Electrosmog also called electromagnetic radiation exposure is the colloquial term for the daily exposure of people and the environment to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields.
When do we speak of fields, when of waves or radiation?
Instead of the term "electromagnetic fields" the terms "electromagnetic waves" or "electromagnetic radiation" are also used. The different terms describe different physical properties:
- "Field" describes the spatial distribution of a force effect that can be exerted on electric charges and currents
- "Wave" describes the propagation of a time-varying field in space
- "Radiation" describes the transport of energy.
The compatibility of verifiable immissions of electromagnetic fields for the environment and, in particular, for the health compatibility and reasonableness of humans is referred to as electromagnetic environmental compatibility.
According to the latest ETH survey, 10.6% of the population state that they feel such effects and describe themselves as electrosensitive (source: 2021 ETH Zurich - Swiss Environmental Panel). In a similar survey by the FOPH (Federal Office of Public Health) in 2004, the figure was still 5%.