by Alaina M. Coyle

Created on: January 20, 2011   Last Updated: January 21, 2011

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been linked to a variety of serious diseases and illnesses – from chronic fatigue to nausea; headaches to miscarriages; brain tumors to cancer.  EMFs are radiated from anything that conducts electricity, so the threat is literally all around us.  How serious is the risk?  Are there ways to protect yourself?

By 1990, over 100 research studies regarding EMF had been conducted worldwide.  Of these, at least two dozen epidemiological studies on humans indicated a link between EMFs and serious health problems.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated “There is reason for concern.”  Yet because of political and economic pressure exerted by computer, military, and utility lobbyists, the public may not be getting sufficient warning regarding the risk of EMF exposure.

When the EPA recommended in a draft report that EMFs be classified as a Class B carcinogen, lobbyists opposed the draft and fought the classification.  Consequently, the final draft did not list EMFs as a carcinogen.  When the EPA was questioned regarding the change, the response was that it was “not appropriate” to use the carcinogen label until it could demonstrate how EMFs caused cancer and precisely how much EMF is harmful.

Electromagnetic fields are the areas of energy that surround electric devices, including cell phones, computers, vacuums, power lines, transformers, microwaves, televisions, refrigerators and hair dryers – just to name a few.  Does this mean we are constantly at risk?

A constant debate rages about what EMF level is considered safe.  Many government and utility documents report the usual ambient level of 60-Hz magnetic field to be 0.5 mG, so any reading higher than this is above “usual.”  Although some experts and public officials maintain 3 mG as the cut-off point, the EPA proposes a safety standard of 1 mG.

Many household items have surprisingly high EMF levels.  Electric clocks have a very high magnetic field – as much as 5 to 10 mG up to 3 feet away.  This means if you have a clock on your nightstand, you may be sleeping in an EMF equivalent to that of a power line.  Many experts agree that you should sleep at least six feet away from clocks and other electronic devices, since studies have shown a high rate of brain tumors with chronic exposure to magnetic fields.

Electric razors and hair dryers emit EMFs as high

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