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What Are the Dangers of an EMF?

Voltages and currents in all electronic devices and power sources produce electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Concern over whether or not EMFs are a health risk became a major public debate as early as the 1980s, when the U.S. Department of Energy reported that EMFs could be responsible for many kinds of cancer and a variety of other serious health problems.

  1. Sources

    • EMFs are present, to some extent, nearly everywhere. Earth has its own magnetic field, and electric fields are present in the atmosphere. The most powerful electric and magnetic fields are generated by power lines and substations. Household wiring, appliances and other common electrical devices produce their own EMFs. Cellphones, computers and televisions also produce EMFs and may pose a threat to health because they are used frequently.

    Known Effects

    • The only proven effects of EMFs on humans are an induced current and an induced current's ability to interfere with active implants. Because the human body conducts electricity, it carries a current in the presence of EMFs of 50Hz or higher. Induced current is not harmful. If a person has a cardiac pacemaker, however, an EMF may cause the device to malfunction slightly. Most modern-day instruments are resistant to high voltages, but people with pacemakers are advised to keep a safe distance from power lines and other sources of high EMFs.

    Possible Dangers

    • Hypertension, cancer, leukemia, Alzheimer's disease, neurological and cardiac diseases and birth defects have been blamed on exposure to EMFs. Several organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, performed extensive research to determine whether or not EMFs pose a threat to human health. The results show no strong evidence that EMFs are a cause of illness, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WHO concede that a small possibility exists that EMFs could pose a health risk.

    Precautions

    • Because electricity is such an integral part of modern life, it's nearly impossible to avoid exposure to EMFs. Although no proof exists that they pose a real threat, the EPA advises "prudent avoidance" of EMFs, such as decreasing the time spent on computers, talking on cellphones and watching television. It's also a good idea to steer clear of electric blankets and to keep digital clocks, phones and other electronic devices at least 6 feet away from the place you sleep.

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