EMF stands for electromagnetic field, which is a classical field produced by moving electric charges. It is the field described by classical electrodynamics and is the classical counterpart to the quantized electromagnetic field tensor in quantum electrodynamics. EMFs are invisible areas of energy associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. They are typically grouped into one of two categories by their frequency: non-ionizing and ionizing. Non-ionizing EMFs are low-level radiation that is generally perceived as harmless to humans, while ionizing EMFs are high-level radiation that has the potential for cellular and DNA damage.

EMFs are generated by everyday items such as mobile phones and electrical appliances, and they are intentionally produced and used to transmit information wirelessly over great distances or to heat things such as food. They are also generated when electricity is produced and distributed, and whenever we use an electric appliance at home or in work. EMF sources also occur in nature and include the earth’s magnetic field, which causes compasses to point north, or the electric fields produced in the atmosphere during lightning storms.

The potential health effects of EMFs are the subject of ongoing research and public debate. While some studies have shown a possible link between EMF field strength and an increased risk for childhood leukemia, their findings indicated that such an association was weak. The few studies that have been conducted on adults show no evidence of a link between EMF exposure and adult cancers, such as leukemia, brain cancer, and breast cancer. The World Health Organization established the International EMF Project in 1996 to assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of EMF in the frequency range from 0 to 300 GHz. The EMF Project encourages focused research to fill important gaps in knowledge and to facilitate the development of internationally acceptable standards limiting EMF exposure.