New Study Helps Understanding of EMF
Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure has been a hot topic in recent years. The rise of court cases claiming that WiFi makes people sick has forced scientists to consider conditions such as electromagnetic hypersensitivity and attempt to get to the bottom of it.
A new study was launched in order to dispel fears and help the understanding of EMF and whether or not EMF shielding is necessary.
The EU-funded LEXNET project has been conducted over the last three years and finally concluded this October. The researchers looked at public perception of EMF and then did work to figure out if there was a factual basis there. To do this, they created an index of Europeans, and then assessed exposure levels versus attitude and belief.
The study’s findings will significantly impact coming decisions of Europe’s policy makers — the findings will allow them to set and optimize rules on EMF. Researchers also hope that the findings will help to better inform the public of where real danger lies.
While there are limits and rules in place to protect the public already, many believe that they are not enough given the changes in technology in recent years. For example, about 70% of those responding to a Eurobarometer survey say they believe their cell phone affects their health.
One of the biggest and most shocking findings of the LEXNET project, however, was that it’s not cell phones we should be especially worried about. In fact, mobile phones were consistently one of the lesser exposure sources.
So what was the biggest source? According to researchers, it’s a WLAN-connected laptop.
From their findings, researchers suggested that people invest in what could be a market for developing low-exposure technology. They say it has huge potential, while also helping the public.
For those who are worried about their own EMF risks, many say EMF shielding products can help protect against these effects.
“We are grateful that LEXNET is creating an Exposure Index (EI) that will provide EMF safety standards for future safer cellular network architecture as well as demonstrate the true impact of EMF exposure to human biology,” says Virginia B. Brown, Occupational Therapist, President, BioElectric Shield Co. “If the EI becomes available worldwide, individuals can demonstrate to doctors that their medical issues are real, and that EMF protection should be a reimbursable expense on all health care plans.”
Researchers with the LEXNET project also say that people place far too much fear in far field exposure like cell phone towers without considering the bigger exposure levels from things like their laptops. They also figured out one key thing about the perception of EMF: it is highly dependent on social factors and demographics.
This study goes a long way in developing hard evidence of EMF risks. Many of those who do not believe EMF is dangerous point to the lack of scientific evidence, so this study will hopefully the first of many to provide this evidence they’re seeking.
