Electric and magnetic fields are found throughout nature and in all living things. They hold together the molecules in our bodies and help messages flow through our nervous system.

Electric appliances, house wiring, and power lines produce alternating, or continuously changing, electric and magnetic fields, called "60-Hertz" fields. The strengths of electric and magnetic fields decrease as you move away from the charges and currents that make them. Fields made by objects that are long, such as power lines, decrease in strength more slowly with distance than fields made by small compact objects, such as toasters or electric clocks.

While 60-Hertz fields do not pose a significant risk to agriculture or to ecosystems, there is clear evidence that these fields can produce various hormonal and other changes in living things. It is not yet clear if these changes can result in risks to public health. There have been many scientific studies of the possible health risks of these types of fields. Altogether, the results are very complicated. Careful and responsible scientists do not yet agree on whether 60-Hertz fields pose a risk to public health and, if they do, how serious that risk might be.

There is evidence that suggests that across the range of field strengths commonly encountered by people, stronger fields may not pose greater risks than weaker fields. This means that the usual assumption that "more is worse" may not be correct for the case of 60-Hertz fields.

With the scientific evidence that is now available, it is not possible to establish a "safe field" standard, however, the process of measuring fields can help people to better understand what fields are and determine how similar their fields are to the fields in other homes and work places. Helping people to learn more about fields may help avoid unnecessary fears.

New evidence from ongoing research should help us learn more about the possible health risks of 60-Hertz fields.

Direct Electric and Magnetic Fields question to:
phone: (512) 505- 7539
e-mail: Electric and Magnetic Fields