Relay antennas, cordless telephone, Wireless, baby monitor, radio, television, remote control of the decoder or other electrical devices of all kinds in operation… We live in the midst of electromagnetic waves. They are invisible, imperceptible, but have invaded our daily lives.
These waves are vibrations. They are said to be electromagnetic because they contain both an electric field and a magnetic field. They are characterized by the number of vibrations they make per second, this is the frequency, measured in Hertz (see box). They propagate in space, and carry information. Thanks to them, we can telephone, surf the Internet, etc.
Frequencies
In everyday language, we hear about low or high frequencies, but these are not scientific data.
• Low frequencies are scientifically called extremely low frequencies: they range from 1 hertz (noted Hz) to 10 kHz (= 1000 Hz). These are the waves used by electricity, household appliances.
• High frequencies are radio waves. They are scientifically called radio frequencies if they range from 10 kHz to 300 MHz (= 300,000,000 Hz): these are the waves of FM radio, TV. And they are called microwaves or microwaves for those that go from 300 MHz to 300 GHz (= 300,000,000,000 Hz): these are the waves of mobile phones, relay antennas, Wi-Fi, cordless DECT phones at home, from the microwave oven.
What do we know about their possible harmfulness?
For now, “there is no scientific certainty. But the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the electromagnetic waves as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. This, in view of certain epidemiological studies showing an over-risk of brain cancer among heavy mobile phone users. The risks are linked to the thermal effects of telephones: there is an increase in temperature at the level of the head when you make a call”, explains Dr Pierre Souvet, president of the association Santé Environnement France, which also brings together of 2,500 doctors, all very concerned about this subject.
“More recent studies have also revealed biological effects with electromagnetic waves. For example, last year, a study conducted by Ineris (National Institute for the Industrial Environment and Risks) on rats showed that they would disrupt energy balance functions such as sleep, regulation body temperature and food intake”, continues the doctor.
What health impact to fear in the long term?
“Epidemiological studies indicate three risks: leukemia (cancer of blood cells), lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system, part of the immune system), and glioma (malignant tumor of the brain): this was mentioned in the report published in 2009 by L’Afsset, French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (now ANSES). Studies reported by the military (“Precis of aeronautical and space medicine”) also describe the “microwave syndrome or disease” bringing together a set of disorders (neurological, hormonal, immune)”, underlines Pierre Le Ruz , European expert on electromagnetic waves and President of the Center for Independent Research and Information on Electromagnetic Radiation (Criirem).
The 2012 Bio-initiative report provided new data on the harmfulness of electromagnetic fields and wireless technologies. “This report reviewed more than 1,800 new scientific studies. It concerns both electromagnetic frequencies emitted by electrical lines and wiring, as well as wireless technologies: mobile and cordless telephones, Wi-Fi, laptops, baby monitors and other electronic devices. This report also highlights the risk of glioma with mobile and wireless phones, but also a risk for spermatozoa (DNA damage and reduced fertility) with Wi-Fi laptops and computers; a risk of autism in children with wireless technologies, as well as a risk for the brain development of the fetus during pregnancy,” notes Dr. Souvet.
On the side of standards
Exposure to electromagnetic waves is measured in volts per meter or V/m.
In France, the emission standard for these waves to avoid a thermal effect varies between 28 and 87 V/m, depending on the frequencies to which one is exposed: for example 28 V/m for FM, TV; 61 V/m for 3G or 4G, Wi-Fi… “Standards that are far too high, especially since the Council of Europe recommends 0.6 V/m for long-term exposures , and that the majority of other countries have much lower standards than ours,” says Dr. Souvet.
On average in our homes, our exposure is 1 V/m. But who says average, sometimes says much more. Sure thing, it should never reach 3 V/m. However, we have already noted black spots at more than 7 V/m…
