Non Ionizing EMF Hazard in the 21th Century

With the fast advancement in technologies and the heavy reliance on wireless devices, we are exposed to ever increasing electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation from home to office to public places. The two most widely referenced standards for non-ionizing EMF radiation protection IEEE C95.1 and ICNIRP were last updated in 2005 and 1998 respectively. A comparison of the two standards with the Russian standard shows that the Russian maximum permissible exposure (MPE) is 41 and 5.8 times lower in terms of electric field strength at 1MHz respectively. Despite numerous tests showing potential hazards to humans from radiation levels below the MPE levels stated in ICNIRP guidelines and C95.1, ICNIRP and IEEE continue to ignore calls by scientists to review their MPE levels. This paper addresses the current and future trends in communication and wireless technologies and their impact on the EMF radiation level that the general public will be exposed to. Studies on biological effects due to EMF radiation carried out over the last 20+ years will also be discussed. Based on the effects of these studies from radiation levels well below the MPE in C95.1 and ICNIRP guidelines, this paper recommends a review of the current safety levels.