What is electromagnetic radiation, and how wary should we be?

The word "radiation" carries some understandably worrisome connotations. From harmful radioactive waste to apocalyptic nuclear catastrophes, electromagnetic radiation is certainly something to be cautious about. However, that type of radiation is only one far end of the spectrum. On the other end are visible light waves and radio waves that we come into contact with and even depend upon every day. In order to be properly prepared to deal with electromagnetic radiation in a safe way, it's important to get the full picture.

So, what exactly are electromagnetic rays, how does their radiation affect us, how do we use it, and how can it hurt us? Read on to find out.

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Electromagnetic waves -

Electromagnetic waves might not be seen, but they're all around us and have a hand in countless aspects of life that we might take for granted. Certain types of electromagnetic waves, however, in certain quantities, can be dangerous.

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A short history -

Electromagnetic waves weren't invented, but discovered and then harnessed. They've been around forever, since the birth of the universe. It wasn't until the 19th century, however, that their existence was proven.

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Heinrich Hertz -

Heinrich Hertz, born in Germany in 1857, was the first person to definitively prove the existence of electromagnetic waves. He experimented with putting their power to specialized use, sending these waves from one antenna to another.

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The electromagnetic spectrum -

Since the days of Hertz, we have gained a far stronger understanding of the world of electromagnetic waves. The nature and effects of these waves change with the shapes of their wavelengths.

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Visible light -

Visible light does in fact travel along electromagnetic waves. In relation to the electromagnetic spectrum, visible light and the colors perceivable by the human eye travel on wavelengths between 380 to 700 nanometers in length.

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Ultraviolet rays -

Ultraviolet rays, which aren't visible to the naked eye, are ever so slightly shorter than visible light waves, resting between 400 nanometers and 10 nanometers. Some insects, such as bees, can detected ultraviolet light, and astronomers can use UV rays to observe otherwise invisible happenings in the cosmos.

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Radio waves -

Radio waves are the longest and largest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, with arcs that can be as tall as a 10-story building, but are still imperceptible to the human eye. Radio waves can be detected bouncing all across not only the planet, but the galaxy and the universe at large.

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Microwaves -

Microwaves are one of the most popular and well-known electromagnetic waves, ever since their convenient cooking capabilities were widely utilized in the 1970s. They're also used by meteorologists around the world to track weather movements.

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Infrared -

Infrared waves can't be seen, but can be felt as heat by humans. This is why infrared waves are utilized in heat imaging. We also have infrared waves to thank for our convenient television remotes.

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X-rays -

Despite being some of the most dangerous waves on the electromagnetic spectrum, they are also utilized to do the most good. X-rays have some of the shortest wavelengths on the spectrum, meaning they can penetrate lots of solid material such as human skin, but aren't quite small enough to penetrate bone. This is why X-rays can be used by the medical community to easily look inside the body and check for bone injuries and tumors.

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Gamma rays -

Gamma rays inhabit the far end of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are the shortest of the wavelengths. Their size and concentration verges on incomprehensible, measuring in at mere tenths of an angstrom, a unit of measurement equal to 0.0000000001 meter. This size enables gamma rays to penetrate just about any material on earth, and is one of the strongest electromagnetic powers in the universe. Gamma rays are produced by only the most intense energy expulsions in the universe, such as nuclear explosions and supernovas.

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Electromagnetic radiation -

Simply put, radiation is just the movement of electromagnetic waves through any given space or material. Thus, radiation isn't inherently damaging. The largest electromagnetic waves, like massive radio waves and visible light waves, have no way of penetrating any type of human tissue and therefore pose no real danger. But smaller and more energetic waves like X-rays and gamma rays have more penetration power, and are extremely harmful to humans and other biological life.

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An invisible world all around us -

Electromagnetic waves in all their forms are all around us, and in fact stretch across the entire known universe. We may not see most of them, but they all clearly affect our lives in vastly different ways.

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No need for molecules -

What makes electromagnetic waves so powerful is their freedom of movement. They don't rely on molecules or solid matter to move around, and can thus move through thin air and space at will.

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The benefits of electromagnetic waves -

Many electromagnetic waves, especially on the larger side of the spectrum, can be harnessed in ways that are greatly beneficial to us.

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The family microwave -

The most obvious example is, of course, the aforementioned microwave. Ever since the 1970s, these wonderful boxes that emit, well, microwaves, have made rushed meals more convenient than ever.

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Getting your tan on -

Ultraviolet rays can be harmful and even cancerous in excessive amounts, but they're also to thank for our deep summer tans. Just make sure to wear your sunscreen!

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The wireless world -

Every wireless phone call, internet connection, and file transfer rides along electromagnetic wavelengths. We can all agree that life without these luxuries is almost unimaginable!

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What makes certain electromagnetic waves dangerous? -

As we have seen, electromagnetic waves can also cause serious damage. Extremely powerful waves like gamma rays can cause immediate damage, but prolonged exposure to other waves like ultraviolet and infrared can also be harmful.

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The dangers of electromagnetic waves -

The dangers associated with electromagnetic waves are just as wide and varied as the wavelengths themselves, and can range from minor annoyances to death sentences.

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Damage inside and out -

Electromagnetic radiation can cause minor surface damage, such as sunburns or retina damage, but can also produce the kind of catastrophic and horrifying destruction seen in tragedies like Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Chernobyl.

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The threat of cancer -

While gamma rays released in nuclear explosions are so destructive that cancer doesn't even have a chance to develop, other rays like the ultraviolet waves that are emitted from the sun can cause cancer if proper precautions aren't taken.

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How to protect from electromagnetic radiation -

Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce exposure to potentially harmful electromagnetic radiation that are easy and affordable.

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Keep the router away -

Wi-fi routers are in almost every home and office building around the world, and are so ubiquitous that their presence is often forgotten. While only nominally harmful, some experts say putting your router in a less frequently trafficked part of your house can help minimize exposure to radio waves.

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Use speaker phone -

The same goes with cell phones. Using speaker phone keeps your radio wave-emitting device further from your ears and brain, where they might do damage over long periods of time.

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Keep the shades and sunscreen on -

Ultraviolet rays are best combated by a good pair of sunglasses and a healthy coating of sunscreen. To avoid the chances of developing an eye or skin condition, make sure you always have these tools handy when you head to the beach.

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Rewire the bedroom -

Bedrooms are more and more epicenters of wireless activity. From cell phones to smart bulbs and Bluetooth speakers, there are often numerous electromagnetic waves bouncing all around at the same time. You can practice good bedroom hygiene by going back to the basics: use wired speakers, keep your router somewhere else, and turn your phone off when it's time to go to sleep.

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Airplane mode -

Your smartphone's airplane mode doesn't just have to be for flights. You can also use airplane mode to minimize electromagnetic radiation from your phone by using airplane mode whenever you're not actively using it or expecting an important call.

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The 5G controversy -

A few years ago, the advent of 5G broadband for cell networks caused quite a stir, with some critics claiming that the electromagnetic radiation emitted from 5G towers was stronger and more dangerous than anything seen before. According to the World Health Organization, however, the radiation emitted from 5G-capable devices is "negligible."