Beyond the dangers of EM waves to humans

Do not put mobile phones in your pockets, the radiation can affect your organs!  

Do not use mobile phones near gas stations or gas stoves, it can cause fire hazard!! 

These and other warnings have been spreading through social media in recent times.  In light of growing use of mobile devices and other gadgets that uses electromagnetic (EM) waves, these warnings tend to be disturbing.   While there is no general consensus in the scientific community on the effect of mobile phones on humans, we need to look beyond ourselves to other animals that can and could be affected by their use.  

Ogunjo et al (2013) took up this challenge and investigated the effect of electromagnetic waves on earthworms.   Earthworms have been reported to play an important role in our ecology (Sarojini, 2007).  Their importance can be seen in the aeration of the soil and influencing soil fertility through decay of leaves.  Hence, any threat to their existence affects us all.

In the study by Ogunjo et al (2013),  studied the effect of two different frequencies (42 kHz and 36 kHz) on earthworms over a period of nine (9) days.  The masses of the earthworms were monitored throughout the experiment.    Furthermore, strong negative correlation and rate of decrease in mass was reported for earthworms under the influence of electromagnetic waves which did not reflect in the control experiment.

From the experiment, the earthworms show a significant reduction in mass for the period under investigation at both frequencies.  Can this be true?  Yes, a control experiment conducted under the same environment but without the frequencies shows an increase in mass of the earthworms!  There is the urgent need for scientists to take this study further.  Frequencies used in this study was low, what will be the effect of higher frequencies on earthworms?  Ants and other smaller animals of significant economic importance needs to be studied also.  Can these method be used to control or eradicate dangerous animals and pests?  Results from these advanced studies should guide relevant organizations and government bodies in making regulations that will safe guard the lives and livelihoods of citizens.

Full text of the paper can be found here

References

Ogunjo S. T., Williams A. O., Egbuonu F . O., Adedayo K. D., (2013) “Effects of electromagnetic field on mass of earthworms.”  Envirotropica, 10, 37 – 44, August, 2013

Sarojini T.R. (2007). Modern Biology for Senior Secondary Schools. Africana First
Publisher, Onitsha, Nigeria. 2007.
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