Abstract
An electric field is the physical field that surrounds electrically charged particles and exerts force on all other charged particles in the field, either attracting or repelling them. Magnetic fields are an invisible force field created by a magnet from the movement of electric charges through a conductor. Together, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of electrical and magnetic energy that are associated with electrical power and various forms of natural and anthropogenic sources, such as the Earth’s geomagnetic field, thunderstorms, power cables, and common household electronics.
EMFs are measured in levels of frequency. Frequency is the number of times per second that a field completes a full cycle (or oscillates), and is expressed in units of cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz). EMFs are typically grouped into one of two categories by their frequency (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [NIEHS], 2022).:
- Non-ionizing EMF includes low-level radiation, which is generally considered harmless to humans and occurs in the form of extremely low frequency (ELF) waves, radio frequency (RF) currents, microwaves, and visual light. Examples of non-ionizing EMF sources include microwave ovens, computers, home energy smart meters, wireless (wi-fi) networks, cell phones, Bluetooth devices, power lines, and MRI machines.
- Ionizing EMF includes high-level radiation which has the potential to cause cellular and DNA damage and occurs in the form of ultraviolet (UV) rays (e.g., like those in sunlight), X-rays, and gamma rays.