With countries like Germany and France already encouraging people to avoid wireless technology, David Packman discusses why a proactive consciousness is required to balance the benefits with the potential adverse health effects.
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From the discovery of the light bulb to the advent of the smartphone, technology has continued to evolve at a rapid pace, simplifying and enhancing our lives in many wonderful ways. But just like anything in life, there is a delicate balance that must be constantly maintained – a yin and yang of which we must always remain conscious. It has been said that mankind has the knowledge to create but not always the wisdom to use.
In the case of technology, while the benefits are enormous, the subtle – and sometimes not so subtle – impact on our health and wellbeing is often overlooked.
Centuries ago, the human body was seen as nothing more than a collection of parts that operated independently to maintain health. The mind was barely considered and the environment – and its impact on us – even less. Later we came to understand that there is an energy matrix that underpins the entire physical world and realised the importance of how that intimately relates to us.
In essence, one side effect of technology is the increase in electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Naturally occurring electromagnetic fields (EMF) make life on earth possible, however, manmade EMR at much higher energy levels is now increasing rapidly. In fact, in the past 60 years, our exposure to manmade EMR has increased by a multiple of 1020 above original background radiation[1].
As Dr Robert O Becker, orthopedic surgeon and leading researcher in bioelectricity has stated, “I have no doubt in my mind that at the present time, the greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields.”
Today, EMR issues can be broken down into three different groups, radio frequencies (microwave radiation), electromagnetic fields and dirty electricity:
— Microwave radiation from radio frequencies emit from mobile phones, cordless phones, wireless modems, wireless games consoles, satellite TV, microwave ovens, mobile phone towers, smart meters, Bluetooth devices and much more.
— Electromagnetic fields occur wherever electricity flows. Sources include power lines, electrical wiring and the motors in electrical appliances.
— Finally, ‘dirty electricity’ results when electronic devices convert alternating (AC) power to direct (DC) power. Electronic devices that create dirty electricity include low voltage lighting and dimmer switches, chargers, CFL bulbs and smart meters.
When you consider that a subtle outer electrical field surrounds the entire human body and that every system inside us also runs on electricity – from the production of our cells, to the regulation of our heartbeat and even our ability to lift our arm or pull up a memory – we begin to understand the connection we have to the environment and why we are so susceptible to these manmade influences.
Our own electrics are incredibly sensitive, much more so than that of a mobile phone, for example. We also make very good conductors, so the impact of external radiation sources like these can be profound in disturbing the normal functioning of our body. It’s a bit like a car radio producing static – that’s just a dissonant wavelength in the surrounding environment causing the radio to be unable to produce a clear signal.
It’s interesting to note that Wi-Fi signals are pulsed at the exact same rate as your brain in a relaxed awake state. This alpha brainwave state is also the same rate as natural Schumann Resonance – part of our planet’s electromagnetic field and often called the earth’s heartbeat. Is it any wonder Wi-Fi is so disruptive to our delicate life balance?
This connectedness between mind, body and the environment is the foundation to health and wellbeing – with energy at its core – so we must remain proactive to ensure all three areas are kept in balance through the practice of mindfulness techniques and meditation, eating well, exercising, and being aware of – and making adjustments to – our personal environment.
Unfortunately, when it comes to our manmade electrical environment, there are almost no meaningful guidelines concerning safety. In fact, some countries, like Australia, have no biological health-based exposure standards, unlike China, Europe and almost all other developed nations.
This is despite the fact that the World Health Organisation and the International Association of Cancer Research classified microwave radiation – as used in wireless technologies such as mobile phones – as a Class 2B carcinogen in 2011.
Furthermore, very few people are listening to the real authority to which they have instant access – their own body.
When you’re exposed to EMR for long periods, your body rallies to cope with the constant stress, engaging the sympathetic nervous system, revving up the immune system and disrupting your body’s balance – like the static on the radio – causing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, teeth grinding, anxiety and sleeplessness. Over time, this can lead to many more serious issues.
For example, between 2000 and 2008, there was a 35% increase in brain tumours among Australian mobile phone users[2]. Children are uniquely susceptible as their skulls are thinner and they absorb at least twice as much radiation[3].
While all this may seem complicated – and many of the culprits, such as your neighbour’s Wi-Fi or a nearby mobile phone tower – are often difficult to address, the great news is that small changes to your personal environment can make a big difference.
[1] Nittby et al., 2009
[2] Dobes et al., 2011
[3] Christ et al., 2010
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Image: Flickr Commons
This article was first published at chilab.com.au