Electric & Magnetic Fields (EMF)
Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) are invisible lines of force surrounding any wire or device that uses electricity. EMF are found everywhere electricity is used - from house wiring and appliances to electric power facilities such as substations and electrical lines. As your distance from a source of EMF increases, the force of the field decreases rapidly.
The scientific community has been studying the potential health effects of EMF for over 30 years. At present, there are no guidelines in any Canadian Province, nor at a Federal Government level, with respect to EMF exposure in the home and workplace or by power lines.
Research is ongoing in the area of EMF and we continue to monitor any new development in EMF research with applicable regulatory and Government Agencies and the Canadian Electricity Association.
Additional information about EMF is available by visiting the websites below:
- World Health Organization
- U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- Health Canada
- Canadian Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee (FPTRPC)
- Canadian Electricity Association (CEA)
Health Canada’s "It’s Your Health" fact sheet on EMF states
"At this time, Health Canada does not consider guidelines necessary [on EMF exposure levels] because scientific evidence is not strong enough to conclude that typical exposures cause health problems."
[Health Canada, April 2004].
