There are many myths around the electromagnetic field. No wonder that many people wonder how it affects human health. Is there anything to be afraid of? What is the effect of the electromagnetic field on the human body?
What is an electromagnetic field? Sources of electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic field to natural result the action of basic physical forces. It occurs always and everywhere, and its sources are e.g. all living organisms, including humans. In addition to the natural electromagnetic field, artificial ones can be distinguished. Its source is, for example, every electrical outlet. Radio waves, which humanity has been using for communication for over 120 years, are also classified as electromagnetic waves.
The Act of 27 April 2001 - Environmental Protection Law defines electromagnetic field as an electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field with frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to 300 GHz. The same document also defines what protection against electromagnetic fields should look like. According to the adopted provisions, it is to ensure the best possible condition of the environment. To this end, measures are taken to:
- maintain electromagnetic field at a level lower than or at least equal to the permissible values,
- reduce levels electromagnetic fields to acceptable (or lower) limits if not respected.
In Polish legislation, issues related to the electromagnetic field are regulated not only by the Environmental Protection Law, but also by two regulations. The first determines permissible EMF levels in the environment for different frequencies, as well as methods for checking them from sources in the environment. The second, on the other hand, regulates the monitoring of EMF levels in the environment, carried out by the Inspection for Environmental Protection.
Electromagnetic field and health man - is there anything to be afraid of?
The World Health Organization (WHO) analyzed over 25 scientific research on the health consequences of exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by telecommunications devices and concluded that there is not enough evidenceto be considered negative the influence of the electromagnetic field on the human body.
The only confirmed effect of human contact with the electromagnetic field is the so-called thermal effect, which consists in heating the skin and surface layers of the body. However, the body itself reacts to this change and controls it, e.g. by increasing blood flow, it removes excess heat. This mechanism is also used with increased physical activity.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has qualified electromagnetic field radio-frequency to group 2B, i.e. as factors "possibly carcinogenic to humans”, while pickled vegetables or extracts from aloe and gingko biloba (ginkgo biloba) belong to the same category. IARC only classifies agents as "probably non-carcinogenic" and "not classifiable" below.
Negative influence of the magnetic field on man - has it been confirmed?
The subject of research was also alleged hypersensitivity to electromagnetic field occurring in some people. It was supposed to show insomnia, fatigue and headache. However, it has not been confirmed in clinical trials either. On the contrary, they showed that electromagnetic field relieves the symptoms it was supposed to cause.
Electromagnetic field has been for years used in medicine. Almost all imaging diagnostics are based on it, which is used to detect and confirm various diseases, including magnetic resonance imaging. What's more, electromagnetic field it is used to support the regeneration of bone tissue.
Numerous research papers electromagnetic interaction on human health they do not confirm its negative impact. However, this does not mean that EMF levels in the environment should not be monitored. If the value exceeds the permissible standards, the entity responsible for this condition is called to implement the necessary changes.
