Although gaining a deep understanding of electromagnetism
requires the intensive study of physics and mathematics, rest assured that
to understand the material presented on this website, one will not need to
memorize any equations, perform any difficult calculations besides standard
arithmetic, or learn anything more complicated than the information
provided on this page. A full grasp of the concepts presented here will
not even be necessary to understand how to make one's home safer from
electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
Wavelength, frequency, and Hertz
It is helpful to understand what constitutes a
wavelength and what a sinusoidal (sine) wave looks like. The first two
sections on this Wikipedia link should help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavelength#
The frequency of a wave is how often it completes one cycle (one wavelength), and is measured in cycles per second. Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency used, and it represents the number of cycles per second. For example, if a wave has a frequency of 10 Hz, then 10 wavelengths have passed by a point in space in one second. 10 Hz would be considered to be an extremely low frequency on the Electromagnetic Spectrum, as explained in the next section.
The relationship between wavelength and frequency is inversely proportional, meaning the shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency. In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves move at the speed of light, so if one knows the frequency of a wave, the wavelength can be determined, and vice versa.
The wavelengths of radio waves and microwaves cause their frequencies to be in the range of KiloHertz (thousands of cycles per second, KHz), MegaHertz (millions of cycles per second, MHz) or GigaHertz (billions of cycles per second, GHz). When one is researching radiofrequency (RF) meters to measure EMR in one's environment, one must be certain that the RF meter can detect the specific frequencies one is trying to measure, or they will not be detected and measured by that particular meter. Each RF meter will specify the range of frequencies that it can detect. There is no single RF meter that covers the whole spectrum of frequencies used by man. Depending on the frequencies for which one wants to test their environment, several different RF meters may be required. See the section below, "Units of measure of the intensity of RF radiation, RF meters, and conversions to other units" for more details regarding the measurement of EMR in the environment.
A "spectrum analyzer" can detect a larger range
of frequencies all
at once and singularly measure each frequency's intensity, whereas a RF meter
can only detect the sum of the intensities of all of the detectable frequencies within
its operable range. You will not be able to discern the particular
frequencies and their intensities with a RF meter. However, some of the more affordable spectrum
analyzers are not as sensitive as certain RF meters. They will not be able
to measure low intensities of EMR because they are designed for industry, and
industry standards in countries such as the U.S. far exceed the levels of EMR
shown to cause biological effects and health symptoms. Scientific studies
indicate that a "window effect" appears to be taking place, wherein very low
levels of EMR are found to be more biologically active than signals of high
intensities. Pulsed signals, as opposed to a steady signal, are also often
more biologically active.
The
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Below is a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum from the comprehensive article “EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses”. This diagram shows the lowest frequencies (and longest wavelengths) on the left, which are called Extremely Low Frequencies (ELFs) and Very Low Frequencies (VLFs), as they increase to higher frequencies to the right. After the ELFs and VLFs, come the radiofrequencies (RFs) and microwaves (MW). The spectrum continues to even higher frequencies: infrared, visible and UV light. The spectrum ends with the extremely high frequencies of x-rays; alpha, beta and gamma rays; and finally, cosmic radiation.
Higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths and more energy. EMR with the highest energy, enough to knock an electron out of its atom, is called ionizing radiation, which is well accepted to be very dangerous to life. Non-ionizing manmade radiation is also harmful to biological systems, as the information presented on this website confirms. The above diagram indicates regions of types of wavelengths that are considered to be "electromagnetic fields and radiation" and "optical radiation". These two categories are considered to be non-ionizing radiation. X-rays; alpha, beta and gamma radiation; and cosmic radiation; are categorized as ionizing radiation. Both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is harmful to life in varying degrees.
Sunrise Redeemer focuses primarily on radiofrequency (RF) and microwave radiation because one's lifestyle can be changed to avoid many exposure sources. In many cases, individuals have the choice to limit their exposure by simply not using devices that emit RF and microwave radiation (wireless devices). Most people in developed nations are not prepared to go without electricity, even though the extremely low frequencies (ELFs) running on power lines and home wiring are also known to be just as dangerous, and ELFs are correlated with many of the exact same health symptoms and diseases as RF and microwave radiation, especially if one's home contains wiring errors that can increase magnetic fields, or there is a lot of dirty electricity on the utility's lines (dirty electricity means that other frequencies besides the 50/60 Hz electrical signal are running on the wires from devices connected to the grid). Although all frequencies of EMR can cause biological effects and health symptoms, including the ELF 50/60 Hz electrical signals on one's home wiring; choosing to reduce the amount of RF EMR exposure while in one's home by avoiding use of wireless technology, and using shielding materials to prevent external RF EMR from entering the home, is far easier than attempting to live without electricity.
This Encyclopedia Britannica link below contains an extensive amount of information on all different types of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as mathematical equations that govern their properties. There is no need to understand all of this information to comprehend the harmful nature of non-ionizing radiation, such as the radiofrequency radiation used in cellular communication, wi-fi, Bluetooth, smart meters, etc. This link is provided as a reference if one wants to read more about electromagnetic radiation, but the information contained in the Encyclopedia Britannica link will not be necessary to understand the content provided on the Sunrise Redeemer website.
https://www.britannica.com/science/electromagnetic-radiation
Electromagnetic waves,
EMF and EMR
When discussing the biological effects of electromagnetism, some researchers or authors use the acronym, EMF, which stands for electromagnetic field, instead of EMR, which stands for electromagnetic radiation. The terms EMR and EMF are often used interchangeably in scientific research articles about the biological effects of electromagnetism. However, when speaking only of radiofrequency radiation (which includes microwaves), which is being emitted by a transmitter in the form of traveling waves, not static fields, the more accurate physics term would be EMR, rather than EMF, because the electric and magnetic fields that form the wave are actually moving past a point in space over a period of time. Since the content provided in Sunrise Redeemer primarily focuses on RF radiation, moving electromagnetic waves of radiofrequency originating from a transmitting antenna, the term EMR is used here.
Don't worry if some of the following information seems confusing. It's not necessary to understand all the physics behind electromagnetism. One simply needs to understand the concept that electricity and magnetism are interconnected in electromagnetic waves because the waves have both an electric and a magnetic field that are traveling through space. This electromagnetic radiation can have harmful effects on the body and all life on earth.
The classical definition of an “Electromagnetic wave” is the propagation of an electromagnetic field at the universal speed of light in empty space (a vacuum). The wave has time-varying electric and magnetic fields, with each field carrying the same amount of energy. An electromagnetic wave is characterized by its intensity and the frequency of the time variation of the electric and magnetic fields.
An “Electromagnetic Field” refers to the spatial distribution of a force which can act upon electric charges and currents. Some electromagnetic fields are static, and don’t travel through space like a wave, but still have biological effects if one is within range of its force.
“Electromagnetic Radiation” describes energy-containing electromagnetic waves propagating through space. Each wave has both an electric field and a magnetic field, which are always at right angles to one another as the wave travels, and perpendicular to the direction of motion.
Generation of electromagnetic radiation
Feel free to skip this excerpt from the Britannica link above, clarifying why RF
emissions would be considered to be EMR, not EMF:
"Electromagnetic radiation is produced whenever a
charged particle, such as an electron, changes its velocity—i.e., whenever it is
accelerated or decelerated. The energy of the electromagnetic radiation thus
produced comes from the charged particle and is therefore lost by it. A common
example of this phenomenon is the oscillating charge or current in a radio
antenna. The antenna of a radio transmitter is part of an electric resonance
circuit in which the charge is made to oscillate at a desired frequency. An
electromagnetic wave so generated can be received by a similar antenna connected
to an oscillating electric circuit in the tuner that is tuned to that same
frequency. The electromagnetic wave in turn produces an oscillating motion of
charge in the receiving antenna. In general, one can say that any system which
emits electromagnetic radiation of a given frequency can absorb radiation of the
same frequency.
Such human-made transmitters and receivers become smaller with decreasing
wavelength of the electromagnetic wave and prove impractical in the millimetre
range. At even shorter wavelengths down to the wavelengths of X-rays, which are
one million times smaller, the oscillating charges arise from moving charges in
molecules and atoms.
One may classify the generation of electromagnetic radiation into two
categories: (1) systems or processes that produce radiation covering a broad
continuous spectrum of frequencies and (2) those that emit (and absorb)
radiation of discrete frequencies that are characteristic of particular systems.
The Sun with its continuous spectrum is an example of the first, while a radio
transmitter tuned to one frequency exemplifies the second category."
Units of
measure of the intensity of RF radiation, RF meters, and conversions to other units
It is important to understand that microwaves are actually a sub-type of radiofrequency (RF), and are often referred to as RF without specifically distinguishing them as microwaves. Radiofrequency (RF) meters are used to measure both radio waves and microwaves, but one would rarely, if ever, hear the term "microwave meter", even if the RF meter was indeed designed to measure the intensity of EMR in the microwave frequency. The meters used to detect radio waves or microwaves in the environment are simply referred to as RF meters.
There is also a device called a "spectrum analyzer" which can detect a larger range of frequencies all at once and singularly measure each frequency's intensity, whereas a RF meter can only detect the sum of the intensities of all of the detectable frequencies within its operable range. You will not be able to discern the particular frequencies and their intensities with a RF meter. However, some of the more affordable spectrum analyzers are not as sensitive as certain RF meters. They will not be able to measure low intensities of EMR because they are designed for industry. As explained on The Historico-political Context Behind the Current, Inadequate Health Safety Standards Page, industry standards in countries such as the U.S. far exceed the levels of EMR shown to cause biological effects and health symptoms. Scientific studies indicate that a "window effect" appears to be taking place, wherein very low intensity signals are sometimes found to be more biologically active than RF signals of high intensities. Pulsed signals, as opposed to steady signals, are also often found to be more biologically active. Therefore, a sensitive RF meter is required, so that low levels of EMR can be detected.
The intensity of EMR is often measured in Watts, or a subdivision thereof. Watts are a unit of power. Most people are only familiar with wattage of light bulbs, so 1 or 2 Watts seems like nothing when one considers a standard 60 Watt incandescent bulb. However, when it comes to the intensity of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (including microwaves), a single Watt is a tremendous amount of radiation.
Biological effects or damage is found to occur at the level of microwatts (µW), with some studies finding deleterious biological effects at levels even lower than 1 µW. A microwatt is only one millionth of a Watt. For comparison, a typical cell phone can emit at an intensity around 1 Watt, which is equivalent to 1,000,000 microwatts (1 million µW).
The RF meters recommended on the Remediation Page measure the intensity of RF radiation in units called microwatts per square meter (µW/m²). A measurement in units of µW/m² indicates how much power (in microwatts) is directed at a 2-dimensional target with a size of one square meter. Think of a flat sheet, measuring approximately 3.25 ft X 3.25 ft, being contacted by energy-containing radio waves and microwaves. The RF meter is measuring the intensity of the energy making contact with the sheet.
Some meters measure in microwatts per square centimeter (µW/cm²). Others use volts/meter (V/m), which is the standard unit of electrical field strength. This website will discuss intensities in terms of µW/m². Since there are 100 cm in one meter, one square meter would be a square with 100 cm per side, so 100 cm X 100 cm = 10,000 cm². To convert µW/cm² to µW/m², multiply by 10,000 as there are 10,000 square centimeters in 1 square meter. Just move the decimal place 4 places to the right (ex. 0.00034 µW/cm²= 3.4 µW/m²).
When discussing very low energy levels of radio waves and microwaves, it makes more sense to use µW/m². A radiofrequency (RF) meter is measuring the sum of the amount of energy from all the waves within the range of frequencies it detects, hitting a flat surface measuring one square meter. So if one is trying to make their bedroom area safe according to the Building Biology Institute's Standards at a level less than 1 µW/m², it's easier to refer to the number as 1, rather than 0.0001, which would be the case if µW/cm² were used as the units, since 0.0001 µW/cm² = 1 µW/m². Measuring high energy/intensity levels would be easier to state in units of µW/cm², since a level of 1 unit of µW/cm² would be equivalent to 10,000 µW/m². The Building Biology Institute considers levels over 1000 µW/m² to be an extreme concern, so one needs a much more sensitive RF meter that uses units of µW/m².
Some RF meters are designed for industry, not for a person trying to reduce their EMR exposure. An industrial type meter likely will not have the sensitivity to measure low levels down to 1 µW/m². Some RF meters use units of milliwatts per square meter (mW/m²) instead of microwatts per square meter (µW/m²). A milliwatt is one thousandth of a Watt. There are 1000 microwatts in 1 milliwatt. Therefore, if a RF meter states that it measures in mW/m² with a precision of 0.001, if the meter read 0.001, to convert to µW/m², one must move the decimal over 3 places to the right to multiply by 1000. A reading of 0.001 would be equivalent to 10 µW/m². This meter would not be able to inform the user if the levels were any less than 10 µW/m², and thus would not be adequate for a person desiring to lower the levels in their home more than 10 µW/m².
If all of the above seemed like too much math, don't worry! The RF meters recommended on the Remediation Page could be operated by a child, and no math is necessary. The suggested RF meters already use units of µW/m², so no conversions will be needed in order to attempt to achieve the levels recommended by the Building Biology Institute (less than 1 µW/m² in sleeping areas).
Electrosmog
Most people have probably heard the word, "smog", which describes intense air pollution that limits visibility.
Electrosmog is the word used to describe non-natural, technically generated (artificial, man-made) electromagnetic radiation. Electrosmog is also a type of air pollutant, but it can’t be seen with the naked eye, like regular smog. One must have specialized meters that detect waves within specific ranges of frequencies traveling through the environment in order to find out what levels of background electromagnetic radiation is present which could contribute to an electrosmog problem.
It is becoming a large problem in some areas of the globe, especially since there is no regulation regarding how many transmitters can emit radiation in a given area---each transmitter is individually licensed and approved for use, without considering how many transmitters are already present in a community, or what would happen if a bunch of devices were all congregated together in one location (i.e. a large gathering of people with cell phones).
Electrosmog is not only making people sick and contaminating the environment---It is crippling the weather industry. It could even render the immensely powerful Doppler radar (which often transmit radar pulses at 750,000 Watts, equivalent to 750,000,000,000 µW, or 750 trillion microwatts) useless in the near future because all the other signals in the environment are causing unprecedented interference, as explained in this July 6, 2016 article from the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society:
The Threat to Weather Radars By Wireless Technology
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