Over the past 30 years, everyday exposures to artificial electromagnetic radiation has increased exponentially. This is especially true for broadcasters. In the studio and in the field, broadcasters are in a 24/7 fishbowl of invisible low and high frequency electric and magnetic fields–and while at home. Can this affect their heart health, brain health and mental health?
The Chance Meeting
On a crisp, sunny afternoon in Westwood a few years ago, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting Mark Mester, the former weekend news co-anchor and reporter at KTLA. As he waited to interview a doctor at UCLA, we struck up a conversation. When I asked him about his thoughts on occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), he reflected, “I have often wondered if the radiation we are exposed to on the job is safe or not—and how it may affect us in the long run.”
Hearing Mark’s insightful words brought to mind a biography I once read about Guglielmo Marconi, a pioneer in wireless communication and the father of long-distance RF transmission. It revealed how Marconi’s friends had warned him about spending too much time around his equipment. Tragically, Marconi suffered nine heart attacks and passed away at the relatively young age of 63. A coincidence?
Cardiovascular Concerns
News stories of broadcasters with heart problems are not uncommon. Could EMF exposures play a role? According to the Environmental Working Group, radiofrequency EMR can contribute to stress on the cardiovascular system among some operators in the radio and television broadcasting industry.
“People studies suggest that radio-frequency radiation can raise the risk for cardiovascular diseases by increasing blood pressure, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Changes in heart rate and altered response of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system have also been reported following exposure to radio-frequency radiation.” (Uche, Stoiber, & Naidenko, 2022)
Dr. Magda Havas, for example, published a double-blind, placebo-controlled replication study showing 2.4 GHz cordless phone affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as measured by heart rate variability.
Rouleaux Formation in Humans via Ultrasonography (Brown & Biebrich, 2025) is a peer-reviewed study in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine that explored mobile phone RF radiation effects on blood flow using ultrasonography.
In a healthy 62-year-old female volunteer, a 5-minute exposure of an active Apple iPhone XR behind the knee joint resulted in dramatic rouleaux formation—RBC aggregation resembling stacked coins—in the popliteal vein. Pre-exposure images showed a normal anechoic lumen, while post-exposure images revealed sluggish flow and hypoechoic aggregates, persisting (though reduced) 10 minutes later.
Repeated tests confirmed reproducibility, with systemic effects in both legs. The authors suggest RF-induced rouleaux could increase blood viscosity, impairing oxygen delivery and exacerbating ischemia in CVD patients, especially those with ischemic heart disease or vascular issues.
Neuropsychiatric Effects
Seven decades before Marconi’s death, telegraph workers in the 1860s exposed to electric and magnetic fields began to suffer from symptoms of fatigue, exhaustion, depression and apathy. Neurologists back then called the condition “Neurasthenia.” These communication workers were the proverbial canaries in the coal mine in the march toward modernity.
Radio Wave Syndrome Then and Now
Biological effects from high frequency wireless were investigated 91 years ago by German internal medicine physician, Dr. Erwin Schliephake. On May 8, 1932, Dr. Schliephake reported in the Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (German Medical Weekly) about symptoms of “radio wave syndrome” that he noticed among his patients who resided near radio transmitters (Hecht, 2022). These included:
- “Severe weakness during the day.
- But restless sleep at night.
- Then headaches, which increase more and more until they become unbearable.
- In addition, tendency to depressive mood and nervousness.
- These phenomena cannot be explained by the effect of heat only.”
Today, electromagnetic waves (with frequencies ranging from 300 MHz up to 300 GHz) radiating broadcasters often include: wearable wireless microphone transmitters and receivers, smart phones, tablets, laptops, computers, mobile transmitters, smart TVs, streaming devices, nearby cell towers, wireless routers, boosters, wireless printers, wireless keyboards, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, mesh networks, wireless wearables like headphones and watches, wireless lights, wireless security systems, digital assistants and “smart” electrical meters.
There are now more than 26 different epidemiological studies showing a wide range of neuropsychiatric effects that are produced by exposure to sub-thermal “low level” radio frequency microwave EMFs. Among the more commonly reported problems (Pall, 2015/16) include:
- sleep disturbance/insomnia
- headache
- depression/depressive symptoms
- fatigue/tiredness
- dysesthesia (unpleasant/distorted sense of touch)
- concentration/attention dysfunction
- memory changes
- dizziness
- irritability
- loss of appetite/body weight
- restlessness/anxiety
- nausea
- skin burning/tingling
- EEG changes
Biophysicist Dr. Nesrin Seyhan has published multiple studies assessing the impacts of radiofrequency radiation on the fragile Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) as well as on DNA oxidative damage within the brain. This is a big deal. Her results indicate an increase in permeability and disruption of the BBB integrity following just 20 minutes of RF exposure at levels below the international limits.
If you are a television broadcaster, are you sure you want to strap on body-worn wireless microwave transmitter devices for hours each day over a period of years?
Why not hardwire everything you can including lapel lavalier mics and other devices to reduce your exposures to RF radiation as much as reasonably possible? (Please read Part 2 about the risks of placing wireless transmitters next to our bodies).
EMF Exposures And Mood Dysregulation
AC Magnetic Fields are considered low frequency electromagnetic radiation (5 Hz – 400,000 Hz). They sometimes remain close to their source (1 to 5 feet), but can travel considerably further in the case of an undetected wiring error, or high voltage power lines.
A recent study suggests that long-term occupational exposure to power frequency EMFs may lead to depression, stress, anxiety and poor sleep quality (Hosseinabadi, et al, 2018). Building Biologists already know this because of clients who report feeling worn out when exposed to AC Magnetic fields–and how much better they feel once this type of e-pollution has been mitigated.
In the journal, Health Physics, a study called Environmental Power Frequency Magnetic Fields and Suicide, found significantly more suicides occurred at locations of high alternating current magnetic field strength (Perry, et al, 1980). The authors also stated that the impact of AC magnetic fields can be very broad, involving the major organ systems, including bone and the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
A more recent study confirmed that electrical workers exposed to power frequency EMFs have a higher suicide rate. While there are several high profile cases of suicides among TV and Radio broadcasters (and other on-air personalities), I’m not aware of any formal studies. Yet it’s very possible that some broadcasters, producers, reporters and engineers are unknowingly exposed to both low frequency and high frequency EMFs that can, over time, dysregulate mood.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), for example, is characterized by high levels of oxidative stress and various EMFs are shown to increase one’s oxidative stress load. (Perhaps more often than suicide, however, depressed or fatigued persons may self-medicate by turning to addictive substances or unhealthy behaviors to cope).
Power Frequency ELF Magnetic Fields and Neurodegenerative Effects
According to OSHA, Radio and Television Broadcasters are surrounded by a plethora of electronic devices and electrical equipment. When this equipment is being used, a flow of electrical current begins. This flow of electricity through the equipment and wiring is responsible for creating AC Magnetic Fields. The intensity or strength of the magnetic field is directly related to the power consumption of the device and how well it’s shielded.
Some epidemiological studies suggest a possible link between long-term AC/MF exposures and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In 1998, Dr. Maria Feychting at the Karolinska Institute, found that occupational magnetic field exposure may possibly influence the development of dementia.
In 2003, a study in the journal Epidemiology found that workers in electrical and electronics occupations had a 140% greater risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (Feychting, et al). The authors suggested that magnetic field exposure may represent a late-acting influence in the disease process.
Later, in 2007, a study by the Swiss Federal Bureau of Public Health looked at 20,000 railway worker exposures to AC Magnetic fields over 31 years. It found a link between these exposures and Alzheimer disease and indicated that ELF-MF might act in later stages of the disease process.
The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reported in 2013 that occupational exposure to magnetic fields may be associated with a moderately increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The results of a 2014 study indicated that working in an occupation with high or medium-high MF exposures may increase the risk of severe cognitive dysfunction.
Can Less EMFs Help Protect Broadcast Industry Workers?
Because both low and high frequency artificial EMF exposures are more prevalent in some broadcasting and studio environments than you might think, it’s a good idea to have but power frequency and high frequency exposures professionally measured. If undesirable levels are detected, solutions can often be implemented: wiring errors can be fixed, motors can often be shielded, electrcity can be filtered, RF devices can sometimes be shielded or reduced, safe distances can be established. Broadcasters and their support staff should take care to limit their EMF exposures and practice prudent avoidance whenever possible.
In addition, environmental therapeutics can improve dwelling spaces to feel more relaxing. The results, in my experience, are often quite transformative. EMF Safety is a hidden key for increasing broadcaster wellness and productivity. If you are a Los Angeles-area radio or television broadcaster and would like to reduce your EMF exposures, it would be my sincere pleasure to help you. Let’s create EMF calm.
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In Part 2 we’ll look at the possible link between three types of EMF exposures and some cancer risks for broadcasters. I’ll highlight a mobile broadcasting study that you may find suprising.