EMF means an electromagnetic field, which is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the EMF.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences categorized EMFs into two different groups:
- Low frequency / non-ionizing EMF radiation. EMFs with lower frequency than visible light that are non-ionizing radiation. Examples include EMFs from microwave ovens, computers, visible light, WiFi, cell phones, Bluetooth, power lines, and MRIs.
- High frequency / ionizing EMF radiation. These EMFs have higher frequencies than visible light, which are ionizing radiation. Examples include ultraviolet (UV) light, X-Rays, and Gamma rays. These EMFs can, under certain circumstances, lead to cellular and or DNA damage with prolonged exposure.
Chronic high levels of low-frequency EMF exposure can contribute to insomnia, anxiety, depression, brain fog, dizziness, frequent illnesses, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances and increased cancer risk. It’s important to remember that the strength of a magnetic field decreases dramatically when you increase the distance from the EMF source.
Check out the below EMF hack infographic on ways to reduce the impact of EMFs on your health.
How can you find out if you’re being exposed to EMFs?
If you’re concerned about EMF radiation emitted by a power line or substation in your area, you can contact your local power company to schedule an on-site reading. You can also measure EMFs that might be within your home or workplace by yourself with the use of a gaussmeter, which is available for purchase online through a number of retailers.
Additional Resources
- Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer – National Cancer Institute
- Extremely Low Frequency Fields – Environmental Health Criteria Monograph No.238 from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- IARC Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans – The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer1, associated with wireless phone use.
- Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields – Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering & Technology
- Radiofrequency Background – U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- RadTown – Learn about radiation in your town: where it is and how it’s used. Explore the Burbs, Countryside, Downtown or Waterfront. Just pick and click! From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Workplace Safety and Health Topics: EMF (ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS) – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)