Walt McGinnis and Chris Anderson (Electromagnetic Solutions)
1) HIRE EXPERIENCED CONSULTANT
It is recommended that a testing specialist - preferably one trained in
electrobiology such as taught by the IBE - International Institute for
Building Biolology and Ecology - or a trained professional, familiar with
the health effects research, and methods of achieving Low EMR standards -
be engaged throughout any low EMR building project. The specialist must
have a full picture of the EMR/Health issue, as well as reliable
instruments, and not be simply a technician knowing the physics but not the
health implications of electro magnetic radiation; tester to consult with
owner, electrician and all other trades, designer/architect, and builders,
throughout the project duration. EMR testing to be done before construction
and just before completion of wiring to allow for possible improvements;
2) PLAN FOR LOW EMR ENVIRONMENT
All parties connected to building decisions - ie owners, architect/designer,
contractor, electrician and Building Biology testing specialist to be aware
of and in agreement with the Low EMR mandate, and to include this aspect in
component selection, space and equipment utilization, and general design.
This is the most cost-efficient stage to introduce means to achieve a green
electrical environment. An understanding about present and future design
possibilities must also be understood, so that careful electrical system
layout for low EMR will not need to be altered to accommodate possible
future changes. All future design modifications must be factored in at the
outset while existing building plans must also accommodate the low EMR
option;
3) WIRING LAYOUT
Rough Low EMR wiring layout to be completed in design phase by EMR
specialist and electrician with involvement of builder, owner and designer;
during construction, alterations to the wiring plan may be necessary;
4) SITE BUILDING AWAY FROM ELECTRO POLLUTION SOURCES - EMR TESTING
Building site to be as distant as possible from present and future sources
of both low frequency ELF - power line frequency EMR - ie distribution lines
and equipment, and from RFR - radio frequency radiation sources - ie TV,
radio and radar, signals, emergency services, wireless internet, cellular
antennae etc. Initial site check by trained EMR tester (EMR Survey) before
building. Recommend Bau biology testing protocol for as many of the
following tests as possible: AC magnetic fields (ELF) - low frequency; AC
electric fields (ELF) - low frequency; VLF electric and magnetic fields (ie
2000-200,000 Hz); Electromagnetic fields/radiation - high frequency (RFR);
Radioactivity levels - ionizing (nuclear) radiation both on-site, and as
introduced via materials such as some cement and concrete products, clay
tiles, rock products, gyprock etc.
5) RUN SERVICE LINES TO BUILDING SO AS TO MINIMIZE EMR IMPACTS
Underground service preferred as this eliminates AC electric fields, and
can reduce magnetic fields provided sufficient burial depth, and provided
that hot and neutral conductors are closely spaced and preferably twisted
together by the electrician. Closely pairing hots and neutrals increases
phase cancellation, reducing magnetic fields. This also applies for overhead
service lines, which must be run as close to perpendicular to the structure
as possible, and must be routed to the panel away from where people spend
time.
Power meter (major electro pollution source) to be located distant from the
building (on pole or out building) rather than on building itself.
6) LOCATE ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM PEOPLE
Service entrance cables, main electrical power panel and subpanels to be
located away from living areas by a minimum of 2 metres. Some reduction of
electro pollution possible with shielding, which is difficult, expensive and
only partially effective. A utility room that is rarely entered is
preferable for this and all other technical systems functions.
7) SHIELDED ELECTRICAL CABLES ONLY THROUGHOUT
No loomex (romex) plastic-jacketed wire (emits excessive ELF and VLF
electric fields). North American options are limited to BX (MC) metal clad
cable, EMT conduit, and Teck for high amperage feeders. If using conduit,
hot and neutral conductors to be twisted to lessen magnetic
fields/radiation. Best option is ISO BX (hospital grade isolated ground
system - more expensive than BX but better at suppressing AC electric
fields.
8) SHIELDED CABLES ONLY FOR ALL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
No unshielded wires in building (electric fields). This applies to all
control and signal wire without exception, by every trade ie phone (ie Cat
5), and data lines, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) systems,
doorbells, vacuum and security systems, television cable (use RG-6 not
RG59), and all other low voltage wiring, etc. All non-electrical wire to run
as far from electric wire as feasible. All installed wire to be approved
before installation and kept away from living environments - just as with
electrical - as much as possible.
9)NON TOXIC CABLE JACKETS
Avoid where possible, cables that contain halogens and lead, instead use at
least Alimited- smoke@ rated (no PVC) cable.
10) CO LOCATION OF SERVICE EQUIPMENT
All utilities to enter building at same general location - preferably at
dedicated utility room.
11) BOND UTILITIES AT SERVICE ENTRANCE
All utilities (ie phone, TV, gas and water)to be bonded just before entering
building in compliance with electrical code.
12) BOND UTILITIES AT ONE POINT ONLY
in accordance with code;
13) MAIN GROUNDING ELECTRODE TO BE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO MAIN DISCONNECT
And grounding only at service side;
14 ) GROUNDING SYSTEM - DIALECTIC COUPLER IF CONNECTED TO METAL WATER
DISTRIBUTION LINES
No electrical connection between building and metallic system of
municipality to prevent magnetic field pollution infecting building.
Grounding preferably, to use 2 deeply-embedded ground rods - or may be
possible to use a ground plate - into conductive soil at sufficient depth to
enable a target resistance of less than 5 ohm. Avoid >Ufer= type ground
systems entirely, as they energize building; all conductive parts of
electrical wiring system to be at a substantially equal potential;
15) FEEDERS AND HOME RUNS AWAY FROM LIVING AREAS
Under load these can be strong magnetic field sources. Use distance as a
strategy. Use corners, closets, edges of hallways, and for feeders consider
building overhangs, or, at least locate these as distant from occupants as
feasible;
16 DESIGN UNSAFE TECHNOLOGIES OUT OF BUILDING
Minimize Aswitchmode power sources as much as possible, as these affect
negatively the electrical environment due to the harmonic pollution which
result from their use. This includes transformers, which should be minimized
and located at least 1.5 metres from occupied areas. Some hazards and
avoidance strategies are: ionizing - radioactive smoke detectors - replace
with photoelectric type; ballasted Alow energy@ lighting ( ie all forms of
fluorescent lighting, and ballasted halogen) which produce harmonics and
back feed RFR throughout the building - to be avoided - instead use
incandescent and screw-in halogen bulbs. (Note: LED and fiberoptics, though
not yet affordable and widely available, look promising and are energy
efficient and low EMR). CRT (>normal=) computer monitors (emit hazardous
radiations) - replace with LCD type (much lower radiation) - preferably as
approved by Swedish TCO Standards for lowest radiation. Standard televisions
could be replaced with LCD units (lower radiation). All such equipment plus
other office devices - ie photocopiers, faxes, printers etc. to be contained
and ventilated to outside if possible, to avoid chemical offgas pollution.
All lighting, devices and appliances to be analyzed by EMR consultant;
wireless devices of every type must be avoided - especially cell phones
cordless phones, - especially of the new higher frequency - 2.4 GHz - type,
which are more dangerous than older analogue types, and equivalent in power
density to cellphones, as well as transmitting radio signals 24 hours a day
at high exposure levels,having a poisoning effect on the building similar
to a cellular base station. Instead, wire for many phone outlets to
discourage the wireless option; traditional dimmer switches to be avoided,
substitute 3-step fan resistor type switches and/or layered lighting
set-ups; Baby monitors (mini radio stations) to be avoided; microwave ovens
to be avoided.No in-floor or ceiling heating cable system to be allowed
(magnetic fields). Also wireless internet and computer systems to be
avoided.; Due to poor electrical qualities, avoid if possible all synthetic
coverings, curtains, and other finish details such as carpets, vinyl
flooring, vinyl wall paper, and most paints, plastic finishes etc.
Synthetics to be substituted with natural= healthy products that do not lead
to excess DC electric fields, or Static electricity build-up, which
contributes to ill health and damages IAQ (indoor air quality);
OTHER DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS TO CONSIDER
all working, sitting, dining and especially sleeping areas to be entirely
free of structural metals and metal plumbing, and ducting, including under,
over and around such areas. (This includes metallic beds such as coil or
box-spring mattresses); no metal screening, mesh, rebar, cars, tools or
other artifacts below, above and around sleep sites; ( these act as high -
radio frequency - antenna/amplifiers, for ambient signals, and also distort
the Earth=s magnetic fields which adversely affects health; No workshops or
garages under bedrooms;
- where possible, parallel wire for Direct Current 12 or 14 Volt systems
from renewable energy sources.. DC low power devices - particularly intimate
lighting - and some appliances, are available and recommended, and this form
of energy is quite free of adverse health implications, unlike AC energy
which reverses polarity every 60 seconds with resultant bio effects;
- when rewiring for low EMR, remove as much original cable as possible, to
avoid capacitive or inductive coupling from new wiring which can then cause
electric fields to radiate from old wire;
- no high energy use areas - ie kitchens, workshops, offices (computer,
printer telephone device radiations), entertainment centers etc. in rooms
adjacent to or near bedrooms (magnetic fields from devices penetrate walls);
Nor should device and appliance location conflict with other uses of
adjacent space. Refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, washer, dryers
etc. -these should be located away from living areas by at least 2 metres,
and for TVs, by at least 3 - 4 meters. These loads must never be placed on
an opposite wall from where people spend time - especially for sleeping
areas;
- metallic gas and water lines to have dielectric unions installed at
appliance when permitted by code. Unwanted current on water lines due to
wiring error causes electrolysis, and deterioration, likewise with gas where
the result can be explosion;
- where cement slab construction is involved, no metal rebar under bedrooms;
use non-metal rebar;
- where rammed earth is employed, no metal rebar in walls near beds
(magnetized metals distort natural geomagnetic fields of Earth and metals
pick up and re radiate ambient RFR); use a non-metallic rebar for these wall
sections;
17) EMPLOY LOW EMR WIRING STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES
Traditional >wrap-around= and under-floor wiring, and North American wiring
methods of running wire everywhere, is to be avoided. An entirely different
approach is needed for green wiring, involving careful planning of every
plug and switch placement, and wire run to minimize wire in and around
rooms especially sleeping areas. EMR testing to be done before, during and
after wiring building;
The following methods should be addressed:
- Wiring method employs radial or star pattern whereby, instead of wiring
around the room at standard heights, (more exposure to wire radiation), the
junction box feeds individual drops, either from little-used space above or
below room being wired;
- insist that electrical code is followed to the letter; Code practices
serve to minimize risk of shock, fire, electrocution and health disorders
from AC magnetic fields, which in wiring, are often produced by common
mistakes in electrical method (see ATracing EMFs, by Karl Riley, and ATaming
the Fields@ by Ed Leeper. Mistakes in wiring are easy to make, and are often
only noticed after EMR testing under appropriate load conditions, which is
the only way to detect such magnetic fields as are traceable to Code
violations such as the following: 2 neutrals interconnecting from 2
different circuits; 2-wire travelers instead of 3-wire in 3-way switches;
not breaking neutral tab as well as the hot tab on a duplex receptacle,
(when 2 circuits feed the same split outlet); bond to neutral interties on
the load side, including neutrals being pinched under a cover plate or
shunting to ground through damaged insulation, or improperly wired
subpanels, such as when the bonding screw is not removed from the neutral
bus bar (causing huge magnetic fields) - these are a few examples of
common, avoidable mistakes which routinely lead to elevated AC magnetic
fields in buildings;
- outlet and switch boxes to be metal (limits electric fields)
- as much as possible, avoid contact of BX (electric field suppression)
cables with each other anywhere in the system but at outlet, switch and
junction boxes, panels and fixtures, to avoid loop circuits. Avoid contact
of BX with grounded pipes, ducting or any other conductive system or
surface.
- at outlets, electricians can twist hot and neutral conductors (not
bonding), around each other several times as feasible, before installing
plugs, to help reduce magnetic fields locally;
- all outlets and wiring to be located at least one metre from work and
sitting areas, and 1.5 meters from all present and potential bed sites;
- where possible, wire individual rooms where people spend time on one
circuit - especially bedrooms - so that a hard-wired, or automatic cut off,
(or demand) switch can be installed, to create EMR-free zones when power is
not required; all working, sitting, dining or other areas where most time is
spent, to have sections free of wiring as possible, with options of
switching off chosen areas;
- all working, sitting, dining and especially sleeping areas to have no
wiring where it will impact occupants, that is, under, over and around
relaxing, eating, zones, with particular concern to keep wiring as far as
possible from present and potential bed sites; Bedrooms are the most
important areas to be protected in this way.
