• 11 MAR 24

    Amid explosive demand, America is running out of power (The Washington Post)

    Comment: In Australia, the discussion over the urgent need to upgrade  Australia’s.power grid infrastructure is over the need to incorporate new sustainable power sources, supporting EVs. as well as the necessity to replace aging power plants, many of which are coal powered. In America however, it’s another far bigger challenge, with successive federal administrations essentially “kicking the can down the road” so that now the US ranks 13th in the world for having a modern national infranstructure . Estimates of the cost of upgrading America’s power grid vary but can be as high as $2.59 trillion by 2035. If America hopes to catch up with the world’s largest electricty producer; China, which produces approximately 30% of the world’s electricity production they have one hell of a long way to go. SNIP

    Excerpt from The Washington Post,

    AI and the boom in clean-tech manufacturing are pushing America’s power grid to the brink. Utilities can’t keep up. Vast swaths of the United States are at risk of running short of power as electricity-hungry data centers and clean-technology factories proliferate around the country, leaving utilities and regulators grasping for credible plans to expand the nation’s creaking power grid.

    In Georgia, demand for industrial power is surging to record highs, with the projection of new electricity use for the next decade now 17 times what it was only recently. Arizona Public Service, the largest utility in that state, is also struggling to keep up, projecting it will be out of transmission capacity before the end of the decade absent major upgrades. Northern Virginia needs the equivalent of several large nuclear power plants to serve all the new data centers planned and under construction. Texas, where electricity shortages are already routine on hot summer days, faces the same dilemma. The soaring demand is touching off a scramble to try to squeeze more juice out of an aging power grid while pushing commercial customers to go to extraordinary lengths to lock down energy sources, such as building their own power plants. “When you look at the numbers, it is staggering,” said Jason Shaw, chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates electricity. “It makes you scratch your head and wonder how we ended up in this situation. How were the projections that far off? This has created a challenge like we have never seen before.”
    SNIP

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    • 15 APR 21

    Science, Politics, and Groupthink [Health Matters] James C. Lin

    Posted by Joel Moskowitz, Electromagnetic Radiation Safety
    In his latest column Professor Emeritus Lin criticizes the ICNIRP, the non-profit organization which the WHO relies upon for non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure guidelines that it promotes worldwide. As you may know, this column is important not only because Professor Lin is one of the most respected EMF scientists in the world, he is the first scientist who has served on the ICNIRP Commission(2004 – 2016; chair of the committee on Physics & Engineering, 2008-2012; chair of the Radio Frequency group, 2012-2015) to challenge the credibility of ICNIRP’s EMF exposure guidelines….SNIP

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    • 30 OCT 20

    New paper on CFS symptoms and the role of power frequency and radio frequency exposures

    ABSTRACT: A 2019 report to the Australian NHMRC found that 66% of research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) was on managing the condition, 17% was on finding the cause for the condition, 10% on prevention and 7% on multiple areas. Besides a number of recommendations, the committee recommended “building research quantity and capacity, improving health services research and developing health advice.” It is estimated that 50 -70 million Americans chronically suffer from a sleep and wakefulness disorder which hinders their daily functioning and adversely affects health and longevity . In Australia, a 2016 sleep health survey found that inadequate sleep affects 33-45% of adults, across all age groups. As one of the symptoms of CFS is insomnia and other sleep disorders, any common factor in these conditions should be of research interest. Australia is in an excellent position for such research. For example, the National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, based at Griffith University, Qld. and part of the Menzies Health Institute Queensland, has a research focus on the causes and mechanisms of ME/CFS, identifying biomarkers of the condition and improving patient outcomes in the area of preventative medicine, social and clinical care and public health. According to a literature review by Henry Lai, bioengineering Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington and Editor-in-chief of Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, the biological effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (which range from 0 – 300 Hz) and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields ( RF-EMF) (from 30 kHz to 300 GHz) are very similar, with both including sleep problems. Lai concludes that there is a basic mechanism of interaction between biological tissues and artificial electromagnetic fields that is independent of frequency. This finding brings into question the assurances of safety claimed by various national and international exposure standards….SNIP

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    • 03 SEP 19

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Sleep Disruption: Evidence that both powerfrequency and radiofrequency magnetic fields may be a co-factor to investigate in treatments.

    Practically all of the ongoing controversy over the possible biological effects of human exposure to both power frequency and radiofrequency fields has focussed on thermal effects and the risk of cancer. However, during a conversation with Yuri Grigorev, from the Russian National Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (RNCNIRP) he mentioned that the ‘West’ had taken the wrong tack by focussing on cancer. He (and the RNCNIRP) considered that the main effect was effects on the immune system, which could lead to any number of illnesses. This paper looks at chronic exposures to both Power-frequency and Radio-frequency emissions. Titled: “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Sleep Disruption: Evidence that both powerfrequency and radiofrequency magnetic fields may be a co-factor to investigate in treatments”, it is aimed at medical practitioners and organisations working with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or insomnia patients. Optimum treatment of these conditions should include the possibility that EMF/EMR may be a possible factor in some cases.

    Excerpts:
    Power Frequency magnetic fieldsIn 1994, Australian Democrat Senator Robert Bell (Tasmania) tabled a report in the Australian Senate that examined the evidence that the then current National and international exposure standards for human exposure to electromagnetic fields were insufficient to provide an assurance of safety. Part of this report examined the condition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and suggested that prolonged exposure to 50 Hz power frequency fields may be one of the causative factors in the condition. [1]This hypothesis was later strengthened with a number of patient case studies compiled with the assistance of several doctors connected with the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) in January 1998. These case studies indicated that prolonged exposure to environmental level powerline frequency electromagnetic fields apparently were impairing immune system function resulting in CFS symptoms and insomnia.[2]In February 1999 a Victorian Workers Compensation Case from 1991-1992 was obtained by this writer from office manager at Ross House, located at 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. This case examined a number of workplace illness diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The workcare investigation found that excessive office building electromagnetic fields from a large electrical substation directly below the office building where the women worked was the common factor in all the symptoms reported by the women. The report also examined the work done to mitigate the EMFs in the area.[3] Some of the symptoms reported were:Chronic tiredness/fatigue; Insomnia: waking around 3 am with an inability to go back to sleep; Stress Inability to concentrate; Fluctuating hormone levels; Anaemia; facial rash, depression, severe premenstrual tension; a feeling of listlessness; light headedness ;”a permanent severe case of jet lag”…SNIP

    Study on Health Effects of the Shortwave Transmitter Station of Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland (Major Report)Background:A short wave transmitter was installed at Schwarzenburg, near Berne, Switzerland, in 1939. Another antenna was added in 1954 with three 150 kW outputs (6.1-21.8Mhz). and a 250 kW antenna was added in 1971. Since the Seventies, health complaints have been reported by the population in the surroundings of the transmitter, and the effects have been associated with its activity. On the 2nd March 1990, a petition seeking a scientific evaluation of the health damage allegedly cause by the transmitter was handed by a group of inhabitants to the Swiss Federal Department of Traffic and Energy (SFDTE). In October 1990, the Head of SFDTE commissioned a study. It was carried out by 15 doctors and scientists, primarily from the University of Berne, but also from 4 other agencies. Their report was published in August 1995 and found significant changes in various indicators which increased with proximity to the mast (Zone A in the study) and which were significantly worse in elderly people. Symptoms included nervosity, inner restlessness, difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty in maintaining sleep, general weakness and tiredness and joint pains, Sleep difficulty was especially disturbing as this can lead on to increasing fatigue and reduced feelings of well-being. Observed nocturnal sleep changes occurred in association with increased nocturnal RF exposure levels. The study interim conclusion was as follows:”Insomnias and joint pains, especially in the elderly, were more frequently reported in Zone A than in Zones B and C. They showed a dose-response relationship with the logistic regression and they were not related to a health-worry personality. Further studies are of need to establish a biophysical mechanism…. “Our results indicate a higher frequency of disorders of a neurovegetative nature among residents up to about 1000 m from the transmitter, and are highly suggestive of a direct effect of the radio shortwave transmitter on sleep quality. The other complaints appear to be mediated by the sleep disorder.”…SNIP

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    • 25 JUN 19

    Health effects associated with exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields

    A new report published by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety 21/06/2019Excerpt:Today, ANSES is publishing a new expert appraisal on the health effects associated with exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields. In view of the data available, the Agency is reiterating its 2010 conclusions on the possible association between exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the long-term risk of childhood leukaemia. It is also restating its recommendation not to build new schools close to very-high voltage power lines. At the same time, the Agency stresses the need to better manage occupational exposure for employees who could be exposed to high levels of electromagnetic fields, particularly pregnant women…SNIP

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    • 15 JUN 19

    The Highly Dangerous ‘Triton’ Hackers Have Probed the US Grid

    On the scale of security threats, hackers scanning poten­tial targets for vulnerabilities might seem to rank rather low. But when it’s the same hackers who previously executed one of the most reckless cyberattacks in history–one that could have easily turned destructive or even lethal–that recon­nais­sance has a more foreboding edge. Especially when the target of their scanning is the US power grid….SNIP

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    • 02 JUL 18

    Remediation Tips From an EMF Expert (Alasdair Philips)

    From the Dr. Mercola site:

    Excerpt
    Story at-a-glance

    One of the most pernicious toxins we are exposed to isn’t something you can taste, see, hear or feel; it’s invisible electromagnetic fields (EMF) from electrical wiring and wireless technologies such as your cellphone and Wi-Fi
    There are basically three types of EMF: radio frequencies, microwaves and electromagnetic (electric and magnetic) fields. Low frequency magnetic fields, in particular, affect biological systems, but all forms of EMFs appear to be harmful
    One mechanism of action involves intracellular calcium. EMFs activate voltage-gated calcium channels in the plasma membranes of your cells, which then open up, allowing a tremendous influx of calcium ions
    Cells also start to malfunction due to excessive charges, which alter cellular activity
    A number of remediation strategies are reviewed, from simply keeping your cellphone in airplane mode when not in use, to more expensive strategies such as installing shielded wiring when building a new home… SNIP

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    • 03 JAN 18

    Miscarriage risks linked to electromagnetic field exposure [power frequency ELF magnetic fields]

    December 13, 2017
    Source:
    Kaiser Permanente

    Summary:
    A study of real-world exposure to non-ionizing radiation from magnetic fields in pregnant women found a significantly higher rate of miscarriage, providing new evidence regarding their potential health risks.

    A study of real-world exposure to non-ionizing radiation from magnetic fields in pregnant women found a significantly higher rate of miscarriage, providing new evidence regarding their potential health risks. The Kaiser Permanente study was published today in the journal Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group).

    Non-ionizing radiation from magnetic fields is produced when electric devices are in use and electricity is flowing. It can be generated by a number of environmental sources, including electric appliances, power lines and transformers, wireless devices and wireless networks. Humans are exposed to magnetic fields via close proximity to these sources while they are in use. SNIP

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    • 19 DEC 17

    Magnetic Fields and Miscarriages: The Evidence Grows At Least 7 Studies Now Show an Association

    From Microwave News:

    Excerpt:

    Magnetic fields at levels commonly found in homes, offices and the urban environment have once again been found to increase the risk of pregnancy loss. The latest study –from Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, CA– shows that power-frequency fields can triple the risk of miscarriages.

    “This study provides fresh evidence, directly from a human population, that magnetic field exposure in daily life could have adverse health impacts,” De-Kun Li, the lead author of the Kaiser study, told Microwave News. These findings “should bring attention to this potentially important environmental hazard to pregnant women,” Li urges.

    SNIP

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    • 02 NOV 17

    The Importance of Avoiding Nighttime EMF

    Excerpts from the Dr. Mercola website. Even though this is primarily about powerfrequency magnetic fields, sleep disruption is also now being widely reported by people who have had an active RF transmitting smart meter placed in close proximity to their bedroom. To date, absolutely no research has been done of sleep disruption and smart meter RF exposure. It is a disgrace that In Australia the research $$$$ focus of ACEBR and recommended by ARPANSA is trying to show that EHS is just a nocebo effect unrelated to exposure.

    “Another factor that can have a significant impact on your sleep quality and health is EMF exposure. This is true regardless of the time of your exposure, but it’s particularly problematic at night. There’s evidence showing EMF exposure reduces melatonin production,17 making it really important to eliminate EMFs in your bedroom. One of the easiest ways to do this is to pull the circuit breaker to your bedroom before going to bed.”

    Also see: Desynchronization of Body Clocks Is an Underlying Factor of Chronic Disease…. SNIP

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    • 29 AUG 17

    Low-Level Effects Hiding in Plain Sight A Reminiscence on Abe Liboff’s 90th Birthday

    Excerpt

    Much of the controversy about the health effects of electromagnetic radiation turns on whether low-level, so-called non-thermal, interactions exist. This is nothing new. The same dispute has been going on for close to 100 years.

    On the occasion of Abe Liboff’s 90th birthday, we look back on two sets of experiments he worked on while he was a fellow at the Naval Medical Research Institute in the 1980’s –as well as some more recent work from Russia and Italy. The results of both experiments were, and still are, nothing short of stunning… SNIP

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    • 10 JAN 17

    Paolo Boffetta, Italian Epidemiologist, Distorts Power Line Risks

    From Louis Slesin, Microwave News

    Excerpt:

    Facts don’t seem to mean much anymore. We live in a “post-truth” time. As 2017 opened for business, a stark example of the new reality came to our attention courtesy of Paolo Boffetta, an Italian epidemiologist now at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

    In an interview with Fox News, Boffetta said that the link between power lines and childhood leukemia had been debunked. In response to a question as to whether it was safe for a pregnant woman to live next to “huge power lines,” Boffetta advised that there was no reason for concern.

    Boffetta has lost his truth compass…..SNIP

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    • 20 NOV 16

    New paper: A curate’s egg: Queensland’s Guidelines for managing 50 Hz magnetic fields in office buildings

    The origin of the phrase a curate’s egg is from the cartoon True Humility, printed in the British
    satirical magazine Punch on 9th November 1895. The phrase is used to describe something which is partly good but which is ruined by its bad part, and, as a result, is now rather lost….SNIP

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    • 28 FEB 16

    EMFs Promote Cancer in Massive Animal Study Italians Seek “Reevaluation” of EMF Safety

    Important report from Microwave News:

    Once again, power-frequency magnetic fields have been found to act as a cancer promoter.

    Eighteen months ago an international team led by Elisabeth Cardis in Spain showed cancer promotion in workers exposed to chemicals and extremely low frequency (ELF) EMFs. Now an Italian team has found essentially the same promotional effect in animals exposed to ionizing radiation and ELF EMFs…. The new study, which was carried out at the Ramazzini Institute in Bologna, Italy, is part of the most ambitious EMF animal project ever attempted. SNIP

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    • 20 JAN 16

    Reducing occupant exposure to EMFs in residential construction: Avoiding AC magnetic field EMFs – Free CE Webinar

    January 20 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST

    This webinar is the next in the 5 part series, ” Reducing occupant exposure to EMFs in residential construction” where each member of our panel of experts will present an entire hour on each specific type of EMF. Catch part 1 here as on-demand recording if you missed it.
    First to be discussed is AC magnetic fields. This is the type of EMF you think of when you hear the words, “electromagnetic field”. It has four common sources: separation of conductors carrying current loads, such as overhead power lines; unbalanced electric loads on adjacent hot and neutral conductors; current on grounding paths, including metal water pipes and TV cable sheathing; and point sources, such as transformers and motors.
    Yet, magnetic fields are only one component of a duality of fields present wherever electricity exists, the other being electric fields. Electric fields will be discussed in a separate webinar.
    SNIP

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    • 12 OCT 15

    The Energy Networks Association is inviting submissions from the community on the Draft ENA EMF Handbook.

    From the Energy Networks Association

    Good afternoon,

    The Energy Networks Association is inviting submissions from the community on the Draft ENA EMF Handbook.

    The purpose of the Handbook is to provide common, industry-wide information for guidance to the Australian electricity distribution and transmission industry to manage the EMF issue responsibly in accordance with the ENA EMF Policy. The Handbook includes:

    – background information on electric and magnetic fields
    – an overview of the health debate
    – a summary of relevant national and international guidelines and standards
    – guidance for assessment of compliance with the guidelines and standards
    – guidance on the application of prudent avoidance / precaution.
    – All submissions will be reviewed and considered in developing the final ENA EMF Handbook. The final handbook and responses to submissions made will be published on this website.
    SNIP

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    • 14 DEC 14

    Louis Slesin on the current industry spin over powerline safety

    Excerpt from Microwave News:

    No Cancer Risk from Power Lines,
    Says the New York Times
    Big Score for Industry Scientists
    December 1, 2014
    Last updated
    December 12, 2014

    Still worried about power lines and cancer? That’s so retro, says the New York Times. You’re just stuck in the 1980’s.

    This is what the “newspaper of record” wants you to know about the risk of childhood leukemia from power lines: A “fairly broad consensus among researchers holds that no significant threat to public health has materialized.”

    The full message is told in a new 7+ minute video, produced by the Times’ RetroReport, which boasts a staff of 13 journalists and 10 contributors, led by Kyra Darnton. The video even credits a fact checker. What’s missing is the common sense to do some digging when reporting on a controversial issue.

    If Darnton’s crew had done its homework, they would have realized that their view is based on two industry-friendly researchers, David Savitz and John Moulder. Savitz, now VP for research at Brown University, has come a long way since he first reported that power lines are linked to childhood leukemia back in 1986. Power line EMFs have been very, very good for Savitz’s career. He parlayed that study into a multimillion contract from the electric power industry to study cancer risks among electric utility workers. He found a link to brain tumors. A couple of years later, he paid the industry back by renouncing his own work and that of many others. Now he’s done it again with his original power line study in the new Times video.
    SNIP

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    • 14 DEC 14

    Paul Brodeur on the current industry spin over powerline safety

    Conflicts of Interest in Coverage of a Health Issue by the New York Times

    Paul Brodeur, Huffington Post, Dec 12, 2014

    In recent days, employees of The New York Times have posted no fewer than three pieces on the newspaper’s website, asserting that the risk of harm from the electromagnetic fields (EMF) given off by power lines is negligible, and that fears of it are unfounded. Among the postings is a seven-minute video produced by Kyra Darnton for Retro Report, entitled “Long After an 80’s Scare, Suspicion of Power Lines Prevails.” An accompanying article with the same title has been posted by a reporter for Retro Report named Clyde Haberman, and a third piece entitled “A Fresh Look at Power Lines, Cancer and the Dread-to-Risk Ratio” has been put up by a reporter for the newspaper named Andrew C. Revkin.

    The video produced by Darnton and some colleagues at Retro Report relies preponderantly on the testimony of two researchers — David Savitz, who is vice-president for research at Brown University, and John Moulder, director of radiation biology at the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
    SNIP

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    • 06 DEC 14

    Microwave News: No Cancer Risk from Power Lines, Says the New York Times

    From Louis Slesin, Microwave News:

    No Cancer Risk from Power Lines, Says the New York Times
    Big Score for Industry Scientists

    Excerpt

    Still worried about power lines and cancer? That’s so retro, says the New York Times. You’re just stuck in the 1980’s.
    This is what the “newspaper of record” wants you to know about the risk of childhood leukemia from power lines: A “fairly broad consensus among researchers holds that no significant threat to public health has materialized.”

    The full message is told in a new 7+ minute video, produced by the Times’ RetroReport, which boasts a staff of 13 journalists and 10 contributors, led by Kyra Darnton. The video even credits a fact checker. What’s missing is the common sense to do some digging when reporting on a controversial issue.
    SNIP

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    • 02 SEP 14

    Hypothesis on mechanism for the ELF-EMF-induced biological effects

    From the blog of Dariusz Leszczynski, Betwqeen a Rock and A Hard Place

    Excerpt

    As the Chief Editor of the Frontiers in Radiation and Health (a specialty of the Frontiers in Public Health) it is my pleasure to announce that the FiR&H journal has just published its second article. The final version of the hypothesis article by Mats-Olof Mattsson and Myrtil Simko: “Grouping of experimental conditions as an approach to evaluate effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on oxidative response in in vitro studies” is now freely available in open access system to all readers.

    In the abstract of the article, the authors state (in part):
    SNIP

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