Early research shows the health effects attributable to our urban lifestyles
The recent electrification of our world presents us with a lot of unknowns.
Early research into the effects of electromagnetic radiation and excess charge in the human body have produced some concerning but also very promising results. How we use and develop this knowledge to improve our urban infrastructure and the future well-being of our communities is up to all of us.
"Grounding reduces or even prevents the cardinal signs of inflammation following injury: redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Rapid resolution of painful chronic inflammation was confirmed in 20 case studies using medical infrared imaging. "
Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res. 2015;8:83-96. Published 2015 Mar 24. doi:10.2147/JIR.S69656
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/"Grounding significantly reduced the loss of CK from the injured muscles indicating reduced muscle damage. These results warrant further study on the effects of earthing on delayed onset muscle damage."
Brown R, Chevalier G, Hill M. Grounding after moderate eccentric contractions reduces muscle damage. Open Access J Sports Med. 2015 Sep 21;6:305-17. doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S87970. PMID: 26443876; PMCID: PMC4590684
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26443876"Mounting evidence suggests that the Earth's negative potential can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all body systems."
Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:291541. doi:10.1155/2012/291541
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25748085"In our study there was no change in blood viscosity for the sham-grounded group at either end of the cardiac cycle. However, there was a difference in the grounded group at both the systolic and diastolic end. Their post one- hour grounding millipoise readings were significantly lower than their pre-exercise levels."
Brown, R. and Chevalier, G. (2015) Grounding the Human Body during Yoga Exercise with a Grounded Yoga Mat Reduces Blood Viscosity. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 5, 159-168. doi: 10.4236/ojpm.2015.54019
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275229172_Grounding_the_Human_Body_during_Yoga_Exercise_with_a_Grounded_Yoga_Mat_Reduces_Blood_Viscosity"GRD was shown to result in faster recovery and/or less pronounced markers of muscle damage and inflammation. GRD might be seen as a simple methodology to enhance acute and long-term recovery after intensive eccentric exercises."
Müller E, Pröller P, Ferreira-Briza F, Aglas L, Stöggl T. Effectiveness of Grounded Sleeping on Recovery After Intensive Eccentric Muscle Loading. Front Physiol. 2019;10:35. Published 2019 Jan 28. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00035
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22757749
“Petroleum‐based synthetic fibres are used to produce fabrics like polyester and spandex. Manufacturing, washing and drying these manmade materials shed microfibres smaller than 5 mm that can further fragment into nano‐sized particles and enter ecosystems.”
Suran M. A planet too rich in fibre: Microfibre pollution may have major consequences on the environment and human health. EMBO Rep. 2018;19(9):e46701. doi:10.15252/embr.201846701
“Polyester fibres are synthetic textile fibres formed by condensation polymerization of two monomers: dicarboxylic acid or terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol…Both terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol are known carcinogens. Since the monomers are toxic, the toxicity of their polymerization product should not be ignored.”
Singh, Zorawar & Bhalla, Sunita. (2017). Toxicity of Synthetic Fibres and Human Health (OPEN ACCESS). Advance Research in Textile Engineering. 2. 1012-1015. 10.26420/advrestexteng.2017.1012.
“Spermatogenesis is highly sensitive to environmental pollutants and sperm quality is affected by MPs exposure, at least in animal models. In this respect, the possible reproductive health risks of MPs should not be ignored.”
D’Angelo, S.; Meccariello, R. Microplastics: A Threat for Male Fertility. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2392.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052392
“Airborne fibers shed from synthetic textiles, in particular nylon, can inhibit repair of the cells coating the airways”
Van Dijk F, Song S, van Eck G, et al. Inhalable textile microplastic fibers impair lung repair. bioRxiv; 2021.
DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.25.428144.
“There are evidences that the actual experience of working in a factory where polyester or polyamide is produced might be harmful to health.”
Slater, Keith. (2008). Environmental impact of polyester and polyamide textiles. Polyesters and Polyamides. 171-199. 10.1533/9781845694609.1.171.
“ In the absence of other plausible explanations, it is concluded that repeated exposure to low-level RF fields in early life may have a persistent and long-term effect on adult behavior ”
Broom KA, Findlay R, Addison DS, Goiceanu C, Sienkiewicz Z. Early-Life Exposure to Pulsed LTE Radiofrequency Fields Causes Persistent Changes in Activity and Behavior in C57BL/6 J Mice. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019 Oct;40(7):498-511. doi: 10.1002/bem.22217. Epub 2019 Sep 15. PMID: 31522469; PMCID: PMC6790696.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31522469“ There is a massive literature, providing a high level of scientific certainty, for each of eight pathophysiological effects caused by non-thermal microwave frequency EMF exposures."
Dr. Martin Pall Global Research, September 23, 2019, 5G: Great risk for EU, U.S. and International Health! Compelling Evidence for Eight Distinct Types of Great Harm Caused by Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Exposures and the Mechanism that Causes Them
https://www.globalresearch.ca/5g-great-risk-eu-u-s-international-health/5689929“Current knowledge provides justification for governments, public health authorities, and physicians/allied health professionals to warn the population that having a cell phone next to the body is harmful, and to support measures to reduce all exposures to RFR.”
Miller AB, Sears ME, Morgan LL, et al. Risks to Health and Well-Being From Radio-Frequency Radiation Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices. Front Public Health. 2019;7:223. Published 2019 Aug 13. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00223
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6701402/
“ These data indicate that the existing standards for radio frequency exposure are not adequate. While there are many unanswered questions, the cost of doing nothing will result in an increasing number of people, many of them young, developing cancer.”
Carpenter DO. Electromagnetic fields and cancer: the cost of doing nothing. Rev Environ Health. 2010 Jan-Mar;25(1):75-80. doi: 10.1515/reveh.2010.25.1.75. PMID: 20429163.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20429163“The type of mobile-phone use among children (eg, text messaging), their potential biological vulnerability, and longer lifetime exposure make extrapolation from adult studies problematic.”
Kheifets L, Repacholi M, Saunders R, van Deventer E. The sensitivity of children to electromagnetic fields. Pediatrics. 2005 Aug;116(2):e303-13. doi: 10.1542/peds.2004-2541. PMID: 16061584.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16061584“When one allows for bias reflected in the source of funding, the evidence that magnetic fields increase risk of cancer is neither inconsistent nor inconclusive. Furthermore adults are also at risk, not just children.”
Carpenter DO. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results. Environ Res. 2019 Nov;178:108688. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108688. Epub 2019 Aug 24. PMID: 31476684.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31476684
“ Exposure to high RF-EMFR generated by MPBS is associated with elevated level of HbA1c and prevalence of pre diabetes mellitus among school aged adolescents.”
Meo SA, Alsubaie Y, Almubarak Z, Almutawa H, AlQasem Y, Hasanato RM. Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015;12(11):14519-14528. Published 2015 Nov 13. doi:10.3390/ijerph121114519
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4661664/“Type 3 diabetics may be better able to regulate their blood sugar with less medication, and those diagnosed as borderline or pre-diabetic may remain non diabetic longer by reducing their exposure to electromagnetic energy.”
Havas M. Dirty electricity elevates blood sugar among electrically sensitive diabetics and may explain brittle diabetes. Electromagn Biol Med. 2008;27(2):135-146. doi:10.1080/15368370802072075
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2557071/
“ In this study, we found an almost three-fold increased risk of miscarriage if a pregnant woman was exposed to higher MF levels compared to women with lower MF exposure.”
Li, DK., Chen, H., Ferber, J.R. et al. Exposure to Magnetic Field Non-Ionizing Radiation and the Risk of Miscarriage: A Prospective Cohort Study. Sci Rep 7, 17541 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16623-8
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-16623-8“Radiofrequency radiation may have a harmful effect on human semen quality in vitro, and in animal studies. ”
K. Liu Y. Li G. Zhang J. Liu J. Cao L. Ao S. Zhang, Association between mobile phone use and semen quality: a systemic review and meta‐analysis, American Society of Andrology, 03 April 2014 doi: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00205
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00205.x"Both human and animal-based studies have provided a hint that EMW may be involved in the pathogenesis of male infertility, But considerable work is required to provide scientific support for this view. "
Makker K, Varghese A, Desai NR, Mouradi R, Agarwal A. Cell phones: modern man's nemesis? Reprod Biomed Online. 2009 Jan;18(1):148-57. doi: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60437-3. PMID: 19146782.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19146782
“We cannot ignore the increasing body of evidence showing electromagnetic effects on the immune system. The “controversial” nature of electromagnetic hypersensitivity will not diminish until we grasp the complexity of the task we face in defining exactly how electromagnetic waves interact with human biology.”
Marshall TG, Heil TJR. Electrosmog and autoimmune disease. Immunol Res. 2017;65(1):129-135. doi:10.1007/s12026-016-8825-7
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5406447/“We suggest that the adaptation of tissues to the EMFs, in genetically predisposed subjects, may stimulate the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases.”
Boscolo, Paolo. (2014). Electromagnetic fields and autoimmune diseases. Prevention & Research. 10.11138/PER/2014.3.2.079.
https://journal.preventionandresearch.com/materiale_cic/766_3_2/6599_electroma/article.htm
“This study suggests that long-term occupational exposure to ELF-EMF may lead to depression, stress, anxiety and poor sleep quality.”
Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Ebrahimi MH, Haji B, Abdolahfard M. The effect of chronic exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep quality, stress, depression and anxiety. Electromagn Biol Med. 2019;38(1):96-101. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1545665. Epub 2018 Dec 14. PMID: 30547710.
“The mechanism of action of microwave EMFs, the role of the VGCCs in the brain, the impact of non-thermal EMFs on the brain, extensive epidemiological studies performed over the past 50 years, and five criteria testing for causality, all collectively show that various non-thermal microwave EMF exposures produce diverse neuropsychiatric effects.”
Pall ML. Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression. J Chem Neuroanat. 2016 Sep;75(Pt B):43-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2015.08.001. Epub 2015 Aug 21. PMID: 26300312.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26300312/“These data provide evidence for an association between occupational electromagnetic fields and suicide that warrants further evaluation.”
van Wijngaarden E, Savitz DA, Kleckner RC, Cai J, Loomis D. Exposure to electromagnetic fields and suicide among electric utility workers: a nested case-control study. West J Med. 2000 Aug;173(2):94-100. doi: 10.1136/ewjm.173.2.94. PMID: 10924428; PMCID: PMC1071010.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10924428/Research serves to confirm the incredible health properties of copper
Copper was very popular throughout history - with an extremely important area of use being health! In recent years, scientists have started to closely study and better understand copper. They’ve discovered some of the reasons why our ancestors found copper to be so beneficial and ways that we can better use copper in our societies today.
“Copper deficiency is the leading deficiency worldwide among nutritional diseases of agricultural animals. The essentiality of copper for animals and humans has been known for nearly a century. In addition to preventing anemia, copper assists in blood coagulation and blood pressure control; cross-linking of connective tissues in arteries, bones, and heart; defense against oxidative damage; energy transformation; myelination of brain and spinal cord; reproduction; and synthesis of hormones. Inadequate copper produces adverse effects on the metabolism of cholesterol and glucose, blood pressure control and heart function, mineralization of bones, and immunity.”
Collins JF, Klevay LM. Copper. Adv Nutr. 2011;2(6):520-522. doi:10.3945/an.111.001222
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3226389/“Severe deficiency of copper can have adverse developmental consequences. Copper deficiency can arise through a multitude of mechanisms, including low dietary intake, genetic abnormalities, nutrient-nutrient interactions (e.g., copper and zinc), and nutrient-drug interactions.”
National Research Council (US) Committee on Copper in Drinking Water. Copper in Drinking Water. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2000. 3, Health Effects of Copper Deficiencies.
“The pursuit of the bases of copper's involvement in host defenses, antioxidant protection and carbohydrate metabolism--functions in which clear links to established mammalian cuproenzyme are at present elusive--should provide exciting substrate for investigators for years to come.”
Solomons NW. Biochemical, metabolic, and clinical role of copper in human nutrition. J Am Coll Nutr. 1985;4(1):83-105. doi: 10.1080/07315724.1985.10720069. PMID: 3921587.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3921587
“The antimicrobial properties of copper surfaces have now been firmly established. Hospital trials have shown a reduction in bacterial counts, indicating that copper surfaces are a promising additional tool alongside other hygienic measures to curb the number and severity of hospital-acquired infections. “
Grass G, Rensing C, Solioz M. Metallic copper as an antimicrobial surface. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011;77(5):1541-1547. doi:10.1128/AEM.02766-10
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3067274/“Copper certainly holds potential solutions towards infection prevention in public health environment such as against nosocomial infections or the worrying rapid development of resistance to antibiotics.”
Vincent M, Duval RE, Hartemann P, Engels-Deutsch M. Contact killing and antimicrobial properties of copper. J Appl Microbiol. 2018 May;124(5):1032-1046. doi: 10.1111/jam.13681. Epub 2018 Feb 2. PMID: 29280540.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29280540“Exposure to copper destroyed the viral genomes and irreversibly affected virus morphology, including disintegration of envelope and dispersal of surface spikes.”
Warnes SL, Little ZR, Keevil CW. Human Coronavirus 229E Remains Infectious on Common Touch Surface Materials. mBio. 2015;6(6):e01697-15. Published 2015 Nov 10. doi:10.1128/mBio.01697-15
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659470/“The present study suggests that the nature of the copper species and their site of adsorption, as well as state of dispersion, are important parameters to be considered for catalytic removal of sulfur-containing compounds.”
Singh A, Krishna V, Angerhofer A, Do B, MacDonald G, Moudgil B. Copper coated silica nanoparticles for odor removal. Langmuir. 2010 Oct 19;26(20):15837-44. doi: 10.1021/la100793u. PMID: 20839856.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20839856“Copper oxide has potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This study strongly supports the effectiveness in using copper-oxide impregnated polyester fibers in treating the common manifestations of tinea pedis.”
Zatcoff RC, Smith MS, Borkow G. Treatment of tinea pedis with socks containing copper-oxide impregnated fibers. Foot (Edinb). 2008 Sep;18(3):136-41. doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2008.03.005. Epub 2008 May 19. PMID: 20307427.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20307427
“The EMI shielding was found to increase with increase in concentration of copper and silver particles.”
Ali, A., Baheti, V., Militky, J. et al. Comparative Performance of Copper and Silver Coated Stretchable Fabrics. Fibers Polym 19, 607–619 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-018-7917-5
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12221-018-7917-5“ It has been shown that the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the woven fabrics produced can be tailored by modifying the copper filament inclusion in the yarn structure. The effects of conductive material inclusion, weft density, thickness of the copper filament in the core and frequency were found to be significant for achieving the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness.”
Duran, D. & Kadoglu, Huseyin. (2012). Research on electromagnetic shielding with copper core yarns. Tekstil ve Konfeksiyon. 22. 354-359.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286852685_Research_on_electromagnetic_shielding_with_copper_core_yarns“ Birch veneers plated with crystalline copper film exhibit high electro-conductivity with surface resistivity of 119.1 mΩ cm−2 and good electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of over 60 dB in frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz.”
“ Birch veneers plated with crystalline copper film exhibit high electro-conductivity with surface resistivity of 119.1 mΩ cm−2 and good electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of over 60 dB in frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz.”
Sun, L., Li, J. & Wang, L. Electromagnetic interference shielding material from electroless copper plating on birch veneer. Wood Sci Technol 46, 1061–1071 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-012-0466-y
“The conductive fabric produced from copper core yarn knitted fabric provides an attenuation of 30-63 dB at the medium frequency range of 700-1000MHz. Hence, these fabrics can be used to shield the household appliances such as FM/AM radio, wireless phone, cellular phone, computers, buildings, secrets rooms and various electronic gadgets that operate up to 1000MHz frequency.”
Dasaradan, B. (2009). Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of copper core yarn knitted fabrics. Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research. 34.
“The EMSE of knitted composites is greatly influenced by the amount of copper in the composite material, which can be varied by changing the knit structure, stitch density and linear density of yarns used for knitting and inlaying. The electromagnetic shielding properties of conductive knitted composites are encouraging.”
Cheng, K.B. & Lee, K.C.. (2000). Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of copper/glass fiber knitted fabric reinforced polypropylene composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 31. 1039-1045. 10.1016/S1359-835X(00)00071-3.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/223946472_Electromagnetic_shielding_effectiveness_of_copperglass_fiber_knitted_fabric_reinforced_polypropylene_composites
“Copper is 100 percent recyclable and retains its quality (both chemical and physical properties) when recycled. More than 30 percent of the world’s annual copper demand is met through recycling.”
https://sustainablecopper.org/sustainable-copper/“Given the in-service lifetime of the applications of copper identified in this model, most of the copper processed during the last few decades still resides in society, mostly in non-dissipative uses.”
S Spatari, M Bertram, K Fuse, T.E Graedel, H Rechberger, The contemporary European copper cycle: 1 year stocks and flows, Ecological Economics, Volume 42, Issues 1–2, 2002, Pages 27-42, ISSN 0921-8009, doi: 10.1016/S0921-8009(02)00103-9.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800902001039
“Pillowcases, containing copper oxide, have been demonstrated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Socks, containing copper oxide, have been found to increase skin elasticity and eliminate athlete’s foot infections when used regularly. Wound dressings, containing copper oxide, enhance wound healing. Thus, the introduction of copper oxide into ordinary products transforms them into extraordinary products.”
Borkow G. Using Copper to Improve the Well-Being of the Skin. Curr Chem Biol. 2014;8(2):89-102. doi:10.2174/2212796809666150227223857
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556990/“These studies clearly show that the synthesis of mature elastin and collagen can be controlled by the availability of copper. They further suggest that transport of copper to aortic tissue and its engagement to lysyl oxidase are linked to the synthesis or lysyl oxidase, an extracellular carrier, or both.”
Harris ED, Rayton JK, Balthrop JE, DiSilvestro RA, Garcia-de-Quevedo M. Copper and the synthesis of elastin and collagen. Ciba Found Symp. 1980;79:163-82. doi: 10.1002/9780470720622.ch9. PMID: 6110524.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6110524"While there is no evidence that nutritional iron deficiency results in connective tissue pathology, copper deficiency impairs crosslink formation and results in gross pathology of bones, lungs and the cardiovascular system of many animal species."
O'Dell, B. L. “Roles for Iron and Copper in Connective Tissue Biosynthesis.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, vol. 294, no. 1071, 1981, pp. 91–104. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2395557. Accessed 6 Jan. 2021.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2395557?seq=1