This page has some figures for average exposure levels to Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Magnetic Fields from some selected common household appliances.First of all, let's remember that because a mechanism of action has not been established, relying on magnetic-field levels only in an attempt to protect yourself, might give you a FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. These figures also neglect other emissions at different frequencies, (relevant to VDTs) and electric fields.
But even given the unknowns, a gross representation of magnetic field strength might at least allow us to:
Remember that magnetic fields come from moving electric current, so the more current your appliance uses, the greater the magnetic field; for a given line voltage, (ie: 120 VAC), the greater the power in WATTS, the greater the current, and the resulting magnetic field. Even small electric motors are big magnetic field sources.
- arrange our homes so we spend less time near high-current appliances,
- moderate or curtail the use of some appliances we feel may not be justified,
- just get a better overview of where the fields in our homes come from.
The following table is populated with data that orignated from the IEEE [1]
Magnetic Field in Milligauss
Appliance At 4 inches
(10 cm)At 1 foot
(30 cm)At 3 feet
(1 m)Blenders 50 - 220 5.2 - 17 0.3 - 1.1 Can openers 1300 - 4000 31 - 280 0.5 - 7.0 Clothes dryers 4.8 - 110 1.5 - 29 0.1 - 1 Clothes washers 2.3 - 3 0.8 - 3.0 0.2 - 0.48 Coffee makers 6 - 29 0.9 - 1.2 <0.1 Crock pots 8 - 23 0.8 - 1.3 <0.1 Drills 350 - 500 22 - 31 0.8 - 2.0 Electric shavers 14.0 - 1600 0.8 - 90 <0.1 - 3.3 Faust blowers 3 - 120 0.25 - 37 <0.1 - 3.1 Flourescent desk lamps 100 - 200 6 - 20 0.2 - 2.1 Flourescent fixtures 40 - 123 2 - 32 <0.1 - 2.8 Hair dryers 3 - 1400 <0.1 - 70 <0.1 - 2.8 Irons 12 - 45 1.2 - 3.1 0.1 - 0.2 Mixers 58 - 1400 5 - 100 0.15 - 2.0 Portable heaters 11 - 280 1.5 - 40 0.1 - 2.5 Sabre and circular saws 200 - 2100 9 - 210 0.2 to 10.0 Televisions 4.8 - 100 0.4 - 20 <0.1 - 1.5 Toasters 10 - 60 0.6 - 7.0 <0.1 - 0.11 Vacuum cleaners 230 - 1300 20 - 180 1.2 - 18.0
Anecdotally, I have an electric stove with an 1800 WATT quick-heating burner. These are the measurements I have made on this one burner:
Magnetic Field in Milligauss
Appliance At 6 inches
(15 cm)At 1 foot
(30 cm)At 3 feet
(1 m)Electric stove
(one burner)100 9 <1