Every day, residents send inquiries to Rospotrebnadzor about alleged dangerous effects of electromagnetic waves. Yet only a tiny share of these letters actually point to a real breach of the hygiene standards established in the Russian Federation.
Most letters stem from a fear of invisible electromagnetic radiation. As Andrei Guskov, deputy head of the sanitary inspection department, noted in an earlier interview, there are people who seem especially sensitive to radiation. They may report that they can “feel” the electromagnetic field. While a person lacks specialized receptors for this, there is a recognized group of sensitive individuals that authorities consider in these cases.
Editors at socialbites.ca obtained letters from three Russian cities in which residents described exposure to various sources of radiation. Names of applicants and cities are withheld, but the core message remains. The letters include comments from doctor of physical and mathematical sciences Stepan Andreev and the official response from Rospotrebnadzor attached to each letter.
In a swirl of torsion field chatter
In one city, residents report a persistent, low-frequency hum from 2 to 5 a.m. that disturbs sleep. Attempts to measure the sound during the day failed, as the hum is not easily detectable then, and the devices needed for such measurements were not available to the letter authors. They also note that inspectors were warned in advance during the visit, while the tenants run a refrigeration-equipped shop nearby.
The core claim is that this hum resembles torsion radiation — a hypothetical electromagnetic phenomenon described as waves with a rotating component. The letters suggest these waves can penetrate living spaces and affect the subconscious, potentially harming health.
Residents attribute the issue to technically improper installation of electrical equipment at the entrance, and they point out that the building has a low energy efficiency rating of class F.
Torsion fields are a popular topic from the late 1990s used to justify budget requests in some circles, notes Stepan Andreev. He explains that many torsion field devices have been sold, yet no experiment has validated their existence. They are claimed to cure diseases, boost crop yields, and even enable submarine communications or telepathy. The mathematical framework exists in the work of Akimov and Shipov, but it remains outside mainstream science.
Rospotrebnadzor replied that the existence of such fields has not been scientifically confirmed and remains unstandardized. Andreev adds that electromagnetic radiation and torsion fields are not connected to the humming phenomenon in question.
The hum, he suggests, could originate from cooling equipment producing low-frequency vibrations that become noticeable when other sounds are minimized. If nearby subway or tram tracks vibrate underneath the building, that could also be a contributor. Andreev believes sound can cause discomfort, but not radiation-related health effects. Regarding the building’s F energy class, Russian norms list five energy efficiency classes (A through E) depending on heat and electrical efficiency; Andreev notes that the letter F is not part of this scale.
corner concerns
A tenant in another city reports that two hanging cables along a corner wall pose risks of electric shock and potential health effects. He argues that long-term electromagnetic field exposure increases cancer risk, impacts cardiovascular health, harms reproductive function, and can contribute to depression, while high-frequency fields heat body tissue.
Andreev recalls that the wall is not metal but insulating material, which cannot conduct current inside the home and would not generate dangerous heating. He suggests verifying whether the wires are connected to a power source. Even with voltage present, he says these wires would not emit radio waves with enough amplitude to heat tissue. He also notes that if the cables are not insulated, they could act as antennas, but a strong transmitter would be required for significant radiation; otherwise, any emission would be negligible. He adds that even if only the ends are open and sparks jump, radiation would still be minimal. This is not a health hazard, according to Andreev.
He also points out that similar wires run inside the walls, closer to the occupant than exposed exterior cables.
Regarding cable routing outside the home, Rospotrebnadzor told socialbites.ca that sanitary norms outline regulatory levels for electromagnetic fields, but cable placement practices inside a building are not governed by these norms.
threatening episodes
Another Russian city contributed a complaint about internet service boxes installed in the attic, upper floors, and basement. Neighbors worry about the risk of falling and the potential health impact from magnetic waves and related fields.
Andreev explains that the Internet is a low-current system and the cables used (twisted pair) are insulated to preserve signal quality. The cables themselves emit little. Buzz often accompanies the operation of transformers that step voltage down from 220 V to device-operating levels, but this does not pose a health risk, he says. Rospotrebnadzor also notes that ventilation systems can produce hum.
Andreev adds that a cell site for mobile communications could pose some danger, but there are strict placement rules near residences, and the letter did not address this issue directly.
In summary, the exchange highlights how ordinary urban infrastructure can generate sounds and vibrations that people misinterpret as radiation. Experts emphasize that while the environment can influence how people feel, there is no confirmed health risk from ordinary electromagnetic exposures described in these letters. The discussions remain part of ongoing monitoring and evaluation by sanitarians and scientists, with careful attention to both perceived effects and established standards.