Electromagnetic fields

Everything emits electromagnetic radiation: the sun in the sky, the earth beneath your feet, and your own body. In short, electromagnetic fields are essential to human health. However, too much (or sometimes too little) of a particular type of electromagnetic radiation — whether naturally occurring or man-made — can cause adverse health effects, some of which occur at surprisingly low levels.

At very high levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields, acute biological effects such as heating are well established. Official exposure guidelines protect against these harmful short-term effects, but they don't necessarily protect against long-term effects. In most homes, official exposure limits are not exceeded.

Chronic low-level exposure to electromagnetic fields, on the other hand, is common in homes and also workplaces. Among other effects, it can cause excessive oxidative stress, which is linked to a wide range of health conditions and diseases. Precautionary guidelines take this into consideration.