EM Field Ellipticity and Biological Effects research

Hi all,

The biological effects of EM field ellipticity have been getting a
closer look recently. Ellipticity is a measure of how much a field's
direction of polarization curves in space. This is mostly likely
another reason why those with ES have different reactions to different
field sources even at similar average fields strengths. I'm
submitting this email to continue building our archive of scientific
reviews and assist those who use this group's collective experience
and findings for research.

-Beau

ps. Note, it was found that ovens, both standard and microwave,
generated fields with very high ellipticities compared to other
appliances. This could explain those who are affected by a standard
oven even at low field strengths.

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Elizabeth A Ainsbury et al, 2005 Phys. Med. Biol. 50 3197-3209

An investigation into the vector ellipticity of extremely low
frequency magnetic fields from appliances in UK homes*

Elizabeth A Ainsbury, Emma Conein and Denis L Henshaw
H H Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol BS8 1TL, UK

E-mail: [hidden email]

Received 21 February 2005, in final form 19 April 2005
Published 22 June 2005
Print publication: Issue 13 (7 July 2005)

Abstract: Elliptically polarized magnetic fields induce higher
currents in the body compared with their plane polarized counterparts.

This investigation examines the degree of vector ellipticity of
extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) in the home, with
regard to the adverse health effects reportedly associated with
ELF-MFs, for instance childhood leukaemia.

Tri-axial measurements of the magnitude and phase of the 0–3000 Hz
magnetic fields, produced by 226 domestic mains-fed appliances of 32
different types, were carried out in 16 homes in Worcestershire in the
summer of 2004. Magnetic field strengths were low, with average (RMS)
values of 0.03 ± 0.02 µT across all residences. In contrast,
background field ellipticities were high, on average 47 ± 11%.

Microwave and electric ovens produced the highest ellipticities: mean
respective values of 21 ± 21% and 21 ± 17% were observed 20 cm
away from these appliances.

There was a negative correlation between field strength and field
polarization, which we attribute to the higher relative field
contribution close to each individual (single-phase) appliance. The
measurements demonstrate that domestic magnetic fields are extremely
complex and cannot simply be characterized by traditional measurements
such as time-weighted average or peak exposure levels. We conclude
that ellipticity should become a relevant metric for future
epidemiological studies of health and ELF-MF exposure.

* This work is supported by the charity CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA,
registered charity number 298405.

doi:10.1088/0031-9155/50/13/016
URL: http://stacks.iop.org/0031-9155/50/3197
PII: S0031-9155(05)95015-X

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Abstract Submitted for the MAR05 Meeting of The American Physical
Society
Sorting Category: 10.13 (T)

Today's "safe" radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits DON'T protect human
health near transmitters!

MARJORIE LUNDQUIST (1), The Bioelectromagnetic Hygiene Institute

Maxwell's theory implies that electromagnetic (EM) radiation carries
both energy and momentum. The momentum may have both linear and
angular contributions; angular momentum [AM] has a spin part
associated with polarization and an orbital part associated with
spatial distribution. Any interaction between radiation and matter is
inevitably accompanied by an exchange of momentum. This often has
mechanical consequences ..."(2)

Voluntary consensus standards [ANSI C95; NCRP; INCIRP] protect human
health from most thermal [energy transfer] effects, but no standards
yet exist to protect health against athermal [momentum transfer]
effects, though laboratory transfer of spin AM was reported by 1935
(3) and of orbital AM by 1992 (2) for an optical vortex [tip of
Poynting vector (PV) traces a helix about the beam axis].

In the far field of a dipole RF transmitter, radiation is linearly
polarized (minimal spin AM) and locally approximated by a plane wave
(zero orbital AM), but in the near field the orbital AM is non-zero
[tip of PV traces an ellipse(4) in air] implying an athermal hazard
[e.g., rain tumors in cellular phone users] against which no standard
now in use anywhere in the world protects!

References:
[1] P.O. Box 11831, Milwaukee WI 53211-0831 USA
[2] L. Allen et al. Phys. Rev. A 45:8185-9 (1992).
[3] R.A. Beth, Phys. Rev. 48:471(1935); 50:115-25 (1936).
[4] F. Landstorfer, Archiv fÄur Elektronik und
ÄUbertragungstechnik
26:189-96(1972) [in German].

Marjorie Lundquist
[hidden email]
The Bioelectromagnetic Hygiene Institute

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Abstract Submitted for the MAR05 Meeting of The American Physical
Society
Sorting Category: 18.3 (T)

A half-century ago physicists missed a major public service
opportunity, costing the human race widespread chronic illness and
many deaths!

MARJORIE LUNDQUIST, Bioelectromagnetic Hygiene Institute

Radar -- pulsed microwave (MW) radiation -- helped the Allies win
World War II but health concerns soon arose. Alerted to a syndrome
resembling mild radiation poisoning,(1) a worried M.D. surveyed
radar-exposed workers, finding a high incidence of internal
bleeding,(2) leukemia cases in 600 radar operators, 2 brain tumor
cases in a 5-man MW research team and many complaints of headache. He
sent his report(2) to the Pentagon in 1953.

Alarmed Navy officers convened a meeting(3) [mostly of electrical
engineers (EEs)] to identify a safe level of MW exposure for
servicemen. Biophysicist Herman Schwan attended, playing a major role
in establishing 10 mW/cm2 as a thermally safe MW exposure limit. The
IEEE became sole sponsor of ANSI C95 [an early health standard for
radiofrequency (RF) exposure] with negative long-term consequences for
human health!

I review RF health standards development since 1953, comparing what
physicists might have done, had they -- not EEs -- had this
responsibility! [See also my technical abstract.]

[1] N.H. Steneck, The Microwave Debate, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press,
1984; p. 33.
[2] J.T. McLaughlin, A Study of Possible Health Hazards from Exposure
to Microwave Radiation (Hughes Aircraft, Culver City CA, Feb. 9,
1953).
[3] Biological Effects of Microwaves, meeting minutes (Navy Dept.
Conference, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda MD, Apr. 29,
1953).

Marjorie Lundquist
[hidden email]
Bioelectromagnetic Hygiene Institute

Hi, Beau!
Nice to hear you are still here!
Your posting is interesting to me as I am inclined to technical issues...
But please help with your theoretical background: how do one measure such a
weird thing as field ellipticity?!

Drasko

I answered this question for Drasko via private correspondence since
the answer might not be considered on topic for the group. If anyone
else is interested just send me an email.

Beau
--- In [hidden email], "Drasko Cvijovic" <pecina@c...> wrote:
> Hi, Beau!
> Nice to hear you are still here!
> Your posting is interesting to me as I am inclined to technical
issues...
> But please help with your theoretical background: how do one measure
such a
> weird thing as field ellipticity?!
>
> Drasko