I’ve included some interesting information for a book I am writing (and will be forever writing) for home buyers. This is just part of the chapter on environmental hazards, with the topic on electromagnetic fields. I recommend that you talk about this issue with your client at the inspection. Point out the power lines on the street and the electrical devices in the home and how they can be producing high electromagnetic fields. I find that real estate agents really appreciate when we raise concerns that I cannot provide an answer to. The whole topic is interesting, if nothing else.
From the Homebuyer’s Handbook…
“Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from high power lines, cell tower, other sources….
This topic really requires its own chapter – if not a book I’ve provided lots of links on this whole subject, many to web pages created by a Michael Neuert of EMFinfo.org and EMFcenter.com who I find provides the clearest explanation of EMF issues. If you are electromagnetically sensitive – or just have a lot of concern about your exposure to electromagnetic fields, you will need to do additional research. I will note at the start that there is a lot of misconceptions about exposures to electromagnetic fields and lots of studies that indicate possible problems – and an equal number of studies that downplay the risks. I’ll concentrate on how you may want to approach this topic in your home buying search. It may not be a relevant or critical concern in most real estate purchases – but it is a topic you should know something about.
As a brief explanation: electromagnetic fields (or EMF) encompass the entire spectrum of the fields of energy. Visible light is part of this spectrum. EMF’s include the low frequency waves such as from power sources, radio, cell signal, TV signals, etc. These are referred to as non-ionizing waves as they do not heat up and thereby directly damage human tissues. In contrast, the frequencies that are higher than visible light, running from ultraviolet light, x-rays, up to gamma rays, are referred to as ionizing radiation Essentially as our bodies are part of and are affected by the whole electromagnetic spectrum.
For our purposes, there are three types of electromagnetic fields that we should be concerned about:
First, to quote Michael Neuret, “magnetic fields are the EMF component most often linked to serious health effects in the scientific research literature (e.g., the link between power lines and leukemia). These common magnetic fields are emitted from power lines, building wiring, electrical panels, lights, appliances, and virtually every device that runs on regular electricity.
Electric fields make up the other half of the common electro-magnetic fields emitted from power lines, wiring, lights and appliances. They are also linked to many important biological effects but have been studied less. Anecdotally, electric fields are often involved when people knowingly feel “symptoms” and discomfort from different electrical sources. Electric fields induce significant voltages onto the skin, which are easily sensed and measured.
Finally, Radio frequency or “RF” includes the higher frequency fields and microwaves emitted by cell towers and cell phones, TV and radio broadcast towers, cordless phones, Wi-Fi and other wireless computer components, microwave ovens, baby monitors, Smart Meters and various other electronic devices. “
The below section provides information about the largest sources of EMF exposure and the risks and claims regarding these. It is beyond the scope of this book, however, to delve too deeply into the possible risks from electromagnetic field exposure. I will provide commonsense advice on how you can limit your exposure and risk when in the home buying process -- as well as after you are in the home.
As noted, electromagnetic fields (EMF) comes in two types: ionizing and non-ionizing. “Ionizing” basically refers to the ability of the energy to break chemical bonds into ions. Electromagnetic radiation of the ionizing radiation type (X-rays and gamma rays) is a problem as it causes DNA damage. But, what about radiation from the non-ionizing electromagnetic fields?
This is where things get controversial. Because the low frequency waves produced by cell towers are the non- ionizing low frequency types, the telecom industry has argued that cell signals are not a problem. Numerous studies they present seem to support this. The same is argued for the effect of high power transmission lines: that the level of exposure to the radiation from EMF’S from power lines has little or no health effects. They may be correct – I’m not qualified to give a definitive answer. In terms of EMF exposure from power lines, homes with elevated electromagnetic fields from power sources may be more likely to have a wiring problem. High voltage lines may not always be the culprit, assuming they are some reasonable distance away. (There is a specific type of wiring problem, reportedly present in twenty five percent of the homes, that will produce elevated electromagnetic fields. I’ll go into this briefly at the end of this section).
What are the reputed health concerns with exposure to electronic magnetic fields (EMF)?
There are reportedly numerous studies on the low frequency electromagnetic fields produced by power lines and the higher frequency fields produced by cell phones, cell towers, and other RF sources (such as smart meters) that do not show these to be significant health risk. The problem is: most of the studies funded by the telecom industry do not show a link between EMF exposure and health issues, while numerous independent studies come to very different conclusions. Scientists initially assumed that, because EMF’s from these sources are not an ionizing type of radiation such as X rays or gamma rays that do ionize, or damage, the molecules they hit. that they would not be a risk to human health. Unfortunately, scientists then discovered that EMF’s can cause harmful biological effects not only by heating up sensitive tissues but by influencing or interfering with sensitive "bio-electromagnetic" processes within our cells, brains and bodies. The human body is in fact a living "bio-electronic" machine, utilizing many sensitive electromagnetic processes for the proper functioning of our brain, nervous system, immune system and other organs. To quote Michael Neuert:
“…researchers have shown that our pineal gland can sense daily changes in the earth's natural magnetic field, and use this information to help regulate our brain wave patterns and wake/sleep cycle. An example of electromagnetic interference (EMI) affecting human biology is found in the fact that artificial magnetic fields (like those from power lines) can suppress the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland at night. This is important because melatonin is the main hormone which initiates our sleep cycle. It is also a strong antioxidant which fights cancer naturally within our bodies”.
Another problem is that, as cell phone usage has only really taken off over the last ten or fifteen years, there have been no long-term studies on the risks from cell phone usage or exposure to cell signals.
While this is a matter of much controversy, studies suggest that EMFs may be linked to a variety of health problems including leukemia, lymphoma, brain and nervous system cancers, melanoma, breast cancer, miscarriage, birth defects, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, depression and suicide. Anecdotally, EMFs have been associated with symptoms such as nausea, headache, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, mental confusion, memory loss, sleep disturbance, seizures, tinnitus, changes to blood pressure and heart rate, itchy or burning skin sensations, and skin rashes. Anecdotally, there are increasing numbers of people who report "hypersensitivity" to electromagnetic fields, similar to the way that some individuals have become "hypersensitive" to chemicals due to over-exposure in the past.
Exposure to high magnetic and electrical fields from high transmission lines AND other power sources…
Transmission lines…. There have been claims that the low frequency EMF’s from high voltage lines could increase the risk of cancer, particularly childhood leukemia. Importantly, other studies have not shown this correlation. I cannot weigh in on this, as the science or proof of health effects may not be entirely settled. In terms of what to think about when looking at homes near high power transmission lines, I think the critical factor is just how close you are to the transmission lines. Electromagnetic fields decrease with distance from the source. At anywhere from 700 to 1000 feet the level of EMF’s produced by power lines reaches ‘background levels’ – in other words, there is simply is no elevated exposure. You may be able to see the transmission lines from your home or backyard, but if you are a sufficient distance (see below) away this may not be a problem. In many states, California and in many areas in New England, the utility companies will come out to the property where homeowners have concerns about power lines and will do a survey with ‘Gauss meters’ to indicate the levels of electromagnetic fields that may be reaching the house. In terms of household appliances, most will produce EMF’s but if correctly wired you should not have any elevated exposures at one to three feet away.
The issue with exposure to high magnetic fields, however, goes beyond proximity to high voltage transmission lines. Regarding this, I’ll quote Michael R. Neuert, of The EMF Center ( www.emfcenter.com).
“It is difficult to predict a safe distance from power lines, because the EMFs can vary greatly depending upon the situation. The best advice is to measure with a gaussmeter to determine the actual levels of magnetic fields and the distance required in your particular case. (Special note: magnetic fields are EMF component most often linked to health effects in the studies. They are measured with special instruments called gaussmeters.)
The strongest magnetic fields are usually emitted from high voltage transmission lines — the power lines on the big, tall metal towers. To be sure that you are reducing the exposure levels to 0.5 milligauss (mG) or less, a safety distance of 700 feet may be needed. It could be much less, but sometimes more. You must test with a gaussmeter to be sure.
It's even more difficult to predict a safe distance from neighborhood power distribution lines — the type typically found on wooden poles. For example, homes with a nearby transformer will sometimes have higher EMFs because the transformer is a hub and the power lines carry more electricity for a group of homes. The issue is complicated by the fact that there can be stray electricity flowing in the metal water service pipes of the neighborhood, increasing the magnetic fields from both the power lines and from the buried pipes!
Thus, there is no reliable safety distance for neighborhood power lines. In general, a magnetic field level of 0.5 mG will be reached somewhere between 10 and 200 feet from the wires. But you cannot tell by simply looking up at the power lines. You have to test on-site with a gaussmeter to be sure.
If the electrical power lines are installed underground, the magnetic fields may be just as strong, or even stronger. This is because the power lines could actually be closer to you when only buried a few feet down, rather than up 20 or 30 feet overhead. For neighborhoods with buried power lines, you must always test with a gaussmeter.
Power lines also emit electric fields. The electric fields from high voltage transmission lines (metal towers) can be very strong outside near the wires and extend for over a thousand feet. However once inside the home, the building structure usually provides some shielding, and the electric fields from electrical wiring and cords will usually be much stronger than that from the power lines.”
On this I’ll note that I’ve had the voltage stick I keep in my shirt pocket start ringing when inspecting homes near power lines – but usually just when I am on the outside of the home. Its disconcerting, but the electrical EMF fields may not pose as much of a concern as the magnetic portion of the EMF field as they are easily shielded by trees and the home’s walls and ceilings. The magnetic fields penetrate through the walls are not easy to shield”
This chapter goes on to discuss the high EMF’s that may be produced within the home by faulty wiring. I’ll include this in the next newsletter (or buy the book – if I ever get it done). As a brief note on this: we all know that grounding the neutral in a subpanel is incorrect. One of the results of this practice is that it produces high electromagnetic fields on the home. A problem is that, while we may be able to see this being done within the subpanel, an improper grounding of the neutrals (grounding electrode connector) also occurs when an electrician does not connect the neutrals in a junction box to the neutral wire for that circuit, but instead uses a different circuit’s neutral for the connection. This reportedly is a common practice. |
