What Is EMF? Electromagnetic Fields: Myths, Realities, and How to Protect Yourself

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are all around us. They’re in power lines, household appliances, cell phones, mobile phones, smart devices, and even visible light from the sun through your windows. This raises questions about EMF exposure, cancer risk, and whether EMF blockers or non-ionizing radiation protection are needed.

This article explains what EMF radiation is and clears up common myths and facts. We’ll also cover practical shielding tips and how our HAVN WaveStopper clothing can help.

What Is Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)?

So, what does EMF mean? It stands for electromagnetic field. It’s the invisible electric and magnetic fields that form when electricity is present or moving. 

• When there is voltage, an electric field forms. 
• When electricity is moving, a magnetic field forms. 
• Together, these fields are part of electromagnetic radiation: a form of energy present around you.

You are exposed to EMF radiation every day. It comes from power lines, electrical equipment, household appliances, microwave ovens, computer screens, and smart devices. The Earth’s magnetic field, which helps compasses point north, is another natural example. Visible light is also a type of non-ionizing radiation.

Types of EMF and Basic Terms

The electromagnetic spectrum groups electromagnetic energy by frequency:

• Ionizing Radiation: High-energy forms like X-rays and gamma rays. This kind of high-energy radiation can change DNA and raise the risk of cancer.
• Non-Ionizing Radiation: Lower-energy forms like radio waves, visible light, and emissions from common electrical devices. Most non-ionizing EMFs don’t damage DNA directly, though researchers are studying possible long-term health effects.
• Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Radiation: This ranges from 1 Hz to 3 kHz. Electric power lines, electrical wiring, and residential appliances are common sources. ELF radiation comes from the flow of very low-frequency electric current.
• Mid-Frequency EMFs: 3 kHz to 10 MHz, often associated with various devices and some industrial instruments.
• Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF EMFs): 3 kHz to 300 GHz, including radiofrequency radiation from cell phones, mobile phones, radio and television signals, satellite stations, and microwave ovens.
• Static Electric and Magnetic Fields: 0 Hz, like the Earth’s magnetic field that helps compasses point north.

The strength and possible health effects vary depending on the device, how you use it, and your distance from the source.

What Are Safe EMF Levels for Humans?

There isn’t a single global “safe” threshold for EMF exposure; researchers are still studying long-term effects from low-level non-ionizing radiation. However, groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have published exposure guidelines.

ICNIRP’s SAR limit for the general public is 2 watts per kilogram (W/kg), while some countries use different test averages. Standards also use other limits (like field strength and current density, in A/m²) for different frequencies, alongside SAR. Most everyday devices, like cell phones and Wi-Fi routers, operate well below these limits.

What Scientists and Regulators Say

With so much chatter about EMF radiation, it’s fair to ask: what does the research actually say?

Guidance from the EPA and the WHO

The Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization review and cite research on electromagnetic radiation going back decades. They report that typical residential exposures from power lines, electrical appliances, smart devices, and cell phones are within guideline limits.

Cancer Risk and Ongoing Research

Some questions are still open. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans. That classification is based on limited evidence linking long-term, heavy mobile phone use with brain cancer.

The National Cancer Institute continues to review possible links, including studies on childhood leukemia and other human health outcomes. The National Toxicology Program reported increased risk of certain tumors in some animals at high radiofrequency EMF exposures, levels above typical consumer exposure.

Everyday Exposure Levels

Ongoing research suggests that some exposures, such as those from appliances, power lines, and visible light, might be below harmful thresholds. Regulators try to set conservative limits for non-ionizing radiation, keep monitoring long-term exposure, and track health effects over time.

EMF Sensitivity

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is suggested to cause symptoms like headaches and fatigue that people attribute to electromagnetic fields (EMF), but it isn’t a recognized medical diagnosis. However, although WHO and other medical groups don’t classify EHS as a diagnosis, they do acknowledge that the symptoms are real.

Read more about EMF sensitivity symptoms here.

Everyday Sources of EMF Exposure

When people ask, “What is EMF and where does it come from?” the answer usually points to daily life. You’ll find electromagnetic fields wherever electric current flows, so a lot of everyday electrical equipment emits EMF radiation.

EMF in the Home

Electrical wiring and equipment, such as refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and microwave ovens, can emit extremely low-frequency EMFs and radiofrequency radiation. These appliances include safety features, so leakage is rare, but it’s smart to keep your distance.

EMF Outdoors

Power lines and high-voltage power lines can produce stronger electric and magnetic fields than most indoor sources. They do contribute to residential exposures, but most levels remain below international safety guidelines.

EMF at Work and on the Go

In offices and on commutes, you’re around electronic devices, computer screens, and liquid crystal displays. In public places, mobile phones, smart devices, and radio and television signals add to the overall radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Satellite stations also contribute to radiofrequency radiation.

What Are EMF Blockers?

EMF blockers are products that stop electromagnetic radiation from reaching your body, lowering your exposure. They use effective shielding materials, such as copper, aluminum, nickel, or silver fibers, to block or absorb radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from cell phones, mobile phones, smart devices, and other electronic devices.

Some blockers come in the form of phone cases, while others are built into clothing, such as Faraday clothing, blankets, or accessories. Old Faraday gear of the past was once ugly and uncomfortable, but our WaveStopper fabric at HAVN weaves protective threads into clothing, so you can wear it with comfort and style while still reducing exposure to non-ionizing radiation.

Practical Ways to Reduce EMF Exposure

You can’t avoid electromagnetic radiation entirely, but you can make simple tweaks to minimize your EMF exposure without ditching the electronics you love.

• Protective Clothing: Our EMF clothing at HAVN is designed to block electromagnetic radiation from daily electronics. Independent tests show our materials provide reliable shielding against non-ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Keep Your Distance: The electric field (from voltage) and the magnetic field (from electric current) both get weaker with distance. Use speaker mode or a corded headset instead of holding your cell phone or mobile phone to your ear. Don’t sleep right next to charging stations or alarm clocks.
• Manage Wireless Signals: Wi-Fi routers, smart devices, and smart meters emit radiofrequency EMFs at various frequencies, adding to background EMF radiation. At night, turn off Wi-Fi or move the router away from your bed.
• Be Smart with Appliances: Don’t stand too close to a microwave oven while it’s running. When you’re not using them, unplug your electric blankets and other household appliances.
• Limit Prolonged Exposure: Keep long calls to a minimum, especially where the signal is weak, since phones can emit more radiofrequency radiation in those spots. Encourage kids to spend less time on computer screens and other liquid crystal displays.

How HAVN’s EMF-Protection Clothing Will Protect You

At HAVN, we get that using tech is part of daily life — and so are your concerns about EMF exposure. We made WaveStopper, our high-tech shielding cloth, to help. We’ve woven it from braided silver strands, which naturally block radiofrequency electromagnetic waves.

Our clothes can help in everyday situations:

• Carrying Phones: Added protection when cell phones or mobile phones are in your pocket.
• At Work: Comfort around computer screens, liquid crystal displays, and other electronics.
• Commuting or Outdoors: Extra shielding when you’re near power lines or high voltage power lines.
• Daily Use: Support during long hours around smart devices to help reduce prolonged exposure.

HAVN’s non-ionizing radiation protective apparel aims to offer comfort, style, and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is EMF in Simple Terms?

When electric current flows, electric and magnetic fields create electromagnetic energy called EMF. It’s used as a broad term across ionizing radiation (like gamma rays) and non-ionizing radiation (like radio waves and visible light).

What Are EMF Blockers and Do They Really Work?

Copper, aluminum, and silver are effective shielding materials that can reduce radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from cell phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. HAVN Wear’s WaveStopper fabric has woven silver strands that protect against non-ionizing radiation.

Is 5G Worse Than 4G?

No. Both use radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. 5G can operate at higher radio frequency bands, and these are still non-ionizing EMFs. Regulators set limits on exposure to keep levels within tested safety margins.

Does EMF Give You Brain Cancer?

IARC classifies certain radiofrequency fields as possibly carcinogenic, but evidence remains limited. The National Cancer Institute summarizes mixed findings, and the National Toxicology Program reported tumor increases in some high-exposure animal studies.

Are Radio Waves Harmful?

Radio waves are a type of non-ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum, so they don’t have the high energy of X-rays or gamma rays. At everyday levels from radio and television signals, satellite stations, and various devices, they’re generally considered safe and below harmful thresholds.

Do EMF Stickers Work?

Most EMF stickers and EMF blockers for cell phones and mobile phones show little scientific evidence of reducing radiofrequency radiation. For real non-ionizing radiation protection, rely on verified, effective shielding materials, like those offered by HAVN, with documented testing.

What Prevents EMF?

Copper, aluminum, and nickel are among the metals that provide effective shielding from EMF. Special fabrics made with silver fibers are also used to defend against non-ionizing radiation.

How Can I Lower EMF At Home?

Disconnect unneeded household appliances, switch your microwave oven and electric blankets off when not in use, and move Wi-Fi routers away from bedrooms. You can also lower daily EMF radiation by limiting prolonged exposure to electronic devices and power lines and keeping your distance.

Final Thoughts on EMF 

Electromagnetic fields are part of life. They show up in power lines, visible light, and the electronic equipment we use. Most research finds that EMF exposure from household appliances, smart devices, and power lines stays well below hazardous levels. However, research is limited in regards to long-term health impacts and cancer risk. Once you know the basics of electromagnetic radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum, you can use simple steps to cut down unnecessary EMF exposure.

References

• IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 102: Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, 2011, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• NTP Technical Reports on Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation, 2018, National Toxicology Program (NTP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• FCC Radio Frequency Safety Guidelines, ongoing, Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
• A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, 1873, published by Clarendon Press. (This is the publication where James Clerk Maxwell's equations were first comprehensively presented).
• Inverse-Square Law of Propagation, A. T. White, 2021, published by NASA. (This principle is a foundational law of physics, but this is a specific, modern educational resource from a reliable source).
• Electromagnetic Field Shielding Fabrics with Increased Comfort Properties, 2013, published in Textile Research Journal.