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Bioelectromagnetism

rare. Te lack of ecological system studies is probably founded on the multiple environmental variables

that afect ecological communities which make it difcult to identify the infuence of particular elec­

tromagnetic felds. Furthermore, with the advance of our information societies such as the 5G net­

works, the need for research into the efects of electromagnetic felds on ecology systems has become of

increased importance.

1.3.1 The Coupling of Atmospheric Electricity with Biological Systems

It is well known that there are various important processes occurring in the global electric circuit.

Particularly, the charge separation in thunderstorms creates a potential diference between the highly

conductive regions of the ionosphere and the earth’s surface. An atmospheric electric circuit is said

to form between the negatively charged earth’s surface and the positively charged surface of the iono­

sphere. Tis structure has a strong resemblance to a spherical capacitor (Rycrof et al., 2012).

Negative air ions are believed to help purify the air. Negative air ions are present on the ground sur­

face during clear weather and in large numbers near waterfalls, while the concentration of positive air

ions increases when thunderclouds approach. Air ions can produce physiological efects; the negative air

ions produced by atmospheric electrical phenomena tend to make you feel refreshed, while the positive

air ions are said to cause discomfort. However, there is still not enough scientifc evidence to clearly con­

clude these efects. Other physiological efects include those exerted by the electrostatic force of strong

static electric felds on the hair and other parts of the body as well as the stimulation of nerve receptors

on the skin surfaces; however, they have no harmful efects on health.

An intimate afnity of atmospheric electricity to biological systems exists. It shows how atmospheric

electricity can govern human well-being (as well as for a wide array of organisms) and the processes they

sustain; therefore, atmospheric electricity must be considered as a signifcant direct and indirect driver

of biology (Cifra, 2021; Hunting, 2021a, b; Price et al., 2021).

Tere are various electromagnetic phenomena on earth. Since early times, living organisms have

been exposed to the electric and magnetic felds produced by the earth, as well as the electromag­

netic felds associated with lightning discharges and solar activity. Terefore, it is presumed that the

evolution of organisms has been afected by these electromagnetic phenomena in various ways. In

other words, the question of what relationship exists between electromagnetic phenomena on earth

and the evolution of life has been a matter of great interest to both scientists and the general pub­

lic. For example, it has been reported that animals actively use the geomagnetic feld. Tese include

magnetite-based magnetotactic bacteria, the behavior of honeybees and the migration of bird. It has

also been reported that sharks and rays use the Lorenzini organ to sense electric felds that can control

their behavior.

1.3.2 Safety Aspects of Electromagnetic Fields

According to the ICNIRP defnition, non-ionizing radiation refers to electromagnetic radiation and

felds with photon energy lower than 10 eV, which corresponds to frequencies lower than 3,000 THz. Te

groups of static electric and magnetic felds (0 Hz), low-frequency electromagnetic felds (1 Hz–100 kHz)

and radiofrequency electromagnetic felds (100 kHz–300 GHz) are categorized into non-ionizing radia­

tion (ICNIRP, 2020a).

Te modern world is full of invisible electromagnetic waves. As mentioned previously, non-ionizing

radiation is an integral part of our lives. Tere are a wide variety of electromagnetic environments rang­

ing from low frequency, intermediate frequency to millimeter and terahertz waves in our surround­

ing (Figure 1.1). Since the electromagnetic environment of non-ionizing radiation is invisible to the

eye, many people are concerned about their potential health efects. Non-ionizing radiation are now

being used in information and communication technologies and are expected to be actively employed

further. In the future, as technological innovation advances, diferent frequencies will be used for the