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Guide to Electromagnetic Field Surveys - Details of a Recommended EMF Measurement Procedure
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
How to make EMF measurements: This paper discusses a recommended procedure for performing electromagnetic field (EMF) or
electro-magnetic radiation EMR measurements either by engaging a professional or by consumers using low-cost instruments
which measure EMF exposure levels in gauss or milligauss. We discusses
sources of error and variation in EMF measurements and we review and make suggestions for using several low-cost EMF
measurement devices to determine the instantaneous electromagnetic field exposure.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Electromagnetic Field EMF Radiation Measurement at buildings
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 See ENVIRO-SCARE, EMF & Property Values if you don't know what EMF, ELF, or electromagnetic fields are or if you want a summary of the possible health effects of EMF exposure and the more likely effect on the property value of homes located very close to power transmission lines. Also see EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS for a simple explanation of different types of radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic frequency (EMF) types and where they are found.Also see Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk, &
"Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear of Environmental Issues which discusses the impact of EMF and other environmental concerns on property values. And see EMF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS & HUMAN EXPOSURE which discusses EMF exposure in the workplace. A clear summary of EMF risks and characteristics is at "Magnetic Field Exposure and Cancer: Questions and Answers [ copy on file as /emf/EMF_Fact_Sheet_NCI_NIH.pdf ] - ," National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The information provided here is for research and study purposes. The author makes no representation of unique
expertise on this topic, other than having field experience in EMF measurement, having studied technical literature and
having conversed with other experts and authors in the field for a number of years.
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Health professionals,
epidemiological experts, and in the case of EMF, electrical engineers can offer competent, expert advice which should be
considered before any costly or risky actions are taken regarding this or other environmental topics. This information
is has not been sanctioned nor technically reviewed by the American Society of Home Inspectors. Use it at your own risk.
Readers are urged to consult expert sources and to give any suggestions regarding these notes to the author. Readers may
want to see our EXCEL Spreadsheet EMS_Survey_Sample1.xls for an example of common locations and
measurement points. This spread sheet includes computations necessary to produce mathematically valid measurement
results for those who are using position-sensitive instruments.
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 Some studies by some experts have suggested a possible link between exposure to electromagnetic fields and various
cancers or other health problems. Other studies suggest that no definite correlation could be demonstrated. It is
likely that the jury will be out on this matter for some time, for both economic and political reasons.
Our photo shows an uncommon exposure to an electrical field: the electrical meter and service entry cable produce a field which can be detected up to perhaps two to four feet away. But the history of construction at a building can bring surprises.
An outside porch first enclosed this electrical meter; later the porch was enclosed and converted to a bedroom. Our model shows that someone sleeping on the side of the bed next to the electrical meter was likely to be sleeping in an EMF that could easily have been avoided: move the bed to an opposite wall.
Small absolute health risk from EMF: Most researchers indicate that where a risk is present, the absolute risk level from EMF is likely to be small, and
less than other less obscure hazards. (Automobile accidents, trip and fall, fire, and shock hazards, smoking and other
health risks.) Consumers should not let focus on a specific emotionally-charged hazard distract them from these other
more mundane but more dangerous concerns. |
Electromagnetic Field EMF Radiation & Impact on Real Estate Property Values
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Property valuation impact of EMF: However our experience with a number of environmental issues is that economic and other risks (property marketability,
stress-related illness, legal concerns) pertain for all "potential" environmental health issues, regardless of the
legitimate, demonstrated health exposure.
If homes or schools were immediately adjacent to a power sub-station such as the one shown in our photo from Dutchess County, NY the nearest properties may show a strong EMF. This power substation is of the sort discussed in sensationalist and scary books on this topic.
This particular power substation does not have homes adjoining its property; but nonetheless, some buyers of homes in the neighborhood may be nervous about this facility.
Property owners and consumers would be wise to be as accurately and calmly informed as possible. The emotional fear
that motivates some consumers subjects them to risk of economic profiteering by less than totally scrupulous
"investigators" in some instances. A professional hazard investigator should be personally committed to being as
informed and professionally neutral as possible.
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The EMF Field strength at any given moment depends on the load on the power line: A serious problem has limited research and conclusions regarding possible hazards of electromagnetic fields in the
U.S.: the lack of publicly available load data. EMF field strength varies depending on the load on the
system/conductors. Measurements made at different times and under different conditions will vary widely.
Additional explanation of the causes of variation and error in measurements of electromagnetic fields
can be found at my article on Enviro-Scare and EMF
this website.
In our opinion if you can establish any field measurement at a property it is likely that under some conditions
the field strength will be greater than the time of your measurement. Further, even if you measure no field effects, if
the property is close to large power transmission or some power distribution lines, it is possible that at some times and
conditions it's in a measurable field.
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 Distances from power lines and EMF field strength: The distances for common field strengths and power lines are available in a number of EPA documents, such as
"Evaluation of the Potential Carcinogenicity of Electromagnetic Fields," EPA/600/6-90-005B October 1990 (DRAFT review
copy), page 2-21.
For example, the field strength of a 500 KV Transmission line begins to fall off measurably at 50
meters, but does not fall off below 1 mG until distances nearing 1000 meters.
Keep in mind that independent of proximity to power transmission facilities, a careful survey of conditions in any
building may reveal other devices like home appliances or electrical service entry cabling: areas where strong EMF can be measured from distances of a few inches to several feet away.
Also keep in mind that based on our own field experience, we note that it would be unusual in any urban or suburban environment to find ambient EMF levels below one or two milligauss. |
Often but not always, the relative strength of
such fields falls off in much shorter distance than that from power transmission facilities. However in some instances
where occupants wish to maintain prudent avoidance, it is possible to make a significant reduction in exposure by small
changes in arrangement of devices or locations of working or sleeping areas.
Power companies in the US have been singularly uncooperative in providing actual load data, making it difficult to
establish a dose-exposure relationship between exposure to EMF and occurrence of disease. This is why the Swedish
studies are so important. There the government cooperated with researchers in providing load data, permitting clear
establishment of exposure to occurrence relationships.
Instead of contacting us with a request to perform EMF Electromagnetic or RF Radio Frequency Field Strength measurements, in most cases it is more economical and convenient for a property owner to purchase their own instrument, making measurements under varying conditions. In this series of articles we describe how to make measurements using a consistent approach and using good documentation. See Recommended EMF Measurement Procedure for details of how to collect EMF measurement data.
Following good procedure and using instruments properly are two steps towards making accurate, repeatable EMF measurements. But because the signal transmission for RF sources such as radio, TV, or cell towers, the load on a power transmission line is not under control of an individual property owner, and because the EMF strength varies as the power transmission line load varies, it is important to have an idea of that condition as well when attempting to characterize EMF exposure at a specific location. In contrast, EMF measurements are quite accurate and repeatable at other EMF sources such as close to electrical appliances and service entry cables.
Please do not contact us with a request buy EMF or RF measuring equipment. We do not sell anything. To do so would be a conflict of interest for this website. These devices are readily available from many electrical equipment and home inspection equipment suppliers. See Evaluation of Low-Cost EMF Instruments This article describes several low-cost and reasonably accurate EMF measurement devices that are readily available. See Radio Frequency RF Detection Meters This article describes several low-cost and accurate radio frequency or RF detection and measurement devices suitable for radio, TV, cellphone, microwave, and similar signals.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk,
& "Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear About Environmental Issues - online document by DF
- A Procedure for Measuring EMF electromagnetic fields online document by DF
- "Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields", Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, US FCC, OET Bulleting 56, 4th Edition, August 1999
" Many consumer and industrial products and applications make use of some form of
electromagnetic energy. One type of electromagnetic energy that is of increasing importance
worldwide is radiofrequency (or "RF") energy, including radio waves and microwaves, which
is used for providing telecommunications, broadcast and other services. In the United States
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorizes or licenses most RF
telecommunications services, facilities, and devices used by the public, industry and state and
local governmental organizations. Because of its regulatory responsibilities in this area the
FCC often receives inquiries concerning whether there are potential safety hazards due to
human exposure to RF energy emitted by FCC-regulated transmitters. Heightened awareness
of the expanding use of RF technology has led some people to speculate that "electromagnetic
pollution" is causing significant risks to human health from environmental RF electromagnetic
fields. This document is designed to provide factual information and to answer some of the
most commonly asked questions related to this topic." - original source: U.S. Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering and Technology, http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet56/oet56e4.pdf
- "Magnetic Field Exposure and Cancer: Questions and Answers [ copy on file as /emf/EMF_Fact_Sheet_NCI_NIH.pdf ] - ," National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health, web search September 2010, original source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/magnetic-fields
makes these five key points about EMF
- Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are areas of energy that surround any electrical device. EMFs are produced by power lines, electrical wiring, and appliances (see Question 1).
- Electric fields are easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects, whereas magnetic fields are not. Since magnetic fields are more likely to penetrate the body, they are the component of EMFs that are usually studied in relation to cancer (see Question 1).
- Overall, there is limited evidence that magnetic fields cause childhood leukemia, and there is inadequate evidence that these magnetic fields cause other cancers in children (see Question 2).
- Studies of magnetic field exposure from power lines and electric blankets in adults show little evidence of an association with leukemia, brain tumors, or breast cancer (see Question 3).
- Past studies of occupational magnetic field exposure in adults showed very small increases in leukemia and brain tumors. However, more recent, well-conducted studies have shown inconsistent associations with leukemia, brain tumors, and breast cancer (see Question 4).
- EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS RF and EMF measurement tools need to be properly chosen to measure the particular type and frequency of RF or EMF signal that is of interest. See EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS for a simple explanation of different types of radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic frequency (EMF) types and where they are found.
- Definitions of Gauss vs Milligauss for details about gauss and milligauss and definitions of these terms.
- Consumer Product Safety Commission, 800-638-CPSC.
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, TSCA Assistance Office (TS-799), 800-424-9065
or 202-554-1404.
- "Evaluation of Potential Carcinogenicity of Electromagnetic Fields,"
EPA Report #EPA/600/6-90/005B October 1990. EPA: 513/569-7562.
- "Biological Effects of Power Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields"
background paper, prepared as part of OTA's assessment of "Electric Power
Wheeling and Dealing: Technological Considerations for Increasing Competition,"
prepared for OTA by Indira Nair, M. Granger Morgan, H. Keith Florig, Department
of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
15213
- "Biological Effects of Power Line Fields," New York State Powerline
Project. Scientific Advisory Board Final Report, July 1, 1987.
- "Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Fields," Environmental Health
Criteria 35. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1984.
- "Electric and Magnetic Fields at Extremely Low Frequencies:
Interactions with Biological Systems. In: Non ionizing Radiation Protection,
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, 1987.
- "Electric and Magnetic Fields from 60 Hertz Electric Power: What do
we know about possible health risks?," Department of Engineering and Public
Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 1989.
- "Electromagnetic Fields Are Being Scrutinized for Linkage to
Cancer," Sandra Blakeslee, New York Times, Medical Science section, April
2, 1991
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
- Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
- Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk, & "Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear of Environmental Issues
- Electromagnetic Fields in the Workplace sample very good NIOSH document online, links to other NIOSH docs.
- Electromagnetic Field Surveys & Hazards full list of our links to services and technical article
- Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk, & "Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear About Environmental Issues - online document by DF
- A Procedure for Measuring EMF electromagnetic fields online document by DF
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