Electricity in the air: why is radiation dangerous?

Home is supposed to be the safest place in the world. But in a world where technology is everywhere, we are constantly surrounded by electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices such as Wi-Fi, cell phones and other appliances, and in more severe cases from a transformer on a utility pole near the apartment, an electrical room in a shared building, or a public electrical panel on a wall shared with the apartment.

Prolonged exposure to radiation is linked to a higher risk of illness, especially in children, because their immune systems are still developing.

This article explains what radiation is, the risks it carries, and how to reduce your exposure and the risk to your health.

Ionizing or non-ionizing: which matters more?

Radiation is energy that surrounds us, in the form of waves or moving particles.

At home, electromagnetic radiation comes from appliances, electrical panels, transformers, electrical rooms, electronic devices, communication infrastructure, building materials, and even natural sources. There are two main types:

Ionizing radiation

This is high-energy radiation that strips electrons from atoms and molecules, turning them into charged particles called ions.

It comes from processes such as nuclear reactions, X-rays and gamma rays.

Ionizing radiation can change the chemical structure of whatever it strikes, damaging tissue and DNA.

Studies have established that ionizing radiation is dangerous, and have linked it to certain forms of cancer¹. Exposing pregnant women to it has also been shown to harm the fetus². In severe cases, it can damage tissue badly enough to cause acute radiation syndrome³.

Non-ionizing radiation

This lower-energy radiation comes mainly from electrical and communication devices. It does not affect atomic or molecular structure, but can still cause damage at high exposure levels. Examples include radio waves, microwaves, low-frequency magnetic fields, visible light, infrared and ultraviolet (UV).

Studies point to prolonged, high-dose exposure to certain types of non-ionizing radiation causing health problems such as cancer, fertility issues, sleep disorders and headaches⁴.

Is Wi-Fi radiation dangerous?

Non-ionizing radiation is considered less harmful than ionizing radiation, but it is still not clear whether radiation from a router poses a danger, and cell phone radiation remains a concern.

There is evidence that prolonged exposure to high levels of non-ionizing radiation has negative effects on wellbeing⁵, and a link has been found between heavy cell phone use and a higher risk of brain tumors⁶. Even so, there is no proof of a direct cause, and no consensus on the actual level of risk.

Despite this evidence, some argue that the radiation levels emitted by household devices are far below accepted limits, and that strict rules from oversight bodies like the FDA keep these devices safe to use.

Radiation risk factors: the building, the devices, and how you use them

How risky radiation is depends on several factors, among them its intensity and how long you're exposed to it.

Risk factors related to the building and its devices

• Apartments close to utility poles, especially where there is also a transformer, are exposed to higher radiation levels. It is worth testing for radiation in these cases.
• If the apartment sits above or near a main electrical room or a transformer room, exposure may be higher.
• Electronic and communication devices such as a router, computers and cell phones are significant radiation sources.
• Other devices that generate an electromagnetic field are a less obvious source of dangerous radiation: an aquarium pump, an oven fan, an outlet above the bed, and more. Even a washing machine can be a source.
  These devices can emit far more radiation than is permitted, which is why a general check of the apartment matters.

Risk factors related to habits and device use

• Long, frequent use of mobile devices such as smartphones or laptops held against the body.
• Spending a lot of time near fixed sources such as a microwave, an active Wi-Fi router, or a computer screen.
• Playing games or watching movies for hours on mobile devices.
• Keeping a cell phone near your head while you sleep.

How to reduce your exposure to radiation

A general radiation check of the apartment is an important step: it identifies the sources of radiation so you can address them, for a safer, healthier home.

Cutting your exposure is another important part of keeping your environment healthy. A few tips:

• Keep your distance from radiation sources such as a microwave and a wireless router.
• Use headphones, and turn on your Wi-Fi router only when you need it.
• Keep laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices as far from your body as possible while using them.
• Keep mobile devices away from you while you sleep. Ideally, keep electronic devices out of the bedroom altogether.
• Cut down on children's use of mobile devices and screens.
• Take periodic radiation measurements at home and reduce the sources as much as you can.

Worth checking

In short: whether or not radiation from a router is dangerous, the safer habits you adopt and the less radiation you're exposed to, the lower your risk of future health damage.

It is also worth getting professional guidance and having the radiation levels in your home checked periodically.

Arad, a home inspection company with many years of experience, carries out a wide range of engineering checks for apartments and houses.

Our engineers run a precise inspection to identify and analyze radiation in your home or workplace.

Get in touch for professional advice that can reduce your exposure to radiation and give you peace of mind.

For more information, call us: 077-670-4444

Note: The information in this post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult an engineer or a qualified medical professional about specific concerns related to radiation.

Sources

1. World Health Organization. Ionizing radiation.
2. International Atomic Energy Agency (2020). Radiation and pregnancy: public information sheet.
3. National Institutes of Health. (2019). Acute radiation syndrome.
4. Federal Communications Commission. Radio frequency safety.
5. World Health Organization. Electromagnetic fields.
6. National Cancer Institute. Cell phones and cancer risk.