Are Electromagnetic Fields Making Me Ill?: How Electricity and Magnetism Affect Our Health

Electricity and Magnetism (E&M) is a fundamental science that underlies many medical devices, but it also attracts bogus health claims. This book separates the good from the bad by exploring a range of fascinating phenomena and using science and evidence to sort out fact from fantasy. It is aimed at general readers and students and professionals in bioscience and health-related fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Electricity and Magnetism (E&M) play a crucial role in numerous lifesaving medical devices, including magnetic resonance imaging scanners, neural stimulators, and heart pacemakers. However, the field also attracts dubious health claims, such as biomagnetic therapy. Sorting through the valid applications from the false ones can be challenging due to various factors, including experimental artifacts, limited theories, and ambiguities in clinical trials. In this book, the author aims to separate the wheat from the chaff, providing insights into which E&M applications are legitimate and which are not.

The book takes the reader on a journey through a diverse range of fascinating phenomena, encompassing effects that are constant in time, such as transcranial direct current stimulation of the brain, and millimeter-wave whole-body scanners, familiar to frequent flyers. Along the way, the author delves into the controversy surrounding power line magnetic fields and leukemia, serving as a case study of what can go wrong when questionable claims ignite unjustified fears. The debate about cell phones and brain cancer continues to rage, particularly with the introduction of new 5G technology and the associated microwave frequencies. Recently, the so-called Havana Syndrome has been attributed to microwave weapons, but the underlying biophysics of such weapons remains unclear.

In addressing these encounters with electricity and magnetism, the author, an esteemed biophysicist, employs scientific principles and evidence to distinguish between fact and fantasy. This book is designed for general readers who seek to understand the enigmatic and often controversial ways in which E&M interacts with the human body. It is also an invaluable resource for students and professionals in bioscience and health-related fields who wish to expand their knowledge without being overwhelmed by theoretical complexities. By presenting a comprehensive and evidence-based approach, the book empowers readers to make informed decisions about the applications of E&M in healthcare and other fields.

Weight: 220g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030987732
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022