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by the ceiling cable, it would remain relatively unaffected by the heat radiation. The room would be warmed, in other words, with- out the body temperature being raised excessively. With the new experimental situation well defined, Wertheimer now compared the seasonal rate of miscarriage for families living in homes heated by ceiling cable. As in the electric blanket study, the rate of greatest foetal loss was observed in the coldest months when the magnetic field strength generated by the cable was at its peak.” This variation in the seasonal pattern of spontaneous abortion was not manifest among families living in homes which relied on non- magnetic-field heating sources. On the basis of these results razor is a relatively safe bet. If you feel you have to opt for the electric razor effect, try a battery-operated razor, The electric blanket case deserves our special attention. In the light of current research on the magnetic field effects of electric blankets, the threat of increased risk of miscarriage should be a suf- ficient deterrent in respect of their use, at least for all pregnant women. Ordinary blankets provide a safe alternative, but if you feel you must use an electric blanket, there are ways in which you can minimise the risks. One helpful strategy is simply to heat the bed for an hour or so before retiring. Just before you are ready to go to bed, shut off the blanket and enjoy the warmth. Be careful not to switch the blanket off at the temperature regulator, or to assume that all is well simply because you have switched off the wall switch. A number of electric blankets are capable of generating a magnetic field if they are left plugged in at the wall socket. Unplug the electric blanket from the wall before actually getting into bed.* Similar precautions will make your use of the heated waterbed equally accommodating. Once you are in the waterbed, your own body heat, coupled with the heat from the bed water, will keep you surprisingly cosy and comfortable. A few other helpful tips in minimising the risk of electric blanket use: Choose a blanket of the correct size so that wired areas of the blanket are never tucked in under the mattress. Do not use an elec- tric blanket with a waterbed. If you use a waterproof sheet, cover the electric blanket with an ordinary blanket to absorb moisture below the waterproof sheet. When the blanket is switched on, never pile blankets or clothing on it. If you are not using the elec- tric blanket, it is best to store it in a hanging position and unfolded. Never use pins to secure something to the blanket. Do not dry- clean electric blankets; if laundering is necessary, it is imperative to follow the instructions of the manufacturer. Keep the electrical leads and controls free of the bed at all times. Switch off the blanket whenever it is not in use. Check the blanket and the controls on a regular basis to ensure that neither has become faulty. Electric blankets should be replaced every two to five years, dependin upon use. eo REFERENCES 1. ‘Wertheimer, N. and Leeper, E., "Electrical Wiring Configuration and Childhood Cancer", American Journal of Epidemiology, 1979, vol. 109, pp 273-84, 2. Bacon, H., "The Hazards of High-Voltage Power Lines”, in Goldsmith, E. and Hildyard, N., Green Britain or Industrial Wasteland?, Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1986, 3. Wertheimer; op: cit.; p. 276. See also Brodeur, P., Currents of Death, Simon | and Schuster, New York, 1989, pp. 18-22. 4. Brodeur, P., p. 18. 5. Wertheimer, pp. 282-83. See also Brodeur, pp. 20-21. 6, Ibid. ‘ 7. Wertheimer, N.and Leeper, E., "Adult Cancer Related to Electrical Wires Near the Home", international Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 11(4), pp. 345-55. 8. Brodeur, P. 21. 9: haba , "Adult Cancer Related to Electrical Wires Near the Home”, pp. 348-50, 10. Brodeur, p. 23, 11, Ibid., p. 25. 12. Savitz, D.A., et.al, "Case-Control Study of Childhood Cancer and Exposure to 60-Hertz Magnetic Fields”, American Journal of Epidemiology, 1988, vol. 128, pp. 21-38, i 13. Becker, R.O., Cross Currents, Tarcher, London, 1990, pp. 267-70. 14.. Ibid, p. 269, 15.: Becker, R.O., Cross Currents, Tarcher, London, 1990, p. 269. 16, Wertheimer, N. and Leeper, E., "Possible Effects of Electric Blankets and Heated Waterbeds on Foetal Development”, Bioelectromagnetics, 1987, vol. 7, pp. 13-22. 17. Ibid, See also Brodeur, P., Currents of Death, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1989, pp. 147-48. 20. Smit Lees S, Electromagnetic Man, J.M. Dent & Sons, London, 1990, p.185, 21.’ Wertheimer, N, and Leeper, B., "Ceiling Cable Heating in Homes and the Risk of Miscarriage", American Journal of Epidemiology, 1989, vol. 130, pp. 18-25. 22. Ibid. See also Brodeur, 'p. 151. 23, Abid. Some appliances such as the electric razor generate considerable magnetic field strengths, but more research needs to be done to establish the acceptable dose exposure, if any. Wertheimer and Leeper have re-affirmed their original hypothesis with confidence. Enough has certainly been said to show that it would be imprudent to ignore their conclusion. Given that expo- sure to the electromagnetic fields generated by electric blankets and heated waterbeds can significantly increase the incidence of miscar- tiage, these household appliances need to be used with caution, if at all. As the cost of home heating rises, the temptation is to make more rather than less use of electric heating devices designed to warm our beds. If the result of succumbing to this temptation is that the level of exposure to electromagnetic fields is increased, the temptation is best left resisted. Other Hazards of Electric Blankets It is clear that electric blankets are susceptible to leakage involv- ing considerable current flow. This can be particularly dangerous in hospitals or in homes where electric blankets are used to heat the beds of patients with intercardiac connections, or otherwise plugged into electromedical equipment. Individuals with pacemakers are also vulnerable, as the electromagnetic field strengths of electric blankets are sufficiently high to cause pacemaker dysfunction. Microshocks can also result if electric blankets are used in conjunc- tion with electromedical equipment, or if wires in the blanket are accidentally exposed or broken or even affected by wetness. Bed wetting, for example, can in certain circumstances of electric blan- ket use, prove to be extremely dangerous. This hazard of use pro- vides a significant problem in the case of infants and the inconti- nent, as it also does for those who tend to perspire excessively or for some medical reason are prone to excessive drainage associated with a wound or surgical procedure. There is also the risk of hyper- thermia bums from excessive heat due to faulty thermostatic con- trols or loss of skin sensation on the part of the patient. Electric blankets are not generally recommended for individuals prone to convulsions of fits and should be avoided in the case of uncon- scious or anaesthetised individuals. What You Can Do To Avoid the Wrong Connection It is clear that exposure to electromagnetic radiation in all of its forms needs carefully to be monitored. Some appliances such as the electric razor generate considerable magnetic field strengths, but more research needs to be done to establish the acceptable dose exposure, if any. The rule of thumb which we propose is, where there is a possible health risk and the return is not great, seek a min- imal risk alternative. In the case of the electric razor, the safety NEXUS¢45 Vol 2, No 13 - 1993