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This page
presents information about magnetic fields, also known as electromagnetism. Magnetic fields are one of two electromagnetic
radiation elements, the other being non-ionizing radiation frequencies
(RF) for
wireless products or electric non-ionizing frequency fields for wired products. It should be
noted the health effects attributed to
power transmission lines, cell phones and other wireless
product radiation have been linked to non-ionizing radiation frequencies
and not magnetic fields. Click here for
information about non-ionizing radiation frequencies generated by cellular
phones.
Publicly available magnetic field information
addresses the health effects of 50 or 60 Hz.
(cycles per second) alternating (reversing) current (AC) from power
transmission lines, transformers and common household electronic products.
The information consistently states direct current (DC) magnetic
fields are not considered a health risk because they remain static (non-alternating),
while AC magnetic fields are
hazardous because several epidemiological studies reported increased cancer risks associated with
being exposed to them.
Some scientists, however, believe the
health effects are caused by alternating frequencies and not by
magnetic fields. This is a logical conclusion when one considers the
health effects attributed to cell phone and other non-ionizing radiation
sources are identical to those associated with 50 -
60 Hz. electric and magnetic fields.
AegisGuard™L (Life) Series
Radiation Shields
protect users from RF
and the fields they carry generated by wired and wireless products and networks,
regardless of the source by
shielding them from unwanted
frequencies and their fields. |
Magnetic field measurements are expressed as gauss, milligauss, tesla,
microtesla and millitesla. The following table presents the relationship
between these measurements.
|
1
gauss |
= |
0.0001
tesla |
= |
0.1
millitesla |
= |
100 microtesla |
|
1
tesla |
= |
10,000 gauss |
= |
10,000,000 milligauss |
= |
10,000,000,000 microgauss |
Man has evolved naturally in the earth’s
500 milligauss magnetic field without experiencing adverse or negative health
effects from these fields. In modern society, it has been proven
countless times there are no health risks when man is exposed to
magnetic energy sixty thousand times more powerful than that of the
earth, such as during an 3.0 Tesla MRI test.
The magnetic fields for several common electronic products found in the
home are presented in the following table:
|
Magnetic Fields (milligauss) |
|
Product |
At The Head** |
4 inches From The Body* |
|
Cellular Phone
|
1.2 to 2 |
N/A |
|
Coffee Maker
|
N/A |
2.3 to 3 |
|
Alarm Clock |
N/A |
5 to 15 |
|
Toaster |
N/A |
10 to 60 |
|
Iron |
N/A |
12 to 45 |
|
Vacuum Cleaner |
N/A |
230 to 1300 |
|
Hair Dryer |
N/A |
3 to 1400 |
|
Television |
N/A |
4.8 to 100 |
*
Source: Gauger, Jr., Household Appliance Magnetic Field Survey.
IEEE transactions on power apparatus and systems. PA-104
** Source:
Medical College of Wisconsin |
There have been studies suggesting long term power
transmission line and transformer magnetic field exposure can cause
diseases such as leukemia, yet it has never been determined if these
occurrences are due to magnetic fields or radiation
frequencies. The following table presents the magnetic fields
measured from different voltage levels at various distances from
transmission lines:
|
Magnetic Fields (milligauss) |
| Voltage* |
Under Wires |
Edge Of Right-Of-Way |
At 100 Feet |
| 69 kilovolts |
20 to 25 |
5 to 10 |
0.5 to 12 |
| 138 kilovolts |
35 to 40 |
15 to 20 |
0.5 to 12 |
| 345 kilovolts |
85 to 100 |
50 to 60 |
0.5 to 12 |
|
* Assumes
Normal Current Flow |
2 milligauss background magnetic fields
are found in most homes and offices within 300 feet (91 meters) of power
lines and transformers.
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