Electric and Magnetic Fields

California Electric and Magnetic Fields Program A Project of the California Department of Health Services and the Public Health Institute INTRODUCTION Our daily use of electricity is taken for granted, yet scientific and public concern has arisen about possible health effects from electric and magnetic fields (EMF) that are created by the use of electricity. Because of this concern, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized a statewide research, education and technical assistance program on the health aspects of exposure to magnetic fields and asked the Department of Health Services to manage it. Even though both electric and magnetic fields are present with the use of electrical power, interest and research have focused on the effects of 50 and 60 Hertz (Hz) magnetic fields, called “power frequency” fields, from sources such as power lines, appliances and wiring in buildings. This is because it is known that magnetic fields are difficult to shield and because early scientific studies showed a possible relationship between human exposure to certain magnetic field sources and increased rates of cancer.