Electromagnetic Fields

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are physical fields that are produced by electrically charged objects. Electric fields are produced by stationary charges and magnetic fields are created when electric current flows. These fields interact with close-by charged objects thus affecting their condition. EMFs can be viewed as the combination of an electric field and a magnetic field and are defined by their frequency and wavelength. The frequency simply describes the number of oscillations or cycles per second, while the term wavelength describes the distance between one wave and the next.

Electromagnetic fields include static fields such as the Earth's magnetic field and fields from electrostatic charges, electric and magnetic fields from the electricity supply at power frequencies, and radio waves from television, radio and mobile phones, radar, and satellite communications.

It is important to separate two types of EMFs: Some electromagnetic waves carry so much energy that they have the ability to break bonds between molecules and these are called ionizing radiation. Fields whose energy is insufficient to break molecular bonds are called non-ionizing radiation and include visible light, infrared, and radio waves.

Due to the increase in the human use of technologies using EMFs, this is an area that has know an exponential growth, which has also lead to new complaints and concerns. One of the most common is connected with the association between power lines and cancer. Research results are still controversial, but some studies point to an increase in the numbers of early cancer in people living downwind of power lines. Although there is no certain explanation for this higher rate (some even believe it might be just a “statistical artifact”), one that has recently known more supporters has to do with “corona ion” effects. Researchers have proposed that the air immediately surrounding a high-voltage power line becomes ionized by the electric field, thus combining with pollutants in the air, giving rise to charged airborne particles. If inhaled by someone closely exposed, they may be deposited in the lungs and eventually develop cancer.

Other sources of electromagnetic fields that have spawned controversy are mobile phones. No conclusion has been reached when assessing whether the radiation arising from mobile phones and base stations is connected to disease.

Other common sources of EMFs are wireless solutions, which are being implemented throughout the environment. Its impact is still to be assessed.

On the account of this increase in exposure, a number of individuals have reported a variety of health problems that they relate to exposure to EMFs. This has been [Page 594]known as “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” and symptoms range from mild to severe, including skin redness, tingling, and burning sensations to fatigue, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitation, and digestive disturbances. The World Health Organization is currently conducting research to determine prevalence and ways to lower the impact of EMFs on those with this condition.