Electrosmog & Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS)

Electrosmog is the invisible electromagnetic radiation resulting from the use of both wireless technology and mains electricity. The most common sources of wireless electrosmog are:

• Cordless phones
• Cordless baby alarms
• Mobile/cellular phone masts/towers/transmitters
• Mobile/cellular phones
• Wireless networks

Electrosmog is responsible for a condition known as Electrosensitivity (ES) or Electro hyper sensitivity (EHS). Many people are getting Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS). It is a condition in which people are highly sensitive to electromagnetic fields  in the environment: power lines, motors, computers,  or in n an area such as a wireless hotspot or near celluar Towers, they experience pain or other symptoms.
Such symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Disruptive sleep patterns
• Chronic fatigue
• Depression
• Hypersensitivity and erratic blood pressure
• Skin complaints
• Behavioural patterns in children

Children, the elderly and anyone with a lowered immune system are most at risk from the health effects.
The health effects from electrosmog can take 10 – 20 years to manifest themselves, however for some, the effect can appear immediately.
Research shows that between 3% and 5% of the general population could be ES sufferers. In Sweden, for example, 285, 000 people (over 3% of the population) are registered as ES and claim disability benefit from the government

In Germany: More than 37,000 people including 1,000 medical professionals have signed the Freiburger Appeal, calling on the German Government to take action in the face of the rapidly growing health issues that they attribute to Electrosmog.

In the Netherlands: A Dutch scientific study, the TNO Report, set out to prove that electrosmog had no effect on human cell tissue. But the results were completely the opposite - and came as a surprise to the scientists.

In Austria: The city of Salzburg has declared a maximum emission level of 0.6 volts per metre – approximately 1% of UK reference levels.

Here's are video testimonial for EHS Victims:

>A woman provides testimony as to the illness she experienced after living for two months underneath an array of cell phone antennas that were placed directly above her bedroom and balcony. Some of her symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, Metallic taste in mouth skin pain, rashes, brain fog, buzzing in her ears.
Click Here to watch.

>EMF RF Exposure from cell phone radiation is potentially harmful. Sarah Dacre, suffers from EHS and wears special shielded clothes to protect herself: Following is her video testimonial:

Click Here To watch.

Refferences:
http://www.eloverkanslig.se/rapporter/Bioinitiative/section_7.pdf
http://www.detect-protect.com/k/buzz/whatiselectrosmog.htm

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Radio Frequency from Mobile Towers and Phones Damaging Humans!

Cell phone radiation damages DNA, inflicts cellular damage and creates a broad spectrum of health problems and diseases, including DNA mutation and cancer in humans. A group of scientist published this in a scientific journal “Oxidants and Anti oxidants in Medical Science” in March 2014, in a study called “Low intensity radiofrequency radiation: a new oxidant for living cells”.

76 studies (or 92.5%) proved that cell phone radiation inflicts cellular damage. Cell phone radiation affects production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); these are molecules that form in our bodies as byproduct during normal metabolism of oxygen.
A healthy human body has balanced, non health-threatening amounts of ROS. However, microwaves cause overproduction of ROS and dramatically increase oxidative stress – body’s inability to detoxify itself and repair the damage. Too much of ROS damages lipids, proteins and DNA in cells, and disrupts all kinds of natural cellular interacting signals, resulting in wide spectrum of diseases.

(Use of cordless phone damaging blood cells- Click to enlarge)

Click Here for video link to above picture.

The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use. 2B is the category that includes lead, engine exhaust and chloroform. A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, made this decision after reviewing peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. The team found enough evidence to categorize personal exposure as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

Also, a study in India, carried out by panel of Ministry of Environment and Forests reveals their is negative impact of mobile towers on birds, bees, humans, wildlife and plants.

Dr Devra Davis, President Environmental Health Trust and renowned Scientist has concluded based on her several years of research that the electromagnetic radiations from mobile phone and mobile towers result in cellular damage. Damaging fetus in female and reduced sperm count in men. Alongside causing Tumors, leukemia, lack of concentration and other forms of cancer to users. Click here to watch her complete lecture. 

The Interphone Study is the largestof all the study findings into cell phone radiation and the safety of cellphones for humans. At a cost of $25 million, this is the largest study of cell phone use and tumor risk conducted to date. It found that “regular use of a cell phone by adults can significantly increase the risk of gliomas by 40% with 1640 hours or more of use.” This equates to about 30 minutes per day over ten years.

Also, EMF have been shown to cause other potentially harmful biological effects, such as leakage of the blood brain barrier that can lead to damage of neurons in the brain, increased micronuclei (DNA fragments) in human blood lymphocytes, all at exposure rates well below the limits in the current FCC (Fedreal Communications Cmmision) guidelines. Probably the most convincing evidence of potential harm comes from living cells themselves when they start to manufacture stress proteins upon exposure to EMF. The stress response occurs with a number of potentially harmful environmental factors, such as elevated temperature, changes in pH, toxic metals, etc. This means that when stress protein synthesis is stimulated by radiofrequency or power frequency EMF, the body is telling us in its own language that RF exposure is potentially harmful.

(Click to enlarge)

CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta unveiled his own investigation into cell phone safety on program Anderson Cooper 360°. Click here to Watch.

Note:

> FCC (Federal Communication Commission, USA).

> SAR (Specific Absorption Rate).
Famous cell phone brand such as Apple iPhone 6 Plus exposes a user’s head to a whooping SAR of 1.19 W/kg (Cell phones must not exceed a maximum SAR of 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over one gram of tissue according to FCC, USA ).  

References:

https://www.rfsafe.com/cell-phone-radiation-safety-tips-dr-sanjay-gupta-anderson-cooper-360/

https://www.rfsafe.com/samsung-cell-phones-rated-lowest-radiation-cell-phones/

https://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2010/pdfs/pr200_E.pdf

http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf

http://interphone.iarc.fr/interphone_results.php

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Cell Phone Towers Killing Animals and Insects

In September of 2010, the ministry established a 10-member committee under Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) with director Asad Rahmani to study the impact of cellphone towers on birds and bees. The group of experts reviewed 919 studies performed in India and abroad regarding the effects of cellphone towers on birds, insects, animals, wildlife, and humans.
"We have suggested that EMR should be recognized as a pollutant given its effect on wildlife and should be audited regularly" said Wildlife Institute of India's Dr B.C Choudhary, who was part of the panel."
Because what the group found was quite startling.
After reviewing 919 international studies on this matter, the group found 593 studies that said Mobile Tower's EMF bore a significant ill-effect on behavior and mating habits of birds like urban sparrows and in bee colonies.
The experts noted a study in India's Punjab University's that said embryos of 50 eggs of house sparrows were damaged after being exposed to mobile tower radiation for five to 30 minutes.
In the case of honey bees, the group observed that high radiation resulted in an unusual phenomenon
known as 'colony collapse disorder' which is characterized by sudden disappearance of a hive's inhabitants, leaving only queens, eggs and a few immature workers behind.

This suggests that Electromagnetic Radiation May Play A Role In The Decline Of Animal And Insect Populations!

They panel went on to say that there was an urgent need to focus more scientific attention on the subject before it was too late.



Refferences:
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/protect-wildlife-from-cellphone-towers-panel/859648/0

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Cell-towers-killing-sparrows-bees-says-MoEF-study/articleshow/10481535.cms

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Working at Height- Fall Hazards and Risk Control Measures

Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injury and the second most cause of common cause of major injuries to employees. Working at height may include work on roof, using ladders or any access platform such as scaffolds or lifting equipment.

The main hazards from Working at Height are Falls i.e, Persons falling and falling equipments.

The main causes of falls from height are:

• Failing to recognize the risk.
• Not providing safe system of work and making sure its followed.
• Not providing adequate information, training, instruction or supervision.
• Not using equipment properly or sometimes not using it a all (using chair instead of step ladder).

Unsafe act may lead to a Fall

When Fall protection is needed?

During roof work, fall protection is always required when the roof edge is more than 10 feet above the ground or other surfaces. This commonly referred to as, 10 foot rule.

But when any roof is so steep or slippery that an uncontrolled fall would likely happen, fall protection is required at 6 feet.

Types of Fall Protection

Fall protection can be divided into following two categories:

Fall Restraint- equipment that prevents a free fall in the first place.

Fall Arrest- equipment that stops a free fall in progress (in the middle of the fall).

Fall Restraint

Fall restraint system includes three main types;

Fall Prevention system

1) Personal fall restraint 

Fall restraint can be a Body Belt or Full Body Harness, which is, connected to an anchor to prevent you from going over the edge of the roof. No matter where you work on the roof.

2) Guardrails

These are most practical on flat or low pitched roofs.  

Guardrails must be 39-45 inches high and have a Top rail, mid-rail and toe-board.

Must be able to withstand 200 pounds of force in any direction.

Roof openings are also fall hazard and must be covered or surrounded by a guardrail.

Safety Monitor and Warning-line

3) Warning line and Safety Monitor System

The warning line is installed at 6 feet from roof edge at height of 36-42 inches.

Line is flagged every six feet.

Equipment cannot be stored outside a safe area.

When working outside the safe area or warning line you must wear fall protection or have a safety monitor when working outside the warning line.

You must wear a high visibility garment outside the line and take it off when inside the line.

As for Safety Monitor, his only job is to watch and warn workers of fall danger. Can monitor up to eight workers. There should be clear view between him and workers.

Fall Arrest

Two main types of fall arrest that are used during roofing are;

1)  Personal Fall Arrest- Full body Harness, Body Belt.

2) Catch Platform- sometimes used on large buildings,
Other measures include Safety net and Debris net.

Catch Platform

• Must be no lower than 10 feet from roof edge.
• Must be at least as wide as fall distance but never less than 45 inches in width.
• Must have Guardrails, toe-board and not used for storage of materials.
• Catch platform must conform with scaffold standard.

Personal Fall Arrest

• A full body harness is a common fall arrest system used in roofing.
• A full body harness stops a fall in progress and minimizes the force of fall to your body.
• Waist belts are not allowed because a fall will usually result in injury. Since high force of fall is concentrated at your waist rather than 6 points of full body harness
• The attachment point on a full body harness is D-ring on your upper back.
• It must be an ANSI Class III harness. Recreational climbing harness are not allowed.
• Be sure to use a size that fits you properly.
• Some fall arrest gear comes with shock absorbing lanyard, must be adjusted to prevent hitting to the ground or lower level. Because in a fall, the equipment stretches several feet.

Anchors

Fall arrest gear is only as good as the anchor. An anchor must be able to withstand 5000 lbs of force without failing.Manufactured anchors must be installed according to manufacturer's instructions.
Check pre-installed anchors before using, in fall your life depends anchor holding.

A knot can be used to secure a lifeline to an anchor point only when, you know the breaking strength of the life line and the knot doesn't decrease the strength of the lifeline to below 5000 lbs.

Equipment Do's and Don'ts -Fall Arrest Gear

• Do inspect for wear and damage before use.
• Do remove from service after fall for inspection.
• Dont use to life materials
• Dont attach to a guardrail or hoists.
• Look for the following:
• Webbing, D-rings, Tongue buckle and Ropes for any sign of damage, wear cuts, tears corrosion , cracks etc.

Precaution Measures for Working at Height
If the work you're responsible for includes working at height, you need to make sure that:

• Its properly planned and organised.
• The workers are competent
• You've assessed the risk from working at height, chosen appropriate work equipment and made sure that the staff uses it.
• You've controlled the risk from fragile surfaces.
• Equipment for working at height is properly inspected and maintained.

Avoid working at height wherever possible, if you cant avoid it:
Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls.
Use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of f fall.

Note:

Extended above edge-ladder

Ladders are fall hazard too. It should be resting on a stable and level base and should be extending 3 feet above the edge. Standard for ladder erection is 4:1 (for 4m height 1m distance from wall).
The person using ladder should not carrying anything and hands should be free. Three-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) shall be maintained with ladder while climbing.

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Electricity Hazards and Controls

Electricity is an integral part of our life and modern day cannot be imagined without it. But with all the benefit it brings in our life it has it also carries certain hazards which we are going to look at.

How the Electricity Works?

For electricity to work we need a source and a conductor. The source can be a power generator and wires can be conductors which can carry current.

What are Electrical Hazards?

Electrical Hazards can be as:

>Electric Shock

Electric Shock-contact with live conductor

Main type of harm from electricity is electric shock. An electric shock occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical energy source. The electrical energy flows through a portion of the body causing a shock  (you become part of the circuit).

The effects of electric shock may include Heart failure, respiratory failure and burns.
Also, The passage of electric current through body causes muscles to contract violently. As a result you can become unbalanced and Fall off a ladder or hitting against some object on same level.

Severity of electric shock depends upon:

• The nature (AC or DC) and amount of current passing through the body.
• Path taken by the current through the body.
• Length of time body is in the circuit.
• Resistance of body to electric flow (young, old, wet)

>Arc Flash or Arc Blast

An arc flash (also called a flashover) is, part of an arc fault, a type of electrical explosion or discharge that results from a low-impedance connection through air to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system.

Deadly Arc Flash while working with electricity

When an arc fault occurs, the result is a massive electrical explosion. The light and heat emitted by the explosion is known as the Arc Flash, and the pressure wave is known as the Arc Blast. An arc flash releases hot gases and concentrated radiant energy up to four times the temperature of the sun’s surface, which can melt metal and cause severe radiation .
It can cause severe burns, damage to eyesight, and even result in fatalities. And even if an arc blast doesn’t injure a person, it will damage equipment and cause downtime.

Electricity can also cause;

>Electrical Burns 
Typically occurs on hands when you touch electrical wiring or equipment that is improperly used or maintained.

>Fires
Fires of electric origin may be cause by overloading hazards. If too many devices are plugged into a circuit the current will heat the wire to a very high temperature which may cause a fire.
Or, If a wire insulation melts arcing may occur and cause a fire in the area where the overload exists even inside a wall.

Causes of Electrical Hazards:

Most electrical mishaps are caused by a combination of three factors:

1) Unsafe Work practices.

2) Unsafe equipment or installation.

3) Workplaces made unsafe by the environment.

Most deaths and injuries from electricity are due to:

• Using poorly maintained electrical equipment
• Working near overhead power lines
• Contact with underground power cables during excavation work
• Working near domestic electricity supplies
• Use of unsuitable electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres.

Preventing Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards can be prevented through proper:
- Insulation
- Grounding
- Using of electrically protective devices.
- Safe work practices.

What to do if electrocution occurs?

In dealing with electricity never exceed your expertise

• Call for help.
• Do not touch the victim or the conductor.
• Shutoff the current at the control box.
• If shutoff is not immediately available, use a non-conducting material to free the victim.
• If necessary, begin CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation ).

7 out of 10 victims revived when artificial respiration was given. But after three minutes the chances of revival decreases. 

Note:

To prevent contact with energized overhead power lines (cause of 45% of accidents in crane works)
> De-energize overhead lines
> Maintain minimum distance i.e,

• 10 feet distance for 50kv
• If over 50kv, add 4 inches per 10kv 

> Use proximity alarms
> Use of warning signs around source of high electric power.

Watch this video for safe escape from electrocution:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkwyxVEIDDM


For further details on electrical safety check;
NFPA 70E: Standard fr Electrical Safety in Workplace


Hope you've found this article informative and interesting. Keep tuned for more.

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