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High-voltage
transmission lines - Intensity of electric and magnetic fields from power
lines - GM warning on US trade deal - FLORIDA FIRM SEEKS TO MICROCHIP
AMERICANS - White flags against the war! - EMF-Omega-News (20/11/02)
Tramès per Klaus Rudolph (Citizens'
Initiative Omega)
Please see http://www.priore-cancer.com/page%20cadre%20anglais.htm
It is dedicated to researchs concerning the improvement and cure of cancers
and degenerative deseases by the mean of pulsed electromagnetic fields.
Cordialement Dr MURZEAU. président du laboratoire ARTEC
High-voltage transmission
lines
I'd like to call your attention to the existence of a 1973 book telling
of a fight against a proposed 765-kV transmission line because of the
environmental effects (including health effects) that it produced.
This was in southern Ohio. The law of eminent domain ensured that AEP
was able to construct it and put it into operation, but the law of eminent
domain was never intended to allow either government or a privately owned
company to spread disease! And power lines are now "vectors"
of disease; the recently released California study (among others) provides
evidence of that. Here is the citation to the book:
Power Over People
Louise B. Young
NY: Oxford University Press, 1973
[N.B.: for health effects, see Chapter 9, pp. 98-104]
This book makes the point that, once a power company obtains a right-of-way,
there are no restrictions on what it can do within that right-of-way.
It can increase the voltage on the line, put more current on the line,
and probably erect other lines.
The proposed transmission line in Georgia is a 500-kV line, and can be
expected to produce health problems very similar to those associated with
the higher-voltage line discussed in POWER OVER PEOPLE, though they may
not be quite so widely experienced, because 500 kV is somewhat lower than
765 kV.
The NIEHS released a report on power line health effects a few years ago.
I submitted comments on that report which have been posted on the Internet
and can be downloaded by anyone interested. They can be found at
the following URL:
www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/html/EMF_DIR_RPT/Dir_Comments/CD_Files/VOL3/emf3_103.pdf
I submitted even more extensive comments on the California report. Both
agencies disregarded my comments when preparing their respective final
reports.
My comments point out that the health effects observed in the vicinity
of electric power lines are those characteristic of exposure to electromagnetic
fields at radio frequencies (RF), and that RF signals have been deliberately
placed on electric power lines since the very early twentieth century
for communications purposes.
Two Italian scientists five years ago documented in the scientific literature
the fact that high-voltage electric power lines are a source of RF exposure:
M. Vignati and L. Giuliani
Radiofreqeuncy exposure near high-voltage lines
Environmental Health Perspectives 105 (Dec. 1997) Supplement 6:
1569-1573.
They pointed out the need to evaulate the health effects of exposure to
these RF fields, but the scientific community has not responded, and has
instead concentrated all its attention on the 60-Hz fields around power
lines.
Every transmission line needs to have such a communication system, and
while different ways of implementing such a communication system exist,
a very common one is POWER LINE CARRIER (because it is very low in cost).
[A new, safe way to meet the communications needs of transmission lines
using fiber optic cable now exists, but I know of only one very short
transmission line that uses fiber optic cable EXCLUSIVELY to meet its
communications needs. The original design for the proposed 345-kV Arrowhead-Weston
transmission line across northwestern Wisconsin called for a fiber optic
cable system, with power line carrier operating at reduced voltage as
a back-up. I thought this was a step in the right direction, in terms
of technology and safety; but for political reasons there were objections
to the fiber optic cable and the Wisconsin PSC refused to approve it,
so I expect the final design for this transmission line will probably
be the more hazardous power line carrier by itself.]
Power line carrier is also sometimes placed on distribution lines, often
as a means of load management, or of automating the process of reading
customers' meters. The voltages are lower on the distribution lines,
of course, which reduces the environmental hazard associated with power
line carrier--except possibly to residents of the buildings served. The
presence of RF current on an electric power line means that there will
be RF fields surrounding the line. Because the RF currents are very small,
the RF fields will be of very low intensity. Nevertheless, I consider
them to be very dangerous to living mammalian tissues, under conditions
of chronic exposure. These RF fields are the most likely cause of the
diseases that have been observed to be associated with electric power
lines--NOT the 60-Hz fields that the reports from NIEHS and California
have associated with illness, in my professional judgment.
I should explain that electrical engineers and others assume that the
higher the field strength, the higher the hazard. This is the justification
for disregarding the low-intensity RF fields, and concentrating attention
on the high-intensity 60-Hz fields. But there is a low-intensity hazard
from exposure to RF fields that has never been adequately reflected in
the voluntary consensus standards intended to protect human health from
exposure to RF fields. [For a discussion of this, see Chapter 4 in WIRELESS
PHONES AND HEALTH II: STATE OF THE SCIENCE, edited by George Carlo, published
in 2000 by Kluwer Academic Publishers.] The result is that RF currents
on, and fields around, electric power lines function like a pollutant
in water. It is the agent that pollutes the water that makes you ill when
you drink it, not the water itself, which constitutes more than 99% of
what you drink! [A very tiny amount of botulin toxin in water can
kill a person!] Likewise, it is the low-intensity RF field around
the power line that damages human and mammalian health, not the 60-Hz
field that is so much stronger and so much easier to measure!
Unfortunately, correcting the environmental and health problems associated
with high-voltage transmission lines may not be as simple as getting power
line carrier off these lines. The reason is that, with the advances
of modern technology - especially the design of energy-efficient electrical
equipment - the use of such modern electrical equipment often generates
very small RF currents which then travel over building wiring and can
get out onto the distribution lines (and possibly even from there to the
transmission line that feeds the distribution system).
There are also some effects that result simply from the presence of a
high voltage on the transmission line; these won't vanish, even if power
line carrier were to be eliminated.
It should be noted that no testing has ever been done to establish the
safety of power line carrier. Electrical engineers simply ASSERT
that it is safe! But there is growing evidence that it isn't safe--at
least, not on modern high-voltage transmission lines, and probably not
on distribution systems, either!
I am aware of an unsponsored study taking place in Wisconsin, the result
of which I hope will be available next spring. Depending on what
the results from this study are, they may provide some evidence to support
the hypothesis that the RF current that is present today on building
wiring is hazardous to health (the study may show that the health of building
residents improves after this RF current is substantially reduced).
Since the law of eminent domain was never intended as a means of forcing
a disease-disseminating agent on the public, it may be possible to fight
the use of eminent domain for transmission line construction on the basis
of the documented health effects. The publication of the book POWER
OVER PEOPLE nearly thirty years ago provides public notice of these health
effects. The Attorney General of the state of Ohio at the
time took the initiative to get involved, and if any of the reports issuing
from his office at the time can be obtained, they may provide useful in
the battle.
Regarding the proposed transmission line in Georgia, Waleska resident
Linda Serra is reported to have said that the proposed 500-kV line, if
constructed as planned, will pass 100 feet from her bedroom window. If
this distance is from wires to window, then in my professional judgment
a 500-kV transmission line utilizing power line carrier passing this close
to her bedroom will produce fields in that room that will damage the health
of anyone sleeping there, probably fairly quickly. If the 100-foot distance
is a measurement from the edge of the right-of-way to the bedroom window,
then it is somewhat more questionable whether the bedroom would be uninhabitable,
though I suspect that it would simply take a longer period of time for
a condition of illness to develop.
Because no studies have been done to assess the hazard posed by exposure
to the RF fields around electric power lines, it is not possible to say,
at this time, what would be a safe distance from a power line carrying
RF current on it. All that can be said is that a safe distance undoubtedly
does exist (because the intensity of this RF field drops off very strongly
as the distance from the line increases), but we don't yet know what the
value of this safe distance is. (I have some ideas of how to find out,
quickly, whether a given RF field is safe, though.)
I hope some of the information I have provided proves helpful.
Marjorie Lundquist, Ph.D., C.I.H.
Bioelectromagnetic Hygienist
P. O. Box 11831. Milwaukee, WI 53211-0831 USA
Informant: Joanne Mueller
Havas, M. 2002. Intensity
of electric and magnetic fields from power lines within the business district
of 60 Ontario communities. The Science of the Total Environment
Vol: 298 Issue: 1-3 pp: 183-206.
Intensity of
electric and magnetic fields from power lines within the business district
of 60 Ontario communities
Magda Havas,
Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University,
Peterborough, Ontario , K9J 7B8, Canada
Received 17 July 2000; revised 19 March 2002; accepted 18 April 2002
Abstract
Electric and magnetic fields were measured during the summer of 1998 in
south-central Ontario within the business district of 60 communities,
ranging in size from 1000 to 2.3 million people. The mean magnetic flux
density for the 60 communities was 5.8 mG. Communities with larger populations
generally had higher magnetic flux densities than those with smaller populations.
Communities with populations above 100 000, between 50 000 and 100 000,
between 10 000 and 50 000, and less than 10 000 had mean magnetic flux
densities of 14, 7, 4 and 2.4 mG, respectively. The city of Kingston,
population 123 000, had the highest mean magnetic flux density (47 mG)
while Burks Falls, population 1000, had the lowest (0.8 mG). More than
90% of the sites measured in Kingston, Toronto, Oshawa, London, Pickering
Village and Bellville were above 2 mG, the lower limit associated with
childhood cancers. In only one community (Burks Falls) were all of the
measurements in the business district below 2 mG. Diurnal variations were
detected in the magnetic field (but not in the electric field) with highest
fields measured during business hours. For electric fields, the mean for
the 60 communities was 3.2 V/m. Electric fields were generally low. Eight
communities had maximum field strengths above 30 V/m and all of these
were associated with overhead wires. In larger communities with underground
distribution lines the electric fields were low or undetectable (<0.1
V/m) but the magnetic fields were often high. High electric fields were
generally associated with low magnetic fields but the relationship was
not sufficiently robust to enable prediction of one from the other. Data
for the business district measured during business hours appear to be
relatively consistent for both electric field and magnetic flux density
over a two-year period. Two classification schemes that can be used independently
or in combination are proposed to facilitate community comparisons. One
is based on the average intensity of the fields (FI) and the other on
the percentage of measurements that exceed a critical limit (CL) that
has biological significance. The critical value of 5 V/m is proposed for
electric fields and 2 mG for magnetic fields. Both classification schemes
use the traffic light analogy for exposure (green-low, amber-medium, red-high
exposure) with an additional category (black) for very high exposure.
This classification system facilitates information transfer and can easily
be understood and used by the public, public utilities, policy makers,
and those wanting to practice prudent avoidance.
PII: S0048969702001985
Copyright © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Informant: Volker Hartenstein, Member
of the Bavarian Parliament
Press release * Friday 15th November 2002
Friends of the Earth Australia
GM warning on
US trade deal
Following the announcement yesterday of a proposed Free Trade Agreement
between Australia and the United States, Friends of the Earth are warning
that such a deal is likely to involve US bullying over Genetically Engineered
(GE) crops and food.
Agriculture is expected to be a significant element in the Free Trade
Agreement, formal negotiations for which are expected to start soon. The
information currently available on trade talks have led to concerns that
Australia will be pressured to accept GE crops, as well as GE food imports.
Cam Walker, national liaison officer for Friends of the Earth Australia,
said "Any free trade deal with the US should not compromise either
existing Australian Quarantine rules or our biosecurity."
"The US has been locked out of many export markets due to widespread
GE contamination and they have been pushing GE heavily as part of their
international trade agenda. Nobody wants these risky products, so the
US is trying to force them onto other countries through trade bullying.
Even US food aid has been rejected due to GMO contamination," Mr
Walker continued.
GE crops have been a disaster for farmers in the US. A recent report by
the Soil Association revealed that GE crops cost the US economy over 12
Billion dollars between 1999 and 2001 due to contamination, liability
suits and lost market access.
"GE crops will not benefit Australian farmers. As well as problems
of herbicide resistance and increase use of chemicals, Australian producers
will lose their clean green' image in international markets," Mr
Walker said.
A recent Friends of the Earth publication on GMO contamination in food
(1) has identified contamination both in the field and in the human food
chain. Any trade agreement that opens the door to increased use of GMOs
will only lead to problems, now and in the future.
"In regards to export agriculture, Australia needs to keep up with
global consumer trends, with a growing preference for non GMO products.
But research shows once GMO's are released commercially, contamination
is inevitable. There will be no going back."
"GE food has not been proven to be safe to humans, GE crops are a
huge environmental risk, and they do not benefit farmers."
Friends of the Earth is calling for:
· A 5 year moratorium on GM commercial crops, pending rigorous scientific
analysis
· Segregation and labeling of imported GM foods from harvest; with clear
tracking from the field to the supermarket shelf.
· An international ban on the use of antibiotic resistant gene markers
· Public participation in GM decisions, including when and where testing
and trials may take place
· A global ban on "Terminator" seed technology
· Comprehensive and culturally sensitive review of patent laws to prevent
biopiracy
Further information, Cam Walker 0419 338 047
Notes:
(1) GMO Contamination Around the World is available at: http://www.foei.org/
Friends of the Earth Melbourne (Australia)
PO Box 222 Fitzroy 3065. 312 Smith St Collingwood
Phone: (03) 9419 8700 / Fax: (03) 9416 2081
(International: tel. +61 (3) 9419 8700; fax +61 (3) 9416 2081)
www.melbourne.foe.org.au
Chris Harries
195 Waterworks Rd. Dynnyrne Tasmania 7005. Australia
Phone (03) 6223 4653
Informant: Don Maisch
FLORIDA FIRM SEEKS TO
MICROCHIP AMERICANS
By Laura MacInnis
Fri Nov 15, 2002
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Washington forum debated on Friday
the benefits and hazards posed by a new way of identifying people with
a microchip implanted under their skin to replace conventional paper identification.
The heated debate at the National Academies, a non-profit think-tank advising
the government on matters of technology and science, focused on the threat
to individual privacy versus the convenience of switching to a chip.
Implanted microchips have long been used in the animal kingdom, to trac
wildlife and to help pet owners recover their lost animals, but the idea
of using them on humans has sparked fierce criticism from scientists and
privacy advocates alike.
"We have absolutely no data about this particular product and about
the implications over the long term if Americans are chipped," Marc
Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington,
said.
Applied Digital Solutions Inc. says its glass capsule the size of a grain
of rice, injected into forearms and other fleshy body parts, could help
authorities find missing persons and speed up medical diagnosis treatment.
The VeriChip, a scannable device worn under the skin and encrypted with
personal information like medical records and emergency contacts, was
unveiled last year in Florida.
So far about 20 people have been "chipped," including an entire
family in Florida.
"I can't feel them at all," said Richard Seeling, an Applied
Digital executive who has implanted two microchips into his right forearm
to test the product. "Most of the time I forget they're there until
someone asks about it."
Seeling said the chips were both painless and safe but scientists at the
National Academies said too little was known about the device and warned
it could pose health risks like infections and immunity disorders for
bearers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruled in October it would not regulate
the device so long as it was not used for medical purposes such as diagnosis.
This left Applied Digital free to market the chip for personal identification
and security, for instance locating missing children or identifying car
accident victims.
"I do think there could be beneficial uses, particularly for Alzheimer's
patients, but on a large scale this is essentially a system of control,"
Rotenberg said.
Privacy advocates worry the microchip could spell the end of anonymity
in the United States, particularly if authorities began requiring people
to wear them to meet conditions of parole, employment or border crossings.
Seeling said each chip costs about $200, and that scanner devices needed
to read the data would be targeted for sale to police, hospitals, schools
and other agencies across the United States.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=569&ncid=738&
e=1&u=/nm/20021116/tc_nm/tech_identification_dc
Informant: Gotemf
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