A Sourcebook for Green and Sustainable Building

Electromagnetic Fields

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EMF Contents:

CSI NUMBERS
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES

Guidelines to reduce EMF exposure in a home

Electric Fields and Magnetic Fields

Exposure Levels

RESOURCES

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

CSI NUMBER

DEFINITION:

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are created by electric power charges. There are two types of fields - electric fields which result from the strength (voltage) of the charge and magnetic fields which result from the motion (amperage) of the charge.

CONSIDERATIONS:

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

COMMERCIAL STATUS

This consideration will apply to EMF minimization strategies.

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.

IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

FINANCING:

Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Few people are aware of EMF issues.

REGULATORY:

None.

GUIDELINES

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.

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.

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).

RESOURCES

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

Add your company to this list!

EMF Services
Contact - Charles Keen
6481 Aragon Way #305
Ft Myers, FL 33912
United States
(888) 840-0668

(888) 840-0668
http://www.emfservices.com
Areas Served: all

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

COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS

Add your company to this list!

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

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

Add your information resource to this list!

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