[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Smoke detectors and EMF

[Lawrence Lile]

A battery operated smoke detector operates at lower voltages and lower
power levels than a 120V detector, so should theoretically have lower
EMF. Also the wires aren't strung all over the place like antennas. 

Additionally, smoke detectors are mounted on the ceiling, limiting the
amount of electrical or magnetic field strength at the level of your
bed, which diminishes as the square of the distance. Same with room
lights on the ceiling. 

If your are really concerned, and want to spend some extra money, have
all the wiring in your house installed in steel conduit, which should
shield any EMF that may be present.  Then don't worry about EMF from
wiring within the walls, although you may have to duck thrown objects
from your electrician.  Keep wiring, including the cord to your alarm
clock, minimum 6 foot from your bed.  That means you'll have to really,
really get out of bed to turn off your alarm clock, no more snooze
button. 

That is IF you believe that EMF is a big deal, which I do not. I wish it
were easily proved, then electrical engineers like me would have a
heyday installing shielded wiring in every home and building! I'd be
rich!  At best, researchers have found a weak epidemiological link
between living near an electrical substation, and childhood cancer,
which can't be replicated by exposing mice to EMF, and doesn't explain
lack of disease in other areas where high fields are present.  Living
near a substation was shown to be a risk factor in some early
epidemiological studies (also unreplicated).  It could be your kid is
exposed to PCB's near a substation, proven carcinogens, which would make
a more rational explanation than EMF.  Try this link for a review
http://www.mcw.edu/gcrc/cop/powerlines-cancer-FAQ/toc.html#whatsnew

I've been following this subject intensely for 25 years, since it's my
job and I'll never be unemployed if it is proven that all of our
buildings need to be rewired for low EMF.  People keep looking into it,
finding little or nothing, then some other people look into it, find a
little then look again and find nothing. Meanwhile, the public is very
worried about it.  I think people get very worked up about a very
unlikely problem, then ignore things that are very likely to cause
cancer and disease, like smoking, indoor air pollution, or eating
half-charred barbequed meat.


For my money, eating organic food, keeping off weight, eating a high
fiber diet and using Green low-outgassing finishes and materials in my
home would lower one's risk of cancer and other diseases in a direct,
effective, and proven way, statistically several thousands of times more
likely than a weak, hard to prove link with EMF. I am sure others have
strong opinions counter to this, and I will respectfully listen to your
arguments, as long as no heavy objects are hurled in my direction in the
process <GRIN>.  


 
Lawrence Lile

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Irina
Golfman
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 11:06 AM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Smoke detectors and EMF
Importance: Low

Hello everyone,

I am trying to figure out if the hard wired or battery operated 
photo-electric smoke detectors will produce a smaller 
Electro-Magnetic field. My concern is to create the sleeping quarters 
that are as free from EMF as possible and it seems that a battery 
operated smoke detector placed outside a bedroom door would be better 
in this regard than the hard-wired detector placed inside the 
bedroom.  I've done some poking around, including talking to "Less 
EMF", but haven't come up with any info. Does anyone out there have 
an opinion or a lead of information on this (other than I should stop 
worrying about EMF...)?

Thank you much,
-------------------------------------------------
Irina


_______________________________________________
Greenbuilding email list
List info:
http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.or
g
List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
      publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r)
Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org