Household EMF Radiation Levels
| Object | Typical EMF Level (µT) |
|---|---|
| Induction Cooktop | 10-30 µT |
| Microwave Oven | 5-25 µT |
| Wi-Fi Router | 0.1-2 µT |
| Cell Phone (during call) | 0.5-1 µT |
| Smart Meter | 0.1-1 µT |
| TV | 0.01-0.15 µT |
| Computer | 0.01-0.3 µT |
| Hair Dryer | 60-200 mG |
| Can Opener | 115.5 mG |
| iPad or Tablet | ~1.19 W/kg |
| Toaster | 3.8 mG |
| Vacuum Cleaner | 2-20 µT |
| Dishwasher | 0.6-3 µT |
| Electric Oven | 0.15-0.5 µT |
| Clothes Dryer | 1 mG |
| Washing Machine | 1 mG |
| Refrigerator | 1.5 mG |
| Fluorescent Light Bulb | 1.15 mG |
| Laptop | 0.5-30 µT |
| Electric Blanket | 0.5-3 mG |
| Electric Shaver | 15-150 mG |
| Baby Monitor | 0.1-2 µT |
| Electric Toothbrush | 0.1-0.5 mG |
| Electric Heater | 0.5-3 µT |
| Blender | 50-100 mG |
| Electric Kettle | 0.5-1 µT |
| Alarm Clock | 5-10 mG |
| Electric Fan | 0.5-2 µT |
| Electric Iron | 0.1-0.3 µT |
| Electric Drill | 10-50 mG |
| Electric Saw | 20-100 mG |
| Electric Lawn Mower | 10-50 mG |
Live EMF Radiation Levels
EPA RadNet Data
Miami-Dade County Data
Recommended EMF Levels
| Type of EMF | Recommended Level |
|---|---|
| Electric Fields (V/m) | Below 200 V/m |
| Magnetic Fields (mG) | Below 3 mG |
| Radio Frequency (μW/cm²) | Below 10 μW/cm² |
Note: These levels are general guidelines and may vary based on specific circumstances and local regulations.
Recommended EMF and Radiation Levels
| Type | Recommended Level |
|---|---|
| Electric Fields (V/m) | Below 200 V/m |
| Magnetic Fields (mG) | Below 3 mG |
| Radio Frequency (μW/cm²) | Below 10 μW/cm² |
| Natural Background Radiation | 620 millirem/year |
| Chest X-ray | 10 millirem/exposure |
| Full-body CT scan | 1,000 millirem/scan |
| Dental X-ray | 1.5 millirem/exposure |
| Food and Water | 30 millirem/year |
Note: These levels are general guidelines and may vary based on specific circumstances and local regulations.
There are several apps available for iPhone that can help you detect EMF (Electromagnetic Field) radiation. Here are a few popular ones:
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EMF Radiation Detector Reader: This app allows you to detect EMF radiation around you using your iPhone's built-in sensors. It helps you identify high EMF zones in your home or workplace so you can minimize exposure.
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EMF Field Detector RF Scanner: This app converts your iPhone into an EMF meter, allowing you to detect electromagnetic fields and track high-risk zones. It also provides a warning beep when high magnetic fields are detected.
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EMF Detector Radiation Reader: This app uses the iPhone's compass feature to detect ferromagnetic metals and EMF radiation from various home appliances.
Radiation can have significant health effects, depending on the dose and duration of exposure. Here's a detailed look at how radiation impacts health:
Immediate Effects
- Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS): This occurs when a person is exposed to a high dose of radiation over a short period. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin burns. In severe cases, it can lead to death within days or weeks.
- Cutaneous Radiation Injury (CRI): This happens when a large dose of radiation causes injury to the skin, leading to redness, blistering, and ulceration.
Long-term Effects
- Cancer: Exposure to radiation increases the risk of developing cancer. The risk is higher with higher doses and longer exposure times. Studies of atomic bomb survivors and radiation workers have shown a clear link between radiation exposure and cancer.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Long-term exposure to radiation can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Genetic Damage: Radiation can damage the DNA in cells, potentially leading to genetic mutations that can be passed on to future generations.
Sensitive Populations
Certain groups are more vulnerable to the effects of radiation, including:
- Developing fetuses: They are the most sensitive to radiation exposure.
- Infants and children: They have rapidly dividing cells and longer lifespans ahead, increasing their risk.
- Elderly and immunocompromised individuals: They may have less ability to repair radiation damage.
Environmental and Indirect Effects
- Contamination: Radiation can contaminate the environment, affecting water, soil, and air quality. This can lead to long-term health issues for populations living in contaminated areas.
- Marine Life: Nuclear tests in the ocean have led to contamination of marine ecosystems, affecting both wildlife and human populations that rely on these resources.
What are electric and magnetic fields?
Electric and magnetic fields are invisible areas of energy (also called radiation) that are produced by electricity, which is the movement of electrons, or current, through a wire.
An electric field is produced by voltage, which is the pressure used to push the electrons through the wire, much like water being pushed through a pipe. As the voltage increases, the electric field increases in strength. Electric fields are measured in volts per meter (V/m).
A magnetic field results from the flow of current through wires or electrical devices and increases in strength as the current increases. The strength of a magnetic field decreases rapidly with increasing distance from its source. Magnetic fields are measured in microteslas (μT, or millionths of a tesla).
Electric fields are produced whether or not a device is turned on, whereas magnetic fields are produced only when current is flowing, which usually requires a device to be turned on. Power lines produce magnetic fields continuously because current is always flowing through them. Electric fields are easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects, whereas magnetic fields can pass through buildings, living things, and most other materials.
Electric and magnetic fields together are referred to as electromagnetic fields, or EMFs. The electric and magnetic forces in EMFs are caused by electromagnetic radiation. There are two main categories of EMFs:
Higher-frequency EMFs, which include x-rays and gamma rays. These EMFs are in the ionizing radiation part of the electromagnetic spectrum and can damage DNA or cells directly.
Low- to mid-frequency EMFs, which include static fields (electric or magnetic fields that do not vary with time), magnetic fields from electric power lines and appliances, radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, and visible light. These EMFs are in the non-ionizing radiation part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are not known to damage DNA or cells directly. Low- to mid-frequency EMFs include extremely low frequency EMFs (ELF-EMFs) and radiofrequency EMFs. ELF-EMFs have frequencies of up to 300 cycles per second, or hertz (Hz), and radiofrequency EMFs range from 3 kilohertz (3 kHz, or 3,000 Hz) to 300 gigahertz (300 GHz, or 300 billion Hz). Radiofrequency radiation is measured in watts per meter squared (W/m2).
The levels of EMF (Electromagnetic Field) radiation that are considered concerning can vary depending on the source and type of radiation. Here are some general guidelines:
Safe Levels
- Natural Electromagnetic Fields: These are typically around 200 V/m (volts per meter) and are considered safe.
- Everyday Devices: For example, microwave ovens emit around 14 V/m, and TVs and computer screens emit about 10 V/m.
Concerning Levels
- Magnetic Fields: Studies have shown that magnetic fields above 2.0 mG (milligauss) are linked to an increased risk of leukemia in children.
- High-Frequency Radiation: This includes X-rays and gamma rays, which are ionizing and can damage DNA and cells, leading to cancer.
General Recommendations
- Limit Exposure: Try to minimize your exposure to high EMF sources, especially in your living and sleeping areas.
- Use EMF Meters: These can help you identify high EMF zones in your home or workplace so you can take steps to reduce exposure.