Electromagnetic radiation and health

Types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum

Electromagnetic radiation can be classified into two types: ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, based on the capability of a single photon with more than 10 eV energy to ionize atoms or break chemical bonds.^[1] Extreme ultraviolet and higher frequencies, such as X-rays or gamma rays are ionizing, and these pose their own special hazards: see radiation poisoning. The field strength of electromagnetic radiation is measured in volts per meter (V/m).^[2]^: 139

The most common health hazard of radiation is sunburn, which causes between approximately 100,000 and 1 million new skin cancers annually in the United States.^[3]^[4]

In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).^[5]

^ Cleveland Jr RF, Ulcek JL (August 1999). Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (PDF) (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: OET (Office of Engineering and Technology) Federal Communications Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
^ International Bureau of Weights and Measures (December 2022), The International System of Units (SI) (PDF), vol. 2 (9th ed.), ISBN 978-92-822-2272-0, archived from the original on 18 October 2021
^ Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A (January 2020). "Cancer statistics, 2020". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 70 (1): 7–30. doi:10.3322/caac.21590. PMID 31912902.
^ Cite error: The named reference Cleaver was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Gaudin, Ph.D., Nicolas (31 May 2011). "IARC Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields As Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans" (PDF). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2021.

[1] Cleveland Jr RF, Ulcek JL (August 1999). Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (PDF) (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: OET (Office of Engineering and Technology) Federal Communications Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.

[SIBrochure9thEd-2] International Bureau of Weights and Measures (December 2022), The International System of Units (SI) (PDF), vol. 2 (9th ed.), ISBN 978-92-822-2272-0, archived from the original on 18 October 2021

[3] Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A (January 2020). "Cancer statistics, 2020". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 70 (1): 7–30. doi:10.3322/caac.21590. PMID 31912902.

[Cleaver-4] Cite error: The named reference Cleaver was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[5] Gaudin, Ph.D., Nicolas (31 May 2011). "IARC Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields As Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans" (PDF). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2021.

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