Otis Singleton
Dirty electricity refers to a form of electrical pollution, or electromagnetic interference, caused by erratic spikes and surges of electrical energy travelling along power lines and building wiring. This can be caused by several anomalies, such as power spikes, excessive line noise, low power, voltage sag, and noise harmonics. While there is no official direct causal link, exposure to dirty electricity has been associated with adverse health effects, including increased cancer risks, elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics, symptoms of multiple sclerosis, asthma, insomnia, and other respiratory illnesses. However, the published studies on this topic have been criticized for their methodological flaws, preventing a valid assessment of a causal relationship. Nonetheless, the concept of dirty electricity has gained attention, with various technologies and companies offering solutions to mitigate its potential impacts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A form of electrical pollution, also known as electromagnetic interference, line noise, or electrical noise |
| Cause | Erratic spikes and surges of electrical energy travelling on power lines and building wiring |
| Effects | Potential health issues such as headaches, fatigue, tinnitus, mood swings, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances |
| Detection | Use a meter to take readings with all electrical devices on and off to identify the source of dirty electricity |
| Mitigation | Install wire-in or plug-in power filters at the electricity supply entry point or directly into electrical wall outlets |
| Scientific Studies | Inconclusive due to methodological flaws, but some studies suggest improved health and reduced asthma and ADD/ADHD symptoms in schools |
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What You'll Learn
Dirty electricity is a form of electrical pollution
Dirty electricity can be caused by internal sources, such as appliances or wiring issues within a home or building, or external sources, such as phone masts or power lines. It can also be caused by devices that convert DC to AC power or AC to DC power, such as EV chargers or solar power inverters.
The presence of dirty electricity can be detected using appropriate meters, and it can be mitigated through the use of wire-in or plug-in power filters. While there is no direct causal link, exposure to dirty electricity has been associated with potential health risks, including increased cancer risks, elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics, and symptoms of multiple sclerosis, asthma, insomnia, and other respiratory illnesses.
Additionally, dirty electricity has been linked to adverse effects on well-being, such as tiredness, frustration, irritation, mood changes, and cognitive impairment. However, it is important to note that the published studies on the health impacts of dirty electricity have been subject to methodological flaws, preventing a valid assessment of a causal relationship.
The increasing prevalence of wireless technologies in homes, workplaces, and vehicles has brought the issue of dirty electricity into sharper focus, highlighting the need for further research and effective mitigation strategies.
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It can cause health issues
"Dirty electricity" is a term used to describe a form of electrical pollution, or electromagnetic interference, caused by erratic spikes and surges of electrical energy travelling along power lines and building wiring. This is said to occur when standard electrical current is manipulated, causing thousands of erratic changes in voltage per second. These changes can result in irregular surges of electrical energy and unwanted higher frequencies, which can spread throughout a building and even to adjacent ones.
While "dirty electricity" is not a scientific term, it has been blamed for a range of symptoms and health issues. Some members of the public have attributed symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, depression, nausea, fatigue, and loss of libido to exposure to electromagnetic fields. More serious concerns have also been raised, with reported cases of neurological issues, Bell's Palsy, ALS, and even cancer, being linked to exposure to "dirty electricity".
High-frequency voltage transients (HFVTs), or "dirty electricity", have been associated with increased cancer risks. Exposure to these frequencies has also been linked to various health issues, including elevated blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, symptoms of multiple sclerosis, asthma, insomnia, and other respiratory illnesses. However, it is important to note that these studies have been criticised for their design and statistical analysis, and as of yet, there is no direct causal link established between "dirty electricity" and adverse health effects.
Some individuals have reported improvements in their health and well-being after reducing their exposure to "dirty electricity". This can be achieved through the use of filters, such as the Stetzer filter, which are plugged into electrical outlets to reduce the signal from harmonics, thereby lowering the level of "dirty electricity" in a space. However, the effectiveness of these filters has been questioned, and it is recommended that individuals first get an EMF survey done by a qualified surveyor to identify the source and extent of the issue.
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It can be caused by power spikes and surges, or excessive line noise
Dirty electricity is a form of electrical pollution, also known as electromagnetic interference, line noise, or electrical noise. It is caused by erratic spikes and surges of electrical energy travelling along power lines and building wiring. This can be caused by power spikes and surges or excessive line noise.
Power spikes and surges can be caused by external sources such as phone masts or power lines. These sources can cause erratic changes in voltage, known as "transients", which disturb the flow of standard AC electricity. This creates irregular surges of electrical energy and unwanted higher frequencies, resulting in dirty electricity.
Excessive line noise refers to the powerful, high-frequency electrical energy travelling on the wiring in buildings. This can be caused by devices that convert DC to AC power or AC to DC power, such as EV chargers or solar power inverters. Wi-Fi systems and smart meters can also contribute to excessive line noise by adding pulsed frequencies to power lines.
Dirty electricity can have negative health effects on some individuals, including headaches, fatigue, tinnitus, mood swings, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. These health effects can be severe enough to render homes uninhabitable. While the scientific community has largely ignored dirty electricity, recent advancements in metering and filtering technology have provided tools to measure and reduce it.
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It can be reduced by using power filters
Dirty electricity is a form of electrical pollution, also known as electromagnetic interference, line noise, or electrical noise. It is caused by erratic spikes and surges of electrical energy travelling along power lines and building wiring, which can spread throughout a building and even to adjacent buildings. This can result in the radiation of potentially hazardous electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
While there is no official direct causal link, studies have shown that exposure to high-frequency voltage transients (HFVT) or dirty electricity is associated with increased cancer risks. The removal of 4–100 kHz HFVT from 50–60 Hz ELF circuits has been linked to health improvements in diabetic patients, individuals with multiple sclerosis, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and insomnia.
To reduce exposure to dirty electricity, power filters can be used. These filters are designed to reduce high-frequency voltage transients by absorbing and neutralizing spikes in power, allowing electricity to flow more smoothly. Most dirty electricity power filters are simple plug-in devices that do not require professional installation. Examples of such plug-in filters include the Satic Pure Power Plug-in and the Pure Power Wire-in. However, these filters typically only cover a single circuit, so multiple filters may be needed to cover an entire home, especially for larger homes or those with many electronic devices.
For a more comprehensive solution, wire-in power filters can be installed at the point where the electricity supply enters the home. These filters are more powerful as they condition all circuits, but they are also more expensive. An example of a wire-in filter is the Satic Wire-in Dirty Electricity Filter, which is available for both smaller and larger homes.
By using a combination of plug-in and wire-in power filters, individuals can effectively reduce their exposure to dirty electricity and potentially improve their health and well-being.
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It may be caused by external sources, like phone masts or power lines
Dirty electricity is a form of electrical pollution, also known as electromagnetic interference, line noise, or electrical noise. It refers to powerful, high-frequency electrical energy travelling on the wiring in buildings. It can be caused by erratic changes in voltage, known as 'transients', which can be caused by external sources such as phone masts or power lines.
The air surrounding us contains various signals from cellphone towers, radio stations, and television broadcasts. These signals can interfere with our internal "electrical" system, which relies on electrical signals to communicate with our bodies. This has become an increasingly prominent issue due to the proliferation of wireless technologies in our homes, workplaces, and vehicles.
While there is no direct causal link, environmental exposure to dirty electricity has been associated with adverse health effects. These include headaches, fatigue, tinnitus, mood swings, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. Some individuals have reported being unable to stay in their homes due to the severity of these symptoms.
If you suspect that your home may be affected by dirty electricity, you can take meter readings with everything switched on and then again with everything switched off. If the levels are high even when everything is off, the source of the problem may be external. In such cases, it is recommended to install a wire-in power filter where the electricity supply enters your home.
It is important to note that meters designed to measure AC electric fields, AC magnetic fields, radiofrequency, microwave radiation, and wireless radiation are not intended to measure dirty electricity. To accurately assess the presence of dirty electricity, it is advisable to hire a qualified surveyor to conduct an EMF survey.
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Frequently asked questions
Dirty electricity is a form of electrical pollution, also known as electromagnetic interference, line noise or electrical noise. It refers to powerful, high-frequency electrical energy travelling on the wiring in buildings.
Dirty electricity can cause erratic changes in voltage, which can disturb the flow of standard AC electricity. This can lead to irregular surges of electrical energy and unwanted higher frequencies. These frequencies radiate into your living environment and can potentially cause negative health effects such as headaches, fatigue, tinnitus, mood swings, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances.
You can use a meter to take readings inside your home with all electrical devices switched on and then switched off to identify if the source of dirty electricity is internal or external. If it is internal, you can use the meter to identify hotspots and plug power filters, such as the Satic Wire-In Dirty Electricity Filters, into your electrical wall outlets. If it is external, you can install a wire-in power filter at the point where the electricity supply enters your home.
