89

The History of Bioelectromagnetism

around us on our daily living and working environments. Te ubiquity of our daily exposure to non-

ionizing radiations has increased. For example, we use the telegraph, microwave oven, radio, television,

wireless telecommunication such as WLAN, cellular phones, Bluetooth, and WiMax on a daily basis

without thinking about the principle of their operations. MRI used in medicine has also advanced on

the basis of the discoveries made by Maxwell and Hertz. People use many highly developed technologies

conveniently without knowing or remembering who invented or discovered them. Due to the develop­

ment and use of these technologies, the safety and health efects of non-ionizing radiations have also

been studied and questioned.

As mentioned above, the technology we use employs mainly electromagnetic phenomena from static

felds through low-frequency felds to RF felds. Tis broad band spectrum of electromagnetic radiation

is widely employed for wireless power transfer systems, telecommunications, therapeutic and diagnos­

tic applications in medicine, etc. Now, the applications are quickly expanding using higher frequency

ranging from millimeter to Tera-Hertz (10¹² Hz) such as in optical radiations for medicine and chemistry

(Ueno, 2020).

Owing to the development of new technologies producing electromagnetic felds, the electromagnetic

environment around us will become more ubiquitous and more complex in domestic, industrial, and

medical environments, which will bring new environmental issues. With these rapid expansions, public

concern regarding human health efects is likely to increase more than in the past. In bioelectromag­

netism, the electromagnetic environment will be the center of attention as areas where the safety for

humans and global systems are not fully understood. Te research studies related to bioelectromag­

netism have been changing over time and they are expected to change furthermore with the newly

developing technologies. A further consideration for these researches is the need to bring researchers

from other disciplinary felds such as physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, biophysics, engineering,

and social science.

Acknowledgments

Te authors would like to thank Professor Emeritus Masao Taki of Tokyo Metropolitan University, Dr.

Soichi Watanabe of the National Institute of Information Technology, Dr. Koichiro Kobayashi, pro­

fessor at Iwate University, Dr Susumu Nakajima, director of the Moriyama Memorial Hospital, Drs.

Kenichi Yamazaki, Satoshi Nakasono, Masayuki Takahashi and Atsushi Saito of CRIEPI, Mr. Yoshinobu

Kawahara of Tokyo Electric Company, Dr. Hiroaki Miyagi of HM Research & Consulting Co., Ltd, Dr.

President Amane Hayashi and Dr. Carlos Ordonez of Forestic Co., Ltd, for their kindly help for prepar­

ing this chapter.

References

Abe Z, Tanaka K, Hotta K and Imai M (1974): Noninvasive measurements of biological information

with application of nuclear magnetic resonance. In: Biological and Clinical Efects of Low Magnetic

and Electric Fields. ed. Llaurado JG, Sances A and Battocletti JH. – – 295–317. Charles C. Tomas,

Springfeld.

Ahlbom A, Albert EN, Fraser-Smith AC, et al. (1987): Biological Efects of Power Line Fields New York

State Power Lines Project Scientifc Advisory Panel Final Report.1-154, New York State Power

Lines Project.

Alexander DD, Bailey WH, Perez V, Mitchell ME and Su S (2013): Air ions and respiratory function

outcomes: a comprehensive review. J Nagat Results Biomed 12:14.

Amemiya Y (eds) (1994): Special issue on biological efects of electromagnetic felds. IEICE Trans Commu

E77–B:683–767.

Angell RF, Scott MR, Raleigh RJ and Bracken TD (1990): Efects of high voltage direct current transmis­

sion lines on beef cattle production. Bioelectromagnetics 11:273–283.