Electromagnetic Fields

Last updated on June 7, 2017

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

Television Radiation (US Food and Drug Administration)

Wi-Fi

Safety of Wi-Fi Equipment (Health Canada)

Learn more about electromagnetic fields.

Electro-magnetic Exposures (BC Center for Disease Control)

Radiofrequency Fields (Health Canada)

Radio Frequency Safety (US Federal Communications Commission)

Electromagnetic Fields (World Health Organization)

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