Life exists in the presence of electromagnetic radiation, natural or man-made. The sun is a major source of natural ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Although the earth’s atmosphere shields people from most ionizing radiation (e.g., x-rays and gamma rays), we are routinely exposed to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Natural non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation can be categorized into ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, and radio frequency radiation.

Technological advancement has resulted in increasing amounts of non-ionizing radio frequency electromagnetic radiation from man-made sources (e.g., high-voltage power lines, TV and radio broadcasts, mobile phones, microwaves, or satellite signals).4 Military service members may encounter additional duty-related RF-EMF devices.

In response, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have been evaluating potential health and safety impact of human exposure to emissions of RF-EMF systems that we develop or use.5 DoD Instruction 6055.11, Protecting personnel from electromagnetic fields, May 12, 2021 also established guidelines and policies for protecting personnel in military environments from overexposure to electromagnetic fields between the 0 hertz (Hz) and 300 GHz frequency spectrum and directs DoD components to follow the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard C95.1-2345 for ERL limits (Appendix A).3,6