Due to big demand for this information, Reposted from https://ehtrust.org/biological-effects-of-electromagnetic-radiation-on-birds/
Electromagnetic exposure is disruptive to birds, especially migratory birds. Electromagnetic fields have been shown to disrupt the magnetic compass orientation used by birds to navigate (Schwarze, et al., 2016; Balmori, 2015; Wiltschko, et al., 2015; Engels, et al., 2015; Kavokin, et al., 2014; Ritz, et al. (2005). Ritz, et al. (2009). Researchers have suggested this disruption of magnetoreception is due to cryptochrome photoreceptors which allow birds to use built-in receptors as a biological compass.
Avian development and reproduction have also been found to be affected by exposure to radiofrequency radiation (Cucurachi, et al., 2013; Balmori, 2005).
“The electromagnetic radiation standards used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continue to be based on thermal heating, a criterion now nearly 30 years out of date and inapplicable today.” stated a U.S. Department of the Interior letter that detailed numerous biological effects in birds.
“As previously mentioned, Balmori (2005) found strong negative correlations between levels of tower-emitted microwave radiation and bird breeding, nesting, and roosting in the vicinity of electromagnetic fields in Spain. He documented nest and site abandonment, plumage deterioration, locomotion problems, reduced survivorship, and death in House Sparrows, White Storks, Rock Doves, Magpies, Collared Doves, and other species. Though these species had historically been documented to roost and nest in these areas, Balmori (2005) did not observe these symptoms prior to the construction and operation of the cellular phone towers. Balmori and Hallberg (2007) and Everaert and Bauwens (2007) found similar strong negative correlations among male House Sparrows.”- U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Circuit Ruling in EHT et. al. v FCC stated that “The Federal Communications Commission also completely failed even to acknowledge, let alone respond to, comments concerning the impact of RF radiation on the environment.” The FCC had been sent studies on the impacts on birds but ignored them.
Dr. Albert Manville, former U.S. Fish, and Wildlife Service Senior Biologist have written to the U.S. FCCon wireless impacts on birds.
“Wasserman et al. (1984) conducted field studies on 12 flocks of migratory birds subjected to various combinations of microwave power density and duration under winter conditions at Monomet, MA, with birds from 2 additional flocks serving as controls. Increased levels of aggression were noted in some of the irradiated birds suggesting effects, but calling for further study.”
“There is an increasing body of published laboratory research that finds DNA damage at low-intensity exposures — well below levels of thermal heating — which may be comparable to far-field exposures from cell antennas. This body of work would apply to all species, including migratory birds, since DNA is DNA, whether single-strand or double-helix. The first study to find such effects was conducted by H. Lai and N.P. Singh in 1995 (Lai and Singh 1995). Their work has since been replicated (e.g., Lai and Singh 1996, as well as in hundreds of other more recently published studies), performed in at least 14 laboratories worldwide. The take-home message: low-level transmission of EMF from cell towers and other sources probably causes DNA damage. The laboratory research findings strongly infer this relationship. Since DNA is the primary building block and genetic “map” for the very growth, production, replication, and survival of all living organisms, deleterious effects can be critical.”
-“A Briefing Memorandum: What We Know, Can Infer, and Don’t Yet Know about Impacts from Thermal and Non-thermal Non-ionizing Radiation to Birds and Other Wildlife” by Albert Manville, July 14, 2016.
As a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, Dr. Manville presented the current research and proposed recommendations to Congressional staff members in 2007 on the impacts of cell towers, including the radiation, on birds.
Manville was also co-author to a landmark three-part 2021 research review on effects on wildlife published in Reviews on Environmental Health which details the impacts on birds and states current science should trigger urgent regulatory action citing more than 1,200 scientific references which found adverse biological effects to wildlife from even very low intensities of non-ionizing radiation with findings of impacts to orientation and migration, reproduction, mating, nest, den building, and survivorship. This 150-page report has more than 1,200 references (Levitt et al., 2021a, Levitt et al., 2021b, Levitt et al., 2021c).
India dropped their RF limits by 1/10th in 2012 after an Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests reviewed the research on birds, bees, plants, and animals and found 593 of the 919 showed impacts as summarized in the journal Biology and Medicine. Recommendations from the Ministry include, “Introduce a law for the protection of urban flora and fauna from emerging threats like ERM/EMF as conservation issues in urban areas are different from forested or wildlife habitats.”
A 2017 report to UNESCO by botanist Mark Broomhall details the association between increasing amounts of electromagnetic radiation and species disappearance and exodus from the Mt. Nardi area of the Nightcap National Park World Heritage Area during a 15-year period (2000-2015.) The Report concludes, ““With these short explanations of events, we can appreciate that the effects of this technology and its application on Mt. Nardi over the last fifteen years, affect not only the top of the life chain species but are devastating the fabric of the continuity of the World Heritage, causing genetic deterioration in an insidious, massive and ever escalating scale. To truly understand what these studies reveal is to stare into the abyss.”
A patent was developed to deflect birds with microwaves that “evoke a biologically significant response”. The patent reads, “A hazard warning system radiates pulses of microwave energy in the frequency range of 1 GHz to about 40 GHz to alert and warn target flying birds of the presence of wind turbine electrical generators, power distribution systems, aircraft, and other protected areas from hazardous intrusion…The pulse control circuitry may be caused to generate complex pulse trains that can preferably evoke a biologically significant response within recipient birds.”
Read the patent Method and system for warning birds of hazards.
Other Impacts on Birds From Communications Towers and the Electrical Grid
On December 2015, the FAA released a revised Advisory Circular on new tower construction including bird-friendly lighting. The FCC’s Opportunities to Reduce Bird Collisions with Communications Towers While Reducing Tower Lighting Costs provides guidance on applying the new lighting standards.
Tower-related bird fatalities also could be reduced during pre-construction through tower maintenance phases by using the Recommended Best Practices for Communication Tower Design, Siting, Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Decommissioning.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has measures and guidance for avoiding and minimizing impacts to migratory birds with their Conservation Measures and Guidance Documents webpages.
The study Power Lines, an Understudied Cause of Avian Mortality in Mexico found that power lines represent one of the main causes of anthropogenic mortality in Mexico in terms of the number of affected bird species.
Letters and Publications by Dr. Albert Manville
- Letter to the FDA by Albert Manville Ph.D., retired Senior Wildlife Biologist, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wash. DC HQ Office (17 years); Senior Lecturer, Johns Hopkins University
- A BRIEFING MEMORANDUM: What We Know, Can Infer, and Don’t Yet Know about Impacts from Thermal and Non-thermal Non-ionizing Radiation to Birds and Other Wildlife
- Manville, A.M., II. 2005. Bird strikes and electrocutions at power lines, communication towers, and wind turbines: state of the art and state of the science – next steps toward mitigation. Bird Conservation Implementation in the Americas: Proceedings 3rd International Partners in Flight Conference 2002, C.J. Ralph and T. D. Rich, Editors. U.S.D.A. Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-GTR-191, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA: 1051-1064
News Articles:
- “How Migrating Birds Use Quantum Effects to Navigate” Scientific American
- “Lost Birds Rely on Earth’s Magnetic Field to Get Back on Track” Audubon Society
- “Electrical devices ‘disrupt bird navigation.’” BBC News (8 May 2014).
- “Electromagnetic Interference Disrupts Bird Navigation, Hints at Quantum Action.” IEEE Spectrum (9 May 2014).
- “Study Sheds Light on How Birds Navigate by Magnetic Field.” New York Times (26 April 2012).
- “Electromagnetic ‘noise’ can confuse migrating songbirds, study says.” The Washington Post (7 May 2014).
- “Pigeons Navigate Using Brain Cell That Gauge Earth’s Magnetic Fields, Scientists Say.” Huffington Post (27 April 2012).
- “Star Trek: How Birds Use Electromagnetic Cues to Travel.” Audubon (2015).
- “Birds Can “See” Earth’s Magnetic Field.” National Geographic News (27 September 2007).
Videos
“Faculty Speaker Series – Dr. Albert Manville.” Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Advanced Academic Programs (24 November 2014).
“Andrew Goldsworthy, Bees, Birds, the Environment and Electromagnetic Fields.” YouTube (22 June 2016). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSAPVXIDbSE&t=3s
FULL LIST of Research Studies
https://ehtrust.org/biological-effects-of-electromagnetic-radiation-on-birds/
source : https://ehtrust.org/biological-effects-of-electromagnetic-radiation-on-birds/
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