The following report summarizes a seven month long analysis of aberrant and elevated electromagnetic field radiation sources in the residential living environment of Ruth Matthews-Davis who underwent a severe field hypersentization and subsequent physiological collapse originating from prolonged (3 year) exposure to subfloor radiation sources associated with a waterline passing electrical current from as yet indeterminate sources. Subsequent exposure to dual source (sandwiching) electrical fields in her workplace at the Wiesbaden Spa resulted in complete sleep deprivation for a 6 month period (a separate field analysis and diagnosis is published by Smart Shelter on our website under her case heading documents). Purpose of this report is to provide legal basis for prosecution of the owner refusing remediation and threatening with eviction, basis for conventional medical testing and verification of neurological damage, continuing sleep deprivation sensitivity, transportation impairment, inflammation and debilitation from related arthritic conditions, chronic fatigue and mental function impairment and qualification for assistance in living environment changes and re-establishment of work/support capabilities.

Resources used in preparing this investigation are:

Dr. Roland Holzwarth (Montrose)- German trained naturopathic physician and electromagnetic field specialist (trained under Dr. Peter Sierke-San Diego)

Dr. Mechteldt VonHodenbroke, MD (now deceased) originator of the 30 year long medical clinic in Dillon, Colorado specializing in chemical and emf sensitivity and treatment.

Dr. Robert O. Becker, MD (New York)- author of "Cross Currents" and "The Body Electric" twice nominated for the Nobel Prize, author of the British ban on cell phone sales to minors and recognized as the classic international originating authority on bio-energetic medical treatment and pollution effects.

Dr. William Rae, MD (Dallas, Texas) - operating the country's central laboratory dealing in specific frequency testing and profiles for patients hyper sensitized to EMF.

Dr. Erica Elliot, MD (Santa Fe) specialist in Environmental Illness and author of "Prescriptions for a Healthy House".

Bau-Biologie Standards (Germany and U.S.) for severity of EMF anomalies and health related syndromes. (The Bau-Bioligie Academic Community in Germany is the world's oldest competent research entity delineating the human safety standards and correlation in demographies between those hyper sensitized to Electromagnetic fields and chemical toxins)

The World Health Organization (www.who.int) currently coordinating the work of 96 international medical doctors in the official delineation and treatment regimens for electro-magnetic field human health threats.

Other resources are listed in the Smart Shelter Resource Bibliography on EMF along with practitioners, researchers and organizations as well as publications delineating the Alpha State classification of reaction levels based on degree of debilitation and treatises on the basis and effects of both EMF hyper sensitization and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Extensive search for trained and qualified Medical Doctors with credentials in the Field of Electromagnetic Effects have produced myriad sources in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, Dr. Rae in Dallas Texas is the closest. The patient is unable to travel distances because of high intensity magnetic fields in automobiles. Dr. Ken Gerdes, MD (Denver) though admittedly unqualified in the EMF field has offered assistance. Dr. Gerdes is a member of the American Academy for Environmental Medicine. Unfortunately, that distance is also prohibitive and his equipment and expertise would not produce elucidation of EMF hypersensitivity. None appear available regionally. For that reason, the avenue of approach is to verify by Colorado Licensed Physicians Ruth's conditions relating to chronic fatigue, neurological impairment, sleep deprivation and arthritic inflammation and then to test relate the presentation of these symptoms to measured and controlled Electro-magnetic fields (which Smart Shelter can test and effect).

Gary Duncan is Director of the Smart Shelter Network, himself displaying Alpha 2 level hyper sensitization to both EMF and MCS and widely studied in both fields. Smart Shelter devotes approximately one third of its time to research and identification of MCS and EMF sensitive residents in Western Colorado/ Eastern Utah. In addition, it continues piloting the E.I. Land Steward Program for rehabilitation and work restoration/ advocacy and safe domicile development for those with severe impairments.

Report of Findings

Analysis of Ruth Davis's residential apartment and workplace commenced in October, 2004 and continued through April, 2005. Ruth had begun displaying a rapidly increasing level of incapacity to sleep, consequent exhaustion and historically increasing problems with injury/wound healing and a heretofore nonexistent onset of rheumatoid arthritis in the first joint of all her fingers. Classic warning of (particularly) electrical field exposure in relationship to sleep disorder prompted the investigation.

Analysis of the workplace, where she had been employed for the past 3 years, revealed not only electrical fields widely recognized as sufficient to induce sleep disorders, but emanating from two distinct sources "sandwiching" the desk receptionist between them. This phenomenon produces myriad phase shifting and amplification of field effects through wave form resonance. These findings, as reported earlier, are found in Smart Shelter's separate report on the Wiesbaden Spa (Ouray). They will not be considered further here, but are paramount in consideration for her case and reactions as a whole).

Because sleep symptoms, fatigue, arthritis, etc. can stem from myriad sources, simple experimentation was conducted within the seven month period to determine likelihood of EMF as the toxifying source. Smart Shelter delineated "safe" environments measured conclusively to be free of EMF and to which Ruth could remove herself during time off from work duties. On 18 separate occasions during that time she did so. The result produced a consistent restoration of sleep function continuing in beneficial effect to essentially full-nite sleep within 3-4 days. No unsuccessful withdrawals were experienced.

In the one year time since Ruth's complete abandonment of work environment and residence, her hyper sensitization continues (as research predicts) with the result that her disability is permanent. Re-exposure to automobile mechanisms, computers, power lines, ac power inverters, electric hand tools...(all with measured AC fields) produce immediate and regular debilitation symptoms lasting 2-4 days past complete removal. This has proved apparent and predictable in several hundred instances during the past year of testing.

According to the best authorities available (Dr. Robert O. Becker, MD) the mechanism of hyper sensitization remains unknown, but the stongest suspected source is alternating current magnetic fields. (Electrical and magnetic fields are different, but interrelated...both possessing characteristic effects distinguishable from the other and with different results). The phenomenon of hyper sensitization is measured by the work of Dr. Rae, MD (Dallas) who concurs that the phenomenon, but not the mechanism are known. Our conclusion is that Ruth's residence produced the initial hyper sensitization and her workplace "sandwiching fields" produced the sleep disorder. The key to this conclusion is, as strange as it may sound, .... her cats. As much of the work of Dr. Becker points out, research involving the EMF effects in veterinary medicine provides us with an automatic screening to the placebo effect, which plagues much of conventional medical study.

Of the three cats (who walk with their bodies 6" above and parallel to the electrified water line) two displayed symptoms similar to her own. The first cat appeared impaired and depressed to a point that the end of its life seemed immanent, despite its age (7 years). On removal of the cat from the apartment fields to a son's home, the cat fully recovered, regained remarkable health and is now fine. The second cat, though mildly depressed, exhibited an unexplainable fur coat problem associated with dermatitis. Dermatitis symptoms are common in those with EMF hyper sensitization. This cat lives with Ruth and along with her restored freedom from effects since she has attained "0" field housing, the cat has also recovered full health. The third cat is, unfortunately and historically, such a screwed up neurotic mess that only an idiot would use it as a scientific research entity. (It's name is Sneffles, though I have never seen its nose run or had it climb 14.000 ft peaks.).

Other toxic effects known to be associated with particularly AC magnetic fields such as nerve tingling and nausea were experienced by both Ruth and myself and worsened dramatically on the movement from the apartment with the removal of myriad metallic objects from the field sources in the floor which had been "permeability shielded" during occupation. Shielding and permeability are effects in the magnetic field spectrum too complex for discussion here ... basically, remove them and the mask going away makes things a lot worse.

Sequence of Testing and Results

In October, 2004, a preliminary field reading was done with both electric and magnetic field meters calibrated with those of Dr. Holzwarth. The typical electrical fields found to be elevated in most modern residences were identified and provisionally suspected as the source for Ruth's sleep loss. Metallic grounded shielding was placed around a temporary bed relocated in the lowest field point in the apartment. This produced virtually no results, especially in comparison to the sleep restoration she was experiencing on removal to known "0" field locations.

Electrical field measurements in the apartment varied between 12 and 25 volts/meter. ( 2 volts/meter are typically productive of negative effect to the hyper sensitized). Localized peaks in electrical fields in the 100-125 volt/meter range were identified in proximity to running refrigerator motor, wall outlets and wiring.

In late November, 2004, investigation continued noting the success of removal but the failure of shielding, indicating the source had yet to be found. Magnetic field sources such as her computer, refrigerator motor, television, etc were identified so that she could delineate effects consequent to exposures. The effects were certain as her biofeedback capabilities grew, but the sleep deprivation continued except on removal...indicating another source.

In December, 2004, focus of investigation turned to tracing magnetic field sources because they are primarily the original sources for hyper sensitization and commonly associated with life-threatening disease such as brain cancer and leukemia. Field measurements at the electrical service panel and meter base were elevated (as expected), but their proximity to the living space were so distanced as to render them non-effectual as a magnetic field source within the apartment. However, a very suspicious electrical current was detected in the grounding wire to the service panel, indicating a power leak, faulty equipment/ wiring or a short circuit.

The grounding wire from the service panel was traced to its connection within the back utility room of the apartment to an exposed water line pipe, apparently servicing all three residences, including the two above her. Basically by accident, a strong magnetic field was found emanating from the floor of the apartment and traceable for the entire length of the unit from its surfacing in the utility room (where it was grounded) through the living quarters, under the front patio, 2/3 of the way across the street and branching to reentry into the next-door apartments on both sides of hers before the fields dissipated and vanished. This would indicate a regionalized source for the power leak somewhere in the apartment line, which remains a mystery to this date, but is (as of this writing...April, 2006) currently suspected to be a wiring problem in the electrical service panel prior to branching to individual circuit breakers, picked up by the service panel ground wire and transmitted to the water line, where it toxifies the living environment and the sidewalk/street outside. This would be simple to analyze and test.

Readings of the magnetic field at the floor and definitely delineating the path of the water line were 15 - 30 milligaus and consistent into the street. The danger level of carcinogenic effect is 3 milligauss. The typical standard of warning is 1 milligauss. Personal experience and myriad case studies indicate noticeable and threatening effect to the hyper sensitized at 0.5 milligauss.

Magnetic field readings at the water pipe itself where it surfaced in the utility room were in excess of 100 milligauss and indeterminant at their peak because they were above the scale of the meter. No known standards, regardless of their laxness permit or advise exposures to magnetic fields of this magnitude.

A second set of readings was done to determine the current and its flow characteristics at the point where the waterline surfaced in the utility room. An induction ammeter was used around the copper pipe showing a rapidly fluctuating electrical current of 0.84 to 1.26 amps. This level of current at 120 volts alternating current corresponds to 100.8 to 151.2 watts of power. This level of energy applied to incandescent lighting would be more than sufficient to light the entire apartment. Possibly corollary to this stray current loss are historically elevated power bills for the apartment (averaging $60/month for basic electricity with electric water heater but no electric heating). Standard costs which should be expected from this configuration should be roughly half that. Reports from the occupant of the top floor apartment with identical configuration averaged $100/month...exhorbatant at any standard and possibly indicative of the primary leakage source, all of which for all three apartments may be transmitted through ground wires to the same water pipe servicing all three units. The fluctuation in current readings may indicate that the steady source is being transmitted to a ground of fluctuating competency in conductance, which would correlate with suppositions regarding the ambient ground field discussed elsewhere possibly attributable to volcanic tuffa heavy metal soils and thermal (metal ion laden) groundwater.

Line shorts resulting in the passage of electrical power in one direction only are called professionally "Net Current". Net current in proper amplitude produces heating in the conductor and fire danger. It is illegal under code jurisdictions, but seldom receives testing by inspectors. When the power company was informed of the documentation of Net Current conditions, they had an inspector on the premises the next day. The tests for the power company's equipment extended only to the service meter and failed to detect any leakages to that point. Convincing evidence indicates it is inside (and continues to this day)

In America, we provide water pipes for water to flow through and wiring for electricity to flow through. Guacamole ensues when the reverse is true. This case exemplifies that fact.

In January, 2005, the apartment owner, Erin Eddy, was informed of the indicated problem, the health effect to the tenant and offered any amount of testing, education or referral free of charge as a service of Smart Shelter Network. The owner's response was to refuse remedy based on non-understanding and cost and to threaten the tenant with eviction.

Ruth was notified of health effects associated with non-documented extreme anomaly magnetic fields and advised not to be in the apartment more than absolutely necessary.

In Feb, 2005, a conference was arranged with Ruth, myself and Dr. Lynda Walters, MD (expert disability physician to the District Court-Grand Junction). Dr. Walters had undergone Smart Shelter training in the design of her own strawbale residence in Mesa, Colo and in the process had received substantial education on toxic building effects and electromagnetic field radiation. Dr. Walters 6 months later herself experienced sleep deprivation and fibromyalgia onset associated with the physician's sleeping room at the Emergency Room Facility of Community Hospital in Grand Junction where she was at the time the Emergency Room Physician. Field measurements conducted by Smart Shelter revealed a master electrical service panel for the emergency room on the other side of the wall from her pillow (about 3 " from her cranium when asleep). Dr. Walters resigned the position, left the facility and has regained full sleep function and rescinsion of all fibromyalgia since. Dr. Walters listened to Ruth's story and my field measurements and recommended immediate and complete withdrawal from both work and residence environments

By March, 2005, sleep deprivation had reduced Ruth's health and work performance to dangerous and frightening levels. She was deeply pallid, exhausted constantly, in extreme fright over sleep loss, frustrated at a landlord who turned vicious and an employer who insisted it was all in her head. She took to sleeping in her car with three cats in the chill of winter alone on public land. She gave notice to both the job and apartment. The only hope she found was that with withdrawal to known zero field environments, some sleep restoration was possible. It disappeared the next time she reported for work or entered the apartment. Ruth collapsed from exhaustion at work 3 days prior to fulfilling her two week termination period and had to be transported to safe field environments, where it took two weeks for her to regain sleep and health.

During the same month, a very large ground field was discovered in Ouray, spanning the better part of 3 city blocks. Measurements at various intersections revealed an AC magnetic field, apparently emanating from the ground itself of 0.5 to 3.0 milligauss intensity and ambient everywhere. Ironically, the same phenomenon had been identified in an earlier investigation by Dr. Roland Holzwarth...also with no identification of source. This phenomenon certainly requires investigation.

Though this anomaly remains unexplained and not conclusively linked to Ruth's hyper sensitization, the fact is that she lived in a sub-ground level apartment buried in the field-saturated soil for 3 years. Investigation needs to be developed regarding this phenomenon and larger community effects. The ground underneath this area of Ouray is largely volcanic tuffa, laden with heavy metal deposits and nearly completely saturated with hydrothermal water. This may make it an ideal electrical conductor. Adjacent buried potential electrical sources include underground sidewalk and driveway snow melt circuits, underground electrical cables, ground wires and rods from electrical service panels and potentially faulty wiring from buildings.

Finally, in late March and early April, 2005, Ruth began moving from the apartment, fighting large levels of exhaustion and finally requiring assistance. On the last 3 days of the move, we began removing couches, computers, etc. The further we went the more prominent the newfound nausea effect became. At the end neither of us could expose ourselves to the magnetic field sources for longer that 30 minutes without complete debilitation. Apparently, the metallic content in the furnishings were diverting a large portion of the magnetic field. This effect is called "permeability" and is used as a method for otherwise impossible magnetic field shielding, especially in space craft where cross field contamination in electronic equipment is problematical. Only on complete removal was the full effect felt...although the cats sleeping under the couch and chairs probably did.

During the final phases of the move, the building was sold to two new owners, who unlike the previous one, were not uninformed about EMF. They were informed of the problem, loaned the meters for their own investigation, warned of the effects and offered any amount of free education and testing necessary. They were informed by the seller that the problem was not real or not fixable. They proceeded with the sale, after verification of the readings and subsequently rented the apartment to another set of tenants. One of those tenants vacated the premises soon thereafter and should be contacted and screened for toxic effects similar to Ruth's...as should all prior tenants for the entire building.

A complaint has yet to be lodged with the State Electrical Inspector. It should be.

Aftermath

In the time since her removal (about 1 year at this writing), Ruth's health has shown radical improvement in sleep function, memory, energy level, complexion, clarity, etc. These benefits are now verified with not less than 100 consequent experiences of renewed onset of symptoms associated with long exposures to automobiles, computers, AC wired structures, power tools, inverters, wireless computer equipment and other measured field sources.

The same improvement is prominent in the cats.

Reconstruction of Ruth's life has included acquisition and construction of her own EMF safe disability housing in the form of a Micro-Habitat which allows here mobility, safety and choice of environs. She is now entering her second year as a Smart Shelter E.I. Land Steward Program intern which provides her with safe places to be in her new residence. Programs are now being sought and developed to reinstall and re-equip her for restoration of her professional photographic career, increase her marketable skills in video photography, editing and desktop publishing (Smart Shelter has developed field-free configurations now for safe computer operation) and she is developing cash flow capabilities from value added products resourcing invasive species, also as a part of that program.

Help is now being sought in medical documentation of disability for Social Security/ Workman's Compensation qualification, vocational rehabilitation training and funding, nonprofit funding for her continued advocacy work in educating and assisting others effected by Environmental Illness and furthering the construction of her new domicile.

Recommendations/ Conclusions

Ruth;s debilitation due to EMF hyper sensitization is rare, increasing dramatically, not at all uncommon, and irreversible.

She will of necessity require aversion to all AC fields for the rest of her life.

This hyper sensitization necessitated residential accommodations such as the Micro-Habitat as absolutely necessary disability equipment as important to her as an iron lung is to a polio vicitim...quite literally.

A safe living environ is not adequate unless supported by a safe neighborhood/ locational environment, similar to those she finds on public and private land in exchange for her labor contributions as part of the E. I. Land Steward Program.

Ruth is quite bright, talented and employable, given that proper equipment and locations for her productivity can be elicited, which is in progress and with notable success.

Legal proceedings against both the apartment owner and her employer at the Wiesbaden are ongoing. Legal Council in Grand Junction has been obtained. Continued experiences, ignorance and attitude like those Ruth has experienced deteriorate our communities and jeopardize human (and animal) health. It is not conscionable or responsible not to undertake their change...court mandated if necessary.

It is not enough that Ruth regain her own health and economic viability. There is an advocacy mandate recognized by Smart Shelter that necessitates that she undertake education and assistance of others if things are going to change. This is a veritable barrier to someone already stricken to the point of prolonged pain, desperation, criticism and destitution...especially in the light of the prodigious level of scientific documentation and knowledge of this phenomenon (as represented by the work of Dr. Becker and others)

The failure of the medical industry to keep stride with the rest of the world's M.D.s in identification, delineation and treatment of chemical and EMF hyper sensitization is discouraging at best and simply must be changed. We are already so far behind other countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Britain, Germany and Australia. Regionally such help is non existent. Smart Shelter is undertaking the professional education regarding these issues of medical and health care professionals in the area similar to the very successful initiatives previously taken with insurance industry representatives, lending agencies, appraisers, building inspectors and real estate agents regarding alternative construction. The result of that previous program is that passive solar strawbale construction is now universally permitted here, which was not the case at the incubation of our initiatives and case studies 10 years ago.

Unless our medical treatment regimen begins incorporating the identification and remedy of the environmental anomalies causing these syndromes, returning patients to the cause of their problems with little more than chemical bandaids invites epidemic scale collapse...which, in the views of Dr. Becker himself is exactly where we find ourselves today.

 

Respectfully Submitted

Gary L. Duncan

Director

Smart Shelter Network