EMF & EMR Testing | 0452 535 002 | Home & Workplace Reports

There are many different types of EMFs. Each one has its own frequency, which is the number of waves that will pass through a fixed point per second.

• Frequency is measured in units called Hertz (abbreviated to Hz).
• One thousand Hz is a kilohertz (KHz)
• One million Hz is a megahertz (Mhz)
• One billion Hz is a gigahertz (GHz)

EMFs come from both natural sources, such as lightning and sunlight, and man-made sources, such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, electrical wiring, and microwaves. They exist in a spectrum, from extremely low frequency (3 Hz to 300 Hz) all the way up to gamma rays, which have a frequency greater than 1022 Hz.

EMFs are generally classified into two major groups: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing means that that particular EMF has sufficient energy to disrupt the structure of an atom by knocking off one or more of its tightly bound electrons, transforming that previously neutral atom into an ion with a positive charge.

Ions are problematic as they can produce free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that have become ionized and are not able to connect to another structure in order to remove their unbalanced charge. They behave in an unpredictable manner in the normally ordered environment of cell biochemistry. Free radicals themselves are not dangerous as your body requires a certain level to stay healthy, however, in excess quantities, they become problematic.

Ionizing Radiation

Free radicals can attack the complex and precisely formed molecules of your cell membranes, proteins, stem cells, and mitochondria and convert them to damaged, and in many cases useless, forms. Ionizing radiation can also cause DNA damage. The main types of ionizing radiation are neutrons from radioactive elements like uranium, alpha particles, beta particles, X-rays, and gamma rays. Alpha and beta particles can be stopped by physical barriers, such as a sheet of paper or an aluminum plate so are not particularly dangerous. Neutrons from radioactive elements and X- and gamma rays on the other hand are far more penetrating, and exposure to them can cause serious biological damage.

Non-ionizing Radiation

Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to create ions and so has been generally regarded as safe and biologically “harmless”. But we are now learning that there are other ways in which non-ionizing radiation can cause damage to living cells. Non-ionizing radiation is produced by electronics such as cell phones and other wireless devices including baby monitors, cordless phones, and smart appliances. The classification of non-ionizing radiation as universally “safe” in appropriate exposures has been proven to be false, though many still prefer to believe this. Not all forms of non-ionizing radiation are damaging - visible and infrared light are forms of non-ionizing radiation; both of which are important for human health. It's well established that exposure to these forms of light is necessary for optimal health. There is compelling proof that non-ionizing EMFs have the ability to cause great harm to your health.

In the state of Victoria and elsewhere in Australia there are no legal limits to the amount of non-ionising radiation to which workers may be exposed to - there are however exposure limits for ionising radiation.

Insurance coverage for exposure to Electromagnetic fields.

The below is an example of the general view and policies of insurance companies when it comes to injury or illness from exposure to electromagnetic fields:

Lloyd’s of London and its underwriter CFC Underwriting Limited exclude any liability coverage for claims, “directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from or contributed to by electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetism, radio waves or noise.” (Exclusion 32, page 7)

EXCLUSIONS
We will not
a) make any payment on your behalf for any claim, or
b) incur any costs and expenses, or
c) reimburse you for any loss, damage, legal expenses, fees or costs sustained by you, or
d) pay any medical expenses:

GENERAL INSURANCE EXCLUSIONS:

32. Electromagnetic fields
directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from or contributed to by electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetism, radio waves or noise.