Dr. Havas' contribution to European Commissiuon

Here is Dr. Magda Havas' contribution/response to the Possible effects of
Electromagnetic
Fields (EMF) on Human Health, SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON EMERGING AND NEWLY
IDENTIFIED HEALTH RISKS   (SCENIHR), EUROPEAN COMMISSION  HEALTH & CONSUMER
PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL    

_______________________________________________

Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc. Ph.D.
Environmental & Resource Studies,
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8
phone:  705 748-1011 x 1232    fax:  705 748-1569
[hidden email]
________________________________________________

Consultation Response Form
SCENIHR opinion on
"Possible effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on Human Health"

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Type      Academic   Trent University
                  
My comments relate to section 3.4 Intermediate Frequency Fields (IF fields)
for which you have very little information.

Summary:  Our studies show that this intermediate frequency range (IF
fields) between 4 and 100 kHz is biologically active at current exposures
and may contribute to symptoms of electrohypersensitivity (EHS), elevated
blood sugar among diabetics, and exacerbated symptoms for those with
multiple sclerosis.

For the past 3 years I have been working on the health effects of
electromagnetic frequencies in the 4 kHz to the 100 kHz range in homes and
schools.  I attach three papers to this email as follows:

1. Havas, M. and D. Stetzer. 2004. Dirty Electricity and Electrical
Hypersensitivity:  Five Case Studies. World Health Organization Workshop on
Electrical Hypersensitivity, 25-26 October, 2004, Prague, Czech Republic, 13
pp.

2. Havas, M.  M. Illiatovitch, and C. Proctor.  2004.  Teacher and student
response to the removal of dirty electricity by the Graham/Stetzer filters
at Willow Wood School in Toronto, Canada.  Biological Effects of EMFs, 3rd
International Workshop, Kos, Greece, 4-8 October, 2004, pp:311-317.

3. Havas, M.  2006.  Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Biological Effects of
Dirty Electricity with Emphasis on Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis.
Precautionary EMF Approach:  Rationale, Legislation and Implementation, 5th
ICEMS International Workshop, Benevento Italy, 22-25 February 2006.  [Note:
This is the pre-proof copy.  Please do not cite until it is published. in
press in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine].

Our studies show that when dirty electricity within the frequency range of 4
to 100 kHz is removed from buildings people's health, energy, and sense of
wellbeing improves considerably and many symptoms associated with
electrohypersensitivity (EHS) are reduced or eliminated.  Note that dirty
electricity refers to poor power quality and includes both harmonics and
non-harmonic components that generate high frequencies.  Graham/Stetzer (GS)
filters reduce dirty electricity within the frequency range of 4 to 100 kHz
and have been used in case studies and experimental trials.

Sick building syndrome often associated with air quality and mould, in some
cases, may be due to dirty electricity.  A nurse documented improved health

for both students and teachers at a school in Wisconsin that installed
Graham/Stetzer (GS) filters to improve power quality.  Students with asthma
no longer used their inhalers and a teacher with MS no longer had symptoms.

A study in schools in both Toronto (see reference #2 above) and Minnesota
(unpublished) showed that teacher health, mood, energy improved as did
student behaviour when the dirty electricity in the school was reduced.
Many of the symptoms associated with ADD and ADHD were the ones that
improved particularly among elementary students.

Furthermore, we report that blood sugar for some people with either type 1
and type 2 diabetes is lower when they are in an electromagnetically "clean"
environment.   Insulin injections for type 1 diabetics need to be reduced
once the dirty electricity is removed. Blood sugar levels for some type 2
diabetics change within 30 minutes as they move from dirty to clean
environments. We know that walking reduces plasma glucose levels and is
recommended by doctors for their diabetic patients but exercise on a
treadmill, which produces dirty electricity (high frequency transients),
increases plasma glucose levels (see reference #3 above).

Some people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis  have reduced
tremors, improved motor skills, and more energy when the dirty electricity
is reduced in their living environment.    Response is within a few days to
a few weeks.  MS symptoms return when individuals spend several hours in an
electromagnetic dirty environment common in most retail stores.

At this stage of our studies we do not know what percentage of the diabetic
population and the MS population respond to electromagnetic frequencies
within this intermediate range (4 to 100 kHz).  As we begin to use more
energy efficient lighting (compact fluorescent bulbs for example), the
amount of dirty electricity in the home/work/school environment is likely to
increase substantially resulting in ill health for those who are sensitive
to this form of energy.




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