RF Pregnancy – Living among the waves series (part 5)

Living among the Waves  – a multipart series focusing on the electromagnetic environment and what that means for our health and well being.

Living among the waves series will heighten your awareness of the invisible, but real, affects of radio frequency radiation (RF).  We pass through countless electromagnetic fields (EMF) daily and perceive nothing.  Does that mean RF has no effect on our bodies and the bodies of our children either born or developing?  Is there a causal link between RF, EMF and illness?  If we want to make lifestyle changes to limit exposure, what should those changes be?

To answer these questions and more, it behooves us to understand what Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are and how they have become so prevalent in our lives.  Perhaps our embracing of this suite of technologies was a bit hasty.  Just because we can doesn’t mean that we should.

There are numerous serious biological effects associated with EMF on both male and female reproductive ability.  These effects are not associated with heating of tissue, and are not part of the SAR testing method used by the FCC and technology manufacturers to determine deleterious effects of EMF exposure.

Myung Chan Gye et al. in their paper on the effects of electromagnetic field exposure on the reproductive system, confirmed that EMF exposure can alter cellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal systems. Reproductive parameters reported to be altered by EMF exposure include male germ cell death, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and pregnancy success. At the cellular level, an increase in free radicals and [Ca²⁺]i may mediate the effect of EMFs and lead to cell growth inhibition, protein misfolding, and DNA breaks.

Possible human diseases related with EMF exposure obtained from epidemiological studies include life threatening diseases such as leukemia in children and adults, brain cancer in adults, Lou Gehrig’s disease, depression, suicide, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Non-ionizing nonthermal EMF exposure can alter cellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development.  This impacts both male and female reproductive systems including: male germ cell apoptosis, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones,, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and overall pregnancy success.

There is a robust body of research pertaining to the male reproductive system and EMF.  Several studies have determined a significant decrease in testosterone, sperm viability, motility, and morphology all resulting from increased EMF radiation sourced from cell phones, other wireless devices and their use.

Chronic exposure to EMF can inhibit cell apoptosis (cell death), thereby promoting survival of damaged cells and carcinogenesis (cancer development).  Additional effects can be seen in the increase of permeability of the blood-testes barrier resulting in male infertility.

Experimental and epidemiological studies have now demonstrated that EMF exposure is linked with impaired development of brain structures and functions of the fetus.  Additionally, EMF exposure has now been shown to have deleterious effects on the reproductive organs and reproductive capacity of children yet to be born.

Experimental evidence now demonstrates prenatal effects could range from impaired oogenesis and spermatogenesis to reduced number of brain pyramidal cells, neuronal impairments, and ovarian dysfunction.  Studies are tying increased DNA damage in multiple organs to EMF exposure in the 900Mhz-2.1Ghz frequency bands.  These happen to be the bands used by cell phone carriers.  They may be better known as 3G, 4G 5G.

Experiments now show daily exposure for as little as 1-2 hrs to EMF produces inflammation and impairment of ovarian function that is surprisingly consistent with endometritis – a problem that seems to be growing in the young adolescent population.

The effects of exposure to EMF enjoys two decades of research that has found EMF negatively affects both the structure and the function of the prenatal and adult central nervous system.

The environmental action plan take away for women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant is to take notice of your home, work, and play environments. learn to identify sources of EMF and then avoid them.

Whenever possible there should be at least a meter between yourself and any wireless device.  It is preferable that you have even greater distances between you and any wireless device.  Turn off the cellular radio in your laptop or desktop computer.  In like manner turn off the wireless LAN radio in your equipment as well.  Remember that your printer, if it is wireless, has a radio transmitting just like a laptop.

Install a wired LAN with drops in the rooms that you occupy.

Keep in mind that there is no level of microwave radiation which is safe.  Look around your home and work for where wireless products may be located.  Think twice before you purchase a wireless baby monitor.  These devices transmit continuously when on and flood your infant with EMF.

If your employer requires you use wireless equipment, inquire as to any alternative devices that might be available for your use.  If you are in or near a building with a cell phone antenna array consider relocating your office to a location as far from the array as possible.  If you cant get away from the antenna array consider a new job.

Remember that cellular damage from EMF is more often than not permanent damage.