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
H. P. Schwan, A. Anne, L. Sher · 1966
This 1966 U.S. Navy technical report examined how microwave energy heats living tissues, using skin simulants to measure temperature rise and energy absorption patterns. The research provided foundational data on how biological tissues respond to microwave radiation exposure. This early military study helped establish the thermal effects that became the basis for modern EMF safety standards.
Stan Neuder · 1979
Tell R A · 1976
Joseph W, Goeminne F, Vermeeren G, Verloock L, Martens L. · 2012
Researchers assessed electromagnetic field exposure of workers and the general public from non-directional beacons used for air traffic control. The maximum electric fields exceeded ICNIRP reference levels at all seven sites, and magnetic fields exceeded those levels at two of the seven sites for occupational exposure. The highest measured occupational electric field value was 881.6 V/m and the highest magnetic field value was 9.1 A/m.
Richard A. Tell, John C. Nelson · 1974
This 1974 technical report documented radiofrequency pulse measurements near air traffic control radar installations. The researchers measured the electromagnetic field characteristics of radar pulses to understand exposure levels in these environments. This early work helped establish baseline data for RF exposure assessment around aviation radar systems.
Unknown authors
This technical report examined how 60 Hz electric fields from power lines affect the central nervous system of laboratory rats. The study investigated whether the electrical fields surrounding power transmission equipment could influence brain and nervous system function in animal models. The research contributes to understanding potential neurological effects from power frequency electromagnetic field exposure.
E.V. Prokhvatilo
Watson J, deHaas W G, Hauser S S · 1975
This 1975 laboratory study examined how electric fields affect the growth rate of developing chicken leg bones (tibiae) in controlled laboratory conditions. The research measured whether electric field exposure could alter normal bone development in embryonic tissue. This early work helped establish the foundation for understanding how electromagnetic fields might influence biological growth processes.
Blanchi, D., L. Cedrini, F. Ceria, E. Meda, G.G. Re · 1972
Robert A. Facey · 1980
Friend AW · 1970
Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhu B, Zhang H, Sun Y, Sun C · 2017
Researchers enrolled 186 male workers with occupational exposure to high-voltage electricity lines and 154 male subjects with insignificant exposure as a reference control. Resveratrol or placebo was given as dietary supplements at 500 mg twice daily, and inflammatory biomarkers and biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed. Workers who had long-term exposure to high-voltage electricity lines showed elevated urinary levels of 8-OHdG and F2-isoprostane compared to the reference group. Resveratrol significantly reversed the adverse impacts of ELF-EMF, and stimulated cytokine production by resveratrol was found in exposed workers but not in the reference group.
Shckorbatov YG et al. · 2002
Researchers used intracellular microelectrophoresis to study electrokinetic properties of nuclei in human buccal epithelial cells after microwave exposure at wavelengths of 8 mm and 16 mm with a surface power density of 0.2 mW/cm(2). Microwave irradiation for 15-60 s induced ENN changes, decreasing ENN when it was initially elevated and increasing it when initially low. No significant difference between the action of microwaves of wavelengths of 8 mm and 16 mm was found. Microwave exposure increased membrane permeability for the in vivo dye indigo Carmine in cells from all donors regardless of initial ENN levels.
Türközer Z, Güler G, Seyhan N · 2008
Researchers exposed guinea pigs to powerful electric fields (the kind found near high-voltage power lines) for 8 hours daily over three days to see if it would damage brain tissue through oxidative stress. They found no statistically significant effects on brain cell damage markers or antioxidant defenses, even at the highest exposure levels tested. While this suggests these particular electric field exposures may not cause measurable brain oxidative damage in the short term, the researchers noted some non-significant trends that warrant further investigation.
Türközer Z, Güler G, Seyhan N. · 2008
Researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of varied 50 Hz electric field exposure on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in guinea pig brain homogenates. Guinea pigs were exposed to electric fields ranging from 2 to 5 kV/m for three days, eight hours per day, in both vertical and horizontal directions. No statistically significant differences were found between exposed and sham groups in lipid peroxidation levels or enzyme activities at any field strength or direction. Comparisons between vertical and horizontal exposure directions also showed no significant differences.
Dave Vanas · 1976
Wu SX, Xu YQ, Di GQ, Jiang JH, Xin L, Wu TY · 2016
Researchers exposed male mice to environmental static electric fields for 35 days and measured antioxidant enzyme activity in liver homogenates. Superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly in both exposed groups on the 7th and 35th days, while glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and malonaldehyde showed only minimal changes. The researchers concluded that there was a weak relationship between exposure to environmental static electric fields and hepatic oxidative stress in living organisms.
D. H. Shinn · 1958
M. H. Benedick · 1979
Wayne K. Durfee et al. · 1975
Henry S. Ho · 1975
Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. · 2014
Researchers evaluated 50 Hz ELF-EMF occupational exposure on neurobehavior tests of 310 inspection workers and 300 logistics staff. Neurobehavior tests included mental arithmetic, curve coincide, simple visual reaction time, visual retention, auditory digit span and pursuit aiming. No statistically significant changes in neurobehavior scores were found. Results across different age and seniority groups also showed no significant changes.
Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. · 2013
Researchers tested cognitive and brain function in 310 Chinese electrical workers regularly exposed to power line electromagnetic fields during equipment inspections, comparing them to 300 unexposed office workers. The study found no differences in memory, reaction time, or other brain performance measures between the two groups. This suggests that occupational exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields may not impair basic cognitive abilities.
Frank M. Greene · 1976
This 1976 NIOSH technical report describes the development of equipment to artificially create radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the 10-40 MHz range for research purposes. The synthesizer was designed to generate controlled near-field RF exposures, allowing researchers to study how these specific frequencies affect biological systems. This represents early government recognition of the need for standardized tools to investigate RF health effects.
Frank M. Greene · 1976
This 1976 technical report documented the development of an RF near-field exposure synthesizer, a specialized device designed to create controlled radiofrequency electromagnetic field environments for research purposes. The work represents early efforts to develop standardized testing equipment for studying how RF radiation affects biological systems. This type of controlled exposure apparatus became essential for conducting reproducible EMF health research.