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The Coupling of Atmospheric Electromagnetic Fields

experiments are performed: (1) the observation of the spontaneous mechanical contractions of the car­

diac cell, (2) the observation of the spontaneous calcium (Ca⁺) transients with and without magnetic

feld exposure, (3) the observation of the damage caused to the cardiac cells following stress due to

hypoxia or the addition of H2O2 induced with or without magnetic feld exposure.

Issues raised with regard to these results include (1) the lack of a clear cause and efect of the period­

icity relationship between electromagnetic felds and organisms, (2) uncertainty regarding the mecha­

nisms, (3) absence of measurements of electric feld, and (4) inadequate explanation of the data analysis.

However, it concluded that electromagnetic felds in the ELF range infuence human circadian rhythms

(Wever, 1974). Replicable data are not shown.

3.5 Atmospheric Electricity and Biological Systems

Te static electric feld that exists in nature due to electrical phenomena in atmosphere such as light­

ning seems to have an efect on living organisms. Tis is natural for organisms that have been born and

evolved in the natural static electric feld. Te static electric feld arises naturally in the environment

such as with the approach of storm clouds or through triboelectric charge separation on clothing. All

living organisms such as humans and animals are exposed to atmospheric static electric feld. Te atmo­

spheric static electric feld is generated between positively charged ionosphere and the negative earth.

In this section, we introduce the studies that have been conducted so far on the relationship between

natural occurring and man-made static electric felds and living organisms, dividing into humans, ver­

tebrates, and invertebrates. In general, vertebrates can be classifed into fve groups, based on their skin,

their reproduction, the maintenance of their body temperature and characteristics of their arms, legs,

wings, and fns. Mammals and birds are endothermic vertebrates. Ectothermic vertebrates include rep­

tiles, fsh, and amphibians. Te main invertebrates used in the study of the electromagnetic feld derived

from atmospheric phenomena are insects such as honeybees, Drosophila, cockroaches, etc.

3.5.1 Static Electric Field in Humans and Others

When we stand directly under the high voltage, the sof hair of our head stands upright, and when we

hold up our hand, the hair on our arm futters as if pulled by the device. Tis is due to the electrostatic

force (Coulomb force) of the electric charge induced on the tips of the hair. Te stronger the electric

feld, the stronger this attractive force becomes. Although we cannot perceive the electric feld directly,

we can perceive it through the stimulation of the skin caused by the suction of head and body hair. Te

static electric feld perception experiments provided evidence that detection thresholds for static electric

feld are much lower for whole-body exposure (Blodin et al., 1996; Chapman et al., 2005; Clairmont et

al., 1989; Odagiri and Shimizu, 1999) than partial exposure (arm and forehand). Blodin et al. found that

with whole-body exposure under static electric feld strength up to 50 kV/m with 7–11 seconds per trial,

the detection threshold of seated and grounded male and female subjects was 45.1 kV/m. Co-exposure to

air ions with ion current densities of 60 nA/m² did not afect detection thresholds. With high concentra­

tions (120 nA/m²) of air ions, the subjects detected the lower static electric feld, the detection threshold

was 36.9 kV/m with some participants being able to perceive weaker feld of 10 kV/m or less. Odagiri

and Shimizu conducted the partial-body exposure experiments where only the participants’ arm was

exposed to static electric feld with strengths up to 450 kV/m (1999). Tey presented that the subjects

were able to perceive static electric feld above 250 kV/m on their forearm when the relative humidity

was 90%. Te detection threshold increased to about 375 kV/m when the humidity was set to 50%. When

the arm was shaved, the participants were no longer able to perceive a static electric feld at intensities

up to 450 kV/m. It means that the perceived sensation is dependent on body hair. Chapman et al. con­

ducted the similar experiments which only the forearm of the subjects was exposed to static electric

felds between 30 and 65 kV/m (2005). None of the subjects was able to perceive the felds. Te authors

indicate that applied feld strengths were too low to be detected under partial-body exposure. From both