living within, say, a mile or so of your basic mile-long superconductor may not be 'ideal.'
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Your question opens up a large subject. We cover the biological effects of electromagnetic fields over the full frequency spectrum. The research items you refer to relate to very different forms of electromagnetic fields, ranging from radiofrequency (in the gigahertz and megahertz range) down to power frequency (60 hertz in our country; one hertz (Hz) is one cycle per second). Therapy of the type I think you are describing is usually done with fixed magnets producing a static field (i.e., no Hz, except for some very low frequency signals, less than a Hz or so, that would be produced by the movement of the magnets around your body). None of the papers you mention are concerned with static fields. We have discussed a few papers in our EMF Health Report on the use of static magnetic fields to treat pain, but there has been surprisingly little solid research done on the effectiveness of these magnetic treatments in spite of the fact that it is a major industry, especially in Pacific rim countries. Safe levels of EMF exposure is a controversial area, and there is no easy answer. You might want to start by getting a copy of the government's booklet "Questions and Answers About EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electrical Power" (1-800-363-2383 to order a print copy). Keep in mind that this document refers only to power frequency EMF. Our EMF Health Report also discusses the latest research on power frequency EMF hazards, but also goes into basic effects and medical applications for EMF exposure at other frequencies. If you find you have an ongoing interest in this subject, back issues may provide you with more detailed information in your particular area of interest (there is a contents listing on our web site) and a subscription would be a good way to keep up with new developments.

September 16, 1998
France I just found your web site in search for an answer to a question I had about EMF. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find an answer. Maybe, because this question is unanswerable. My question is: I have recently bought a house which is in a forest area with no surrounding power lines, pylons, or cell phone towers. There is however a high power transformer located on the adjacent lot. The closest distance between this and the house is 100 feet. I was wondering if there is "considered safe" distance from such a transformer. Do you feel I should have concerns over this? I would greatly appreciate it if you could answer any of these questions for me.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: Your question is one of frequent concern for which there is no simple answer. Concern has been raised about exposure to power frequency magnetic fields (the type of EMF exposure you may be getting from the transformer), but the evidence for any harmful effects is not clear and there is no way at present of establishing safe or unsafe levels of exposure based on concerns about long-term hazards like cancer. You could make some measurements to determine if you are being exposed to magnetic fields that are higher than average (about 1 milligauss (mG) for exposure to power distribution sources for the average US home). Transformers produce high field levels but they drop off very rapidly as you move away from the transformer. You may well find that the field levels on your property show no effect from the transformer. You could start by getting a copy of the government's booklet "Questions and Answers About EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electrical Power" (1-800-363-2383 to order a print copy). This document discusses the basis for concern about power frequency EMF, but was produced in 1995 so it is not quite up to date on the latest research. Our EMF Health Report discusses the latest research on power frequency EMF hazards, and also goes into basic effects and medical applications for EMF exposure at other frequencies. If you find you have an ongoing interest in this subject, a subscription would be a good way to keep up with new developments.

September 15, 1998
USA A new type of device for treating infants with high bilirubin counts has been introduced into the US market. Unlike, the inert fiberoptic blankets introduced in the past decade, this BiliBed uses a fluourescent tube directly underneath the baby and transmits the light through a piece of diffusing plastic. The ballast which powers the tube is only several inches from the baby. Is this a problem?
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: It is likely that any transformer or ballast will produce a strong magnetic field, and that field level will drop off rapidly with distance. Several inches is fairly close and, with conventional fluorescent fixtures, could easily result in fields at the hundreds of milligauss level. I cannot say if this is a health problem, but it is the type of exposure that believers in "prudent avoidance" would want to limit if there is an easy way to do so. By the way, we have some papers in our EMF Database indicating that there are other high magnetic field sources in incubators, primarily from electric heating coils and the fan motors that move warm air around the infants.
Reader Reply to Dr. Goldberg What levels would you guesstimate as being problematic? Also, are there any given frequencies which might be worse than others? I understand that the acceptable levels of exposure to EMF in the USSR (before the down fall) was significantly less than in the US, by a magnitude of 100. Do you know if there is any translated Russian literature which addresses some of these issues?
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: At this point any conclusions about possibly harmful levels would be pure speculation. We could say that anything above 10-20 mG would be unusual for a personal exposure over long periods of time (in the sense of being higher than average), but I could not say if it would represent a health problem. The Eastern standards of EMF exposure you refer to were over the whole frequency range and the differences were more substantial at the microwave/radiofrequency end of the spectrum. Basically, the USSR adopted standards based on some suggestions of neurological effects and depression/inattention that were not confirmed by Western scientists. We have some interesting documents in our database that indicate standards in the USSR as of 1989 that were lower than ours but, at their 50-Hz power frequency were still well above what you might expect for incubator exposures (e.g., 40 G (40,000 mG) for whole-body exposure, but this was to be applied to adult workers). Recent (1996) standards for the city of Moscow are extremely low by Western standards (e.g., 3 uW/cm2 (300 MHz-300 GHz)), but it is not clear if they are being enforced and there is no discussion of the scientific basis for these standards in the documents we have. We have this literature but it is not translated: we had a Russian scientist write detailed English language summaries of the content for our EMF Database records.

August 12, 1998
USA I was wondering if you had any information concerning why Fieldcrest Cannon, one of the largest distributors of electric blankets and pads, closed down their electric bedding division a few years back. Many years ago I attended a demonstration of one of their king size electric mattress pads that had been manufactured with two non-polarized cord plugs going into the wall. When one side of the pad was plugged in in reverse polarity, it allowed one side of the pad to be energized with the other side remaining as a ground. The result of this unusual configuration created a measured electric current of .2 M/A at 70 volts AC between two persons lying on the pad. I didn't think much about this for quite a while until U.L., without explaination, revised UL 964 to suddenly require polarized plugs on electric bedding equipment. I also noted that the FDA issued a warning about this specific occurance. A few years after that I heard that Fieldcrest had closed down the electric bedding division. I was just wondering what exactly had happened.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: I do not know in specific about Fieldcrest, but the situation you describe was a common feature of electric blanket design. The non-polarized plug caused the blanket to generate a field when the blanket was turned on or off if the switch was at the end of the circuit, but no field if the switch was at the start of the circuit and the blanket was off (these alternative conditions depending on which prong of the plug was inserted in the hot side of the socket). This situation was characteristic of all electric appliances and was one of the safety reasons that the polarized plug was introduced (intended to reduce electric shock hazard and risk of fire if the insulation shorted out when the appliance was off). Another issue was the placement of the heating wires: the magnetic field exposure from an appliance can be greatly reduced by running out of phase wires close together so that the magnetic fields cancel. This can be easily done with no loss of heating ability or efficiency by changing the placement of wires in a blanket. These modifications have been made to newer electric blankets and are the features that allow the bedding suppliers to label new blankets as "low emission" models. As you point out these low emission blankets have greatly reduced magnetic fields but the electric field exposure is still relatively high for a person using them while they are heating. I don't know if this had anything to do with Fieldcrest discontinuing their electric bedding: you would have to ask them about it.

August 9, 1998
Singapore I was very pleased to find your web site, but feel very anxious and confused about my family's situation. We live in Singapore in a rather nice neighborhood, but after we moved into our rented house we discovered that there was a substation on our property that powers the entire street (as best as we can surmise). This is in fact very close to our home. Should we be worried? I have 2 young children who play basketball within 20 feet of the substation. I read many articles from your site, but didn't seem to find specific material related to power substations. I would greatly appreciate any comments from you.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: If you have looked at our Web site or read other information you probably know that the issue of EMF health effects is not well resolved and it would be very hard for anyone to honestly suggest that there is a particular safe EMF exposure level or clear reason for concern if the levels are above a certain level. Substations tend to be sources of relatively high magnetic field levels, but the fields decrease quite rapidly as you move away from the substation and the major lines coming into and from it. In the US, in-building substations are a source of relatively high magnetic field levels in adjacent rooms or the floor above, but rarely much further away. You may find, therefore, that the substation has very little effect in your living area and on the area where your children are playing. What you can do if you are concerned about the issue is to be sure you are not being exposed to unusually high levels of EMF. In the US, about 1 milligauss is the average exposure from external power lines and other power distribution sources, but this is a residential average nationwide and it can be somewhat higher in dense urban areas. You could have a utility engineer or private inspector walk around your rented house area and make measurements near and around the substation to determine where on the property the levels fall off to background. You should also keep in mind that magnetic field levels are determined by the amount of current going through a line or substation, so the magnetic field will vary at different times of the day and different seasons depending on electricity use. If the substation really does serve your neighborhood, you should plan measurements to coincide with heavy use when people are home in the evening or weekend. If that is not practical, you should get a sense from the utility company how typical the levels you measure are, that is, how use at the time you make the measurements compares with peak usage so you can calculate the likely fields at a time of relatively high electricity usage to get a sense of the maximum fields. If you want to learn more about the health issues regarding EMF I would suggest you obtain the information booklets from the federal EMF RAPID Program (1-800 363-2383) and, of course, I can recommend our EMF Health Report (described on the web site).

August 6, 1998
Southwestern USA We are looking at 22 acres of land on which to build a house. There are power lines which run down one side of the property. We are wondering what a "safe" distance would be to build our house from these large power lines. Please respond as quickly as possible. We are trying to decide if we should buy the land at all. We have a 9 year old son and a 6 year old daughter.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: If you have looked at our Web site or read other information you probably know that the issue of EMF health effects is not well resolved and it would be very hard for anyone to honestly suggest that there is a particular "safe distance" or field level. All you can do, if you are concerned about the issue, is to be sure you are not being exposed to unusually high levels of EMF. Nationally, about 1 milligauss is the average exposure from external power lines and other power distribution sources. You could have a utility engineer or private inspector walk over the land and make measurements near and around the line to determine where on the property the levels fall off to background. You should also keep in mind that magnetic field levels are determined by the amount of current going through the line, so the magnetic field around a line will vary at different times of the day and different seasons depending on electricity use. You should therefore get a sense from the utility company how typical the levels you measure are likely to be and/or measure the fields at a time of relatively high electricity usage to get a sense of the maximum fields. If you want to learn more about the health issues regarding EMF I would suggest you obtain the information booklets from the federal EMF RAPID Program (1-800 363-2383) and, of course, I can recommend our EMF Health Report (described on the web site). Good luck with your home plans.

July 28, 1998
Nashville, TN, USA I could use a little help, I live in a central Nashville, TN neighborhood where they are trying to put a 167kv line through our yards. We just found out and we are trying to slow the process before they vote on a route in 2 weeks. They have granted a public hearing on the topic the day before the vote but I have no sustantial research on hand to bring before the review board. As a matter of fact, I have received a great deal of conflicting hearsay on the subject of high power lines and health. Despite the hightened awareness of the last few years regarding the topic, a lawyer in town recently told me that there was a definitive study, the most authoritative to date, that debunked or at least cast doubt upon the theories of possible links between health risks and high power lines. I have also heard that there is a government study due in September, 1998 that is likely to reverse the aformentioned authoritative study and place blame a little closer to the power pole. Can you point me in the right direction? Do you know about the 'authoritative study?' Where can I find it? Have you heard if there is a new study coming out? Is it possible that the result of that study could be partially known already? Do you know of a lawyer or group that could help us in helping outr neighborhood? With a little information presented at the public hearing, we may be able to get a delay in ground-breaking but we will then need the help of an engineer and/or a lawyer to fight the case based on condemnation laws or the like. Or is there someone else you can refer me to that might have a little advice?
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: You have indeed opened a large topic, and I'll try to help you with a piece of it. As you can probably tell from our EMF-Link web site, there is conflicting evidence on possible adverse health effects of EMF exposure and almost all scientists who are informed in the area agree that there is no clear answer at present. The "authoritative study" suggesting no adverse effects is likely to be a reference to the recent series of National Cancer Institute reports on childhood leukemia. The authors of these studies concluded there is no significant risk with exposure to EMFs either from power lines or appliances, but many of the risk estimates were statistically signficant and some scientists feel that these studies should be correctly interpreted as indicating a risk. In any case, this was one study among approximately two hundred residential and occupational studies, and one study, no matter how good, cannot provide a complete answer. The government report you have heard about is probably the review being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Department of Energy for a report to Congress on the EMF RAPID Program. An advisory committee of experts concluded that EMF was a "possible human carcinogen," based on the same evidence other committees have reviewed (updated of course by the latest results). The press treated that conclusion as vastly different from, for example, the conclusion of the National Academy of Sciences review which said there is "no conclusive and consistent evidence to show that exposures to residential electric and magnetic fields produce cancer, adverse neurobehavioral effects, or reproductive and developmental effects." Actually, the thinking about the evidence was very similar and the conclusions differed because of the criteria applied to the decision. In our EMF Health Report we attempt to provide clear and objective analysis of the science behind this controversial area in a form that is understandable to people outside the specialized EMF research area. We also have detailed summaries of the reports I have mentioned on our web site (available for purchase) which, while more technically detailed, will provide you or a lawyer with a clear idea of what is going on in the research. On a less detailed level, I can recommend the EMF RAPID publications reviewing the research which are available without charge from the RAPID informtion line (1-800-363-2383). I hope this provides you with a starting point for understanding this area.

July 16, 1998
Winnipeg, Canada Hello, I am a Red River College student participating at the NRC (IBD) in Winnipeg and I have chosen to write an essay on effects of MRI on tattoos. Would you please help me? I know MRI is a new technology and tattoo information is minimal, but I heard of someone having a reaction to a 3T magnet. I want to know more and I am having a hard time finding any information. Would you know of anyone I could contact ? How about books, articles, journals or case studies that I could read up on? Information on how the skin reacts, how the ferromagnetic materials in the ink react to to magnetic field, and ink types that could react and ones that won't. Any thing would be helpful!
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: You have hit on a very strange topic. I know of only one paper on the subject, probably the one you heard of: MRI INTERACTION WITH TATTOO PIGMENTS: CASE REPORT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND MANAGEMENT. Kreidstein, M. L.; Giguere, D.; Freiberg, A., Div. of Plastic Surgery, Dept. of Surgery, Toronto Hosp., Ontario, Canada; Div. of Plastic Surgery, Scarborough Grace Hosp., 3030 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough, Ontario M1W 3W3, Canada (RR/M.L.K.), Plast Reconstr Surg 99(6):1717-1720, 1997. They claimed heating (from the radiofrequency field) and magnetic movement of the excised skin but it is physically suspect because there would have to be so much metallic pigment in the tattoo that it would appear shiny. You might want to contact the investigators for more details. Regards, Bob

June 27, 1998
Staten Island, NY, USA The material I have found on your web page is good for our Intermediate School's physical science program. Our school will be hooked up to Internet by next school year and hope to guide our students to your web site to find out about the possible hazards of EMF fields. I have a suggestion about changing the color scheme; green is not showing a sufficient contrast for easy reading.
Reply from Dr. Chaim Dworkin: Our web site uses mostly black lettering on a white or grey backgound. We do not use extravagant colors or special coding in order to allow all our users to access our site easily. If you are seeing colors that don't go well together, especially green, which we do not use, I suggest looking at your graphics card or monitor to see that they are working properly.

May 26, 1998
Falls City, NE I'm a 32 year old female, 4 months pregnant. I am very concerned about my pregnancy/child health. I'm worried about EMF/VDT exposure. I've read alot of studies etc. which all seem to deal with 1 computer terminal and 20 hrs a week exposure/work. I feel my situation is extremely different. I work 40hrs a week in a Law Enforcement Office, with no scheduled breaks during my 8hr shift, if you have time you may take a potty/lunch break, but can't leave the office. Some days the entire 8 hours is spent in your cubicle without leaving. Our cubicle is 5' X 7' in a enclosed rectangle shape, and I can't distance myself whatsoever from all the equipment that surrounds me. On a daily basis I'm completely surrounded by: 5 computers/monitors, 4 printers, 3 radios, 3 phones, 1 T.V., 3 Encoders, and 8 Other Miscellaneous electric devices. Do I have reason to worry? Where can I get more specific information, have mearsurements etc.?
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: The issue you raise, concern about effects on a fetus from office EMF sources, was the subject of some research and interest following reports of spontaneous abortion clusters among women working with VDTs at newspaper offices and other locations. After several larger scale human studies, including a study of telephone operators conducted by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the possibility of such health risks seems to be much less than it initially appeared to be. Epidemiologic studies of birth defects associated with electric blanket use have also generally indicated little or no effect. Laboratory mouse studies in Scandinavia that originally suggested a very high level of abnormalities or early fetal loss with VDT-like fields have also not shown the same high rate when they were repeated, and current thinking is there may have been an interaction with a virus which increased fetal loss in certain strains of animals but not in most.

The bottom line is that reproductive hazards are not seen as a very likely EMF effect at this time. Older articles might tend to give you the impression of a greater hazard. Experts still differ however on how much they consider it a possibility, and, of course, it is always very hard to completely rule out any effect based on the very limited research effort that has been devoted to EMF.

There are measures you could take to limit your exposure, but the easiest is to put a greater distance between you and the magnetic field sources, which might be difficult in such a small cubicle. It is hard to imagine palcing so many computer work stations in a 5' x 7' area. You could get an inexpensive magnetic field meter and map the fields in your work area to distance yourself as much as possible, or talk with your office about moving to a less electrically dense area during your pregnancy. There is little solid scientific information to justify concern, but there is also an unknown factor and many people make a personal decision that they would rather not take a chance.

If you want to learn more about the issue, the EMF Health Report is designed to explain the science behind the concerns in a clear and objective way. You can also get general information on power frequency EMF concerns from the EMF RAPID information line at 1-800-363-2383.

March 4, 1998
United Kingdom Do you have any information or contact details for a firm called Symtonic which is using radio waves to treat insomnia? I understand that Dr. Boris Pasche is involved in this research.
Reply from Dr. Robert Goldberg: We have a dozen papers in our EMF Database by Pasche (including meeting abstracts). An example is a 1996 article published in the journal Sleep, Volume 19, Issue 4, pages 327-336 entitled "Effects Of Low Energy Emission Therapy In Chronic Psychophysiological Insomnia." You can contact Dr. Pasche directly by writing to Symtonic USA, Inc., Suite 239 East, 500 East 77th St., New York, NY 10162.

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