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ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (EMF)
Are electric and magnetic
fields a health hazard?
Three decades of research on EMF exposures and human health has not established
that a human health hazard exists. Questions remain about whether EMF exposure
at home or work is linked to some diseases such as childhood leukemia, adult
cancers and miscarriages. While scientific research is continuing, a quick
resolution of scientific uncertainties is not expected.
Coordinated international research has resolved many questions about specific
diseases. While some health authorities have identified magnetic field exposure
as a possible human carcinogen, they acknowledge that additional research will
be necessary before a more definitive conclusion can be made.
Electric and magnetic fields
Electric and magnetic fields are created by both natural and man-made forces. A
thunderstorm can create very intense electric fields in the millions of volts.
When lightning strikes, a magnetic field results from the electrical current
flow. Another natural source is the earth and moon's magnetic field. Manmade
sources include household or building wiring, electrical appliances and electric
power transmission and distribution facilities.
Electric fields
An electric field is sometimes called an electro-static field or static
electricity. This occurs wherever a voltage is present, in the same way static
can be created by friction between two materials. Electric fields are created
around appliances and wires wherever a voltage exists. The signals received by
FM radios and TVs are also electric fields.
The strength of an electric field decreases at greater distances from the
source.
Magnetic fields
Wherever there is an electric field, there is also a magnetic field. A magnetic
field is the attractive force that exists between the poles of permanent magnets
and ferrous metals, such as steel and iron. Permanent magnets can be natural or
man-made. The earth's magnetic fields measure approximately 500 milliGauss in
North America. Magnetic field strength decreases at greater distances from the
origin.
How can I protect myself and
my children?
Even though the scientific evidence of any health risk from EMF is weak, some
people choose to limit their EMF exposures. Simple steps can be taken in the
home and at work to minimize exposure. The most effective and least costly way
to do this is to avoid coming closer than necessary to electrical appliances and
wiring.
Appliances that use large amounts of electrical power in general produce higher
levels of EMF. Common household appliances that may produce significant fields
are hair dryers, shavers, electric can openers, vacuum cleaners, clock radios,
microwave ovens, refrigerators, air conditioning systems, and swimming pool and
hot tub equipment.
Sources found at work include copiers, electric motors, fluorescent lights,
electric pencil sharpeners, and a variety of industrial machinery.
Electrical circuit breaker panels and meter panels in commercial buildings and
homes can also be a significant source of magnetic fields.
Official EMF exposure limits
None have been established. A great deal of animal testing and cell biology
research has been conducted, but even extremely high EMF exposure has never
produced cancer or any other disease in the laboratory. Scientists, therefore,
cannot identify any level of EMF that is harmful in any way. Since no level of
exposure has been shown to be hazardous, no government environmental EMF
standards have been adopted.
While there are no federal or California established limits for EMF exposure,
some non-governmental organizations have issued advisory limits. These limits,
however, do not apply to the relatively low levels of EMF found in homes,
schools, and offices, or even the EMF exposures being studied in relation to
childhood leukemia.
The advisory limits apply only to extreme, short term EMF exposures far higher
than those in residential or typical occupational settings. For example, the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection recommends that
the general public not be exposed to magnetic field levels above a 24-hour
average of 10,000 milliGauss (mG). In contrast, fields inside homes rarely
exceed 20 or 30 mG from any source, including household appliances or next to
large transmission lines.
A 1993 Study of nearly 1000 homes across America concluded that the average
magnetic field level found in the majority of U.S. homes is approximately 1
milligauss (1mG). This level has no connection with any known health effects,
but is helpful in comparing EMF readings to a national norm.
What health authorities said
about possible health risks from EMF
Several internationally recognized health science agencies and independent
research foundations have issued EMF health risk evaluations. Their key
conclusions were as follows:
* U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in 1999:
"The scientific evidence suggesting that [EMF] exposures pose any health risk is
weak... [EMF] exposures cannot be recognized at this time as entirely safe
because of weak scientific evidence that exposures may pose a leukemia
hazard.…The NIEHS does not believe that other cancers or non-cancer health
outcomes provide sufficient evidence of a risk to currently warrant concern."
* Britain's National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in 2001:
"After a wide-ranging and thorough review of scientific research, an independent
Advisory Group to the Board of NRPB has concluded that the power frequency
electromagnetic fields that exist in the vast majority of homes, are not a cause
of cancer in general. However, some epidemiological studies do indicate a
possible small risk of childhood leukemia associated with exposure to unusually
high levels of power frequency magnetic fields."
* The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) in 2002.
"… ELF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on consistent
statistical associations of high-level residential magnetic fields with a
doubling of risk of childhood leukaemia. Children who are exposed to residential
ELF magnetic fields less than 0.4 microTesla have no increased risk for
leukaemia. … In contrast, no consistent evidence was found that childhood
exposures to ELF electric or magnetic fields are associated with brain tumors or
any other kinds of solid tumors. No consistent evidence was found that
residential or occupational exposures of adults to ELF magnetic fields increase
risk for any kind of cancer."
