Electromagnetic Field Measurement General Procedures - EMF & RF Exposure Hazard Evaluation InspectAPedia® -
What is an RF or EMF Exposure Hazard?
How to make your own RF or EMF electromagnetic exposure and RF EMF field strength measurement survey
What kinds of radio frequency waves are there, what are EMF, RF, hertz, megahertz, MF, VHF, UHF, MHz, GHz, THz?
What is the general procedure for making EMF Measurements - guide for consumers and property owners
The normal pattern of rise and fall of public fear for most environmental hazards, real or imagined
The effect of environmental hazards and public fear on real estate prices
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This paper discusses the basics of how we can reliably measure the level of electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic fields (EMF). Detailed EMF survey procedures are provided later in this article series at Recommended EMF Measurement Procedure.
Also see EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS for a simple explanation of different types of radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic frequency (EMF) types and where they are found.
The Basics of Measuring Electromagnetic Field EMF Exposure Levels
Hiring Someone to Measure Electromagnetic Field Strengths
If a building owner or occupant is concerned about EMF levels at a property, the local power company may be willing
to perform site measurements at no charge.
Independent experts provide thorough site profiles for fees ranging from $500. to $1,000. and include extensive
consulting which helps protect realtors from future liabilities and can calm inappropriately frightened buyers or
sellers.
Explicit, competent, documented measurements are more reliable than unsubstantiated opinions based on visual
observation and fear. No one should be cavalier about children's health, but keeping risks in perspective serves
everyone and helps assure that parents focus on the big risks first.
Hiring an EMF RF consultant compared with doing it yourself
Our own personal ethical views, combined with even the most basic technical understanding of issues around RF and EMF hazards make us very reluctant to recommend hiring an "expert"
perform EMF and RF field investigations for homeowners or apartment dwellers in most circumstances. Why?
Signal strength can be enormously variable at a given location, depending in the case of EMF on the actual current load on the
power transmission lines, and in the case of high frequency RF, on the transmission activity, antenna direction, and other factors.
As a result, momentary or single-point-in-time measurements can be quite misleading. See EMF Procedures & Causes of EMF Measurement Error & Variation .
Inappropriate expense? On every environmentally fearful topic a quick industry is bred of people who are poorly trained, sometimes unethical, but who
prey on consumer fear to become wealthy - the behind the scenes comments from some of these folks can be very disturbing. Professionals are obligated to proceed responsibly in accepting field investigation assignments, respecting both the client's physical health and their financial impacts as well.
Instead of contacting us with a request to perform EMF Electromagnetic or RF Radio Frequency Field Strength measurements, in most cases it is more economical and convenient for a property owner to purchase their own instrument, making measurements under varying conditions. In this series of articles we describe how to make measurements using a consistent approach and using good documentation. See Recommended EMF Measurement Procedure for details of how to collect EMF measurement data.
Three Approaches to Measuring RF and EMF Hazards at Properties
For at least these reasons, we recommend one several different different approaches, among which you should choose, or if you can
describe to us a further viewpoint, Contact Us.
EMF RF Exposure Litigation: If you are involved in or anticipate litigation, then indeed it is appropriate to have a neutral third party professional make a
site investigation and to document conditions there.
Accurate, longer term EMF or RF measurements at low cost: If #1 does not apply, then a more informed site risk profile is one that would collect measurements over time, under different conditions of load, season of the year, transmission activity, supplemented by basic research to identify the particular source nearby and its character.
For example, if it is a power transmission line, the maximum KVA rating of the line and its distance from
the building of concern are of paramount interest, even if an instantaneous measurement gives low results. Rather than pay an independent $1800. U.S. or more to perform a single site survey, purchase the appropriate test instruments and make your own measurements, over time. To assist in this procedure we have provided a series of articles organized at EMF SURVEY PROCEDURE - Details.
Following good procedure and using instruments properly are two steps towards making accurate, repeatable EMF measurements. But because the signal transmission for RF sources such as radio, TV, or cell towers, the load on a power transmission line is not under control of an individual property owner, and because the EMF strength varies as the power transmission line load varies, it is important to have an idea of that condition as well when attempting to characterize EMF exposure at a specific location. In contrast, EMF measurements are quite accurate and repeatable at other EMF sources such as close to electrical appliances and service entry cables.
At Evaluation of Low-Cost EMF Instruments we list a number of tools that
are easy to use, but whose accuracy also depends on the actual measurement procedure - where and how measurements are obtained,
which is what we discuss in the EMF Survey Procedure article above, and for which we also provide example field data collection
sheets.
Please do not contact us with a request buy RF or EMF measuring equipment. We do not sell anything. To do so would be a conflict of interest for this website. These devices are readily available from many electrical equipment and home inspection equipment suppliers. See Evaluation of Low-Cost EMF Instruments where we describe several low-cost and reasonably accurate EMF measurement devices that are readily available. See Radio Frequency RF Detection Meters where we describe several low-cost and accurate radio frequency or RF detection and measurement devices suitable for radio, TV, cellphone, microwave, and similar signals.
Approach #2 is likely to cost just a few hundred dollars U.S. at most, and allows longer and more extensive measurements.
If there is a special concern at a property, such as health complaints that appear to be building or site-related but that need
further investigation, then bringing an expert to the site is indeed more likely to be ethically and cost-justified.
Guide to Making Your Own Electromagnetic Field Strength EMF / RF Measurements
If you're simply curious about finding and measuring local EMF strengths around a home, an alternative might be to
simply purchase an inexpensive electromagnetic field strength measuring device.
But before dashing about recording
numbers, it is important to understand both the peculiarities of EMF field strength meters and the peculiarities of the
size, shape, pattern, and time variation of electromagnetic fields themselves.
Because RF and EMF measurement tools need to be properly chosen to measure the particular type and frequency of RF or EMF signal that is of interest, be sure to also see EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS for a simple explanation of different types of radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic frequency (EMF) types and where they are found.
Suggestions for using some sample EMF measuring instruments and a discussion of the sources of error and variation in
EMF measurements are discussed in more detail at our Electromagnetic Radiation Field EMF SURVEY Procedure located at this website.
At Evaluation of Low-Cost EMF Instruments such as the TriField EMF and RF meter shown here we show several different types of EMF measuring instruments and discuss their properties.
Please do not contact us to buy equipment. We do not sell anything. To do so would be a conflict of interest for this website.
These devices are readily available from many electrical equipment and home inspection equipment suppliers.
Instead of contacting us with a request to perform EMF Electromagnetic or RF Radio Frequency Field Strength measurements, in most cases it is more economical and convenient for a property owner to purchase their own instrument, making measurements under varying conditions. In this series of articles we describe how to make measurements using a consistent approach and using good documentation. See Recommended EMF Measurement Procedure for details of how to collect EMF measurement data.
Following good procedure and using instruments properly are two steps towards making accurate, repeatable RF (radio frequency) or EMF (electromagnetic field) measurements. But because the transmission from a cell tower, television tower, or the load on a power transmission line is not under control of an individual property owner, and because the RF or EMF strength varies as the power transmission line load varies, it is important to have an idea of that condition as well when attempting to characterize EMF exposure at a specific location. In contrast, RF or EMF measurements are quite accurate and repeatable at other EMF sources such as close to electrical appliances and service entry cables.
Please do not contact us with a request buy RF or EMF measuring equipment. We do not sell anything. To do so would be a conflict of interest for this website. These devices are readily available from many electrical equipment and home inspection equipment suppliers. See Evaluation of Low-Cost EMF Instruments where we describe several low-cost and reasonably accurate EMF measurement devices that are readily available. See Radio Frequency RF Detection Meters where we describe several low-cost and accurate radio frequency or RF detection and measurement devices suitable for radio, TV, cellphone, microwave, and similar signals.
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
"Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields", Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, US FCC, OET Bulleting 56, 4th Edition, August 1999
" Many consumer and industrial products and applications make use of some form of
electromagnetic energy. One type of electromagnetic energy that is of increasing importance
worldwide is radiofrequency (or "RF") energy, including radio waves and microwaves, which
is used for providing telecommunications, broadcast and other services. In the United States
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorizes or licenses most RF
telecommunications services, facilities, and devices used by the public, industry and state and
local governmental organizations. Because of its regulatory responsibilities in this area the
FCC often receives inquiries concerning whether there are potential safety hazards due to
human exposure to RF energy emitted by FCC-regulated transmitters. Heightened awareness
of the expanding use of RF technology has led some people to speculate that "electromagnetic
pollution" is causing significant risks to human health from environmental RF electromagnetic
fields. This document is designed to provide factual information and to answer some of the
most commonly asked questions related to this topic." - original source: U.S. Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering and Technology, http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet56/oet56e4.pdf
EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS RF and EMF measurement tools need to be properly chosen to measure the particular type and frequency of RF or EMF signal that is of interest. See EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS for a simple explanation of different types of radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic frequency (EMF) types and where they are found.
US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, TSCA Assistance Office (TS-799), 800-424-9065
or 202-554-1404.
"Evaluation of Potential Carcinogenicity of Electromagnetic Fields,"
EPA Report #EPA/600/6-90/005B October 1990. EPA: 513/569-7562.
"Biological Effects of Power Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields"
background paper, prepared as part of OTA's assessment of "Electric Power
Wheeling and Dealing: Technological Considerations for Increasing Competition,"
prepared for OTA by Indira Nair, M. Granger Morgan, H. Keith Florig, Department
of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
15213
"Biological Effects of Power Line Fields," New York State Powerline
Project. Scientific Advisory Board Final Report, July 1, 1987.
"Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Fields," Environmental Health
Criteria 35. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1984.
"Electric and Magnetic Fields at Extremely Low Frequencies:
Interactions with Biological Systems. In: Non ionizing Radiation Protection,
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, 1987.
"Electric and Magnetic Fields from 60 Hertz Electric Power: What do
we know about possible health risks?," Department of Engineering and Public
Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 1989.
"Electromagnetic Fields Are Being Scrutinized for Linkage to
Cancer," Sandra Blakeslee, New York Times, Medical Science section, April
2, 1991
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If you're simply curious about finding and measuring local EMF strengths around a home, an alternative might be to
simply purchase an inexpensive electromagnetic field strength measuring device. 
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