Electromagnetic Fields
Electromagnetic fields are a combination of invisible electric and magnetic fields. They occur naturally (e.g., thunderstorms), and also come from artificial sources. Most electrical and electronic devices emit some type of electromagnetic field.
Electromagnetic fields are created by household and industrial products such as:
- cell phones
- televisions
- wireless local area network equipment (Wi-Fi)
- microwave ovens
- x-rays
- telecommunications towers
- smart meters
- radar
Health Canada has developed guidelines for safe human exposure to electromagnetic fields (Safety Code 6). For more information about household sources of electromagnetic fields, see the links below.
Cell Phones
- Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer? (Office of the Provincial Health Officer)
- Safety of Cell Phones and Cell Phone Towers (PDF, 1.0MB) (Health Canada)
- Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Mobile Phones (World Health Organization)
Microwaves
- Microwave Ovens (BC Center for Disease Control)
Smart Meters
- Smart Meter and Cancer Risk Statement (Office of the Provincial Health Officer)
- Smart Meters (BC Center for Disease Control)
- Smart Meters (Health Canada)
Televisions
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Television Radiation (US Food and Drug Administration)
Wi-Fi
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Safety of Wi-Fi Equipment (Health Canada)