The computer is one of the most remarkable achievements of human intelligence. The possibility of direct dialogue between users through a computer and the enormous resources of a PC has led to the fact that millions of people are spending more and more time in front of its screen. Over time, computer users develop a set of specific health complaints.

This makes us think about the impact of computer radiation on human health. There are many reasons for such thoughts. A number of scientists associate health problems with people’s exposure to electromagnetic radiation from household microwave sources.

What is the harm of computer radiation?

We are the first generation of people to live in an ocean of enormous amounts of visible and invisible radiation. Therefore, there are still no reliable statistics summing up all the research of scientists on this topic. So what do the pundits say?

Every PC is a source of low-frequency and radio-frequency radiation. Health experts say:

• both types of rays are carcinogenic;
• they increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and hormonal disorders;
• as well as Alzheimer's disease, asthma and depression.

All parts of the computer can be harmful. The processor generates this same microwave radiation, which “happily” spreads in space in the form of electromagnetic waves, often carrying misinformation to the human electromagnetic field.

To determine in which direction from the monitor the harmful radiation is maximum, you should remember that its front part has a protective coating. But the back wall and side surfaces are not protected. Manufacturers of computer equipment considered ensuring the safety of the operator sitting in front of the screen as their primary task, so the opinion that radiation from the monitor from the back and sides is stronger is quite justified.

Cathode ray tube monitors, thank God, are becoming rarities of history. The damage they caused was very significant. The LCD monitors that replaced them are certainly safer, but they still emit radiation. By the way, the word radiation, indicated in the computer documentation, is translated as radiation, but not as radioactivity.

Due to the heating of the motherboard and case, the air is deionized and harmful substances are released into the environment. This is why the air in rooms with constantly running computer technology is very difficult to breathe. For people with a weak respiratory system, this factor can have a detrimental effect, triggering asthma. It is further aggravated by the influence of the electrostatic field of the computer and monitor on dust particles suspended in the air. Once electrified, they form a “dust cocktail” that makes breathing difficult.

Having a touch screen does not at all guarantee that you will not be exposed to radiation. After all, when performing manipulations on the screen, your fingers are constantly in contact with it, and a few millimeters from the Wi-Fi antenna.

Particularly worth discussing is the problem of radiation from laptops, which were designed as portable devices for working on the road. Using these convenient and multifunctional devices for a full working day may well cause all sorts of pathologies and diseases. After all, it, like an ordinary computer, is a source of electromagnetic radiation, and is also located in close proximity to a person. Many users even carelessly place it on their knees, in close proximity to vital organs.

Computer radiation and pregnancy

Pregnancy is an extremely important time in a woman’s life. From the moment of conception until the birth of the child, the growing fetus is extremely sensitive to adverse external influences. Therefore, intrauterine damage to the embryo by an electromagnetic field can occur at any stage of its development. The early stages of pregnancy are especially dangerous in this regard, when miscarriages most often occur and malformations of the unborn baby develop. Therefore, the expectant mother should treat the issue of the influence of computer radiation on pregnancy very responsibly.

Despite the compactness of a laptop, the radiation from it during pregnancy is no less dangerous than the same exposure from a regular computer - the intensity is the same, plus the influence of the Wi-Fi transmitter. In addition, many women, even during pregnancy, do not give up the habit of holding this portable device on their laps, that is, in close proximity to the developing baby.

Ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of a computer

The flip side of technological progress is the dangers associated with it. How to avoid them or at least minimize them? How to reduce radiation from a computer? Information about its harmful effects should logically be accompanied by recommendations on methods of protection from its radiation.

Do plants help protect against computer radiation?

Even among respectable office workers, there is an opinion that some plants protect against computer radiation.

So which flower protects against computer radiation? Cactus is traditionally preferred here. There is even a “scientific basis” for this myth: the needles of the plant are assigned the role of antennas, formulas are given and calculations are made. If there was a grain of truth in this statement, then in the homeland of cacti - Mexico there should be problems with the operation of radars, but there are none.

The reality is that neither a cactus nor any other plant will protect you from computer radiation!

A flower near the computer can lift your spirits, decorate a strict work atmosphere, and become a positive emotional component in everyday work. And an “emotional placebo” can neutralize the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Concluding all of the above, we conclude that protection from microwave radiation of a computer begins from the moment you select this companion for your family in the store. And it ends with a reasonable approach to its operation and measured time spent in front of the invitingly flickering screen.

Laser radiation (LR)

LR is a special type of electromagnetic radiation generated in the wave range 0.1...1000 microns.

LR sources are quantum optical generators (COGs) and side factors of some processes (metallurgy, glass melting).

When working with laser installations, the complex of production factors is mainly dominated by the constant exposure of workers to monochromatic laser radiation. Exposure of operators to a direct laser beam is only possible in case of gross violations of safety regulations. However, those working with laser devices may be exposed to reflected and scattered monochromatic radiation. Surfaces that reflect and scatter radiation can be various optical elements located along the beam path, targets, instruments, as well as walls of industrial premises. Specularly reflective surfaces are especially dangerous.

Exposure to the eyes leads to burns, retinal rupture and permanent loss of vision.

Exposure to skin radiation leads to skin nocrosis (death).

Ultraviolet radiation -- a type of radiant energy.

The ultraviolet part of the spectrum includes waves with a length from 0.1 to 0.4 microns. In industrial conditions it is found during electric welding, the action of mercury-quartz lamps, metal smelting in electric furnaces, and is used in the film and photo industries, in photocopying and plasma processes. Ultraviolet radiation is used to prevent vitamin D deficiency in workers in underground mines, as well as in physiotherapy rooms.

Many minerals contain substances that, when illuminated by ultraviolet light, begin to emit visible light. The two minerals, fluorite and zircon, were indistinguishable in X-rays. Both were green. But as soon as the cathode light was connected, the fluorite became purple and the zircon turned lemon yellow.

The main artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation are high- and medium-pressure mercury lamps, xenon arc lamps, as well as lamps containing mixtures of various gases, which include xenon or mercury vapor.

The biological activity of ultraviolet rays depends on their wavelength.

There are 3 sections of the spectrum with wavelength:

• 1. 0.4--0.31 microns - having a weak biological effect;
• 2. 0.31--0.28 microns - having a strong effect on the skin;
• 3. 0.28--0.20 microns - actively acting on tissue proteins and lipoids, capable of causing hemolysis.

Biological objects are capable of absorbing the energy of radiation incident on them. In this case, a light photon, interacting with a molecule, knocks an electron out of its orbit. The result is a positively charged molecule, or small ion, that acts as a free radical, disrupting the structure of proteins and damaging cell membranes. Since photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength, short-wave ultraviolet radiation is more damaging to biological objects.

Damage to living objects by ultraviolet radiation is always photochemical, it is not accompanied by a noticeable increase in temperature and can occur after a long latent period.

To cause damage, small doses of radiation over a long period of time are sufficient.

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin, exceeding the natural protective ability of the skin (tanning), leads to burns.

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation promotes the development of melanoma, various types of skin cancer, and accelerates aging and the appearance of wrinkles.

Ultraviolet radiation is imperceptible to the human eye, but with intense irradiation it causes typical radiation damage (retinal burn). Thus, on August 1, 2008, dozens of Russians damaged their retinas during a solar eclipse, despite numerous warnings about the dangers of observing it without eye protection. They complained of a sharp decrease in vision and spots before their eyes.

Intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause occupational dermatitis with diffuse erythema and exudation, damage to the mucous membrane and cornea of ​​the eye (electro-ophthalmia).

Ionizing radiation (IR)

Ionizing radiation is the name given to flows of particles and electromagnetic quanta produced during nuclear transformations.

The most significant types of ionizing radiation are: short-wave electromagnetic radiation (X-ray and gamma radiation), fluxes of charged particles: beta particles (electrons and positrons), alpha particles (nuclei of the helium-4 atom), protons, other ions, muons, etc. ., as well as neutrons. The most common types of ionizing radiation are X-ray and gamma radiation, fluxes of alpha particles, electrons, neutrons and protons. Ionizing radiation directly or indirectly causes ionization of the medium, i.e. the formation of charged atoms or molecules - ions.

In nature, ionizing radiation is usually generated as a result of the spontaneous radioactive decay of radionuclides, nuclear reactions (synthesis and induced fission of nuclei, capture of protons, neutrons, alpha particles, etc.), as well as during the acceleration of charged particles in space (the nature of such acceleration of cosmic particles to the end is not clear). Artificial sources of ionizing radiation are artificial radionuclides (generate alpha, beta and gamma radiation), nuclear reactors (generate mainly neutron and gamma radiation), radionuclide neutron sources, particle accelerators (generate streams of charged particles, as well as bremsstrahlung photon radiation), X-ray machines (generate bremsstrahlung X-rays)

Alpha radiation is a stream of alpha particles - helium-4 nuclei. Alpha particles produced by radioactive decay can easily be stopped by a piece of paper. Beta radiation is a stream of electrons produced by beta decay; To protect against beta particles with energies up to 1 MeV, an aluminum plate several mm thick is sufficient.

X-rays arise from the strong acceleration of charged particles (bremsstrahlung), or from high-energy transitions in the electronic shells of atoms or molecules. Both effects are used in X-ray tubes.

X-ray radiation can also be produced at charged particle accelerators. So-called synchrotron radiation occurs when a beam of particles is deflected in a magnetic field, causing them to experience acceleration in a direction perpendicular to their motion.

On the scale of electromagnetic waves, gamma radiation borders on x-rays, occupying a range of higher frequencies and energies. In the region of 1-100 keV, gamma radiation and X-ray radiation differ only in source: if a quantum is emitted in a nuclear transition, then it is usually classified as gamma radiation; if during interactions of electrons or during transitions in the atomic electron shell - to x-ray radiation.

Gamma rays, unlike b-rays and b-rays, are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields and are characterized by greater penetrating power at equal energies and other equal conditions. Gamma rays cause the ionization of atoms of a substance.

Areas of application of gamma radiation:

• · Gamma flaw detection, inspection of products using g-rays.
• · Food preservation.
• · Sterilization of medical materials and equipment.
• · Radiation therapy.
• · Level gauges.
• · Gamma ray logging in geology.
• · Gamma altimeter, measuring the distance to the surface when landing spacecraft.
• Gamma sterilization of spices, grains, fish, meat and other products to increase shelf life

Sources of II can be natural and artificial radioactive substances, various types of nuclear installations, medical preparations, numerous control and measuring devices (flaw detection of metals, quality control of welded joints). They are also used in agriculture, geological exploration, in the fight against static electricity, etc.

For radiometric studies of borehole sections, it is permitted to use closed radionuclide neutron and gamma sources of ionizing radiation, i.e. gamma logging is carried out - the study of natural gamma radiation of rocks in drill holes to identify radioactive ores, lithological division of the section

Geologists may encounter ionizing radiation when carrying out radiometric work, performing work in mines, mine workings, uranium mines, etc. Radioactive gas radon - 222. A gas that emits alpha particles is constantly formed in rocks. Dangerous if accumulated in mines, basements, or on the 1st floor.

Natural sources give a total annual dose of approximately 200 mrem (space - up to 30 mrem, soil - up to 38 mrem, radioactive elements in human tissues - up to 37 mrem, radon gas - up to 80 mrem and other sources).

Artificial sources add an annual equivalent radiation dose of approximately 150-200 mrem (medical devices and research - 100-150 mrem, watching TV - 1-3 mrem, coal-fired thermal power plants - up to 6 mrem, consequences of nuclear weapons tests - up to 3 mrem and others sources).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined the maximum permissible (safe) equivalent radiation dose for an inhabitant of the planet to be 35 rem, subject to its uniform accumulation over 70 years of life.

After the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the world was overwhelmed by another wave of panicky radiophobia. In the Far East, iodine disappeared from sale, and manufacturers and sellers of dosimeters not only sold out all the devices in warehouses, but also collected pre-orders for six months to a year in advance. But is radiation really that bad? If you wince every time you hear this word, this article is written for you.

Igor Egorov

What is radiation? This is the name given to various types of ionizing radiation, that is, that which is capable of removing electrons from the atoms of a substance. The three main types of ionizing radiation are usually designated by the Greek letters alpha, beta and gamma. Alpha radiation is a stream of helium-4 nuclei (virtually all helium from balloons was once alpha radiation), beta is a stream of fast electrons (less commonly positrons), and gamma is a stream of high-energy photons. Another type of radiation is a flux of neutrons. Ionizing radiation (with the exception of X-rays) is the result of nuclear reactions, so neither mobile phones nor microwave ovens are sources of it.

Loaded Weapon

Of all the types of art, the most important for us, as we know, is cinema, and of the types of radiation - gamma radiation. It has a very high penetrating ability, and theoretically no barrier can completely protect against it. We are constantly exposed to gamma radiation, it comes to us through the thickness of the atmosphere from space, breaks through the soil layer and the walls of houses. The downside of such pervasiveness is a relatively weak destructive effect: of a large number of photons, only a small part will transfer its energy to the body. Soft (low-energy) gamma radiation (and x-rays) mainly interacts with matter, knocking electrons out of it due to the photoelectric effect, hard radiation is scattered by electrons, while the photon is not absorbed and retains a noticeable part of its energy, so the probability of destruction of molecules in such the process is much less.

Beta radiation is close in its effects to gamma radiation - it also knocks electrons out of atoms. But with external irradiation, it is completely absorbed by the skin and the tissues closest to the skin, without reaching the internal organs. However, this leads to the fact that the flow of fast electrons transfers significant energy to the irradiated tissues, which can lead to radiation burns or provoke, for example, cataracts.

Alpha radiation carries significant energy and high momentum, which allows it to knock electrons out of atoms and even atoms themselves out of molecules. Therefore, the “destruction” caused by it is much greater - it is believed that by transferring 1 J of energy to the body, alpha radiation will cause the same damage as 20 J in the case of gamma or beta radiation. Fortunately, the penetration power of alpha particles is extremely low: they are absorbed by the very top layer of the skin. But when ingested, alpha-active isotopes are extremely dangerous: remember the infamous tea with alpha-active polonium-210, which poisoned Alexander Litvinenko.

Neutral danger

But the first place in the danger rating is undoubtedly occupied by fast neutrons. A neutron has no electrical charge and therefore interacts not with electrons, but with nuclei - only with a “direct hit”. A flow of fast neutrons can pass through a layer of matter on average from 2 to 10 cm without interacting with it. Moreover, in the case of heavy elements, when colliding with a nucleus, the neutron only deviates to the side, almost without losing energy. And when it collides with a hydrogen nucleus (proton), the neutron transfers approximately half of its energy to it, knocking the proton out of its place. It is this fast proton (or, to a lesser extent, the nucleus of another light element) that causes ionization in the substance, acting like alpha radiation. As a result, neutron radiation, like gamma rays, easily penetrates into the body, but is almost completely absorbed there, creating fast protons that cause great destruction. In addition, neutrons are the same radiation that causes induced radioactivity in irradiated substances, that is, converts stable isotopes into radioactive ones. This is an extremely unpleasant effect: for example, alpha, beta and gamma active dust can be washed off from vehicles after being in the source of a radiation accident, but it is impossible to get rid of neutron activation - the body itself emits radiation (by the way, this is what the the damaging effect of a neutron bomb that activated the armor of tanks).

Dose and power

When measuring and assessing radiation, so many different concepts and units are used that it is easy for an ordinary person to get confused.
The exposure dose is proportional to the number of ions created by gamma and x-ray radiation per unit mass of air. It is usually measured in roentgens (R).
The absorbed dose shows the amount of radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of a substance. Previously it was measured in rads (rad), but now it is measured in grays (Gy).
The equivalent dose additionally takes into account the difference in the destructive ability of different types of radiation. Previously, it was measured in “biological equivalents of rads” - rem (rem), and now - in sieverts (Sv).
The effective dose also takes into account the different sensitivity of different organs to radiation: for example, irradiating the arm is much less dangerous than the back or chest. Previously it was measured in the same rem, now - in sieverts.
Converting one unit of measurement to another is not always correct, but on average it is generally accepted that an exposure dose of gamma radiation of 1 R will cause the same harm to the body as an equivalent dose of 1/114 Sv. Converting rads to grays and rem to sieverts is very simple: 1 Gy = 100 rad, 1 Sv = 100 rem. To convert the absorbed dose into an equivalent dose, the so-called a "radiation quality factor" equal to 1 for gamma and beta radiation, 20 for alpha radiation, and 10 for fast neutrons. For example, 1 Gy of fast neutrons = 10 Sv = 1000 rem.
The natural equivalent dose rate (EDR) of external exposure is usually 0.06 - 0.10 µSv/h, but in some places it can be less than 0.02 µSv/h or more than 0.30 µSv/h. A level of more than 1.2 μSv/h in Russia is officially considered dangerous, although in the aircraft cabin during a flight the EDR can be many times higher than this value. And the ISS crew is exposed to radiation with a power of approximately 40 μSv/h.

In nature, neutron radiation is very insignificant. In fact, the risk of being exposed to it exists only during a nuclear bombardment or a serious accident at a nuclear power plant with the melting and release of most of the reactor core into the environment (and even then only in the first seconds).

Gas discharge meters

Radiation can be detected and measured using a variety of sensors. The simplest of them are ionization chambers, proportional counters and gas-discharge Geiger-Muller counters. They are a thin-walled metal tube filled with gas (or air), along the axis of which a wire, an electrode, is stretched. A voltage is applied between the housing and the wire and the current flow is measured. The fundamental difference between the sensors is only in the magnitude of the applied voltage: at low voltages we have an ionization chamber, at high voltages we have a gas-discharge counter, somewhere in the middle we have a proportional counter.

The plutonium-238 sphere glows in the dark, like a one-watt light bulb. Plutonium is toxic, radioactive and incredibly heavy: one kilogram of this substance fits in a cube with a side of 4 cm.

Ionization chambers and proportional counters make it possible to determine the energy that each particle transferred to the gas. The Geiger-Muller counter only counts particles, but readings from it are very easy to obtain and process: the power of each pulse is sufficient to directly output it to a small speaker! An important problem of gas-discharge counters is the dependence of the counting rate on the radiation energy at the same radiation level. To level it out, special filters are used that absorb part of the soft gamma and all beta radiation. To measure the flux density of beta and alpha particles, such filters are made removable. In addition, to increase sensitivity to beta and alpha radiation, “end counters” are used: this is a disk with a bottom as one electrode and a second spiral wire electrode. The cover of the end counters is made of a very thin (10−20 microns) mica plate, through which soft beta radiation and even alpha particles easily pass.

Previously, people, in order to explain what they did not understand, came up with various fantastic things - myths, gods, religion, magical creatures. And although a large number of people still believe in these superstitions, we now know that there is an explanation for everything. One of the most interesting, mysterious and amazing topics is radiation. What is it? What types of it exist? What is radiation in physics? How is it absorbed? Is it possible to protect yourself from radiation?

general information

So, the following types of radiation are distinguished: wave motion of the medium, corpuscular and electromagnetic. Most attention will be paid to the latter. Regarding the wave motion of the medium, we can say that it arises as a result of the mechanical movement of a certain object, which causes a successive rarefaction or compression of the medium. Examples include infrasound or ultrasound. Corpuscular radiation is a flow of atomic particles such as electrons, positrons, protons, neutrons, alpha, which is accompanied by natural and artificial decay of nuclei. Let's talk about these two for now.

Influence

Let's consider solar radiation. This is a powerful healing and preventive factor. The set of accompanying physiological and biochemical reactions that occur with the participation of light is called photobiological processes. They take part in the synthesis of biologically important compounds, serve to obtain information and orientation in space (vision), and can also cause harmful consequences, such as the appearance of harmful mutations, the destruction of vitamins, enzymes, and proteins.

About electromagnetic radiation

In the future, the article will be devoted exclusively to him. What does radiation do in physics, how does it affect us? EMR is electromagnetic waves that are emitted by charged molecules, atoms, and particles. Large sources can be antennas or other radiating systems. The wavelength of the radiation (oscillation frequency) together with the sources is of decisive importance. So, depending on these parameters, gamma, x-ray, and optical radiation are distinguished. The latter is divided into a number of other subspecies. So, this is infrared, ultraviolet, radio radiation, as well as light. The range is up to 10 -13. Gamma radiation is generated by excited atomic nuclei. X-rays can be obtained by decelerating accelerated electrons, as well as by their transition from non-free levels. Radio waves leave their mark as they move alternating electric currents along the conductors of radiating systems (for example, antennas).

About ultraviolet radiation

Biologically, UV rays are the most active. If they come into contact with the skin, they can cause local changes in tissue and cellular proteins. In addition, the effect on skin receptors is recorded. It affects the whole organism in a reflex way. Since it is a nonspecific stimulator of physiological functions, it has a beneficial effect on the body’s immune system, as well as on mineral, protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. All this manifests itself in the form of a general health-improving, tonic and preventive effect of solar radiation. It is worth mentioning some specific properties that a certain wave range has. Thus, the influence of radiation on a person with a length of 320 to 400 nanometers contributes to the erythema-tanning effect. In the range from 275 to 320 nm, weakly bactericidal and antirachitic effects are recorded. But ultraviolet radiation from 180 to 275 nm damages biological tissue. Therefore, caution should be exercised. Prolonged direct solar radiation, even in the safe spectrum, can lead to severe erythema with swelling of the skin and a significant deterioration in health. Up to increasing the likelihood of developing skin cancer.

Reaction to sunlight

First of all, infrared radiation should be mentioned. It has a thermal effect on the body, which depends on the degree of absorption of rays by the skin. The word “burn” is used to describe its effect. The visible spectrum affects the visual analyzer and the functional state of the central nervous system. And through the central nervous system and onto all human systems and organs. It should be noted that we are influenced not only by the degree of illumination, but also by the color range of sunlight, that is, the entire spectrum of radiation. Thus, color perception depends on the wavelength and influences our emotional activity, as well as the functioning of various body systems.

Red color excites the psyche, enhances emotions and gives a feeling of warmth. But it quickly tires, contributes to muscle tension, increased breathing and increased blood pressure. Orange evokes a feeling of well-being and cheerfulness, while yellow lifts the mood and stimulates the nervous system and vision. Green is calming, useful during insomnia, fatigue, and improves the overall tone of the body. The color violet has a relaxing effect on the psyche. Blue calms the nervous system and keeps muscles toned.

A small retreat

Why, when considering what radiation is in physics, do we talk mostly about EMR? The fact is that this is precisely what is meant in most cases when the topic is addressed. The same corpuscular radiation and wave motion of the medium is an order of magnitude smaller in scale and known. Very often, when they talk about types of radiation, they mean exclusively those into which EMR is divided, which is fundamentally wrong. After all, when talking about what radiation is in physics, attention should be paid to all aspects. But at the same time, emphasis is placed on the most important points.

About radiation sources

We continue to consider electromagnetic radiation. We know that it represents waves that arise when an electric or magnetic field is disturbed. This process is interpreted by modern physics from the point of view of the theory of wave-particle duality. Thus, it is recognized that the minimum portion of EMR is a quantum. But at the same time, it is believed that it also has frequency-wave properties, on which the main characteristics depend. To improve the ability to classify sources, different emission spectra of EMR frequencies are distinguished. So this:

1. Hard radiation (ionized);
2. Optical (visible to the eye);
3. Thermal (aka infrared);
4. Radio frequency.

Some of them have already been considered. Each radiation spectrum has its own unique characteristics.

Nature of the sources

Depending on their origin, electromagnetic waves can arise in two cases:

1. When there is a disturbance of artificial origin.
2. Registration of radiation coming from a natural source.

What can you say about the first ones? Artificial sources most often represent a side effect that occurs as a result of the operation of various electrical devices and mechanisms. Radiation of natural origin generates the Earth’s magnetic field, electrical processes in the planet’s atmosphere, and nuclear fusion in the depths of the sun. The degree of electromagnetic field strength depends on the power level of the source. Conventionally, the radiation that is recorded is divided into low-level and high-level. The first ones include:

1. Almost all devices equipped with a CRT display (such as a computer).
2. Various household appliances, from climate control systems to irons;
3. Engineering systems that provide electricity supply to various objects. Examples include power cables, sockets, and electricity meters.

High-level electromagnetic radiation is produced by:

1. Power lines.
2. All electric transport and its infrastructure.
3. Radio and television towers, as well as mobile and mobile communication stations.
4. Elevators and other lifting equipment using electromechanical power plants.
5. Network voltage conversion devices (waves emanating from a distribution substation or transformer).

Separately, there is special equipment that is used in medicine and emits hard radiation. Examples include MRI, X-ray machines and the like.

The influence of electromagnetic radiation on humans

In the course of numerous studies, scientists have come to the sad conclusion that long-term exposure to EMR contributes to a real explosion of diseases. However, many disorders occur at the genetic level. Therefore, protection against electromagnetic radiation is important. This is due to the fact that EMR has a high level of biological activity. In this case, the result of the influence depends on:

1. The nature of the radiation.
2. Duration and intensity of influence.

Specific moments of influence

It all depends on the localization. Absorption of radiation can be local or general. An example of the second case is the effect that power lines have. An example of local exposure is the electromagnetic waves emitted by a digital watch or mobile phone. Thermal effects should also be mentioned. Due to the vibration of molecules, the field energy is converted into heat. Microwave emitters operate on this principle and are used to heat various substances. It should be noted that when influencing a person, the thermal effect is always negative, and even harmful. It should be noted that we are constantly exposed to radiation. At work, at home, moving around the city. Over time, the negative effect only intensifies. Therefore, protection against electromagnetic radiation is becoming increasingly important.

How can you protect yourself?

Initially, you need to know what you are dealing with. A special device for measuring radiation will help with this. It will allow you to assess the security situation. In production, absorbent screens are used for protection. But, alas, they are not designed for use at home. To get started, here are three tips you can follow:

1. You should stay at a safe distance from devices. For power lines, television and radio towers, this is at least 25 meters. With CRT monitors and televisions, thirty centimeters is enough. Electronic watches should be no closer than 5 cm. And it is not recommended to bring radios and cell phones closer than 2.5 centimeters. You can select a location using a special device - a flux meter. The permissible dose of radiation recorded by it should not exceed 0.2 µT.
2. Try to reduce the time you have to be exposed to radiation.
3. You should always turn off electrical appliances when not in use. After all, even when inactive, they continue to emit EMR.

About the silent killer

And we will conclude the article with an important, although rather poorly known in wide circles, topic - radiation. Throughout his life, development and existence, man was irradiated by natural background. Natural radiation can be roughly divided into external and internal exposure. The first includes cosmic radiation, solar radiation, the influence of the earth's crust and air. Even the building materials from which houses and structures are created generate a certain background.

Radiation has a significant penetrating force, so stopping it is problematic. So, in order to completely isolate the rays, you need to hide behind a lead wall 80 centimeters thick. Internal radiation occurs when natural radioactive substances enter the body along with food, air, and water. Radon, thoron, uranium, thorium, rubidium, and radium can be found in the bowels of the earth. All of them are absorbed by plants, can be in water - and when eaten, they enter our body.

Hardly ever.

It is harmful, of course, like everything in our cruel world, but this harm is very insignificant. Cancer-causing potential of radiation from mobile phones is in the same group with asphalt, gasoline, coffee, mothballs, nickel-plated coins and metronidazole (the latter, by the way, is included in the “List of Vital and Essential Medicines”).

What kind of group is this?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (a division of the World Health Organization) classifies all objects of our cruel world into 5 categories:

• "1 - Causes cancer." From this glorious group, you could well have come into contact with asbestos, hormonal contraceptives, ethanol, solar radiation, vinyl chloride, and tobacco products. - Already, having covered yourself from the sun with an umbrella, quickly quit drinking, smoking and having sex without a condom, run to your old clinic with asbestos walls and polyvinyl chloride tiles on the floor? - Run, run. There are 4 more categories:
• "2A - Possibly cause cancer."
• "2B - There is some possibility of causing cancer."
• "3 - Not suspected of causing cancer."
• “4 - Definitely does not cause cancer.”

The middle of these five, category 2B, includes radiation from mobile phones.

What kind of radiation is this?

Mobile phones are radio transmitters operating in the UHF range (0.3 to 3 GHz). Every decimeter of these waves is familiar to us.

GPS is at 1.2 GHz, GLONASS is at 1.6 GHz.
Cell phones operate on 0.9 GHz and 1.8 GHz.
Wi-fi and bluetooth broadcast at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
And microwave ovens operate at almost the same frequency (2.45 GHz). Peeeeeeee.

How do radio waves affect the body?

“Staying in an area with elevated levels of electromagnetic field (EMF) for a certain time leads to a number of adverse effects: fatigue, nausea, headache. If the standards are significantly exceeded, damage to the heart, brain, and central nervous system is possible. Radiation can affect the human psyche, irritability appears, and it is difficult for a person to control himself. It is possible to develop diseases that are difficult to treat, even cancer.” (Wikipedia) - Scary? - There’s no point in being in an area with a high level of EMF.

A mobile phone will definitely not create such a zone for you: its radio transmitter has a power of only 1-2 W. (A good microwave oven has a power of 1.5 thousand watts; a cheap 500-watt oven will heat your sausage for five minutes and not warm it up.) 1-2 W is very little. Mobile phone is awesome.

Sinister cutie

If using a cell phone makes you “fatigue, nausea, headache,” or simply after a long conversation “your ear and half of your head hurt,” then I can offer three options.

Option one: you have radiophobia (an unreasonable fear of various sources of radiation). You probably watch REN-TV and both Malakhovs and believe every word they say. What to do: see var. 2.

Option two: your particular body has increased sensitivity to radio waves at frequencies of 0.9 GHz and 1.8 GHz. Why not, someone reacts sharply to tangerines, someone to poplar fluff, and here you are - to the radio. What to do: give up your cell phone to hell. It is not at all necessary to walk on this leash around the clock - and at work you probably have a wired telephone. This will be a very good test: if you immediately feel better, then you have radiophobia, if not immediately, then you have hypersensitivity.

Option three: at your place of residence and/or work in total an increased level of EMF has formed (a cell phone for each family member + Wi-Fi and a microwave in each apartment + a cellular base station on one side + a power line on the other side + a TV and radio tower on the third side + a radio transmitter at your spy neighbor). What to do: do not neglect the real danger and invite specialist measurements (measurement of EMF levels is included in the standard certification of the workplace, carried out, for example, by SES).