Most of us are used to the comforts provided by the wireless technology of modern life: mobile phones, WiFi, Bluetooth … Around these, and really around any electrical device such as a PC or a monitor, quite a debate. Controversial is whether the EMF radiation they emit is harmful or not to health . In this article we are going to approach this issue from an empirical perspective to clarify it.
Since the beginning of known existence, the sun has emitted waves that create electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and radiation , and the most obvious way to see this is the visible light emitted by the star. In the early 20th century, power lines and interior lighting spread throughout the world; Scientists realized that these power lines also created electromagnetic fields, just like the sun does naturally.
That being said, how harmful are electrical appliances? But, as always, let’s start at the beginning.
What is EMF radiation? Is it dangerous to health?
EMF stands for Electro Magnetic Field , or Electro Magnetic Field . Over the years, scientists realized that practically all electrical appliances generate electromagnetic fields to a greater or lesser extent, just like high-voltage power lines. It was also discovered that, for example, the X-rays with which X-rays are taken as well as other medical imaging procedures such as MRIs produce EMF fields.
According to the World Bank, 87% of the world’s population has access to electricity and uses electrical appliances regularly. That is a lot of magnetic fields created throughout the globe, so we could say that the entire world population is actually affected to a greater or lesser extent by them. Although most do not believe that this EMF radiation is harmful to health, not a few scientists question it.
Types of EMF exposure
We can mainly divide the exposure to EMF radiation into two types: low-level radiation, also called non-ionizing, which is mild and is assumed to be harmless to humans, as well as high-level radiation, called ionizing, whose intensity it is as you will already suppose quite old. It should be mentioned that the intensity and exposure to EMF radiation decreases as the distance with the object that generates it increases, so that the further we are from an emitter, the less radiation intensity will reach us.
What does each type of EMF radiation emit?
Low-level radiation (non-ionizing) is that emitted, for example, by microwaves, computers , household energy meters, WiFi routers, smartphones, tablets, any Bluetooth device, power lines, MRIs and even those high voltage towers that there are everywhere to be able to distribute the electrical energy that we have in our homes. This also includes radio and television antennas, as well as the famous 4G / 5G antennas that give us mobile coverage to smartphones.
On the other hand, high-level radiation is only emitted – separated – by X-rays and ultraviolet light .
How much radiation do the devices emit? What level is harmful?
There is a fairly glaring disagreement regarding the safety of electromagnetic fields because there is no solid research on it. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO), electromagnetic fields are “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. IARC believes that some studies show a possible link between EMF radiation and cancer in people, but they speak of possibilities and we return to the fact that there is no strong study on it.
There is an organization called ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection) that maintains internationally accepted guidelines on exposure to this type of radiation, guidelines are based on the findings of many years of scientific research.
Electromagnetic fields are measured in a unit called volts per meter (V / m), and obviously the higher this measurement the stronger the EMF. Most electrical appliances sold by reputable brands test their products to make sure electromagnetic fields are within ICNIRP guidelines, while utilities and governments are responsible for managing EMFs from power lines, telephone towers mobile and other sources.
These guidelines state that below the following levels, there are no known health effects:
- Natural magnetic fields (as created by the sun): 200 V / m.
- Power grid (far): 100 V / m.
- Electrical network (domestic): 10,000 V / m.
- Electric trains and trams: 300 V / m.
- TV screens, monitors and computers: 10 V / m.
- TV and radio transmitters: 6 V / m.
- Mobile phone base stations: 6 V / m.
- Radars: 9 V / m.
- Microwave and other electrical appliances: 14 V / m.
The bad part of all this is that you will need an electromagnetic wave meter to measure the EMF radiation emitted by your appliances, your PC or your computer monitor. While it is true that anyone can buy one of these devices (you can find them on Amazon without going any further) under the name of gaussimeters, most cannot measure very high frequency fields and their reliability and precision is quite low .
However, you should know that you have the right to call your electricity company to request that they take a measurement at your home , and in this case they use much more reliable and accurate professional devices.
