EMF Glossary

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by specialized cells lining blood vessels in the brain. It normally prevents most substances in the bloodstream—including toxins, pathogens, and many drugs—from entering brain tissue while allowing essential nutrients through.

Research on EMF and the BBB began with Dr. Allan Frey in the 1970s and has been replicated by many laboratories since. Studies show:

- Increased BBB permeability following RF and microwave exposure - Leakage of albumin (a blood protein) into brain tissue - Effects at non-thermal exposure levels - Persistent effects hours to days after exposure ends

A compromised BBB allows substances that normally can't reach the brain—including neurotoxins, inflammatory molecules, and pathogens—to enter and potentially cause damage.

The BioInitiative Report is an independent scientific review compiled by a working group of researchers, scientists, and public health policy professionals. First published in 2007 and updated in 2012, it reviews over 3,800 studies on EMF health effects.

The BioInitiative Working Group includes scientists from: - Columbia University - University of Washington - Karolinska Institute - Various European research institutions

The report concludes that current safety standards are inadequate to protect public health and recommends science-based exposure limits far below current regulatory levels.

Dr. Martin Blank, co-author of "Overpowered" and the late father of this database's curator, contributed sections on stress proteins and DNA damage to the BioInitiative Report.

Building Biology (Baubiologie) is an approach to healthy building design that originated in Germany in the 1960s. The Institute of Building Biology + Sustainability (IBN) publishes exposure guidelines based on precautionary principles rather than just preventing acute effects.

Building Biology guidelines for sleeping environments: - ELF magnetic fields: <0.02 μT ideal, 0.02-0.1 μT slight concern, 0.1-0.5 μT severe concern, >0.5 μT extreme concern - ELF electric fields (body voltage): <10 mV ideal, 10-100 mV slight concern, 100-1000 mV severe concern - RF power density: <0.1 μW/m² ideal, 0.1-10 μW/m² slight concern, 10-1000 μW/m² severe concern

These guidelines prioritize sleeping areas because that's when the body does most of its repair and regeneration.

Cell phones transmit and receive RF signals to communicate with cellular networks. When in use, they're typically the strongest source of RF exposure for most people because of their proximity to the body.

Key exposure factors: - Distance: Exposure decreases dramatically with distance from the device - Signal strength: Phones increase power output when signal is weak - Usage pattern: Call duration, speakerphone use, texting vs. calling - Network technology: Different generations (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) use different frequencies and power levels

SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) ratings indicate maximum RF absorption during lab testing, but real-world exposure varies widely based on usage conditions.

Cell towers (also called base stations or cellular infrastructure) house antennas that communicate with mobile devices in the surrounding area. They transmit RF signals continuously, creating ambient exposure for anyone within range.

Tower characteristics affecting exposure: - Distance: Primary factor; exposure decreases with distance squared - Antenna height and tilt: Affects beam direction - Power output: Varies by carrier, technology, and usage load - Frequency: Different bands (700 MHz, 1900 MHz, etc.) have different propagation characteristics

Typical exposure levels decrease from potentially significant (within ~50 meters of tower) to very low (beyond ~500 meters) but vary greatly based on specific installation.

Dirty electricity (also called electrical pollution, microsurge electrical pollution, or high-frequency voltage transients) describes deviations from the smooth 60 Hz (or 50 Hz) sine wave that standard power should deliver.

Sources of dirty electricity: - Dimmer switches (especially older types) - CFLs and some LED bulbs - Computer power supplies - Variable speed motors - Solar panel inverters - Smart meters (some types)

These devices chop up the smooth sine wave, creating high-frequency components (typically 4-100 kHz) that travel on building wiring. Since wiring runs through walls and under floors throughout buildings, this can create widespread exposure.

EMF-induced DNA damage has been documented through multiple experimental approaches:

Types of damage observed: - Single-strand breaks (SSB) - Double-strand breaks (DSB) - more serious and harder to repair - Oxidative DNA base damage (8-oxo-dG and others) - Chromosomal aberrations - Micronuclei formation - Changes in DNA repair gene expression

Detection methods include: - Comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) - Gamma-H2AX foci (marker for double-strand breaks) - Micronucleus test - Chromosomal analysis

These effects have been documented at exposure levels that cause no measurable heating, contradicting the thermal-only safety paradigm.

Electric fields exist around any object that has electrical potential (voltage) relative to its surroundings. Unlike magnetic fields, electric fields are present even when no current flows—a lamp that's plugged in but switched off still creates an electric field.

Key characteristics of ELF electric fields: - Produced whenever voltage is present (even without current flow) - Can be partially shielded by conductive materials (including walls and the human body) - Induce body currents when people are present in the field - Decrease with distance from source

Body voltage testing measures how much electric field exposure a person absorbs, particularly during sleep when exposure duration is longest. Many people have elevated body voltage from bedroom wiring without being aware of it.

Extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields are produced by anything that uses or transmits electrical power at standard frequencies—50 Hz in most of the world, 60 Hz in North America. This includes power lines, transformers, household wiring, and all electrical appliances.

ELF fields have two components: - Electric fields (measured in V/m) - present whenever voltage exists - Magnetic fields (measured in mT, μT, or mG) - present when current flows

Unlike RF radiation, ELF fields don't propagate as waves—they're essentially oscillating fields that extend outward from their sources and decrease rapidly with distance.

Electromagnetic fields are produced whenever electric charge is present or moving. They consist of two interrelated components:

1. Electric fields - produced by voltage (electrical potential) 2. Magnetic fields - produced by current flow (moving charges)

At low frequencies (like 60 Hz power), these fields behave somewhat independently and are often measured separately. At higher frequencies (RF), they propagate together as electromagnetic waves.

EMF is often used as an umbrella term covering all frequencies from static fields (0 Hz) through radio frequencies and beyond. In health research, it typically refers to frequencies below the ionizing threshold.

Natural EMF sources include Earth's magnetic field, atmospheric electricity, and light from the sun. Artificial EMF sources include power lines, electronics, wireless devices, and broadcasting infrastructure.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets limits on RF radiation exposure in the United States. These limits were established in 1996 and have not been updated since, despite thousands of studies published in the intervening decades.

Current FCC limits: - SAR for devices: 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue - General public RF exposure: varies by frequency, typically around 1 mW/cm² for cell phone frequencies - Occupational limits: 5x higher than public limits

These standards were adopted from IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) recommendations and are based solely on preventing tissue heating—the "thermal" effect of RF exposure. They explicitly exclude consideration of non-thermal biological effects.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is a non-governmental organization based in Germany that publishes guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields. Many countries adopt ICNIRP guidelines as their regulatory standards.

ICNIRP limits are generally similar to or slightly higher than FCC limits: - SAR for devices: 2.0 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue (vs. 1.6 W/kg over 1 gram for FCC) - General public RF exposure limits comparable to FCC

Like FCC standards, ICNIRP guidelines are based on preventing acute thermal effects and do not account for chronic exposure or non-thermal biological effects. ICNIRP updated its guidelines in 2020 but maintained the thermal-only approach.

Magnetic fields are created whenever electric current flows. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the amount of current and the configuration of the conductors. Unlike electric fields, magnetic fields penetrate most materials including walls, building materials, and the human body.

Key characteristics of ELF magnetic fields: - Produced only when current flows (unlike electric fields, which exist whenever voltage is present) - Cannot be easily shielded (pass through most materials) - Decrease rapidly with distance from source - Measured with gaussmeters or magnetometers

Sources of magnetic field exposure include power lines, transformers, appliances, vehicles, and any electrical equipment with motors or transformers.

Melatonin is produced primarily by the pineal gland during darkness and plays crucial roles in:

- Regulating circadian rhythm and sleep - Powerful antioxidant activity (neutralizing free radicals) - Immune system modulation - Oncostatic effects (suppressing tumor growth)

Research shows EMF exposure can suppress melatonin production through effects on the pineal gland. This has been documented for: - ELF magnetic fields from power lines and appliances - RF radiation from wireless devices - Light at night (blue light suppression is well-known, but EMF effects are separate)

Melatonin suppression may help explain why EMF exposure affects sleep quality and could contribute to increased cancer risk.

The gauss is a CGS (centimeter-gram-second) unit of magnetic field strength, named after mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss. While the tesla is the official SI unit, milligauss remains popular in American EMF discussions and consumer meters.

Conversion: 1 mG = 0.1 μT, or equivalently, 10 mG = 1 μT.

Many consumer EMF meters sold in the US display readings in milligauss. When comparing research findings to your own measurements, always verify which unit system is being used.

The tesla is the SI unit of magnetic flux density. A millitesla (mT) equals 0.001 tesla, or 10 gauss. For context, Earth's natural magnetic field is about 0.025-0.065 mT (25-65 microtesla).

Magnetic field strength decreases rapidly with distance from the source—typically following an inverse square or inverse cube relationship. A device producing 1 mT at 1 inch might produce only 0.1 mT at 6 inches.

In EMF research, millitesla and microtesla (μT) are the standard units for measuring ELF (extremely low frequency) magnetic fields from power lines, transformers, appliances, and other electrical sources.

Power density quantifies how much RF energy passes through a surface area in a given time. It's calculated from the electric and magnetic field components of the electromagnetic wave and represents the intensity of RF exposure at a specific location.

Common units include: - mW/cm² (milliwatts per square centimeter) - used for higher exposures - μW/cm² (microwatts per square centimeter) - used for environmental exposures - μW/m² (microwatts per square meter) - used in some European standards

Conversions: 1 mW/cm² = 1,000 μW/cm² = 10,000,000 μW/m²

FCC limits for general public RF exposure are typically 1 mW/cm² (1,000 μW/cm²) for frequencies commonly used by cell phones.

The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into ionizing and non-ionizing radiation based on whether the photons carry enough energy to ionize atoms (remove electrons from their orbits).

Non-ionizing radiation includes: - Static fields (0 Hz) - Extremely low frequency (ELF) fields (3-300 Hz) - Radio frequency (RF) radiation (3 kHz - 300 GHz) - Infrared radiation - Visible light

Ionizing radiation includes: - Ultraviolet (UV) light (high frequency UV only) - X-rays - Gamma rays

The distinction is important because ionizing radiation can directly damage DNA by breaking molecular bonds. However, the classification of non-ionizing radiation as "safe" ignores the many biological mechanisms by which it can cause harm without ionization.

Non-thermal effects are biological responses to EMF exposure that occur at levels too low to cause tissue heating. These effects operate through mechanisms other than temperature increase, including:

- Oxidative stress (increased reactive oxygen species) - Calcium ion channel activation (voltage-gated calcium channels) - Melatonin suppression - DNA damage (strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations) - Blood-brain barrier permeability changes - Altered gene expression - Interference with cellular signaling

The existence of non-thermal effects has been documented in thousands of peer-reviewed studies, yet safety standards continue to ignore them because the regulatory framework is based entirely on preventing heating.

Oxidative stress occurs when cells produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS) than their antioxidant systems can neutralize. ROS are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen—they're normal byproducts of metabolism but cause damage when present in excess.

EMF exposure has been shown to increase oxidative stress through multiple mechanisms: - Direct activation of NADPH oxidase enzymes - Disruption of electron transport chains in mitochondria - Activation of voltage-gated calcium channels leading to increased intracellular calcium - Impairment of antioxidant enzyme systems

Oxidative stress is implicated in aging, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and many other conditions. It's one of the best-documented mechanisms by which EMF causes biological harm.

Power lines carry electrical current from generating stations to homes and businesses. They create both electric fields (from voltage) and magnetic fields (from current flow) that extend into surrounding areas.

Types of power lines and typical exposure: - High-voltage transmission lines (115-765 kV): Highest exposure but usually far from buildings - Distribution lines (4-35 kV): Common on streets, moderate exposure - Service drops: Lines to individual buildings

Magnetic field exposure from power lines: - Directly under high-voltage lines: 1-10 μT typical - At property line (transmission): 0.1-2 μT - Distribution lines at 50 feet: 0.01-0.5 μT

Underground lines can actually create higher magnetic field exposure at ground level than overhead lines at the same distance.

Radio frequency (RF) radiation is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum used for wireless communications. Different technologies operate at different frequencies:

- AM radio: 535 kHz - 1.7 MHz - FM radio: 88 - 108 MHz - Cell phones (older 2G/3G): 850 MHz - 1.9 GHz - Cell phones (4G/5G): 600 MHz - 39 GHz - Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz - Bluetooth: 2.4 GHz - Microwave ovens: 2.45 GHz

RF radiation is non-ionizing, meaning it doesn't have enough energy to directly break chemical bonds like X-rays or gamma rays. However, this doesn't mean it's biologically inert—thousands of studies document biological effects from non-ionizing RF exposure.

Reactive oxygen species are oxygen-containing molecules with unpaired electrons or other reactive properties. Key ROS include:

- Superoxide anion (O₂⁻) - Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) - Hydroxyl radical (OH·) - Singlet oxygen (¹O₂)

In normal physiology, ROS play important roles in cell signaling and immune defense. However, excess ROS production leads to: - Lipid peroxidation (damage to cell membranes) - Protein oxidation (enzyme dysfunction) - DNA oxidation (mutations and strand breaks)

Cells have antioxidant defense systems (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, etc.) to neutralize ROS, but EMF exposure can overwhelm these defenses.

When you use a cell phone or other wireless device, your body absorbs some of the radio frequency energy it emits. SAR quantifies this absorption rate, measuring how much electromagnetic energy is deposited in body tissue per unit of mass.

The measurement is typically taken at the point of highest absorption, usually where the device contacts the body. For cell phones, this is typically the head (when held to the ear) or the body (when carried in a pocket).

SAR testing uses standardized procedures with liquid-filled mannequins that simulate human tissue. However, these tests have significant limitations—they use adult male head models, don't account for children's thinner skulls, and measure under idealized conditions that rarely match real-world use.

Smart meters measure electricity, gas, or water usage and transmit data wirelessly to utility companies. They eliminate manual meter reading but add an RF-emitting device to homes, typically mounted on exterior walls.

Transmission characteristics vary by design: - Frequency: Usually 902-928 MHz range in the US - Duration: Brief transmissions, but frequency varies widely - Pattern: Some transmit every few seconds, others less frequently - Network function: Many also relay data from neighboring meters (mesh network)

Exposure depends on meter location relative to living spaces, transmission frequency, and whether the meter serves as a relay node.

When electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by body tissue, some of that energy is converted to heat. At high enough intensities, this heating can cause tissue damage—this is how microwave ovens cook food and how RF ablation procedures destroy tumors.

Current safety standards (FCC, ICNIRP) are designed to prevent harmful tissue heating: - The SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg (FCC) or 2.0 W/kg (ICNIRP) is set to prevent temperature increases greater than 1°C - These limits include safety factors of 10-50x below levels that cause measurable heating

The assumption underlying these standards is that if exposure doesn't cause significant heating, it can't cause harm. This assumption is contradicted by thousands of studies showing biological effects without measurable temperature change.

Electric field strength describes the force that would be exerted on a charged particle at any point in space. Unlike magnetic fields (which require current flow), electric fields exist whenever voltage is present—even if no current is flowing.

For ELF exposures (from wiring and appliances), typical measurements range from a few V/m to several hundred V/m near sources. For RF exposures (from cell towers and wireless devices), measurements are often in the same V/m range but at much higher frequencies.

Electric fields can be shielded by conductive materials (including walls and the human body), while magnetic fields pass through most materials unimpeded.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) uses RF signals to transmit data between devices and the internet. Routers broadcast continuously, whether or not devices are actively using the connection.

Wi-Fi frequencies and characteristics: - 2.4 GHz band: Better range, more interference, used by many devices - 5 GHz band: Shorter range, faster speeds, less interference - 6 GHz band: Newest (Wi-Fi 6E), very short range, fastest speeds

Power output is typically lower than cell phones, but exposure is chronic and affects everyone in the coverage area. Multiple Wi-Fi networks in apartment buildings can create significant cumulative exposure.

The microtesla is the most commonly used unit for measuring everyday ELF magnetic field exposures. One microtesla equals 0.001 millitesla or 10 milligauss. Typical household background levels range from 0.01 to 0.5 μT.

Common sources and their approximate magnetic field strengths at typical use distances: - Hair dryer (at head): 6-2000 μT - Electric shaver (at face): 15-1500 μT - Microwave oven (at 30 cm): 4-8 μT - Computer monitor (at 30 cm): 0.1-0.5 μT - Power lines (directly below): 1-10 μT - Transformer (at property line): 0.1-2 μT