Electric fields are produced by voltage (electrical pressure) and exist whenever a device is plugged in, even if turned off. They are measured in volts per meter (V/m). Electric fields can be blocked by walls and most materials, but often concentrate near ungrounded wiring and electronics.
Based on Building Biology Institute guidelines (V/m (volts per meter)):
Showing 294 studies with measured electric fields exposure
Frank M. Greene · 1975
This 1975 National Bureau of Standards technical report by Frank Greene focused on developing specialized probes for measuring magnetic near-fields around electromagnetic sources. The research addressed fundamental measurement challenges in electromagnetics, creating tools to accurately assess magnetic field exposure levels close to EMF-emitting devices.
R. I. GRAY, C. E. GALLAHER · 1971
This 1971 technical report examined methods for measuring electromagnetic field exposure from non-ionizing radiation sources to assess potential health hazards. The research focused on developing proper measurement techniques and survey instruments for evaluating biological effects from EMF exposure. This represents early recognition that electromagnetic fields posed measurable health risks requiring systematic assessment.
Louise B. Young, H. Peyton Young · 1974
This 1974 research examined electrical transmission pollution, focusing on power lines and high-voltage infrastructure as sources of electromagnetic field exposure and potential environmental health hazards. The study represents early scientific recognition that electrical power transmission systems create measurable electromagnetic pollution in our environment. This work helped establish the foundation for decades of subsequent research into power line EMF health effects.
Di G, Kim H, Xu Y, Kim J, Gu X. · 2019
Researchers exposed mice to extremely strong electric fields (35,000 volts per meter) for 49 days to compare how static fields versus power frequency fields affect learning and memory. They found that static electric fields had no effect on cognitive ability, while power frequency electric fields actually improved the mice's performance on memory tests after 33 days of exposure.
Jauchem JR, Frei MR, Dusch SJ, Lehnert HM, Kovatch RM · 2001
Researchers exposed 100 cancer-prone mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses (extremely short bursts containing multiple frequencies) for 2 minutes weekly over 12 weeks, using field strengths of 40,000 volts per meter. The exposed mice showed no difference in mammary tumor development, growth rates, or survival compared to unexposed control mice. This study found no evidence that this type of pulsed electromagnetic exposure promotes cancer development in a well-established animal cancer model.
T.T. · 1990
This 1990 technical report examined static magnetic fields and their potential health effects, focusing on establishing threshold limit values (TLVs) for occupational exposure. The research addressed workplace safety standards for environments where workers encounter constant magnetic fields from industrial equipment and medical devices.
Unknown authors · 1979
This 1979 government document represents early NIOSH and OSHA collaboration on radiofrequency exposure standards for RF sealers and heaters used in industrial settings. The pre-signature draft indicates these agencies were developing occupational safety guidelines for workers exposed to RF electromagnetic radiation from industrial heating and sealing equipment.
I. S. Dronov, A. D. Kiritseva · 1972
This 1972 Soviet research examined how prolonged ultra high frequency (UHF) radio wave exposure affected the immune system function of laboratory rabbits. The study specifically measured changes in phagocytic activity (the ability of immune cells to engulf harmful particles) and complement levels (proteins that help fight infections). This represents early scientific investigation into whether radiofrequency radiation could weaken immune defenses.
Susan Korbel · 1966
This 1966 technical report examined how ultra high frequency radio waves affected rat behavior, representing early research into microwave radiation's biological effects. The study investigated behavioral changes in laboratory rats exposed to UHF radiation. This research contributed to the foundational understanding of how radio frequency energy might influence living organisms beyond just heating effects.
Cobb BL et al. · 2000
Researchers exposed pregnant rats to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses (similar to radar technology) during pregnancy to see if it affected their offspring's development and behavior. The exposed rat pups showed three main differences: they made more stress vocalizations, had slightly enlarged brain structures (hippocampus), and male offspring were less likely to mate as adults. However, the researchers noted these effects might be random findings due to testing many different outcomes.
Cao XZ, Zhao ML, Wang DW, Dong B. · 2002
Chinese researchers exposed human lung cancer cells to high-intensity electromagnetic pulses (60,000 volts per meter) and found that the pulses triggered cell death (apoptosis) in up to 13.38% of the cancer cells within 6 hours. The electromagnetic pulses altered key proteins that control cell survival, essentially programming the cancer cells to self-destruct. This research explores whether electromagnetic fields might have therapeutic potential against cancer.
Lu ST, Mathur SP, Akyel Y, Lee JC · 1999
Researchers exposed rats to ultrawide-band electromagnetic pulses (a type of radar technology) for just 6 minutes and measured their blood pressure for up to 4 weeks afterward. The exposed rats developed persistent low blood pressure (hypotension) that lasted for weeks, while their heart rate remained normal. This suggests that brief exposure to these high-intensity electromagnetic pulses can cause lasting cardiovascular effects.
Seaman RL, Belt ML, Doyle JM, Mathur SP · 1998
Researchers exposed mice to extremely high-intensity ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses (99-105 kV/m) for up to 45 minutes and tested whether this affected their pain sensitivity and movement, including when combined with morphine. The study found no changes in pain response or activity levels in either normal mice or those given morphine. This suggests these particular electromagnetic pulses did not interfere with the nervous system pathways that control pain and movement.
Pakhomova ON et al. · 2012
Scientists exposed cells to extremely brief electrical pulses and found they create harmful reactive oxygen species that damage cells. These pulses generate oxidative stress both inside cells and in surrounding fluid, with damage increasing based on pulse number, suggesting potential cellular harm beyond temporary membrane effects.
Zeng L et al. · 2011
Researchers exposed male rats to intense electromagnetic pulses (100,000 volts per meter) and examined effects on their reproductive systems. The study found that while sperm count and basic sperm health remained normal, the electromagnetic exposure damaged testicular tissue and disrupted important antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from damage. The findings suggest that electromagnetic pulses may harm male fertility by interfering with the body's natural defense systems against cellular damage.
J. A. Martin · 1970
This 1970 technical report examined the biological effects of electromagnetic fields generated by a siege array system on humans. The research investigated various biological responses including heating effects, radiation exposure impacts, and potential shock responses from this specific electromagnetic field configuration.
Sazonova, T.Y. · 1964
This 1964 Soviet research examined how high-gradient, low-frequency electromagnetic fields affected the functioning of altered motor structures in laboratory animals. The study focused on measuring working ability or performance changes when motor systems were exposed to specific EMF conditions. This represents early scientific investigation into how electromagnetic fields might influence biological motor function.
Pakhomova ON, Belt ML, Mathur SP, Lee JC, Akyel Y · 1998
Researchers exposed yeast cells to extremely high-intensity electromagnetic pulses (up to 104,000 volts per meter) after damaging them with UV radiation to see if the EMF exposure would worsen genetic damage. The ultra-wide band pulses, delivered at repetition rates of 16 Hz or 600 Hz for 30 minutes, showed no effect on DNA repair, mutation rates, or cell survival. This suggests that even very intense pulsed electromagnetic fields may not interfere with cellular DNA repair mechanisms.
Seaman RL, Belt ML, Doyle JM, Mathur SP · 1999
Researchers exposed mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses at extremely high field strength (102,000 volts per meter) to see if it could counteract the hyperactive behavior caused by blocking nitric oxide production in the brain. The electromagnetic exposure successfully eliminated the drug-induced hyperactivity, suggesting the pulses somehow restored normal nitric oxide function. This demonstrates that pulsed electromagnetic fields can directly influence brain chemistry and behavior in laboratory animals.
Richard D. Phillips, William T. Kaune · 1977
This 1977 technical report by Phillips and Kaune reviewed the existing United States scientific literature on biological effects from static and extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields. The comprehensive review examined what was known at the time about how these fields affect living organisms, providing an early scientific foundation for understanding EMF health effects.
Luo K, Luo C, Li G, Yao X, Gao R, Hu Z, Zhang G, Zhao H. · 2019
Researchers exposed aphids to high-voltage electric fields for 20 minutes and tracked effects across 21 generations. The brief exposure caused lasting cellular damage and reduced antioxidant defenses that persisted for over 20 generations, showing electric fields can create hereditary biological effects.
Miao X et al. · 2017
Researchers exposed young male mice to electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) for four weeks and found significant damage to sperm production and testicular health. The mice that received a protective antioxidant supplement (selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi) showed much less reproductive damage. This suggests that electromagnetic radiation can harm male fertility, but certain protective compounds might help reduce this damage.
Yang LL et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed rats to electromagnetic pulses (EMP) at extremely high levels and found that these exposures activated microglia, the brain's immune cells, causing inflammation. The study identified that this brain immune response happened through a specific cellular pathway called p38 MAPK, and the effects were measurable within hours of exposure. This research helps explain one biological mechanism by which electromagnetic fields might affect brain function.
Wang XW et al. · 2010
Chinese researchers exposed male mice to electromagnetic pulses (intense bursts of electromagnetic energy) and found that this exposure damaged the blood-testis barrier, a protective wall that shields developing sperm from immune system attacks. The damage led to the production of antibodies that attack the mice's own sperm, potentially causing infertility. This suggests that electromagnetic pulse exposure could impair male fertility by triggering an autoimmune response against sperm.
Li BF, Guo GZ, Ren DQ, Zhang RB. · 2007
Researchers exposed rats to electromagnetic pulses (intense bursts of electromagnetic energy) and measured their blood pressure for four weeks afterward. The study found that these pulses caused immediate spikes in blood pressure, followed by drops below normal levels that lasted up to a month. This suggests that even brief electromagnetic exposures can trigger lasting changes in cardiovascular function.