This article is about the health effects of non-ionizing radiation. For the negative health effects of ionizing radiation, see radiation poisoning.
Types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum
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Electromagnetic radiation can be classified into two types: ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, based on the capability of a single photon with more than 10 eV energy to ionize atoms or break chemical bonds.[1] Extreme ultraviolet and higher frequencies, such as X-rays or gamma rays are ionizing, and these pose their own special hazards: see radiation poisoning. The field strength of electromagnetic radiation is measured in volts per meter (V/m).[2]: 139
The most common health hazard of radiation is sunburn, which causes between approximately 100,000 and 1 million new skin cancers annually in the United States.[3][4]
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).[5]
^Cleveland Jr RF, Ulcek JL (August 1999). Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields(PDF) (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: OET (Office of Engineering and Technology) Federal Communications Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
^International Bureau of Weights and Measures (December 2022), The International System of Units (SI)(PDF), vol. 2 (9th ed.), ISBN 978-92-822-2272-0, archived from the original on 18 October 2021
^Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A (January 2020). "Cancer statistics, 2020". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 70 (1): 7–30. doi:10.3322/caac.21590. PMID 31912902.
^Cite error: The named reference Cleaver was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Gaudin, Ph.D., Nicolas (31 May 2011). "IARC Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields As Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans" (PDF). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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