Electromagnetic (EM) radiation safety
The electromagnetic radiation (EMR) hazards presented on these pages cover sources of incoherent radiation. For hazards associated with coherent radiation, see the laser safety page.
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation
Other than the X-Ray band, the following spectral and frequency ranges are those ranges specified by safety guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Canada Safety Code 6 (2009).
X-Rays
Sources of X-rays used on campus covered under Ministry of Labour guidelines. X-Ray Safety Web Page covers topics in X-Ray Safety.
- few nm range
- EHz range
UV radiation
Has health benefits at low levels; at higher levels, can cause adverse effects both directly and indirectly. Exposure limited to a total dose in a working day since damage can take several hours to present. Skin type plays a role in our response. Many drugs can affect our sensitivity to UV radiation.
- 180 nm - 400 nm
- 0.75 PHz - 3 PHz
Visible radiation
Visible radiation obviously interacts with our visual system, but at very high levels, it can thermally damage our retinas and skin. Exposure limits are based on the radiance of visible light sources (W/cm2sr). These limits would usually be applied to arc lamps (xenon), plasmas and some LEDs capable of creating hazardous levels of visible radiation.
- 380 nm - 700 nm
- 430 THz - 790 THz
Infrared radiation
Infrared radiation is perceived as radiant heat by our skin and as such is a thermal hazard at high levels. Like visible radiation, exposure limits are based on the radiance of these sources.
(Both Visible and Infrared Radiation hazards are covered under Incoherent Optical Radiation Hazards).
- 700 nm - 1 mm
- 0.3 THz - 430 THz
Radio frequency
Radio-frequency (RF) sources, electric and magnetic fields, are predominantly thermal hazards. The exposure limits in this range are for acute (short-term) exposures since there is no scientific evidence of adverse biological effects from chronic or cumulative exposure to electric and magnetic fields emitted at these frequencies. Exposure limits for this spectral range are based on specific absorption rates (W/kg) and are provided in Canada’s Safety Code 6 (2009), where limits were established through evaluation of scientific literature.
- 1 mm - km
- 3 kHz - 300 GHz