Researchers still disagree about the health effects of electrosmog. Here you can find out at a glance what the possible effects of electromagnetic fields could be .
What possible effects can electrosmog have?
According to some researchers, the effect that electromagnetic fields are supposed to have on the body is a warming of the body tissue. High-frequency electromagnetic fields are said to have an effect on us because they resonate with the cells. This means that cells can be influenced from the outside via electromagnetic fields. Because cells communicate with each other not only via biochemical messengers but also via electrical impulses, external vibrations could disrupt this sensitive system. Other researchers, however, are of the opinion that electromagnetic radiation cannot have any effect on us, at least within the current legal limits. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection has set these limits for electrical and electromagnetic fields, but some environmental health experts consider them to be too high.
Why do studies on the effects of electrosmog vary so much?
Humanity as a whole has only been exposed to large quantities of electromagnetic radiation for around 25 years. Long-term studies over a period of more than 15 years do not yet exist. The technology (e.g. in the mobile phone sector) is changing so quickly that this is not even possible.
Some studies assume that electrosmog and electromagnetic fields have no negative effect on human health. Others are convinced of the opposite.
It should also be borne in mind that the results of studies depend on various factors. Studies and research are often limited to individual field and radiation types. This means, for example, that in a study on WLAN radiation, interactions between other types of radiation, such as mobile radio, are often not taken into account. However, we humans are usually exposed to several types of radiation at the same time. In addition, the duration of exposure plays a significant role.
What electromagnetic radiation is there?
A basic distinction is made between low-frequency and high-frequency radiation. The higher the frequency of the radiation, the higher the oscillation of the radiation. While electrical and magnetic fields occur separately in the case of low-frequency radiation, these fields “overlap” in the case of high-frequency radiation. They are therefore referred to as electromagnetic fields.
- Low-frequency radiation: high-voltage power lines, power cables, electrical appliances, power grids of trains and railroads, merchandise security systems in department stores, magnetic resonance imaging in hospitals, electric cars
- High-frequency radiation: radio, television, baby monitor, Bluetooth, WLAN, smartphone, computer, tablet, DECT cordless phones
