This document provides an overview of building biology and electrobiology. It discusses how modern environmental factors can impact health and introduces the Institute for Building Biology & Ecology, which facilitates information sharing on building healthy living and work spaces. The document then summarizes various sources of electromagnetic radiation in the built environment, including power systems, wireless technologies, and dirty electricity from electronics. It discusses the science of epidemiology and reviews some research on the health effects of electromagnetic fields and radiation. Throughout, it emphasizes the importance of studying electrobiology to understand how current environmental exposures may differ from historical human experience and recommends prudent avoidance of technologies that can negatively impact health.

1. The Body Electric
Factors in Electrobiology:
Electromagnetic Radiation & Health
Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology
A Florida 501 (c) 3 educational non-profit
www.BuildingBiology.org
Larry Gust, Gust Environmental, Ventura, CA
www.GustEnviro.com • 805-644-2008

2. www.BuildingBiology.net
A 501 c3 Non Profit
International Institute for
Bau-Biologie™ & Ecology (IBE)
Building Biology Community
“going beyond Green”
So how can Building Biology help you?

3. IBE Educational Premise
Given that
• Modern habitat environmental issues ⇒ health issues
• Disjointed information
IBE has taken on the role to:
• Facilitate pooling of information
• Organize and disseminate the information
• Present it to the general public and those desiring to use the
knowledge to help others

4. Institute for
Bau-Biologie™
& Ecology, Inc A 501 c3 Non Profit
• Teaching the use of healthy building principles
• Improving the health of living & work spaces
• Improving the health of people
For information on educational materials & services:

5. Building Biology Certification
Tracks
• Building Biology Practitioner
• Building Biology Environmental Consultant
• Building Biology Environmental Inspector

6. The
Building Biology* Encompasses:
*Relationship between people and the built environment

7. Electrobiology:
The science of non-ionizing electromagnetic energy
(magnetic fields, electric fields, and radio frequency
radiation) and its effect on living organisms.
-Institute for Building Biology & Ecology
http://www.buildingbiology.net

8. Why study electrobiology?
To understand how our current
environment affects our health …
 Compare today’s environmental
factors to those that existed during
the majority of human biological
development

9. Why study electrobiology?
To understand how our current
environment affects our health
consider…
 Developmental exposures to toxins were
limited to existing chemicals
 Developmental exposures to
electromagnetic radiations were limited to
those from Earth and Cosmos

10. Why study electrobiology?
To understand how our current
environment affects our health …
 Consider significant differences with the
past
 Look at research results

11. Why study electrobiology?
To become aware of technologies that
negatively affect human health
To be able to exercise prudent avoidance
To provide spaces where our bodies can
heal themselves

12. The science of epidemiology:
Tracks existence and probable cause of
adverse health conditions
Compares exposed and unexposed groups
holding all other variables constant
Result of the comparison is a risk ratio (RR)
If an exposed group shows no difference
versus the unexposed group, the RR = 1.0
If an exposed group shows 50% more illness,
the RR=1.5

13. The Man-made
electromagnetic environment:
Distortion of the truth occurs at higher levels.
Serious and knowledgeable, working scientists
no longer buy the industry argument that
“there is no credible scientific evidence”.
“Bluing” of the world may be causing a broad
based deterioration in health levels making
detection and proof increasingly difficult.

14. The science of epidemiology:
The little known secret:
 Both groups are exposed to EMR
 So the RR is biased to the low side
 EMR studies show RR’s of 1.25 to 2.5
 The RR’s are really much higher (2.5 to 5?)
It is well known among the people who do
epidemiological studies, but not talked about in
the popular press.

15. The weight of evidence:
Scientific questions are initially resolved on
weight of evidence.
A emf consensus is unlikely because
vested interests want conclusive proof
(like tobacco).
Little in science is conclusively proven, but
we have the weight of the evidence.
EMR is a significant health problem.

16. Evidence points to potentially
broad health impacts:
Particularly immune system impacts
Effects are broad
Effects obscured by worldwide electrification
Health associations demonstrated by pioneers:
 Robert O. Becker, MD
 Nancy Wetheimer and recently . . .
 Dr. George Carlo, MD
The evidence from studies continues to build.
There ARE documented health issues.

17. Technologies:
Power System
Transmission lines

18. Technologies:
Power system local
distribution lines
and equipment

19. Technologies:
Power System
Building Wiring

20. Technologies:
Wireless Communications

21. Interrelationship Between
Technologies:
The Electromagnetic Spectrum defines how
the various radiations fit together on the
basis of frequency.
Frequency: The number of times a specified
phenomenon occurs within a specified
interval.

23. The electromagnetic
spectrum:
EMR sources of interest:
 Power system and components
(wires, dishwasher, fridge, etc.)
 Communications
 Natural Radiations
 Medical:
The Body Electric (1998)
Cross Currents (1990)
by Robert O. Becker, MD

24. Power system fields:
Energies in our homes & Businesses:
 Magnetic Fields (milliGauss) from
current flow (amps)
 Electric Fields from energized potential (voltage)
 Dirty Electricity from electronics

25. Power system fields:
Plumbing system analogy:
 Water pressure in pounds / square inch
 Water flow in gallons

26. Power system fields:
Your electrical system:
 Electric pressure is in Volts (Electric Fields)
 Electrical flow is in amps (magnetic Fields)

27. Power system Magnetic Fields:
Sources:
 Utility lines (line source)
 Wiring faults in the building (line source)
 Current flow on water & gas pipes, ducts, AC lines (line source)
 Electrical Devices (point source)
 Utility transformers (point source)
Sensing methods:
 Gauss meter – used to measure size of field
 Buzz stick – used to hear fields

29. Line Source
Distance
Point Source
Water Pipe

30. Magnetic Fields from Outside:
• Homes are connected together by
metal
 Water & gas pipes
 Cable & phone ground.
• Current does not belong on these, but
is common

31. Magnetic Fields from outside:
• Current on these metal pathways can
come from other homes and from the
power company.
• Current flow causes elevated magnetic
fields in areas of the home.

32. Magnetic Fields from outside:
• Current on metal pathways is from
 Other homes
 The power company.
• Result: Elevated magnetic fields in
areas of the home.

33. Magnetic Fields from outside:
Healthy four year old girl in Marin CA.
Became lethargic, no appetite, rectal bleeding.
Medical exam gave no clue as to the problem.
An 80 milliGauss AC magnetic field found in
child’s bed and play yard.
The child is moved and recovers completely.
Instruments are needed to make unseen visible.

34. Magnetic Fields & Building Materials

35. Magnetic field research;
epidemiological studies:
National Library of Medicine Compilation (1995 )
 8/10 peer reviewed studies: children living near
transmission & distribution lines have a higher
risk of leukemia, lymphoma & brain cancer (RR
from 1.3 to 4).
 24/30 peer reviewed occupational studies:
exposed occupations had significantly higher
risk of leukemia, lymphoma & brain cancer (RR
from 2 to 10).

36. Magnetic field research;
epidemiological studies:
Interest groups produce Non-peer
reviewed studies
Controversy exists because non-peer
studies contradict and…
There is no way to establish cause
and effect

37. Research animal studies:
Dogs with lymphoma were 6X more likely to have
lived in homes with fields over 2 mG.
Monkeys: Circadian rhythm altered, serotonin &
dopamine significantly depressed
Rats learn more slowly & make more mistakes
Mini Pigs: Night melatonin production reduced,
significant loss in serum testosterone

38. Karolinska Institute, Sweden (1992)
Microwave News, Sept/Oct 1992
Over 300,000 people 1960 to 1985
Living within 300 m of power lines
Excellent tracking of power levels
Statistically significant increase in
childhood cancers:
• Over 1 mG Doubling
• Over 2 mG Tripling
• Over 3 mG Quadrupling

39. Henry Lai and Narendra P. Singh
Study (January 2004):
Magnetic field-induced DNA strand breaks
in brain cells of the rat
100 mG exposure to mice for 24 hours
Significant increase in single and double
strand breaks in brain cells

40. Henry Lai and Narendra P. Singh
Study (January 2004):
48 hours = much larger increase
Effect is cumulative
Severe magnetic field exposure
increases cell disintegration

41. Connecticut Siting Council
(January 2006)
Based on epidemiology studies done
Recommend 3 to 4 milliGauss to avoid
leukemia risk to children
Epidemiologists Carpenter, Neutra,
Wartenberg testify in support of
prudent avoidance

42. Biological Concern Levels:
Over 10 mG Extreme Concern
1 to 10 mG Severe Concern
0.2 to 1.0 mG Slight Concern
Under 0.2 mG No Concern
Most houses without wiring errors:
0.2 to 0.5 mGauss

43. Magnetic Field Prudent Avoidance:
Keep distance from point sources.
Fix wiring problems causing unequal current flow.
Sleeping place needs to be low stress environment:
 Good air quality
 Equipment free: its not an entertainment center
 Low magnetic fields
Best is 0.2 mG or less

44. Magnetic Field Prudent Avoidance:
• No magnetic field sources near bed
• Or the other side of a wall or floor from a bed.
• Avoid electric blanket, water bed, heating pad
• Move clock away or get battery powered clock
• Use flat screened TV and monitor that reduce magnetic
fields (no Plasma TV)

45. Electric Fields

46. Power system electric fields:
• Sources: Energized wires
 Lamp, appliance, and extension cords
 Electric blanket, water bed heater
 Energized wiring in the walls, ceiling, floor
• Our body acts as an antenna.
• An alternating voltage is placed on our body
• Its easier to measure Body Voltage

47. The closer to source the higher the BV
BV ranges from 1000 mV to 50,000 mV

48. Research on power system
electric fields:
Few epidemiological studies conducted
Most were done on well people.

49. Research on power system
electric fields:
University of Toronto on Ontario Hydro
Workers (American Journal of Epidemiology,
July 10, 1996):
 30,000 current and former workers
 Increased risk of Leukemia for both magnetic
and electric fields
 Risk highest for electric fields
 Electric field was dominant risk factor
 High exposure to both fields showed 11 times
the risk of Leukemia

50. Electric Field Health effects
from scientific observation
(>10,000 inspections):
Aggravates allergies
Disturbed sleep (the man in Marin)
Night sweats
Heart palpitations

51. Electric Field Health effects from scientific
observation (10,000 inspections):
Muscle and nerve pain (the doctor)
Waking tired
Daytime irritability
Bed wetting in children (the 13 yr. old boy)

52. Laptop Computer
• Electric field up to 1000V/m
at the keyboard
• Ground the laptop
• Use an external keyboard

53. Sensing/measuring methods:
Electric Field (EF) Sensor
IBE, $20
Gardner-Bender,
GVD-505A, $23

54. Sensing/measuring methods:
Body voltage meter
Earthing Rod Hand Grip
www.SafeLivingTechnologies.ca

55. Biological riskLevels:
Over 1,000 mV Extreme Concern
100 to 1,000 mV Severe Concern
10 to 100 mV Slight Concern
Most Bedrooms: 1000 mV to 5,000 mV
Average ~ 2000 mV

56. What You Can Do:
Unplug all electrical devices near bed (within 6
feet).
Eliminate electric blanket, pads, waterbed heater
(plug in the waterbed heater during the day
and unplug it at night).
No live extension chords, power strips near bed.
Find circuits that raise body voltage and turn off.
Turn off bedroom circuit breaker & adjoining
rooms

57. Other Sleeping Area
Recommendations. . .
Sleep in a bed without springs
or other metal parts.
Open windows at night:
- Ionization of air is very important to mood
and health
- Need to avoid CO2 build up

58. Dirty Electricity
• Caused by all electronic devices
• Studies link this to
 Asthma  Depression
 Behavioral problems  Headaches
 Tinnitus  Memory Loss
 Diabetes  Impaired sleep
 Neuromuscular –
chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis
Dr. Magda Havas, University of Trent.
Ontario Canada

59. What is Dirty Electricity?
• Electricity was like a meadow in the country, gently
varying, quiet, harmonious and clean.
• Today its filled with abrupt, noisy changes.
• Much like static on a radio playing classical music.
The underlying music is there and it could be
beautiful and relaxing, but all that static is irritating.

60. Dirty Electricity Sources
• Computers • Power tools
• Variable speed motors • Arcing on utility wires
• Television sets • Your house
• Entertainment units • The neighbor’s house
• Energy efficient lighting • Offices
• Energy efficient appliances • Factories
• Dimmer Switches

61. Handling Dirty Electricity
• Electrical devices called filters
• Made to remove certain vibrational levels
• Installed according to a protocol

62. Radio Frequency
EM Radiation

63. Radio frequency EMR:
Wireless communication technologies
 Pagers
 Digital (high definition) broadcast TV
 Wireless mp3 players
 Cellular phones
 Cellular Antennas
 Cordless phones
 Wireless internet links (Wi-Fi)

64. Cellular Communications Energy:

65. Cell Phone Technology:
The need to carry more conversations
spurred technical Innovation:
 Analog phones replaced by digital
 Digital multiplexing for more channels:
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
Principle technology in use

66. Cell Phone Technology:
Carrier wave
GSM 1900MHz
Pulses
217 Hz

67. Cell Phone Technology:
• Information Carrying Radio Waves (ICRW)
• Carrier frequency (clothesline)
 900MHz and 1,800 MHz for cell phones
• Information – pulses (clothes)
 217Hz
• Modulation
 8.34 and 2 Hz
 Alpha & Delta Brain Waves

68. Cell Phone Technology:
Modulation
 TDMA multi-frame rate = 8.34 Hz
 TDX on-off frequency = 2 Hz
 Alpha Brain waves = 8 - 13 Hz
 Delta Brain waves = 1 - 3 Hz
Result is energy pulses with the frequency
of human brain waves

69. Health Issues
• Thermal
• Non-thermal
• Factors
 Field strength
 Frequency
 Modulation

70. Non-thermal Effects
New research shows thermal effect AND
biological effects at low level exposure
Research shows links between low level
microwave exposure and certain medical
problems, including tumors.

71. Non-thermal Effects
HL60 cell – human promyelozyten
–pre – stage of blood cells )
Unexposed HL 60 cell

72. Non-thermal Effects
Comet – Assay test
This test shows an
increase of single and
double DNA strand breaks
after DNA damage
After exposure to ionizing
and non ionizing radiation
we see a comet on the cell
The bigger the comet the
greater the DNA damage

73. Reflex - Project

74. Biological effects - The Reflex Project
and other studies
Reason for the project:
Epidemiological research and animal experiments could not prove
a link between EMF exposure and a health risk for humans.
The Reflex project investigated whether the preconditions for cause
of illness at cell level and the human genome are met.

75. The Reflex Project on Biological Effects
German cancer research
Technical University of Zurich

76. Methodology
Micronucleus test
• Increase of micronuclei
• Disturbance of cell division
program
• Little extra nuclei eparated
from chromosomes
• This picture shows those
micronuclei in dividing HL 60
cells after RF – EMF exposure
HL60 cell – human promyelozyten
The pre – stage of blood cells )

77. Methodology
Chromosome analysis

78. Chromosome aberration (Abweichung von Artmerkmalen)
Di-centric and a-centric
chromosome
Chromosome aberration occurred after RF – exposure

79. Non-thermal Effects
• Vibratory protein
receptor on cell wall
• Interprets pulsed signal
as a foe
• Shuts down cell wall
• No safe level
• Cell phone users,
nearby users, and
antennas
Dr. George Carlo

80. RF Intensity Depends on Distance
RF energy measured in
microwatts per square meter
µW / m2
Near field is 4 times far field
Where does the far field start ?
1 MHz  1056 ft (AM Radio)
100 MHz  10 ft (FM & TV)
300 MHz  3 ft (TV)
980 MHz  1.5 ft (Cell Phone)
1 GHz  1ft (Cell Phone)
3 GHz  4in
(Cordless, Wi-Fi)

81. Physical Effects of Use:
Anecdotal User Reports:
 Headaches
 Mental confusion
 Disorientation
 Short term memory loss
 Eye aches
These are near field effects

82. Physical Effects of Use:
Lai and Singh study, 1966
(Washington State University).
Enormous increase in double-stranded DNA breaks in rat
brain tissue after only 2 hours cell phone exposure.

83. Physical Effects of Use:
Repacholi Study, 1996
(Royale Adelaide Hospital, Australia):
 Exposure was from an actual handset.
 Exposed for two 30 minute periods per day.
 Radiation was well below FCC regulations
 Cancer rates more than doubled starting at month 9, for
the 18 months of the study.
 B-cell lymphomas found.
 These comprise 85% of all human cancers.

84. Physical Effects of Use:
Wireless Technology Research Group (1999):
 Dr. George Carlo head of this Industry group
quit and went public in December of 1999
 Studies contradict industry claims of safety.
 Brain cancer 3 times more in heavy users.
 Non malignant tumor of auditory nerve more
probable.
 Damaged chromosomes more probable.

85. Physical Effects of Use:
University of Lundt Study (1999)
 Pulsed digital radiation
 Albumen found in brains of rats.
 Blood-brain barrier was breached.
 Blood proteins in brain can cause auto
immune diseases:
MS
Dementia
Premature aging
Parkinson’s
Indirect link to Alzheimer’s

86. Physical Effects of Use:
Hepworth Study, (2006) British Medical Journal
 Pulsed digital near field radiation.
 86% had lifetime use of < 544 hours.
 Increased risk of glioma primary brain
tumors was 24%
 Glioma: An aggressive & lethal type of tumor
 The study risk level is likely to be
underestimated

87. Physical Effects of Use:
Hardell Study, (2006) Intl Journal of Oncology
 Statistically significant increase in benign
brain tumors- esp acoustic neuromas
 Acoustic neroma is a signal tumor for other
types of malignant & benign brain lesions
 This was a dose response relationship
 Greatest risk is for people exposed before
the age of 21

88. Physical Effects of Use:
Interphone, (2007) Intl Journal of Cancer
 13 European countries
 ~5000 people
 Based on data from Denmark, Sweden, UK
 Statistically significant increase in glioma
brain cancer
 10 year latency period

89. Physical Effects of Use:
Danish Study, (2006) Journal of Am Med Assoc
Analysis by Dr Geo Carlo, epidemiologist, lawyer, Former
head of WTR
 Study principals offered (1999) to conduct study for WTR
with any results they desired
 Who included? Using phone once/ week for 6 mos
 Between 1982 & 1995 when $ rates were very high and
when non-pulsed technology was in use
 No consideration given as to how used, age, health
 All existing research was dismissed as basis for design, so
nothing was looked for that had been found in 20 other
peer reviewed epidemiology studies
 Inconsistent with Danish cancer statistics

90. Physical Effects of Use:
Danish Study, (2006) Journal of Am Med Assoc
Analysis by Dr Geo Carlo, epidemiologist, lawyer, Former head
of WTR
 People directly involved in this study are known to have
falsified data in previous studies.
 International Epidemiology Institute is industry funded
 IEI funded the Danish Cancer Registry Study
 National Cancer Institute backed up the study
 NCI says cell phone cancer is a great myth
 NCI scientists were paid to testify on behalf of the
industry in a brain tumor law suit
“When a single study finds proof that phones do not cause
cancer, then you know the industry is behind it.”
Carlo’s Site- http://www.SafeWireless.org/

91. Physical Effects of Antennas:
Studies on Rats
 Oxidative Damage- Kidney
(7/05, Arch of Med Research)
 Oxidative Heart Impairment
(10/05, Toxicology & Health)
 Renal Impairment
(8/05, Molecular Cellular Chemistry)
 Renal Oxidative Stress
(1/06, Molecular Cellular Chemistry)
 Decreased Pre-bedtime Melatonin in Adults
(2/06, Intl J Radiation Biology)

92. Health Effects
Summary
• Heating effects may be an issue in local body
tissue, but…..
• Information Carrying Radio Waves (ICRW)
are dangerous because of ELF modulation,
not heating.
• ICRW is dangerous at a very low power level

93. Cell Phone Technology:
• Information Carrying Radio Waves (ICRW)
• Carrier frequency (clothesline)
 700-900MHz for cell phones
• Information – pulses (clothes)
 217Hz
• Modulation
 8.34 and 2 Hz
 Alpha & Delta Brain Waves

94. Recommended exposure
levels for ICRW:
Building Biology Sleeping Room Guidelines:
 No Concern <0.1 µW/m2
 Slight Concern 0.1 to 5
 Severe Concern 5 to 100
 Extreme Concern >100
FCC: 10,000,000 µW/m2
Russia: 10000 µW/m2

95. Recommended exposure
levels for pulsed radiation:
We could achieve these lower levels if
we didn’t demand to use our cell
phones everywhere, even inside
concrete buildings.

96. Energy Density: Antennas & Phones:
Distance Antenna Cell Phone
30 ft 200,000 µW/m2 5000 µW/m2
150 7500 200
300 300 8
3000 20 0.5
FCC: 10,000,000 • IBE: Ideal 0.1 • Extreme > 100

97. Wireless antennas:

98. Wireless antennas:

99. Multiple Handset Cordless
Phones:
Pulsed (digital) radiation 24 hrs/day

100. Siemens GigaSet 2420 (2.4 GHz):
Location Power Density
Office 33,800 µW/m2
Master BR 13,500
BR1 5,400
BR2 680
Living room 140
Family Room 45
Outside 9
BB Guideline: Extreme >100, Acceptable <0.1

101. Wireless Internet Connections
Pulsed (digital) radiation 24 hrs/day

102. Wireless Internet Connection
Relative to Base Station
Distance from Unit Power, µW/m2
6.5 ft 500-700
16 ft 50-100
Relative to Laptop Computer
Distance from Unit Power, µW/m2
8 inches 158,000
24 inches 3150
BB Guideline: Extreme > 100
Acceptable < 0.1

103. Microwave oven leakage:
Distance Power
Baubiology Guidelines: Ft Density
(Non pulsed radiation)
44 40,000
 Ideal <1 µW/m2
 Accept 1 to 50 14.5 337,000
4 2,700,000
1 50,000,000

104. µW/m2
Microwave 1 ft
100,000,000
FCC Limit 10,000,000
(ANSI / IEEE C1-1992):
1,000,000
100,000
Laptop Wi-Fi, 8 in
Cordless, Office 10,000
Cell Phone, 30 ft 1,000
100
Base, Wi-Fi, 7 ft
10
BB Extreme
1
BB Ideal 0.1
0.01
0.001

105. Summary:
The odds are that the electromagnetic
environment can have a significant
impact on health & well being.
Taking responsibility for your health
requires you to take action to reduce
exposure

106. What you can do:
• Reduce usage of wireless phones (2 minute rule).
• Use hands free device for all calls
• Use external roof mounted antenna in car
• Use land lines for majority of phone time
• At home forward cell phone to land line and turn off
• Keep your children off wireless phones
• Remove multiple handset cordless phone system from
your house
• Remove wireless Internet connection from your house

107. Benefits of grounding with the
Barefoot Bed Pad:
Benefits of Earthing:
 Relief from chronic inflammation
 Relief from stress and muscle tension
 Improved circulation
 Relief from many degenerative diseases
 Improved athletic performance
 Restoration of normal biological rhythms
 Improved mental & emotional balance
 Autism symptomatic relief??(2 cases, anecdotal!)

108. Benefits of grounding with
the Barefoot Bed Pad :
Improved sleep including:
 Fall asleep faster, less insomnia
 Wake less often during the night
 If you wake during the night, return to
sleep more quickly and easily.
 Wake up more rested.
 Have more daytime energy from a better
night’s sleep.
BarefootHealth.com 800-620-9912

109. Web Sites of Interest
• www.MicrowaveNews.com
• www.BioInitiative.org
• www.EnergyFields.org
• www.feb.se
• Google: EMR Alliance
• www.GustEnviro.com

110. Thank You for Listening
Spread the Word
The Body Electric
Factors in Electrobiology:
Electromagnetic Radiation & Health
Larry Gust, Gust Environmental, Ventura, CA
www.GustEnviro.com • 805-644-2008
www.BuildingBiology.net