ATLANTA HEAL NEWSLETTER

May 2024

Published by the Atlanta Chapter of the Human Ecology Action League (HEAL), Inc.
P.O. Box 28116, Atlanta, GA 30358-0116. www.atlantaheal.org

President: Andrew Heyward, First Vice President, Program Chairperson: Sydna Fisher, Second Vice President,
Membership: Joyce Taylor, Secretary: Joyce Taylor,Treasurer: Andrew B, Webmaster: Ian Greenberg, Newsletter: Sydna Fisher

TRIGGERS OF EMF SENSITIVITY/ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY

It is likely that everyone is affected by EMFs to some degree. In the great majority of people, most of the effects occur only after years of exposure. The general population may also be affected in the short term in subliminal ways.

In a minority of people, the effects of EMF exposure are drastic, pronounced, and clearly correlated to EMF exposure. These symptoms can occur immediately or after some hours of exposure. Having chemical sensitivities predisposes people to developing EMF sensitivity and people with EMF/ES/EHS often develop MCS. In some cases the sudden induction of MCS or EHS correlates with the occurrence of candida overgrowth.

Different people are sensitive to different frequencies, usually the ones they are exposed to the most. At low frequencies, the problem is more often magnetic fields, but some people may be more sensitive to the voltage field. In order to cool off EMF sensitivity, avoidance of exposure is absolutely necessary. Avoidance requires reducing or eliminating as many triggers as possible. If possible minimize your exposure, turn off equipment, or get out of that environment as soon as you begin to feel symptoms.

Shielding is sometimes effective, but it can be expensive, and it is a complex subject. It all depends on frequency and whether one is attempting to shield magnetic and/or voltage fields. Most low frequency fields from a small source fall off rapidly with distance, but not in cases where the frequencies are re-radiating throughout a home via the AC wiring. Proper grounding is also a complex subject.

Following is a list of triggers for EMF sensitivity. 1 through 5 are the very worst, in that they are powerful direct emitters of RM energy that contaminate the power lines they are plugged into. The most common triggers are smart meters, other wireless devices, and computer equipment.

Smart Meters: The most common initial trigger of EMF sensitivity
Induction cook tops: Powerful transmitter of RF energy, hundreds of times stronger than any computer. Glass cook tops with the type of heating elements that glow red in a double spiral usually have a relatively low magnetic field and no radio frequency emission.
Inverters: These are the devices that are used to convert DC battery power into AC power, commonly used in trailers and in solar systems – most photovoltaic systems include inverters that contaminate the power lines throughout the house and even the power lines of neighboring homes.
Welding Machines
Ultrasound machines: This includes echocardiograms.
A high magnetic field in the home or workplace.
Dirty power in the AC wiring or the home, either from an EMF source in the home or coming from the outside.
Living near a cell phone tower or WiFi hub.
WiFi in the home or building. Cell phones. Do not use anything wireless in the home.
Excessive time working in front of a computer, particularly if a mainframe/desktop unit is within a few feet. Avoid wireless keyboards, mice, and printers.
Any type of switching power supply that is on for a considerable time. This includes UPS computer backup units, computer power supplies, and most types of battery chargers. Almost any electronic device can include a switching power supply that generates EMF. Power supplies/electronic ballasts of all fluorescent lights and compact fluorescents.
Dimmer switches, mosquito zappers, electrostatic air purifiers, ultrasonic vaporizers, hair dryers, most electric blankets and heating pads, electric shavers and electric toothbrushes, microwave ovens.
EMF from motors
EMF from electronic thermostats or fan speed controls in heating or air conditioning systems, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors.
The speaker in the earpiece of a telephone, earphone, or headset generates an AC magnetic field field while it is making sound. Radio frequency noise can be carried into a home on a phone line. TV cable carries very high frequencies.
Chemical exposures such as toxic off-gassing from electronic devices, pesticides or herbicide exposure, heavy metal toxicity, VOCs, exposure to fragrances, air fresheners, and laundry dryer exhaust. Any inflammatory condition such as infections or reactions to foods can increase sensitivity to both chemical and electrical exposures.

-http://www.conradbiologic.com/index.html

DRY EYE DISEASE

Dry eye disease, which affects up to 30% of the population, is a condition with more discomfort than can be relieved with eye drops. Even if you don’t suffer from the condition, there are some interesting and useful things to know about dry eyes.

The outermost layer of the eyes’ protective fluid contains lipids, secreted by meibomian glands that line the upper and lower eyelids. These lipids act as a seal that inhibits evaporation of the watery mucin tears, produced by the lacrimal glands. Beneath the tears and directly covering the cornea is a mucous layer, produced by goblet cells and conjuntival epithelial cells. Dry eye disease symptoms occur with insufficient tear production and/or increased tear evaporation due to insufficient production of the lipid layer.

Several prescribed medications can cause or aggravate dry eye including several antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-psychotics, anxiolytics, and hormonal drugs. In addition, some topical eye medications contain active ingredients or preservatives that can destabilize the tear film, irritate the eyes, and cause or aggravate dry eye disease. The most widely used ocular preservative, BAK, has been shown to have cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects on the eye and its detergent properties disrupt the tear film.

Prolonged digital screen use is another factor in dry eye disease. Regular daily use of visual digital terminals has been associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and the cells that produce mucous. Numerous studies have shown that blinking frequency is less during digital screen time compared to reading print and significantly less compared to relaxed conditions. Blinking less means less of the protective lipid layer, more evaporation, and more symptoms.

Limiting screen time and using blinking exercises can help reduce dry eye disease symptoms. For every two hours of computer use a 15 minute break is recommended. Another suggestion is to focus on an object 20 feel away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of digital screen use. Performing a blinking exercise every 20 minutes during waking hours will reduce symptoms. Gently close eyes for 2 seconds, open eyes, and gently close eyes for 2 seconds, followed by squeezing the eyes closed for 2 seconds. Using a desk humidifier may also help, as dry air can exacerbate symptoms.

Nutrition advice regarding dry eye disease is limited, but vitamin A and sufficient protein are important. Vitamin D can reduce eye surface inflammation and promote tear secretion.

In addition to modifying digital screen use and nutrition, use warm eye compresses to improve meibomian gland secretion, ophthalmic gels at night to maintain moisture, and artificial tear replacement, while avoiding products with ingredients that can further irritate the eyes.

- Townsend Letter

BIRTHDAYS

May: Jean Leslie 9th, Lisa Ehler 13th, Andrew B 14th, Andrew Heyward 15th, Leah Spitzer 26th

June: Sunnye Martin 8th, Sharon Reynolds 30th, Barbara Schwartz (no date)

BUSINESS

The newsletter will be on vacation for the summer, but an updated membership list will be sent out in June.

Thank you to Mark Fisher and Ian Greenberg for their assistance in this newsletter.

This newsletter is meant for information only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Think Well * Eat Well * Live Well * Be Well

SOME OF OUR MEMBERS