The electromagnetic spectrum covers an enormous span of all the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in our planet. These invisible fields are generated by electric or magnetic energy. Some fields are extremely low frequency generated by things like power-lines and some are higher frequency like what your mobile phone or computer uses to connect wirelessly. Then there are even higher frequencies like gamma rays from nuclear energy. These are all forms of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) one way or another.
EMFs are organised on the spectrum by frequency and wavelength. The frequency of an EMF signal depends on how many times the signal oscillates (or cycles) calculated in a unit called Hertz (Hz) and the wavelength refers to the physical size of the wave. The World Health Organisation (WHO) gives this analogy.
‘Tie a long rope to a door handle and keep hold of the free end. Moving it up and then down slowly will generate a single big wave; more rapid motion will generate a whole series of small waves. The length of the rope remains constant, therefore, the more waves you generate (higher frequency) the smaller will be the distance between them (shorter wavelength)’
As you can see from the figure above, radiation can be broadly divided into two types:
Ionising radiation. This is the really nasty stuff and we recommend avoiding this type of radiation at all costs. This radiation is very energetic, super high frequency. It’s completely hyper and ready to break your cells apart. It carries enough energy to knock electrons from atoms.
Non-ionising radiation. This radiation doesn’t have enough energy to break molecules apart but rest assured, it still tries. We experience this radiation everyday from our electronics, mobile phones, laptops, fridges, you name it. This is the by-product of our power. Most of this radiation is invisible to the naked eye. If we could see this, it would be everywhere, covering the skies and filling our homes.
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