Body Voltage

"We have developed an awareness not to touch the phase [the conductor] of a connected wire for conduction of voltage. Plastic coating protects us from conducted but not from inducted electricity, i.e we don’t get zapped, but we are being radiated."

WellBeing: Electro - Stress at Home

Effects

Ions

"A high body voltage could considerably alter the ingestion rates of ions. Ions of like polarity would be repelled from the body [i.e. a negative body voltage would repel negative ions], and an effective depletion of ingested ions of this type can be expected. Similarly, ions of the opposite polarity would be attracted, and enhancement of ingestion of opposite polarity ions can be expected. Thus it is possible that the same effect as positive ion enhancement could be produced by a high negative body potential, even if the ambient air ion concentrations are balanced."

Ecstatic Ltd.: Air ion effects on human performance

Biological Cellular Processes, Heart, Brain

"Delicate biological cellular processes (like brain function and heart muscle contraction) operate on the scale of microvolts to millivolts. Some experts warn against induced voltages of 20 mV or higher as they can theoretically interfere with the subtle cellular activity. "

LessEMF.com: EMF Meter Probes and Accessories

Measuring Body Voltage

Guidelines

"Body Voltage from AC (alternating current, mains) electric fields inducted into the body is measured as Body Potential in millivolts (mV). This method involves more time, because confirmed satisfactory earth contact with the meter has to be established. The readings will vary according to which direction the body is moving and at what height. In extreme cases it has been possible to light a test screwdriver on a person!

WellBeing: Electro - Stress at Home

Measuring with 'Body Voltage Sensor' Attachment

Note: The 'Body Voltage Sensor'attachment, described below, requires a digital multi-meter that is sold separately.

"Simply touch this sensor with a finger and know instantly what effect external fields are having inside your body (where it counts!). Will help you detect irritating sources of electric fields which may not otherwise be obvious. (DMM sold separately)."

LessEMF.com: EMF Meter Probes and Accessories

Measuring Electric Fields

· Indoor Air Pollution: Electromagnetic Waves: Measuring ELF Electric Field Radiation

Suggestions

'Near Zero' Body Voltage

"Control and reduction of body voltage to a near zero condition can be expected toreduce any such effectsand restore ion ingestion to that due to the ambient air ion balance condition."

Ecstatic Ltd.: Air ion effects on human performance

· "Body voltage above 100 mV should be avoided, zero would be ideal.

· During the day, we are approximately exposed to between 500 - 5000 mV."

WellBeing: Electro - Stress at Home

Safe Distances

"Measuring Body Voltage does not only demonstrate how much voltage is inducted by the electric fields into our body but will also teach us to become aware of high level areas and develop an awareness for safe distances for induction of voltage, e.g. between 0.5 to 2 m [meters] away…"

WellBeing: Electro - Stress at Home

"The body voltage under high voltage transmission lines is

· 100,000 mV with rubber soles,

· compared to 'only' 2000 mV with leather soled shoes.

This demonstrates the importance of proper earthing."

WellBeing: Electro - Stress at Home

Static Electricity

"Static electricity is the accumulation of electric charge on an object. We humans usually experience it (we get a quick 'shock') after walking across a rug and then touching another person or something metal. You see, our bodies become electrically charged from the friction between our shoes and the rug…

For most of us, static is a winter problem (when the air is particularly dry) and diminishes when humidity is high. Here are some suggestions that may help you reduce the amount of static electricity in your life:

· Wear shoes with leather soles, or go barefoot whenever you can. You can also wear thin socks at home instead of slippers or shoes. If leather soles don't help, adhere some aluminum foil or some other thin metal to the soles of your shoes. [some companies also sell EMF shielding products]

· Raise the humidity in your home with a humidifier. [see Indoor Air Pollution: Humidifiers and Vaporizers for more information]

· When possible, line-dry your clothes instead of using a dryer. This will reduce static electricity.

· Avoid wearing wool and nylon fabrics.

· Knock against doorknobs with your knuckles instead of grabbing them with your hand [if you regularly get shocked] -- you'll get less of a shock. You can also reduce the shocks you get by wearing a metal thimble on one finger and touching it to metal before grasping with bare skin. Touching a key to metal before you make skin contact does the same thing."

DrWeil.com: Grounding Static Electricity?

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

LessEMF.com: EMF Meter Probes and Accessories

"There are two essential fatty acids - commonly referred to as Omega-3…and Omega-6…- that are indeed essential for life because they are vitally involved in the proper functioning of every cell, tissue and organ in the human body. The Omega-6 EFAs are distributed evenly in most tissues, but Omega-3 EFAs are concentrated in a few tissues including the brain. More specifically, a substance termed …(DHA), converted from Omega-3 EFAs, is the most abundant Omega-3 EFA in the brain. The brain has the greater percentage of fat than any other organ in the body - 20% of the dry weight of the brain makes up EFA. We are, in fact, all 'fat heads'! (Stordy, 2000:83)."

ILT: Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

· Arousal: Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Back to 'Indoor Air Pollution'