May 25, 2026, 6:36 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Radio waves from cellphones and Wi-Fi are invisible. The electromagnetic fields emitted by electronic devices are as well. The colloquial term for this is “electrosmog.” Smog initially sounds unhealthy. But how much does radiation affect our health in everyday life? myHOMEBOOK asked the Federal Office for Radiation Protection how dangerous electromagnetic fields are in our own homes.
Since the advent of cellphones, stories have circulated about the radiation emitted by these devices. Science has been studying electromagnetic fields and their effects on the human body since the 19th century. Every power cable in the wall essentially produces electrosmog, although probably no one thinks of radiation when it comes to power lines. Important: The term ‘electrosmog’ is unscientific and not precisely defined.
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Experts distinguish between two types of fields
“Basically, there are two types of fields: low-frequency fields, which include electric and magnetic fields, and high-frequency electromagnetic fields,” says Anja Lutz, press officer at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), as an initial classification in a conversation with myHOMEBOOK. “The sources of low-frequency fields include all electrical installations in the house and all electrical household appliances. Wi-Fi routers, cellphones, or microwaves are among the devices that emit high-frequency electromagnetic fields.”
Initially, none of these devices are dangerous, regardless of which group they belong to. Nevertheless, there are always concerns that certain devices are particularly dangerous.
No health risk from electrosmog
For the BfS, a key criterion is the extent to which the human body is actually exposed to the fields. The press officer explains: “To exclude health-relevant effects, legally defined limits must be observed for stationary installations, such as power lines or mobile phone base stations.”
For end devices like cellphones or electrical appliances, there are corresponding regulations for product safety. “These also take into account potentially particularly vulnerable groups of people.” Lutz adds that if the limits are observed, no negative health effects of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on humans are to be expected according to the current state of scientific knowledge.
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Effects of electromagnetic radiation scientifically studied
“The biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields are well studied,” says Lutz. The effects are not vague but can be very specifically identified. “It has been scientifically proven so far that low-frequency electric and magnetic fields from power grids and electrical devices can stimulate our nervous system or muscles at high intensities. High-frequency electromagnetic fields from mobile communications can lead to a warming of body tissue.”
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Manufacturers must comply with limits
Due to these very precise effects and the applicable limits, electrical products that are approved, sold, and used as intended in Germany and the EU are generally safe for humans. Additionally, the BfS continuously reviews the scientific basis of the limits to see if there are any new research findings that should be considered.
There are also separate guidelines for electronic implants, mainly devices from the medical field, to ensure they function safely. People who rely on such implants should seek detailed information from a doctor or contact the manufacturers of the implants, recommends the BfS press officer.
CE mark as an indicator
For all other electrical devices in the household, the so-called CE mark is an indicator of safe use in everyday life. “CE” stands for “Communauté Européenne,” French for “European Community.” “Manufacturers of end devices declare compliance with laws and thus product safety through the European CE mark on their devices,” explains Lutz.
So, those who pay attention to the CE mark when purchasing are on the safe side. If that’s not enough, they can increase the distance of the devices from the body, such as using the speakerphone on a cellphone. Because with every centimeter of distance, the already harmless radiation becomes even weaker.
Those who want to know how strong or weak the electromagnetic fields in their own environment are due to mobile phone transmitters or high-voltage lines can use the BfS’s measuring device rental service.