"The Body Electric"
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are force fields having both electric and magnetic components, carrying a definite energy, and capable of producing an action at a distance
(1) An electrical field (E-Field). Created by voltage (a potential difference between two points) and determines the force with which electricity is pushed through an electrical pathway (e.g. a wire, nerves, body's meridians) to produce a current. E-Field strength is measured in volts per meter (V/m).
E.g. A plugged-in, unlit lamp or a charged battery has an electric field. An electric field varies with the amount of the source voltage and decreases rapidly with the distance between the two points.
(2) A magnetic field (B-Field). A flowing electric current always produces an expanding magnetic field in addition to an electric field, with lines of force at a 90-degree angle to the direction of current flow.
E.g. A lit lamp or an operating appliance has both an electric and a magnetic field. B-Field strength is measured in amperes per meter (A/m).
E-Fields and B-Fields travel at right angles to each other and at right angles to the direction of wave propagation. Together they make up the total EMF. EMF strength indicates how many volts or amperes the EMF will induce in a receiving antenna that is one meter long.
i.e. They vibrate/oscillate. EM waves arise as a consequence of the following two concurrent effects:
(1) A changing electric field. If a current is fluctuating (vibrating), E.g. alternating Current (AC), the EM waves will fluctuate along with it. This changing field is characterized by its rate of fluctuation or vibration, called its frequency. Frequencies are expressed in cycles per second or Hertz (Hz.)
or (2) A changing magnetic field. Induces an oscillating current in an electrical pathway, which in turn creates a changing electric field (see above).
Natural EMFs are provided by the Earth, sunlight and nature. Visible light and random lightning discharges have created geomagnetic fields and electromagnetic forces that have been constant for millions of years.
Unnatural EMFs were first introduced when Thomas Edison built the first power station in New York City. After 100 years of using electromagnetism in technology, we now have an electromagnetic environment unlike any before. Some experts believe that the wide spectrum of artificial man-made EMF radiation masks the natural beneficial frequencies.
Earth's geomagnetic field strength is slowly declining. According to Professor Bannerjee of the University of New Mexico, the field has lost up to half its intensity in the last 4,000 years.
In contrast, exposing our body to unnatural EMFs never meant to be in our environment may have any number of detrimental effects on our health.
