High-frequency electromagnetic waves can cause infertility, as evidenced by soldiers working at radar stations with outdated equipment that leaks signals, frequently experiencing reproductive issues. This type of wave is also surrounding ordinary people, emanating from TVs, refrigerators, computers, mobile phones, microwaves…
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Recently, residents in various areas of Hanoi have been “crying out for help” due to mobile service providers installing transmission stations right in residential neighborhoods, fearing that electromagnetic waves will harm their health. According to Dr. Nguyen Khac Hai, director of the Institute of Labor Medicine and Environmental Health, this fear is not unfounded, as numerous studies have proven that high-frequency electromagnetic waves have detrimental effects on health.
When electromagnetic waves pass through the body, they cause cells to rub against each other, generating heat; the heat can be significant enough to boil bodily fluids and cook cells (microwaves operate on this principle). At very high doses, electromagnetic waves can cause acute harm. For instance, if a worker fixing radar stands right in front of the transmission component, and someone else unknowingly turns on the machine, that worker could faint immediately. If the doses are low, or if the distance is not close enough, the harmful effects of these waves can accumulate over time, impacting the nervous system, reproductive health, cardiovascular health, and vision.
Some domestic studies indicate that postal workers in broadcasting areas are prone to health disorders, exhibiting signs such as lackluster skin, persistent fatigue, poor appetite, insomnia, and memory loss. Surveys in the military have shown that radar personnel have a high rate of infertility.
The Earth itself is a source of electromagnetic waves. The “thoughtfulness” of nature grants humans an inherent ability to adapt to this natural wave. On the other hand, at moderate levels, these waves can also be beneficial to health. However, the increasing presence of electrical devices in households means that people now live amidst dense electromagnetic waves, which inevitably have adverse effects on health if individuals do not know how to protect themselves.
To ensure public safety, developed countries have established standards for electromagnetic waves in residential and industrial areas. However, in Vietnam, standards have only been issued for workplace environments, with no regulations regarding permissible electromagnetic wave levels in residential areas. Meanwhile, mobile transmission stations are proliferating, even being installed right next to homes. Following a “request” from several families living near transmission stations in Linh Dam, Dinh Cong, and My Dinh (Hanoi), the Institute of Labor Medicine and Environmental Health measured electromagnetic waves inside and outside their homes, with results indicating that levels remained within safe limits (according to global recommendations). However, this result does not reassure residents or experts, as it only reflects isolated cases.
To date, there has never been an official survey on electromagnetic waves in residential areas in Vietnam, so no one can confirm that residents living near mobile transmission, radio, and television stations are not at risk of cancer, infertility, cataracts, etc. Furthermore, even if surveys were conducted and the electromagnetic wave levels were found to be excessively high, it would still be challenging to compel the owners of these stations to rectify the situation since standards have yet to be established.
Dr. Nguyen Khac Hai believes that currently, with modern technical equipment that does not leak signals, the risks for technical staff at transmission sites are not as high as before. However, for the general public, the danger is increasingly significant due to being surrounded by numerous dense electromagnetic waves in the air. Concerned about this issue, the Institute of Labor Medicine and Environmental Health has officially recommended that the Ministry of Health conduct specific research to assess high-frequency electromagnetic pollution (telecommunication radio waves) and its impact on urban residents’ health. The Institute also urges the Ministry to promptly develop standards for electromagnetic field radiation in residential areas.
Ways to Mitigate the Harm of Electromagnetic Waves
All electrical devices emit electromagnetic waves, and their impact depends on intensity, frequency, and distance. Of these, distance is the only factor we can control. Therefore, the best approach is to keep away from areas emitting waves, especially from high-voltage power lines (220 KV and above), as the waves here are very strong. When the 500 KV North-South power line was newly constructed, there was a study on its effects on residents and workers living nearby, and the result showed no acute toxicity. However, no long-term impact surveys have been conducted. Thus, it is best not to build houses near high-voltage areas, maintaining a minimum distance of 7 meters.
Children should not be allowed to use mobile phones, as their waves can affect development, especially reproductive organs. Adults should also avoid placing these devices on their beds. Men should refrain from keeping mobile phones in their pockets.
Old or damaged microwaves should be replaced, as the waves from these can significantly impact humans. The microwave doors typically have a metal mesh that absorbs the waves; however, if the door is ajar, safety is compromised. To stay safe, it is best not to stand close to the microwave while it is running, and do not look inside to check the food, as microwaves can damage the lenses of the eyes.
However, Dr. Hai also advises people not to be overly fearful about the effects of electromagnetic waves from household items, since their intensity is not high, and if the devices are new and functioning properly, they are safe. Moreover, the intensity of electromagnetic waves decreases rapidly with distance.
Hai Ha
