3. Ionizing versus non-ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation contains so much energy in its individual quanta of energy - photons - that it is able to knock out electrons from their orbits in the atom shells. This creates free radicals in living matter, increasing the risk of chromosomal damage, fetal abnormalities and cancer. These health consequences of ionizing radiation were disputed since the beginning of the 20th century and became generally accepted by the middle of the century.

Fig. 5: An atom with an electron being knocked out by an ionizing electromagnetic wave.

Non-ionizing radiation contains too little individual photon energy to knock out electrons from their orbits in the atoms. If non-ionizing radiation has health effects, there is some other mechanism in play. However, scientific studies have shown that non-ionizing radiation indirectly may lead to increases in the level of free radicals in tissue, potentially leading to the same consequences as ionizing radiation.

If the intensity of non-ionizing radiation is large enough, it may cause damage by heating tissue. This happens for example in a microwave oven, and the mechanism behind these effects are easy to comprehend.

Fig. 6: Microwaves cooking a turkey

Research has revealed that there are significant biological effects of low-level (low intensity) non-ionizing radiation not related to heating, so-called athermal effects. The mechanisms responsible for athermal effects of low-intensity radiation or fields are just beginning to be understood by scientists, and there is an intensive discussion amongst scientists over the potential health effects. This paper deals with the athermal effects of low-level EMF in the non-ionizing spectral region.

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