Powerwatch Subscriptions - Document Library

This page gives a comprehensive list of all of our available material for subscribers to download, including a full description of what can be found in each article or publication.

Publications: All Publications

Mobile Phone Masts and Wireless Computing (121 pages)

This book looks at different sources of radiofrequency radiation around us including mobile phone masts, WiFi (at home, at work and in schools), DECT phones, WiMAX, Bluetooth, RFID tags and car microchips.

The section on mobile phone masts shows how a mobile phone mast affects the buildings around it, often in unexpected ways, the difficulties of 'guessing' what sort of level a particular spot will be subject to, and the problems of finding information.

It covers fears people have about the effect on their health, their property value, and how things may change without their knowledge. There is some information on planning regulations, including equipment changes and the 'advantages' and 'disadvantages' of mast sharing.

It has an extensive overview of the research into the health effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation (with references), including some of the history and politics.

There are FAQs on masts and telecommunications companies, and scientific appendices for the more technical enquirer.

Electrical Hypersensitivity (ES), A Modern Illness (77 pages)

This book addresses the difficult question of exactly what is electrical and microwave sensitivity and who is likely to develop this lifestyle-limiting condition.
It explains what triggers the symptoms of electrical hypersensitivity, including computer monitors, fluorescent lights, work EMF exposure, chemicals and mobile or cordless phones. Included are a few individuals’ experiences, anonymised where appropriate.
The symptoms are considered both with regard to the frequency with which they are reported by ES sufferers and also some of the research that has investigated the condition.
The mechanism by which EMFs affect the physico-biochemical functioning of systems within humans, animals and plants is still being debated. Some of the hypotheses and medical science are discussed, with references.
There is an extensive chapter on what the person with ES can do to help alleviate the symptoms. This includes avoidance of EMFs at home, at work and in the general environment, various therapies and alternative remedies that people with ES have found to help, and links to other groups.
Appendices contain critiques of the Irvine (2005) and Rubin 2006 reports.

Buying an EMF safe property (40 pages)

This book answers the question as to why you should be concerned about electromagnetic fields when you are considering buying a property.
There are sections on powerlines, ‘safe’ distances and potential property depreciation.
Properties near railway lines can be affected by EMFs, this section tells you how to find out.
Substations and transformers give off EMFs not only from the equipment, but from the cables entering and leaving the substation. The section defines ‘net’ currents and the effect that can have on the magnetic fields in the houses between the substations. It also mentions the effect on property prices.
Can you get rid of a powerline over your property? The wayleaves and easements section may help you find out how.
Mobile phone base stations may expose properties to high levels of radiofrequency radiation and affect property prices. How to spot the worst offenders is covered and details are included as to how to hire the instruments that will help you find out.
A section covers what to look for inside buildings, especially important for terraced, semi-detached houses and flats where neighbours can affect your EMF environment.
There are worksheets to photocopy and take to your prospective purchase/rental so you have the information you need to help you make your decision.

Electrical and Biological effects of Transmission Lines (295 pages)

This is an outstanding resource collating a large amount of work done up until 1996 on the electrical and biological effects of transmission lines.

Electromagnetic fields and health - a human EMC problem? (4 pages)

Can low levels of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure affect human and animal health? This is a topic that has been increasingly debated. In this article Alasdair Philips brings together some of the latest developments and offers a personal view of the issues that is intended to stimulate debate. A version of this article was first published in Electronics World in 2005.

Radiofrequency Protection for you and your family (62 pages)

The health effects associated with RF radiation are summarised, quoting extensively from much of the research, which is well-referenced.
The research indicates that a percentage of the population seems to be adversely affected by exposure to radiofrequency (microwave) radiation.
RF radiation comes from a number of sources, outside and also inside people’s homes. Mobile phone masts are a source of major concern for many people; other sources include trains and railway stations, cars, WiFi in schools and cafés, the new WiMAX systems; mobile and cordless phones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, computer wireless networks, wireless laptops, children’s games, etc.
There are sections on how you measure the exposure and what you can do if RF levels are high – screening windows and walls , discussing many of the available options.
Personal protection is becoming more desirable as environmental sources of RF are expanding, making many public places difficult to access by people with sensitivities. It is difficult to find what really works; we discuss some of the problems and possibilities.

Powerfrequency Protection for you and your family (58 pages)

The link between powerfrequency EMFs and ill-health has become well established. The association between measured magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia has been accepted internationally.
The research findings, which are well referenced, are summarised in detail including cancer, depression, DNA changes, miscarriages and dementia.
Environmental sources of powerfrequency radiation are discussed; powerlines, substations, railways, garden equipment, solar heating systems, cars, schools and work, etc. There are sources inside as well. All electrical appliances give off electric and magnetic fields; computers (including laptops) and monitors, televisions, electric blankets, lighting, heating and cooking systems, the effects of having lights on at night.
It includes instructions on earthing appliances with two-wire mains leads to reduce high electric fields; sections on simple things to do to reduce your exposure to EMFs with diagrams for electricians to be able to implement any desired changes and the special screened cables to use.

Articles: Health

Childhood Leukaemia (26 pages)

Childhood leukaemia is steadily increasing. Thanks to better treatment, most children are surviving this illness into adulthood. The treatment is very difficult for the children and it disrupts many families even to breaking point. It would be much better to avoid the causes of leukaemia.
This article looks at the possible causative factors associated with the development of childhood leukaemia; ionising radiation (e.g.X-rays), non-ionising radiation (e.g.EMFs); chemical exposure and infections. The research into these 4 areas is summarised (with references).
There is also a section on the possible protective factors that have been identified; and the other factors, medical, genetic, socioeconomic and environmental that have been linked with childhood leukaemia.

EMFs and childhood leukaemia (8 pages)

This article briefly reviews what is thought to cause childhood leukaemia (with references) though like most cancers, leukaemia has been identified as having multiple factors involved in causation, some of which may not even be known yet.
It focuses on non-ionising radiation, having sections on powerfrequency (ELF) EMFs and radiofrequency EMFs. It contains many references in both sections.

Power Frequency EMFs and Health Risks (20 pages)

There are sections on leukaemia, breast and other cancers, the effect of magnetic fields on Tamoxifen, a common anti-cancer drug; DNA and other cellular changes, depression and suicide, miscarriage and reproductive problems, Motor Neurone Disease and degenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease.
The involvement of the hormone melatonin in biological health and how it is affected by magnetic fields is discussed. There are extensive references.

Radiofrequency EMFs and health risks (21 pages)

Brief mention is made of early work into radiofrequency radiation exposure carried out in the last century, when the first description was made of 'microwave sickness'.
Many comparisons are made between the radiation from TV and radio masts and the newer digital communications transmitters. There is a section looking at the health effects studied in the vicinity of radio and TV transmitters. The discussion then focuses on mobile phone masts, that many people have concerns about.
The research linking pulsed microwave transmitters and specific diseases such as cancer, reproductive changes and neurological problems are discussed.
Are extra precautions needed to protect our children? Is it all 'in the mind?' - unlikely if you look at the research into animal, bird and insect populations.
The appendices include graphs and tables with details from many of the studies investigating health effects in the general community, near mobile phone masts.

Leukaemia risk and ultrasound (1 pages)

There have been some concerns about the potential risks associated with ultra sound scans. This article summarises the research, with many references to support the conclusions.

EMFs and Healing (6 pages)

Electromagnetic fields are not only associated with ill-health effects, they have been used for many years to bring about healing in different ways. This was especially true, initially, in countries where the cost of 'high-tech' medical treatments may have been unaffordable.
This article discusses wound healing, fracture repair, cancer tumour reduction and other areas of medicine.
We anticipate that this article will be extended a great deal as and when time allows to include more data from the wealth of information available, not always in English

There are a number of references to source papers, showing a remarkable insight into useful applications of the known biological effects of electromagnetic fields.

Melatonin, EMFs and Health (6 pages)

Melatonin is a hormone which plays a vital role in the health of living beings. Research is showing that EMFs can reduce the ability of the body to produce melatonin, thus affecting people's health in a number of ways, including their ability to resist cancers.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (3 pages)

A comparison between MRI and CT scans, the European Physical Agents Directives and the effect this will have on the availability of this medical diagnostic tool.

Articles: Phones and Masts

DECT Cordless Phones (5 pages)

Both RF radiation and also low-frequency pulses forom the phones and base units are described.
Health problems (including brain tumours) that have been identified as an increased risk for people who use cordless phones are listed together with the research references.
The effect this radiation has induced in insect life is also mentioned.

Why does my phone still work when I screen out the fields? (1 pages)

Many people are surprised when they have screened a room against incoming microwave radiation from a mobile phone mast that a mobile phone still works. This article explains why.

Mobile Phones (49 pages)

Who uses mobile phones, and for how long? Despite the advice from the Department of Health that children under 16 should not use mobile phones in an emergency, how many have phones and how often do they use them? Are children really safer with a mobile phone?

These and many other questions are answered in this extensive article.

The health effects linked to mobile phone use are described in detail with a lot of references. These include brain tumours; other cancers; dementia; effects on the brain, EEG changes, memory problems; biological control mechanism dysfunctions and other cellular changes; blood changes; breaches of the blood-brain barrier (which let in poisons like alcohol into the brain) and effects on fertility.

The results of multinational studies are explained and discussed.

There are many pages of useful tips to enable those people who have to use a mobile phone (e.g. for work) to reduce their exposure (and therefore the risks).

Many pages of references are included to help convince the sceptical.

Children and Mobile Phones (15 pages)

Many authorities around the world recommend that children under the age of 16 should use a mobile phone as little as possible. In view of this we look at the evidence (using extensive references) for

Which children have phones?

What is the official advice on phone use by children, both at home and abroad?

Does having a mobile phone make children safe?

Research findings into the association between using a mobile phone and the following

brain tumours
a reduction in the ability to learn and remember
changed behaviour - increased aggression
eye damage
mouth cancer
DNA changes
reduced fertility

It may be worth a read before you buy a child a mobile phone.

How microwaves reflect off building surfaces and into buildings (3 pages)

It is very difficult to guess at the levels of microwave exposure in a building, especially when there are other buildings nearby. This article helps explain why, using schematic diagrams showing the complexity of reflections from surfaces and the difficulty of determining exposure both from a mast near to an occupied building and for the occupants in a building with a mast on top.

With multiple sources such as more than one company on a mast, or several masts, neighbours' cordless phones or WiFi systems, the situation becomes even more complicated.

Articles: Computing and Networking

Computing Overview (10 pages)

Many people use computers for their work or during their leisure time. 20 years or so ago, there were concerns about the levels of power frequency magnetic fields from computer monitors or Visual Display Units (VDUs). These have much improved since then in ways which are explained in the article.

Some comparisons are made between CRT and TFT screens and wired or optical mice.

The health research is briefly discussed (with references) as computer monitors seem to provoke ill-health symptoms in many users, the reasons for which are not yet fully understood.

Wireless networks, broadband, laptops and wireless local area networks (wLANs) in schools are covered, as increasing concern is being expressed by parents and teachers alike. It briefly mentions games consoles.

Do 'buttons' protect you from computer EMFs? Read it to find out.

For more detailed technical information on the relevant technologies, please see the articles marked 'technical' in Computing and Networking topic area.

Wireless LAN technical article (8 pages)

With the increase in use of networked WiFi systems in schools, more people are concerned about the effect this 'new' form of electromagnetic radiation may be having on our health and particularly the health of our children.

This is a fairly complete over-view of the science and health research behind our recommendation that wLANs should not be used in schools.

It compares natural microwaves and wLAN signal levels. The document is suitable for use at school governors meetings, etc.

It debunks four often-quoted myths with facts
1. We've been exposed to this radiation for years, it must be safe.
2. People only got affected when the scare stories started, it must be psychosomatic.
3. Being on a phone for 20 minutes is equivalent to 1 year in a WiFi classroom.
4. The WHO factsheet says there is no cause for concern, and they should know.

There are easy alternatives to providing internet access to school pupils. WiFi is not the safe option

Articles: Transport

Cars (6 pages)

Discusses the various sources that expose people in a car to time-varying electromagnetic fields - from extremely low frequencies up to microwave frequencies. It covers EMFs from magnetised wheels and tyres, and the high magnetic ones when the battery is located in the boot/rear of the car (as is the case in many "more up-market" modern cars). Environmentally friendly electric cars could be worse.

Also covered are mobile phones in cars, homoeopathic remedy depotentisation in cars, police radar guns, GPS and other tracking devices and traffic control sensors.

Articles: Electrical Appliances

Dimmer Switches (1 pages)

A brief description of EMFs from dimmer switches and a short comparison of different types. Mention of light at night, with interesting links, as a general problem for children and adults.

Electrical Appliances (33 pages)

A comprehensive account of EMFs, powerfrequency and radiofrequency (microwave) from electrical appliances in the home, listed alphabetically for easy reference. It includes kitchen appliances such as washing machines, cookers, cooker hoods, fridges, etc., different types of lighting and heating, general appliances such as hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, showers, power tools including the sort used in the garden, transformers for children's toys, music centres, even bras! It includes how to earth lamps and other equipment that have only 2 core cables.

Microwave Cooking (5 pages)

This article briefly mentions modern changes in food quality and the importance of preserving available vitamins and minerals, and the potential problems of supplementation. It then looks at cooking with microwaves and how this can change the food and the consumer of the food. It also looks at the research into toxic by-products of packaging used for pre-prepared microwave meals. It contains some references to international research findings. It also has information about EMF exposure and microwave leakage.

Digital Cordless Baby Monitors (2 pages)

This article has been written to summarise the information and research that we have collated that apply to the models of baby monitor that may be putting your child at risk.

Lighting and EMFs (6 pages)

This article compares different forms of lighting and light bulbs. It includes fluorescent, incandescent and energy-saving bulbs. It also includes information about EMFs and halogen, full-spectrum, daylight and LED light bulbs and thoughts to bear in mind in positioning desk and bedside lights.

Articles: Substations, Powerlines and Related EMFs

Powerlines, substations, underground cables and net currents (7 pages)

Research has linked powerlines to an increased risk of childhood leukaemia. This article looks at the safety aspects of living near pylons, powerlines, substations and transformers, underground cables. How far away do you need to be to be safe? It clarifies how electromagnetic fields reduce with distance, and how corona ions from powerlines can also add to health problems. The issue of net currents is also included as this can create unexpectedly high magnetic fields in many houses.

Stray Currents (2 pages)

'Stray' currents are caused by faults in the neighbourhood electricity system that cause electric currents to flow on metal gas and/or water pipes and give rise to higher than usual magnetic fields. When you are checking the magnetic field levels, if you find high fields that get stronger as you get closer to internal gas or water pipes, then stray currents are the likely cause.

This article gives a short summary of stray currents and what can be done about them.

Articles: Reference Material

Are we measuring the right things? (14 pages)

A look at this crucial question that is vital if we are ever to understand the complex way that electric and magnetic fields interact with living beings. It suggests that the metrics currently being used to decide EMF safety Standards are inadequate and some are even inappropriate. It is a scientific article written for the general public with at least a UK GCSE level understanding of science.

Location maps for powerlines and mobile phone masts (2 pages)

This article provides good basic information to enable you to find out where powerlines and mobile phone masts are near you, a prospective property purchase or near a school.

House Electrical Installations and EMFs (20 pages)

This article is a comprehensive overview of different forms of building wiring; 'ring' mains, 'radial' and 'tree and branch' circuits. It has comparative information about the different types of screened cable that are available and where they can be obtained. Some of the content is straightforward; some is written for electricians as a practical guide. Remember that electricity can be lethal, and all wiring installations should be checked by a competent person with suitable test equipment to ensure that they are safe and that they fully comply with the UK BS7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations.

Articles: Other

Microwaves, windows and Pilkington-K glass (1 pages)

A brief outline of the potential usefulness of Pilkington-K Glass for screening microwaves, and other aspects to consider when doing so. Now includes information about windows and electric fields from external sources such as powerlines.

Underfloor Heating (2 pages)

This article provides an overview of the pros and cons of underfloor heating (electric and hot water) and how to choose a system to minimise EMF exposure.

Anti-shoplifting devices in shops, libraries, etc (2 pages)

High electromagnetic fields can be given off near the anti-shoplifting pillars that are common in shops, libraries, etc. Vulnerable people such as children or pregnant women should keep their distance.