The article Electrosmog: Do electric cars pose a health risk? first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
How harmful is electrosmog for health? A current study by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the ADAC provides a clear answer.
It should be clear that the exhaust gases from the exhaust of internal combustion engines are not particularly beneficial to health. But the increasing popularity of electric cars also seems to be causing concern for many drivers.
Again ADAC reports, people repeatedly turn to the automobile club with the question of whether the electric and magnetic fields from electric cars are dangerous to their health.
Is electrosmog dangerous for your health?
In order to investigate the effects of so-called electrosmog, the ADAC teamed up with various research institutions on behalf of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUKN). Together they examined the electric and magnetic fields when driving electric cars and electric motorcycles.
Magnetic fields arise when electrical currents flow. There are therefore many sources of magnetic fields in modern motor vehicles. Especially with electric vehicles, there is a larger and more powerful battery, high-voltage cabling and the inverter for the drive current as well as the electric drive itself.
Electrosmog study: This is how it was measured
For the study 14 different car models were examined, including purely electric cars, plug-in hybrids and vehicles with combustion engines. The majority of the measurements took place on the ADAC chassis dynamometer. The vehicles were tested there under realistic driving conditions in order to record the dynamics of the fields during operation.
The vehicles were examined both at constant speed and during strong acceleration and braking. The BfS carried out additional mobile measurements during real driving on the road in order to validate and supplement the test bench results.
To record the magnetic fields, limit-related measuring probes were used in a seat dummy. They are designed to measure the electrical currents triggered by the magnetic fields in the human body.
The corresponding limit values, set by the International Commission for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP), are intended to ensure that there are no health-relevant effects for the occupants.
Despite local peaks: experts give the all-clear for electrosmog
The result of the extensive study: All vehicles examined fell below the recommended maximum values to protect health. The exposure to magnetic fields in purely electric cars is not fundamentally higher than in modern combustion engines.
It turned out in detail according to BfS nevertheless a differentiated picture of the strength of the radiation. The measured magnetic field values varied significantly between the vehicles examined, spatially within the individual vehicles and depending on the operating status.
The highest field strengths were recorded in the footwells of the driver and front passenger. This is due to the close proximity to the live cables and the electrical drive components. The head and torso areas, on the other hand, have significantly lower values.
The field strengths are also highest when the driver accelerates sharply or the battery recovers energy. Some seat heating systems were also noticeable. Regardless of the type of drive, they can produce permanently slightly elevated values in the back and abdomen area.
Manufacturers should further optimize vehicles
“The study results are good news for consumers who already drive an electric car or are thinking about switching,” said BfS President Inge Paulini. According to the ADAC, electrosmog from electric cars currently poses no danger to healthy people with implants and pregnant women.
Despite the low risk, vehicle manufacturers are encouraged to continue improving the designs of their products. “It is up to manufacturers to use intelligent vehicle design to reduce local peak values and keep average values low,” explains Paulini.
For example, the better it is to install strong magnetic field sources at a distance from the vehicle occupants, the lower the fields to which the occupants are exposed in the various driving conditions. Such technical possibilities should be taken into account from the outset when developing vehicles.
The ADAC demands: The rules and methods for measuring electrosmog should also be better suited to today’s technology. New, current standards are needed that are based on what science knows today.
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The article Electrosmog: Do electric cars pose a health risk? first appeared on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the concept of Electrosmog, also known as electromagnetic pollution, is a valid concern in our increasingly technology-dependent world. The proliferation of electronic devices and wireless technologies has led to a significant increase in electromagnetic frequencies in our environment, which some studies suggest may have adverse effects on human health.
When it comes to electric cars, there is ongoing debate about whether the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by the vehicle’s electrical systems pose a health risk to drivers and passengers. While electric cars do emit EMFs, the levels are generally considered to be within safe limits and comparable to other everyday sources of EMF exposure, such as household appliances and cell phones.
However, it is important to note that some individuals may be more sensitive to EMFs and may experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dizziness when exposed to higher levels. As such, it is essential for regulatory bodies and manufacturers to continue monitoring and researching the potential health impacts of EMFs from electric cars to ensure that safety standards are met.
In conclusion, while electric cars do emit EMFs, the current evidence suggests that they do not pose a significant health risk to the general population. However, it is crucial to stay informed about the potential effects of Electrosmog and take necessary precautions to minimize exposure, especially for individuals who may be more sensitive to EMFs.
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