What is Electromagnetic Stress?

Electromagnetic Stress, or 'Electrostress' is the negative reaction of the body to the presence of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is an electrical field created by the alternating electrical current used by most electronic and electrical appliances (alternating current 'changes direction' (back and forth, for simplicity) very quickly. In the UK it changes direction 50 times every second (usually referred to as 50Hz). In the US it changes at 60Hz). It can cause a wide range of effects, from minor to extreme, including:

• An inability to relax or get restful sleep
• Depression
• ME
• Headaches
• Stress related illness, such as heart-attacks
• Allergies
• Tinnitus (continuous ringing in the ears)
• Illnesses caused by a weakened immune system

Where can electromagnetic radiation be found?

Electromagnetic radiation is present almost everywhere on the planet, but because of the large number of electrical appliances in the home and office, you can find yourself bathed in this radiation. It is emitted from computers, TV's and video recorders, electric ovens, microwave ovens, the mains-carrying cables in the walls of your home (and those leading to each appliance). Mobile phones emit large amounts, which is why there is currently so much concern about their long term effects, as do radio and TV transmitters, overhead cables, electric heating, telephones and personal stereos (there are strong magnets in both earpiece and microphone), the mains distribution board (you can get a very strong field from these), and fluorescent/low energy lighting, which produces a much stronger field than traditional lightbulbs.

What can be done about it?

If you think you are affected (that is, you're ill, you've seen your doctor and he/she can't cure you) then the first step would be to examine the areas of the home or office where you spend most of your time (don't forget the area around your bed, where you spend many hours each night - disturbed sleep can be very detrimental to health). The simplest way of locating possible sources is to look where electrical cables run, not forgetting those in walls (if you don't know where they are, you can buy fairly cheap devices which will locate them). It may be difficult to relocate these, so you may have to move your bed. As much as possible, keep electrical items and cables away from you - especially your head (3ft is a generally considered a distance where normal mains fields will no longer affect you). Switch TV's and video recorders off at the mains before you go to sleep - leaving them on standby effectively leaves them active (and uses more electricity!). Switch off electric blankets before you climb into bed, otherwise you'll be bathed from head to toe in electromagnetic radiation.

Walk through the house and locate other problem areas - be sure you don't spend too many hours in a problem area (such as having the TV right next to your favourite chair), don't forget that fields can pass through floors and ceilings, and especially don't forget to check that you're well away from the mains distribution board - even in the room above.

Apart from moving appliances and cables away from you, there are few solutions to this type of radiation (unless you're building your own home). You can fit demand switches, which switch off the entire ring main unless something is switched on, but this requires some rewiring if you wish to keep the fridge running! You can also buy protective undersheets for the bed, which effectively short circuit the fields to earth. If you're really serious you can get a professional to carry out an electromagnetic survey of your home.