Electromagnetic Fields

The Natural Builder P.O. Box 855 Montrose, CO 81402 Phone/Fax: 970-249-8821 The Natural Builder offers on-site construction help, consulting and workshops related to natural plasters, earthen floors, monolithic adobe (cob), straw-bale and other green building projects.  We also authored The Natural Builder book series on Earthen Construction, Monolithic Adobe, and Earth and Mineral Plasters.  These books are available at our web site:  www.naturalbuilder.com.

EMF Contents:

CSI NUMBERS
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES

1) Guidelines to reduce EMF exposure in a home
2) Electric Fields and Magnetic Fields
3) Exposure Levels

RESOURCES

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS
GENERAL ASSISTANCE

114 000
157 100
157 200
161 165
161 800
162 100
162 300

There is considerable scientific inquiry into possible health impacts from electromagnetic fields. There are several studies indicating that health risks exist, but little agreement as to why. A draft study by the EPA, which reviewed 50 epidemiological studies and hundreds of biological studies acknowledge that low level electromagnetic fields may increase the risk of cancer. The study indicated the need for more research into understanding the risk components and exposure levels.

The recommended course of action at present is "prudent avoidance." This means it's a good idea to pursue no-cost or minimal-cost strategies that reduce exposure to EMF's. Major investment in minimization strategies is not considered "prudent," due to the lack of adequate understanding of what is or is not safe.

Electromagnetic fields diminish quite rapidly with distance from the source (the inverse square of the distance). Thus, a primary strategy is to increase the distance between sources of EMF's and parts of the home where people spend the most time. Reducing the sources of EMF's can also be accomplished to a limited extent.

EMF sources include electrical distribution lines and common household and occupational electrical appliances.

	Commercial Status				Implementation Issues
EMF's Minimized

Legend
	Satisfactory
	Satisfactory in most conditions
	Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
	Unsatisfactory or Difficult

TECHNOLOGY:

The prudent avoidance strategies listed are basic approaches that reduce exposure to EMF's. More sophisticated approaches are not readily available.

SUPPLIERS:

Very few consultants or technicians.

COST:

These strategies are low-cost or no-cost approaches.

FINANCING:

Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Few people are aware of EMF issues.

REGULATORY:

None.

• 1.0 Guidelines to reduce EMF exposure in a home:

  • Electric meters and subpanels are powerful EMF emitters. Place these on walls of spaces where occupants spend the least time. Both sides of the wall should be in low usage regions as EMF's are not blocked by walls. An example of a suitable location would be an outside garage wall.

  • Keep heater/air conditioner blowers away from high usage areas of the house.

  • Use romex wire exclusively.

  • First floor fluorescent ceiling fixtures should not be located under second floor areas of high use at floor level such as a children's playrooms. .i.fluorescent: EMF's and, E 15.;

  • Grounding by rods into the earth near the meter eliminates EMF's emanating from water pipes due to electrical grounding

  • Locate the overhead secondary service wire or the underground secondary service trench in a little-used area of the yard.

  • Locate the wiring in the walls, floor, and ceiling away from high use areas of the home. If practical, run wires under the roof and drop them down through the walls to reach switches, outlets, etc. .i.wiring: EMF's and, E 15.;

  • Due to the number of appliances in a kitchen, it is an area of high EMF's. However, it is an area of short-term exposure in most cases. Locate kitchen appliances on a wall away from high use areas that may adjoin the kitchen such as bedrooms or living rooms.

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• 2.0 EMF Characteristics - Electric Fields and Magnetic Fields

  • 2.1 Electric Fields
    • EMF's are measured in volts or kilovolts per meter for electric charges (V/m or kV/m).

    • Electric fields can be partly shielded by objects, particularly grounded objects.

    • Electric fields over 20 kV/m will cause a tingling sensation

      .

  • 2.2 Magnetic Fields
    • Magnetic fields are measured in teslas, Gauss, and milliGauss (mG) (10,000 Gauss equals one tesla).

    • Magnetic fields are not affected by objects.

    • Magnetic fields are not felt.

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• 3.0 Exposure Levels

  • Negative health effects are suspected even from very low fields.

  • Studies indicate negative health risks at three (3) milliGauss.

  • The International Radiation Protection Association has issued draft exposure guidelines for power frequency electric and magnetic fields of 5 kV/m for continuous exposure for electric fields and 2 Gauss for magnetic fields.

  • Fields can be measured with special meters. See Resources section.

  • Fields decrease rapidly over distance (the inverse square of the distance).

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  RESOURCES

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  PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

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  Leonard Hough, P. E.
  City of Austin Electric Utility
  721 Barton Springs Rd., Suite 362
  Austin, TX 78704
  (512) 322-6385
  metering services, consultation

  Environmental Health Services
  Mary E. Oetzel
  3202 W. Anderson Lane, #208-249
  Austin, TX 78757
  (512) 288-2369

  The Natural House Company
  703A Oakland, Ave.
  Austin, TX 78703
  (512) 479-8156
  metering services, consultation

  Environment Associates
  4219 Richmond Ave. Set 250
  Houston, TX 77027-6889
  (713) 528-0000

  Safe Environments
  2512 9th St. #17
  Berkeley, CA 94710
  (800) 356-2663

  Clint Good
  Box 143
  Lincoln, VA 22078
  (703) 478-1352

  Ecologically Safe Homes
  7471 North Shiloh Rd.
  Unionville, IN 47468
  (812) 332-5073

  HealthMasters Inc.
  P. O. Box 514
  New Canaan, CT 06480
  (203) 966-3541

  Stephen Scott
  Environmental Electrics
  518 Pixie Trail
  Mill Valley, CA 94914
  (415) 454-8408
  fax 415 435-0224

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  COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS

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  Environmental Testing And Technology
  Box 369
  Encinitas, CA 92024
  (619) 436-5990
  meters

  Safe Environments
  2512 9th St. #17
  Berkeley, CA 94710
  (800) 356-2663
  meters

  Safe Technology
  33 Williams St.
  Needham, MA 02194
  (800) 638-9121
  meters

  John Banta
  231 South Marena
  Prescott, AZ 86303
  meters

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  GENERAL ASSISTANCE

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  Video: "Current Switch: How to Identify & Reduce or Eliminate Electromagnetic Pollution in the Home,"
  Wary Canary Bookshelf, Dept. EMF
  PO 2204
  Fort Collins, CO 80522

  Publications:

  "Energy and Magnetic Fields from 60 Hertz Electric Power: What Do We Know About Possible Health Risks?" Dept. of Engineering and Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University (available from Leonard Hough, City of Austin Electric Utility, see above under "Professional Assistance")

  Cross Currents,
  Robert O. Becker, Jeremy R.
  Tarcher Inc., 5858 Wilshire Blvd.,
  Los Angeles, CA 90036, 1990

  Tracing EMFs in Building Wiring and Grounding; Karl Riley

  Prescriptions for a Healthy House; Paula Baker, Erica Elliott, John Banta; 1998

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  NET RESOURCES

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  Website:

  Electromagnetic Fields Information Service

  return to Table of Contents  

   

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  This document was adapted to HTML by Bill Christensen, sysop and environmental editor of Texas InfiNet, an online community for progressive information.

  Sustainable Building Sourcebook web version copyright Sustainable Sources 1994-1999.