You may know that mobile phones, television, and Wi-Fi emits electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. These devices are the most popular items that come to mind when discussing about radiation. You might be thinking that radiation is only emitted by devices that make use of cellular towers and radio waves to function.
However, that is not the case for everything. There are some items that might look safe, but is actually emitting radiation. Some household appliances are the perfect example of those things you would not think as capable of emitting radiation.
This article will discuss whether refrigerators emit EMF radiation, how much radiation it is capable of producing, and ways to protect yourself and your family from its harmful effects.
Radiation from Refrigerators
Refrigerators originally used ammonia gas to achieve a cooler temperature. The ammonia gas was pushed to the appliance’s metal pipes to cool the units. However, the use of ammonia was poisonous despite being advanced during the first introduction of refrigerators.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replaced ammonia gas as the chemical used to cool the refrigerator. CFC, like ammonia, also has some disadvantages. Despite not being poisonous, CFCs significantly contribute to global warming. Modern versions of refrigerators used in the 21st-century use tetrafluoroethane (HFC).
The latest refrigerators are also designed to be more efficient in using energy. They are made in a way to stop the cycle of HFC when its thermostat when the refrigerator reaches its ideal temperature.
Refrigerators emit low amounts of EMF radiation. Compared to other sources of radiation, it has a lower chance of significantly affecting your health. However, some medical professionals claim that constant, prolonged exposure to low-emitting radiation can contribute to the development of some diseases.
Is Radiation Emitted by Refrigerators Harmful?
Your kitchen might be the place in your home that emits the most EMF radiation. The high amount of EMF and other kinds of radiation in the kitchen can be traced to the appliances you used when cooking a meal. Microwave ovens, stoves, and dishwashers are some of the culprits that emit EMF despite in low amounts only. Run your EMF meter near the refrigerator to see how much radiation it’s putting off.
Experts estimate that a person preparing a meal is subjected to 5-10 mG of electromagnetic field radiation for up to an hour of cooking. This figure, they claim, is an alarming fact even for healthy adults.
If you are using a fairly new refrigerator, the good news is that you might be exposed to a lower amount of EMF. Modern refrigerators are designed and manufactured in a way that makes them more energy efficient and incapable of contributing to global warming and other pollution.
A Long Island Authority study disclosed that an average modern refrigerator emits about 1.5 mG at a 1-foot or less distance, and less than 1 mG at a 3-foot distance or greater of electromagnetic field radiation.
However, this might not be the case if you are using a “smart” refrigerator. These refrigerators make use of wireless Internet in able for them to be “smart” in delivering all the information you need. They often feature a large screen display on your refrigerator’s panel.
This panel is a medium for you to search recipes online, find out the weather for the next day, and do other things you can do online. Given it is considered one of the Internet of Things, it makes use of wireless technologies. Thus, it can emit more EMF compared to other basic modern refrigerators.
Side-effects of Refrigerators Emitting Radiation
Radiation, in general, scares most people when they hear about it. Rightfully so because exposure to a high amount of radiation can instantly make changes to your health.
Ionizing radiation, a type of radiation, has the ability to kick out an electron from its orbit in an atom or a molecule. Exposure to such kind of radiation can also make instant significant changes to you and your surroundings. However, refrigerators belong to different kinds of radiation. It falls under appliances that produce non-ionizing radiation. This type of radiation emits a lower, safer kind of radiation. It is less harmful to your health and does not directly affect nearby animals and plants.
Despite the low emission of radiation coming from refrigerators, there are still some conditions that could stem from being exposed to radiation. Numerous studies have discovered and are still looking for a connection between constant exposure to radiation and the development of some form of the disease.
One study is that women who worked in electronics while pregnant delivered babies with low birth weight, with some experiencing pre-mature delivery while others experienced miscarriage. Researchers are also continuously working to find a direct correlation between radiation exposure and cancer cell development.
You might think that exposure to EMF radiation can only cause cancer and other serious health issues. This is the point where you are wrong. It can also change some biological functions in an instant. Researchers enumerated the following conditions experienced by people who were exposed to radiation for a long period of time:
- Fatigue;
- Variability in heart rate;
- Headaches;
- High blood pressure;
- Hormonal changes;
- Electro-sensitivity;
- Allergies;
- Changes in sleeping patterns; and
- Tinnitus.
How to Choose the Best Refrigerator?
Having a tool to measure EMF emitted by a refrigerator is the best accessory you can bring when shopping around for a new refrigerator. These devices are capable of providing you with an oversight of how much electromagnetic field radiation you might be subjected to when you start using them at home.
The best refrigerator for your home is something that comes with all the basic features. Skip those that offer “smart” functions like wireless Internet connectivity. Also, make sure that the unit you are purchasing comes with an energy-efficient certification.
These refrigerators are designed to function with less energy and at the same time produce fewer by-products that contribute to hurting the environment. Additionally, basic modern refrigerators do emit less electromagnetic field radiation as they consume less energy compared to old ones and those that come with smart features.
Measuring EMF
An EMF meter is one of the tools used to measure the presence and amount of electromagnetic field in a certain object or area. There are many of these available in the market; each offering its own set of features in its own price segment.
When shopping around for a new refrigerator, it is best to measure the unit’s magnetic, radio, and electric radiation. All EMF readers are capable of determining the level of each of the aforementioned radiation emitted by a refrigerator.
You can start by setting the meter to magnetic mode. It would then start to evaluate the amount of magnetic radiation emitted by this appliance. Next, you can measure if it is capable of and how much electric and radio radiation it produces.
Additionally, you can also measure the presence and amount of EMF in your kitchen prior to looking around for a new refrigerator. It is best done by going to the middle of the room and starting to look for an appliance that emits a large amount of radiation. This way you can easily adjust how much EMF you can allow for your new refrigerator. The best approach is the less EMF it emits, the better.
Refrigerators Can Harm You
You might be thinking that this section will be about over-eating and all. But, seriously speaking, radiation emitted by refrigerators can impact your body. Several researches prove that there is a direct connection between exposure to radiation and various conditions.
Cancer is one area researchers are looking into more deeply. While there is yet an evidence that proves a connection, some studies found that prolonged exposure to radiation can cause small but significant changes to your body functions. It was found that it can cause disturbances when you sleep, the level of your blood pressure, and the energy of your body after being exposed to radiation.
The best counter to get rid of radiation coming from refrigerators is to choose one that is energy efficient but offers the features you need to preserve your food.