Buildings

Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

Q: What's the deal with "Electro-magnetic fields (EMFs)?" Is this just another scam to sell useless gizmos, or is there really something to this?

A: While some people, like my friend Dennis the electrician, dismiss this concern out-of-hand, it seems to me that there could be something to it. Our nervous system is, essentially, an electrical system that controls virtually all our bodily functions. Logically, being exposed to electrical and magnetic fields that could interfere with those electrical controls could very well change the way our bodies work.

Whether that really happens, however, and under what circumstances, is far from clear. Most of us have learned painfully over the years that just because something is logical doesn't mean it's true. Logically, for example, you'd think that exposure to more schooling would make people smarter, or at least more knowledgeable, but we've all known people who prove that's not true.

All electrical wires and appliances are surrounded by electrical and magnetic fields that are tasteless, odorless, and invisible (to most of us). As with most other "pollutants," the health effects of these fields probably varies according to the source strength and how long you're exposed to it. The strength of an electro-magnetic field decreases as you move further from the source.

If EMFs are a problem, being right next to a large motor or transformer at work eight hours a day is probably a larger problem than walking past the microwave oven in the break room. There is some evidence that some workers who are exposed to high-strength fields for long periods of time experience serious negative health effects. Whether short-term exposure to low-strength fields is harmful is very controversial. Just as some people develop a hypersensitivity to various chemicals, there are people who become hypersensitive to EMFs.

I recently did an Internet search on "EMF Health Effects" and learned that there are over 120,000 pieces of information out there on this subject. I could sort through everything from scientific papers to sales pitches for various "gizmos" to diatribes about microwaves cooking body tissue to detailed reports on the various conspiracies working to a) convince us that EMFs are not a problem when they really are; or b) convince us that EMFs are a problem when they're really not. It's enough to make me want to crawl into an electrically heated water bed, pull the electric blanket over my head, and turn the Walkman way up to drown out the deafening bleeps. Or else move up to an isolated hollow in Transylvania County and get away from 'lectricity altogether.

Like so many issues that involve large amounts of money, the EMF controversies seem to be generating a lot more heat than light. Everything from high voltage power lines to toasters, computer screens, and clock radios are suspect.

There are several studies that show a connection between leukemia and spending lots of time near high-voltage power lines. There are lots more studies that show no connection at all. This might indicate that some or all of the studies are flawed, or that there are differences between different power lines, or that the leukemia was caused by something related to those specific power lines, but not the lines themselves, such as the pesticides used to maintain the right-of-way.

As a home buyer, are there things you should look for, or look out for? Almost all the literature seems to agree that the strength of electro-magnetic fields seems to decrease rapidly with distance. Some appliances, such as clock radios, give off measurable fields that may have a health impact. Several feet away from the radio, however, the strength of the field is no longer measurable, which suggests that it probably won't be a problem. So, rule number one may be to move all electrical appliances and devices so that they are at least several feet away from the sleeping people.

It may be prudent to locate electrical service panels in locations where people will not be right next to them (or just on the other side of the wall from them) for long periods of time. Along the same lines, it's probably a good idea to use waterbed heaters and electric blankets to pre-heat your bed, and then unplug them before you get into it. There are studies that suggest an electric blanket may harm the fetus if a pregnant woman sleeps under one.

A client recently asked me whether an electric range or a gas range was more dangerous. Based on the literature I've seen, the potential harm from combustion products spilling into the home are substantially greater than the potential harm from the EMF exposure from the electric range. On the other hand, since nobody seems to cook much anymore, maybe it doesn't matter.