This adds to public concern, confusion and lack of confidence that supportable conclusions about safety can be reached. The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to provide information about ELF field exposure and its possible impacts on health within the community and the workplace. Information comes from a WHO review of this subject and other recent reviews by eminent authorities. They travel at the speed of light and are characterised by a frequency and a wavelength. Sinusoidal electromagnetic wave ELF fields are defined as those having frequencies up to 300 Hz.
Electric fields arise from electric charges.
They govern the motion of other charges situated in them. When charges accumulate on an object they create a tendency for like or opposite charges to be repelled or attracted, respectively. Any device connected to an electrical outlet, even if the device is not switched on, will have an associated electric field that is proportional to the voltage of the source to which it is connected. Electric fields are strongest close the device and diminish with distance. Common materials, such as wood and metal, shield against them.