As the prominence of devices that emit electromagnetic radiation rises, so too do concerns over their effects on human health. While much research exists on the effects of large emitters, such as transmitter towers and electrical substations, far less is known about smaller sources of EMF like cellular phones and treadmills. While the low-level, nonionizing radiation of an electromagnetic field doesn't damage biological tissue, there is some concern over its effects on the regular functioning of your heart, brain and other organs.
Treadmills and Electromagnetic Fields
In a report to the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks, Dr. Magda Havas noted the presence of transient electromagnetic fields generated by treadmill use. These fields, also known as dirty electricity, are similar to the electromagnetic fields emitted by high voltage power lines and wireless communications towers. Research has suggest that these fields may play a roll in aggravating the symptoms of certain chronic conditions. If you are diabetic, for example, you may experience hypersensitivity to the presence of electromagnetic emissions which boosts the intensity and severity of your condition.
How EM Radiation Differs From Other Forms of Radiation
The Australian communications and media authority counters these concerns with the assertion that relatively low levels of electromagnetic emissions show little or ambiguous evidence of harmful biological effects. Unlike other forms of radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, electromagnetic emissions are nonionizing and are not known to damage or alter your living tissue on the cellular level. The communications and media authority acknowledges that a range of studies have reported various biological effects of low-level exposure; however, they do not consider these effects a human health hazard.
Heart Disease and EMF
Dr. Havas also expressed concern that long-term exposure to dirty electricity from treadmills may be of concern to you if you suffer from cardiovascular disease, as it can also cause or aggravate certain types of heart disease. While there has been little scientific study specific to electromagnetic emissions from treadmills, researchers have studied links between cardiovascular disease and electromagnetic emissions from power lines, communication towers and cellular phones. The International Union of Radio Science reported that studies found workers in AM radio broadcasting stations experienced more frequent heart rhythm disturbances than their unexposed counterparts, and that substation workers experienced elevated blood pressure due to exposure. While these studies were concerned with significantly higher levels of electromagnetic emissions than those produced by a treadmill, they did provide a link between exposure and heart disease.
Cancer and Leukemia
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has also taken note of the possible dangers inherent in electromagnetic emissions. In a May 4, 1999, report, the organization concluded that a weak association existed between EMF and childhood leukemia. A small number of studies on adults showed no known link between electromagnetic emissions and adult cancers, and recommended continued education on practical ways to reduce EMF exposure, especially to children. Like many other studies that concern EMF and human health, this investigation focused on larger sources of more significant electromagnetic emission levels, such as electrical substations, and did not account for short- or long-term exposure to smaller emitters, such as treadmills. However, you may wish to play it safe if you have small children in your home, and avoid exposing them to the EM radiation a home treadmill emits.
References
- Energy Efficient Lighting and their Electromagnetic Emissions; Magda Havas; June 2008
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Electric & Magnetic Fields
- Food Consumer: New EMF Dangers
- Australian Communications and Media Authority: Electromagnetic Energy Fact Sheet
- International Union of Radio Science: The Impact of EMF on the Cadiovascular Function: Basic Methodological Problems and Study Results; Alicja Bortkiewicz, et al.
- MSNBC: Cell Phone Radiation Alters Brain Activity, Study Shows
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