As electricity spread across the globe, so did a hidden danger: high-frequency voltage spikes riding on our power lines. In Dirty Electricity: Electrification And The Diseases Of Civilization (2nd Ed.), Dr. Samuel Milham—one of the first public-health scientists to link electromagnetic fields (EMFs) to disease—lays out the evidence connecting “dirty” power to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and more. Now in its second edition, this concise 128-page volume remains an urgent call to understand and mitigate our invisible exposure.
Table of Contents
Book at a Glance
| Title | Dirty Electricity: Electrification And The Diseases Of Civilization |
| Author | Samuel Milham, MD, MPH |
| Publisher / Year | iUniverse / December 5, 2012 Buffalo Street Books |
| Length | 128 pages Buffalo Street Books |
| Formats | Paperback, eBook, Audiobook |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1938908187 Buffalo Street Books |
| Typical Price | US $12.95 (paperback) |
| Audience | Health professionals, EMF activists, concerned homeowners |
Why This Book Matters
- Pioneering public-health research. Milham’s early epidemiological studies first traced elevated cancer rates in utility workers to high-voltage occupational exposures—groundbreaking work that still shapes EMF research today. Amazon
- Concise, evidence-based argument. In just 128 pages, the book surveys decades of studies linking EMFs to diseases of modern civilization, from cancer to diabetes and suicide.
- Modern exposure concerns. The second edition adds new data on radio-frequency sources—Wi-Fi, cell towers, broadband over power lines—and warns of an impending epidemic of morbidity and mortality. Google Play
- Actionable mitigation steps. Milham doesn’t just diagnose the problem; he outlines practical measures—filtering, wiring improvements and personal habits—to reduce our daily dose of dirty electricity.
Chapter Highlights
| Section | Focus | Take-Away |
|---|---|---|
| Preface & Origins | Milham’s journey from clinician to EMF investigator | How chance observations on cancer clusters launched a field |
| Part I: Historical Electrification | From Edison’s DC grids to modern AC networks | The unintended health costs of each power-distribution advance |
| Part II: Epidemiological Evidence | Cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes studies | Key statistical correlations and study caveats |
| Part III: Modern Sources | Cell phones, Wi-Fi, broadband over power lines | Why wireless and “smart” grids amplify dirty electricity risks |
| Part IV: Mitigation Strategies | Filters, grounding techniques, behavioral changes | Practical steps to lower personal and community exposure |
| Appendix | Glossary & selected references | Quick-reference definitions and pivotal research citations |
Key Strengths
- Clarity and brevity. Complex epidemiology is distilled into readable narratives without sacrificing scientific rigor.
- Real-world grounding. Milham’s decades at Southern California Edison lend authenticity to his data and mitigation advice.
- Urgent relevance. With our ever-growing wireless footprint, the book’s warnings on RF and dirty electricity feel more critical than ever.
Limitations
| Limitation | Impact | Work-around |
|---|---|---|
| Older foundational studies. Most epidemiology predates the 2010s explosion of IoT devices | May understate today’s EMF levels | Seek out recent peer-reviewed EMF research journals |
| US-centric examples. Regulatory and infrastructure details focus on North American grids | International readers must map to local standards | Cross-reference with local utility practices and codes |
| No deep technical appendices. Lacks circuit-level diagrams of filters | Readers need more engineering depth | Consult specialized EMF-filtering handbooks for design details |
Who Should Read It
| Reader | Why It’s Useful |
|---|---|
| Public-health professionals | Understand EMF disease correlations and intervention strategies |
| Electrical engineers & planners | Gain a cautionary perspective on grid and wireless system design |
| EMF activists & policymakers | Arm campaigns with scientific evidence and mitigation frameworks |
| Concerned homeowners | Learn simple, practical steps to reduce household dirty-electricity exposure |
SEO-Friendly FAQ
Q: What is “dirty electricity”?
A: Dirty electricity refers to high-frequency voltage transients superimposed on the standard 50/60 Hz sine wave, often caused by electronic devices and wireless systems.
Q: Does the second edition add new research?
A: Yes—Milham updates the text with studies on Wi-Fi, cell towers and broadband over power lines, linking them to rising rates of asthma, obesity and diabetes
Q: Are there practical ways to reduce exposure?
A: The book details filters, rewiring practices and personal habits—like unplugging devices and using wired Ethernet—to lower dirty-electricity levels.
Q: Where can I buy this book?
A: Available in print and digital formats via major retailers (ISBN 9781938908187). Paperback copies run around US $12.95.
