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RADIOFREQUENCY ENVIRONMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

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David E. Janes, Jr. · 1979

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EPA's 1979 baseline RF measurements show today's wireless exposure levels dwarf what prompted original environmental protection concerns.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

The EPA conducted the first comprehensive survey of radiofrequency radiation levels across 15 major U.S. cities from 1975-1979, measuring emissions from 0.5-900 MHz in everyday environments. The study documented baseline RF exposure levels from broadcast antennas, radars, medical equipment, and industrial sources to establish whether environmental guidelines were needed. This landmark research provided the foundation for understanding how much RF radiation Americans were encountering in their daily lives.

Why This Matters

This EPA study represents a pivotal moment in EMF history - the first systematic attempt to map the radiofrequency landscape of American cities. What makes this research particularly significant is its timing: conducted in the late 1970s, it captured RF exposure levels before the explosion of wireless technology that would transform our electromagnetic environment. The reality is that the baseline levels documented in this study pale in comparison to today's exposures. Where 1970s Americans encountered RF primarily from AM/FM radio, television broadcasts, and occasional radar installations, we now live surrounded by cell towers, WiFi networks, smartphones, and countless wireless devices operating across multiple frequency bands. The science demonstrates that our cumulative RF exposure has increased exponentially since this foundational research was conducted. Put simply, if the EPA felt compelled to establish environmental guidelines based on 1970s exposure levels, the current situation demands far more urgent attention and protective measures.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
David E. Janes, Jr. (1979). RADIOFREQUENCY ENVIRONMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Show BibTeX
@article{radiofrequency_environments_in_the_united_states_g5165,
  author = {David E. Janes and Jr.},
  title = {RADIOFREQUENCY ENVIRONMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES},
  year = {1979},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The EPA measured radiofrequency radiation from 0.5 to 900 MHz across 15 urban areas. This range captured most broadcast and communication sources active in the late 1970s, including AM/FM radio, television, and early mobile communications.
The study measured RF levels in 15 major U.S. urban areas starting in October 1975. While the specific cities aren't detailed in available information, they represented typical American metropolitan environments of that era.
Beyond broadcast antennas, EPA measured RF emissions from radar installations, walkie-talkies, medical diathermy units, and radiofrequency heat sealers used in industrial applications. These represented the primary RF sources in 1970s environments.
EPA began this measurement program to determine whether guidelines were needed to control environmental radiofrequency radiation levels. The agency recognized the need for baseline data before RF sources became more widespread.
Today's RF exposure levels are dramatically higher than what EPA measured in 1979. The proliferation of cell phones, WiFi, Bluetooth, and wireless infrastructure has created an electromagnetic environment unimaginable in the pre-wireless era.