- Magnetic and electrical field EMF: powerlines, high voltage transmission lines, electrical substations and electrical equipment.
- Radio-frequency EMF: cell towers, wireless, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) also called dirty electricity: Dimmer switches, smartmeters, flourescent lights and switched mode power supply.
Published Research on EMFs and ELFs
Kaiser Permanente researchers have published several studies linking pregnant women’s exposure to electromagnetic fields to increased miscarriage as well as increased ADHD, obesity and asthma in their children.
In 2001, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for the Research on Cancer classified ELF magnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on the consistent research finding a two-fold increase in childhood leukemia associated with residential exposure to magnetic fields. The research finding effects has increased since that date. (Read the research studies here.)
Over a dozen countries already have some level of protective policy in place regarding this type of electromagnetic radiation. The countries of Croatia, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium (Wallonia, Flanders) Denmark, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Poland have a magnetic field radiation limit for “sensitive areas” far far lower than ICNIRP. Sensitive areas are generally defined as areas where children live and play such as schools, kindergartens or recreation areas. Sometimes the definition includes hospitals and residential areas. These countries’ magnetic field EMF limits are 3 or 4 milligauss, the level of milligauss associated with childhood leukemia in repeated published studies. However ICNIRP recommends a residential magnetic field exposure limit of 2,000 milligauss (mG) and an occupational exposure limit of 10,000 mG.
The United States has no limit on legal levels of milligauss electromagnetic radiation. However the California Department of Education enacted a regulation to require minimum distances between new schools and the edge of a transmission line “right-of-way.”
2020 research investigating ELF-EMF levels in schools has found exposure at students’ seat positions was mostly caused by electrical appliances, electronic wiring, and distribution boxes and the authors conclude that, “it is important to design safe and appropriate environments for digital learning in schools, such as proper seating arrangements, to avoid ELF-MFs exposure to students as much as possible.”
People are exposed to ELF-EMF when their homes are close (such as within 50 feet) of high voltage power lines. People are also exposed to this type of EMF from appliances and electronics in their homes and work. The ELF-EMF field drops off rapidly from the source so it is relatively easy to reduce exposure from everyday electronics. All you need to do to reduce exposure is keep a distance. Scientists are most concerned about cumulative exposures rather than the unavoidable short term exposures.
Laptops and tablets have ELF-EMF emissions from the power supply and even if you have the Wi-Fi and other RF-EMF features turned OFF, they still emit ELF-EMF radiation. However you can easily minimize the exposure by using the computer on a table rather than on your lap or body. In addition, when you plug your phone into a charger, the phone and wire can generate large fields so do not make calls until the phone is fully charged and unplugged from the charger.
Several European countries have protective policies for schools and new homes so that levels do not exceed the amount of magnetic field ELF-EMF associated with childhood leukemia (usually around 3 or 4 milligauss). However, the United States does not have a federal limit on ELF- EMF or magnetic field exposures.
EHT already has shared with you how to reduce your exposure to cell phone and wireless radio-frequency. So now for magnetic/electric fields and EMI, here is some information to get started.
The Institute for Building Biology free Factsheets for more information:
Reducing Exposure to ELF-EMF in Your Home
ELF-EMF fields from electronics and appliances fall off rapidly with distance. Experts are less concerned about the brief exposures to ELF-EMF we encounter everyday but far more concerned about longer-term chronic exposures, including at night while we sleep. Here are some ways to reduce your daily exposure:
- Do not rest a laptop or electric on your lap. Keep electronics on a table.
- Do not sleep near a charging cell phone or a charging laptop or digital device. Always charge devices away from sleeping/living spaces and preferable during the daytime. Charging generates high EMFs near the cord and batteries can catch fire during charging.
- Do not use a cell phone while it is charging as the ELF-EMF field is high. Likewise, try to use your laptop on battery rather than while charging. Always unplug the laptop once it is charged.
- Corded alarm clocks and radios can have intense EMFs, so replace your alarm clock with a battery powered alarm clock. This will reduce your exposure at night.
- Do not sleep with your head or body near a wall that has the electric panel, electric meter or appliance on the other side.
- Unplug appliances and electronics such as TV’s and microwaves ovens when not in use. This reduces ELF and also reduces energy consumption. An easy way to do this for electronics is to get a powerstrip that you can easily switch off.
- Remove electronics from the bedroom—especially around your bed and the crib.
- Avoid sleeping with electric blankets and heating pads; if you use an electric blanket to preheat your bed, unplug it before sleeping. If you only turn it off, the EMF will still be present.
- Do not stand near a microwave oven when it is on. Better yet, use a toaster oven.
- EMFs from electrical wiring can be reduced if you flip the switch on the breaker for the electrical circuits near the bedroom at night. However circuits are not designed to be flipped every night. Some people use a “kill switch” so all you have to do is flip one switch at night to turn off breakers all at once.
- Get a magnetic field meter to take measurements in your home. If your ELF measurements show high levels in your home, it could be faulty wiring which an electrician can fix. Often simple fixes can greatly reduce ELF-EMF exposure.
- Take measurements in your home if you live near powerlines because levels can be high throughout the house from the EMF emanating from high voltage powerlines.
Electromagnetic Interference
Sources of EMI and EMFs
- Dimmer switches
- CFL light bulbs
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Several types of LED bulbs/fixtures
- Digital utility billing meters
- Solar panel inverters
- Electronics chargers
- Variable-speed motors (HVAC, portable fans and heaters, other appliances that are stationary or portable, treadmills)
- Electronic power converters
- Devices with a switched-mode power supply (SMPS)
- Television sets, especially plasma TVs.
Remove or Replace with an Alternative
Ensure your utility meters (electric, water, gas) are analog or mechanical rather than digital because digital meters (even the opt-out non-wireless meters) are known to create EMI.
• Replace dimmer switches with regular on/off light switches.
• Replace CFL and fluorescent light bulbs/ fixtures with safer lighting options.
• Choose fans and machinery without variable-speed motors.
• Choose electronics without a switched-mode power supply whenever possible.
• Unplug devices and battery chargers when not in use.
• Active and passive filters can help minimize EMI. Due to the changing models of filters on the market and lack of standardized procedures for testing EMI filter efficacy, EHT cannot make a specific recommendation. We recommend professional consultation and pre- and post-testing for any filter installed. For filters that are plugged into receptacles in rooms, experts recommend distancing yourself from the filters as they can create localized EMF exposures. EMF trained electricians and mitigation professionals can assess the best course of action in your home.
Choose incandescent or halogen lightbulbs which have an edison screw base (looks like an incandescent light bulb), or choose “cleaner” LED lightbulbs.
Do not use CFL or fluorescent lightbulbs, and minimize the use of bright white LED lights.
Several types of lighting can create EMI because they have a switched mode power supply to change the voltage. Here are some things you should know.
Incandescent:
Traditional incandescent lights (that are currently being phased out) do not create EMI and they are the safest choice. However they use far more electricity. We understand that researchers are developing energy-efficient incandescents, and we hope that consumers can pressure industry to bring these enery efficient incandescents to the commercial market.
Halogens with Edison Screw Base:
If incandescents are not available, halogen lights with the traditional edison screw base (looks like the traditional lightbulb) are thought to be an energy-efficient lower-EMI EMF option. Generally this halogen bulb style does not have a switched mode power supply which causes EMI. Be aware halogens can get hot so they must be appropriately placed. Some halogens have transformers, such as under-counter lighting, and these do create EMI. In addition many halogens have higher levels of blue light- in comparison to incandescents. Yet another reason to call on companies to design energy efficient incandescents and blue light free and EMI free halogens.
LEDs: Because many LEDs have a switched-mode power supply, they can create EMI. Experts state there are LEDs that are cleaner than others in terms of EMI and it depends on the specific bulb. They recommend people choose high-quality, high-efficiency LED bulbs that do not use a transformer. In addition, choose warm yellow amber lights (below 3000K) instead of bright cool-white lights (6000K) that emit more blue light. We cannot recommend specific LED bulbs until more research is done on EMI and blue light. EMF professionals will often test bulbs for EMI and provide lists of safer bulbs online.
Fluorescent: CFL and fluorescent lightbulbs are potent sources of EMI and we recommend replacing CFLs and fluorescents with safer lighting options. In addition to EMI, fluorescent lights have several other health issues. Fluorescent lights also contain mercury. This creates more hazardous mercury in landfills and hazardous waste sites, and mercury exposures when the bulb breaks in your home. CFL lightbulbs can have flicker known to trigger epilepsy and migraines.
Small imperfections in the white paint on CFL bulbs allows UV radiation to escape from the glass and expose your eyes and skin to UV. CFLs should never be in lamps near the body. If you must use a CFL bulb, which we do not recommend, choose the encapsulated CFLs that have a double envelope to reduce UV exposure.
Natural lighting: Whenever possible, use and enhance natural light instead of using artificial light. Use bright white paint for ceilings and prefer lighter colors for your walls. If you have a budget, simple home upgrades such as sun tunnels/solar tubes, skylights, enlarging windows, and installing glass doors can significantly increase the natural light in your home.
*However, it is important to measure RF to ensure you are not allowing more RF from a nearby outside cell antenna into the room.
Dimmer switches: Dimmer switches for lights will create a range of undesirable frequencies on the connected wires. The traditional on/off dipole switch is recommended as it will not create these frequencies.
Industry Can Fix This: Companies are working to design products with less EMI as it can damage electronics and impact performance. However, the health impacts of EMI have yet to be prioritized in these industrial research and design efforts. For example, energy-efficient appliances have variable-speed motors that create high EMI. Safer single-speed motors are harder and harder to find as they are being phased out. We should not have to choose between energy-efficiency and electromagnetic safety. Researchers can fix this problem and create an energy-efficient motor that does not add EMI into the home.
Consumer groups can pressure industry to create safer products. We deserve healthy options.
The Institute for Building Biology free Factsheets for more information:
