{"id":11053,"date":"2023-07-20T09:26:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T17:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entremundos.org\/revista\/?p=11053"},"modified":"2023-07-20T09:26:36","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T17:26:36","slug":"radiological-protection-radiation-in-everyday-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entremundos.org\/revista\/economy\/radiological-protection-radiation-in-everyday-life\/?lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Radiological protection, radiation in everyday life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luz Mar\u00eda Cabrera<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not a new topic, but it is in our context. Radiation protection is hardly talked about <\/span>nowadays. This is a multidisciplinary activity, of a scientific and technical nature, whose\u00a0<\/span>purpose is to protect people and the environment against the harmful effects that may\u00a0<\/span>result from exposure to ionizing radiation, according to the international organization\u00a0<\/span>Nuclear Safety Council.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this first article we wanted to make a scenario analysis of the principles of\u00a0<\/span>radioprotection of electro frequencies for the city of Quetzaltenango.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are a group that started to talk about the anti-radiation issue, however, we had a lot\u00a0<\/span>of opposition, but we have essential information that many people shared, so I decided to\u00a0<\/span>share it with the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are still looking for the approval of a university that can do local studies that will\u00a0<\/span>eventually lead to the creation of a law initiative so that from there we can guarantee the\u00a0<\/span>safety of everyone regarding the antennas, especially the poles in Xela. Yes, the high\u00a0<\/span>voltage poles that carry high voltages and are a risk for the population.<\/span><\/p>\n

It all started a few months ago, when we began to take the tone of activists and bought\u00a0<\/span>the meter, inspired by the work of Dr. Stockes, a controversial character, who filed a\u00a0<\/span>complaint with the Public Prosecutor\u00b4s Office. His objective was to request radio\u00a0<\/span>protection. In the country there is no real control of the poles and transformers, and all\u00a0<\/span>the irradiations can have effects on the population. Our work as activists is just beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The cost of development\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The technological boom and development of recent decades has modified the natural\u00a0<\/span>electromagnetic environment surrounding human beings. Although this phenomenon\u00a0<\/span>occurs to a greater extent in urban areas, it is difficult to find a place on the planet today\u00a0<\/span>that is free of artificial radiation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The implementation of modern technologies without having foreseen their repercussions\u00a0<\/span>on health and ecosystems, without taking into account existing studies and evidence,\u00a0<\/span>leads to the continuous emergence of new and greater risks for the population and\u00a0<\/span>nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to note that chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields can have effects on\u00a0<\/span>people’s health, and some studies have suggested that exposure to high-frequency <\/span>electromagnetic fields may increase the risk of certain types of cancer and other health\u00a0<\/span>problems. However, more research is still needed to confirm these potential risks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some ways to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields may include limiting the use of\u00a0<\/span>wireless devices, such as cell phones and Wi-Fi routers, and keeping a safe distance from\u00a0<\/span>cell phone antennas and other similar equipment. In addition, it is important to educate\u00a0<\/span>yourself about the potential risks and take steps to protect yourself and your family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transformers and high, medium, and low voltage electrical distribution networks are one\u00a0<\/span>of the sources emitting extremely low frequency electro-magnetic radiation with the\u00a0<\/span>greatest potential risk for the general population.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Power lines generate electromagnetic fields due to the alternating electric current (which\u00a0<\/span>changes the positive and negative charge) which circulates through a conductor and can\u00a0<\/span>produce intense electromagnetic fields. The alternating current is used to generate\u00a0<\/span>electrical energy, thanks to the possibility of using transformers to vary the voltage by\u00a0<\/span>magnetic induction. Thus, electricity undergoes a series of processes and transfers, from\u00a0<\/span>the generating plant until it reaches the consumer. It is easier to transport voltage than\u00a0<\/span>current. For this reason, power companies work with high voltage transmission lines,\u00a0<\/span>which are then transformed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The process is as follows: from the generating plant the high voltage arrives through\u00a0<\/span>transmission lines to intermediate power stations, where it begins to be reduced, thus\u00a0<\/span>being used in industries, or it continues its journey to other substations, reducing the\u00a0<\/span>voltage again by means of transformers to reach small industries and residential areas,\u00a0<\/span>where finally the voltage is reduced for domestic use with smaller transformers. Once the\u00a0<\/span>current reaches the urban centers, the high voltage (in the order of 400,000 volts) is\u00a0<\/span>reduced to lower voltages (24,000 volts) for transport through the city. However,\u00a0<\/span>extremely high voltage overhead and buried lines are found within cities and in residential\u00a0<\/span>neighborhoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

A close and clear example is the high voltage poles that cross residential neighborhoods\u00a0<\/span>and commercial centers in zones 3 and 9 of the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to data from the Confederation of Neighborhood and User Associations\u00a0<\/span>(Confederaci\u00f3n de Asociaciones de Vecinos y Usuarios, CAVE), 95% of the mobile\u00a0<\/span>telephone antennas installed are poorly located and, for example, 15% of the telephone\u00a0<\/span>antennas are located above health centers, schools, and urban areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a fact that in the area close to the antennas the field created is high and its\u00a0<\/span>repercussion on health can be more worrying, especially for children, the elderly and\u00a0<\/span>the sick, who are much more sensitive to its effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

It should be noted that obstacles (buildings, mountains, etc.) can reduce the dose of\u00a0<\/span>radiation produced by mobile telephone, television, and radio antennas, but not by\u00a0<\/span>power lines and other low-frequency sources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/span><\/p>\n

The intention of this presentation is to make everyone aware of the concept of\u00a0<\/span>electromagnetism and its importance to the city and that there is a good, bad, better, and\u00a0<\/span>worse way of doing things. Therefore, it is recommended:<\/span><\/p>\n