Technology Brief 17: Health Risks of EM Fields
Can the use of cell phones cause cancer? Does exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) associated with
power lines pose health risks to humans? Are we endangered by EMFs generated by home appliances, telephones,
electrical wiring, and the myriad of electronic gadgets we use every day (Fig. TF17-1)? Despite reports in some of
the popular media alleging a causative relationship between low-level EMFs and many diseases, according to reports
by governmental and professional boards in the U.S. and Europe, the answer is: NO, we are not at risk, so long as
manufacturers adhere to the approved governmental standards for maximum permissible exposure (MPE) levels.
With regard to cell phones, the official reports caution that their conclusions are limited to phone use of less than 10
years, since data for longer-term use is not yet available.