What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it affect humans

What is electromagnetic radiation?

Electromagnetic radiation is fluctuations in electric and magnetic fields. The speed of propagation in vacuum is equal to the speed of light (about 300,000 km/s). In other media, the speed of propagation of radiation is less.

Electromagnetic radiation is classified into frequency bands. The boundaries between the ranges are very conditional, there are no sharp transitions in them.

  • visible light. This is the narrowest range in the entire spectrum. Man can only perceive it. Visible light combines the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.Behind the red color is infrared radiation, behind the violet - ultraviolet, but they are no longer distinguishable by the human eye.

What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it affect humans

The wavelengths of visible light are very short and high frequency. The length of such waves is one billionth of a meter or one billion nanometers. The visible light from the Sun is a kind of cocktail in which three primary colors are mixed: red, yellow and blue.

  • Ultraviolet radiation part of the spectrum between visible light and x-rays. Ultraviolet radiation is used to create lighting effects on the theater stage, discos; banknotes of some countries contain security features that are visible only under ultraviolet light.
  • Infrared radiation is part of the spectrum between visible light and short radio waves. Infrared radiation is more heat than light: every heated solid or liquid emits a continuous infrared spectrum. The higher the heating temperature, the shorter the wavelength and the higher the radiation intensity.
  • X-ray radiation (X-ray). X-ray waves have the property of passing through matter without being absorbed too much. Visible light does not have this ability. Thanks to x-rays, some crystals can glow.
  • Gamma radiation - these are the shortest electromagnetic waves that pass through matter without absorption: they can overcome a one-meter wall of concrete and a lead barrier several centimeters thick.

IMPORTANT! It is necessary to avoid X-ray and gamma radiation, as they pose a potential danger to humans.

Electromagnetic radiation scale

The processes taking place in space, and the objects that are there, generate electromagnetic radiation.The wave scale is a method for recording electromagnetic radiation.

A detailed illustration of the spectral range is shown in the figure. The boundaries on such a scale are conditional.

What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it affect humans

Main sources of electromagnetic radiation

  • Power lines. At a distance of 10 meters, they pose a threat to human health, so they are placed at high altitude or buried deep in the ground.
  • Electric transport. This includes electric cars, electric trains, metro, trams and trolleybuses, as well as elevators. The subway has the most harmful effect. It is better to travel on foot or on your own transport.
  • satellite system. Fortunately, strong radiation, colliding with the Earth's surface, is scattered, and only a small part of the danger reaches people.
  • Functional transmitters: radars and locators. They emit an electromagnetic field at a distance of 1 km, so all airports and meteorological stations are located as far as possible from cities.

Radiation from household electrical appliances

Widespread sources of electromagnetic radiation are household appliances that are in our homes.

What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it affect humans

  • Cell phones. The radiation from our smartphones does not exceed the established norms, but when we call someone, after dialing the number, the base station is connected to the phone. At this moment, the norm is greatly exceeded, so bring the phone to your ear not immediately, but a few seconds after dialing.
  • A computer. The radiation also does not exceed the norm, but during prolonged work, SanPin recommends taking a break for 5-15 minutes every hour.
  • Microwave. The housing of the microwave creates protection against radiation, but not 100%.Being near a microwave oven is dangerous: the radiation penetrates 2 cm under the human skin, triggering pathological processes. During work microwave ovens keep a distance of 1-1.5 meters from her.
  • Television. Modern plasma TVs do not pose a great danger, but old ones with kinescopes should be wary of and stay at least 1.5 m away.
  • Fen. When the hair dryer works, it creates an electromagnetic field of enormous strength. At this time, we dry the head long enough and keep the hair dryer close to the head. To reduce the risk, use a hair dryer a maximum of once a week. Drying your hair in the evening can cause insomnia.
  • Shaver. Instead, get a regular machine, and if you are used to it, a battery-powered electric razor. This will greatly reduce the electromagnetic load on the body.
  • Charging device create a field in all directions at a distance of 1 m. While charging your gadget, do not be close to it, and after charging, unplug the device from the outlet so that there is no radiation.
  • Wiring and sockets. cableradiating from electrical panels pose a particular danger. The distance from the cable to the bed must be at least 5 meters.
  • Energy-saving lamps also emit electromagnetic waves. It concerns luminescent and LED lamps. Install a halogen or incandescent lamp: they do not emit anything and are not dangerous.

EMR established norms for humans

Every organ in our body vibrates. Thanks to vibration, an electromagnetic field is created around us, which contributes to the harmonious work of the whole organism.When our biofield is affected by other magnetic fields, it causes changes in it. Sometimes the body copes with the influence, sometimes not. This causes a deterioration in well-being.

Even a large crowd of people creates an electric charge in the atmosphere. It is impossible to completely isolate yourself from electromagnetic radiation. There is an acceptable level of EMP, which is better not to exceed.

Here are the health guidelines:

  • 30-300 kHz, occurring at a field strength of 25 volts per meter (V/m),
  • 0.3-3 MHz, at 15 V/m,
  • 3-30 MHz - tension 10 V / m,
  • 30-300 MHz - intensity 3 V / m,
  • 300 MHz-300 GHz - intensity 10 μW/cm2.

At such frequencies, gadgets, radio and television equipment work.

The impact of electromagnetic rays on humans

What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it affect humans

The nervous system is extremely sensitive to the influence of electromagnetic rays: nerve cells reduce their conductivity. As a result, memory deteriorates, the sense of coordination becomes dull.

When exposed to EMR, a person not only suppresses immunity - it begins to attack the body.

IMPORTANT! For pregnant women, electromagnetic radiation is of particular danger: the rate of fetal development decreases, defects in the formation of organs appear, and the likelihood of premature birth is high.

EMI protection

  • If you spend a lot of time at the computer, remember one rule: the distance between your face and the monitor should be about a meter.
  • The level of electromagnetic radiation of household appliances that you buy should not reach the “minimum” mark. Contact a sales consultant. It will help you choose the safest technique.
  • Your bed should not be next to a place where electrical wiring is laid.Position your bed at the opposite end of the room.
  • Install a protective screen on your computer. It is made in the form of a fine metal mesh and acts according to the Faraday principle: absorbs all radiation, protecting the user.
  • Reduce your time on electrified public transport. Give preference to walking, cycling.

What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it affect humans

How to check the level of electromagnetic radiation at home

Only specialists can accurately describe how things are with electromagnetic radiation in your home. When the SES service receives an announcement that the permissible EMR norm has been exceeded, workers with special devices leave for the place, allowing them to obtain accurate data. The indicators are being processed. If they are too high, certain measures are taken. The first step is to find out the cause of the problem. This may be an error in construction, design, improper operation.

To independently determine the degree of radiation, you will need screwdriver with indicator and a radio receiver.

  1. Pull the antenna out of the receiver;
  2. Screw a wire loop with a diameter of 40 cm to it;
  3. Tune the radio to an empty frequency;
  4. Walk around the room. Listen to the sounds of the receiver;
  5. The place where distinct sounds are heard is the source of radiation;
  6. Bring an indicator screwdriver with an LED. The indicator will turn red, and the intensity of the color will indicate the strength of the radiation.

A hand-held device will allow you to see the value in numbers. It operates at different frequencies and picks up the voltage of the electromagnetic field. The device is tuned to the desired frequency mode by selecting units of measurement: volt/meter or microwatt/cm2, monitors the selected frequency and outputs the result to the computer.

Also a good device is ATT-2592. The device is portable and has a backlit display. The measurement is performed by the isotropic method, automatically turns off after 15 minutes.

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