What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Radiation exists all around us, from both natural and manmade sources, and is in two forms: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

Radiation is everywhere and in everything that gives off energy. This includes the Earth!

When we look at the world around us we are seeing visible light waves (or visible radiation). However, there are many other forms of radiation that we cannot see with our eyes. These types include gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, infrared, microwaves and radio waves. Together with visible light, all these types of radiation make up what we call the electromagnetic spectrum – the complete spectrum of radiation.

Electromagnetic radiation travels in waves which have different wavelengths, energies and frequencies.

The wavelength is the distance between individual waves (e.g. from one peak to another). The wavelengths of visible light range between 400 to 700 billionths of a meter. But the entire electromagnetic spectrum extends from one billionth of a meter (for gamma rays) to meters (for some radio waves). The frequency is the number of waves which pass a point in space each second. Visible light frequencies range between 430 trillion waves per second (red) and 750 trillion waves per second (violet). The entire electromagnetic spectrum has frequencies between less than 1 billion waves per second (radio) and greater than 3 billion billion waves per second (gamma rays). Light waves are waves of energy and the amount of energy in a wave is proportional to its frequency. Wavelength increases, while frequency and energy decreases as we go from gamma rays to radio waves.

To visualize these different spans of waves, scientists came up with the Electromagnetic Spectrum.  Virtually all energy falls somewhere on this Electromagnetic Spectrum.

Visible energy or light energy we experience with our eyes falls in the middle of the spectrum. Visible light energy is considered safe and non-harmful.

On the right side of the spectrum you have what they call ionizing (high energy) radiation, which is harmful. Ultraviolet light can cause things like mutated skin cells and melanoma. Further out on the spectrum you have X-rays and Gamma rays which can effect atomic structure.

diagram of electromagnetic radiation spectrum

Non-ionizing radiation produces lower energy waves and seems harmless enough.  After all, it’s lower on the spectrum than visible light.  True, but the sun has been producing ‘natural’ light for millions of years while man-made EMF’s have only been around since this past century and scientific studies show evidence that our bodies are not adapted to properly deal with it.

Non-Ionizing EMF Radiation

Electromagnetic Radiation or EMF radiation, is commonly referred to as lower-energy radiation.  This lower-energy radiation includes microwave-frequency radiation, which is interchangeable with radio wave-frequency radiation (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation, is what enables electricity to function.  Wireless connection for cell phones is made possible through RF and the computing power of it’s internal circuitry is powered by ELF.  These frequencies range from 30 Hz to 300 GHz. Every time we use a cell phone, computer, or any electrical device for that matter, we are surrounded by EMF’s.  If it needs a plug or battery, then it is emitting some level of EMF energy. Although these forms of radiation are on the lower end of the spectrum, they still pose a threat and in some ways can be considered even more dangerous.  It’s because they are on the lower end of the spectrum that they can pose a threat.  Extremely Low Frequencies (ELF) don’t produce immediate effects so we don’t necessarily see the immediate danger.  The effects are cumulative over time.  The effects of radiation cannot be proportionately measured on the spectrum. Damage from high level radiation may be noticed immediately, but side effects from lower level EMF radiation can have equally serious consequences acting as a poison to our bodies. For many years it was thought that lower level energy was completely harmless due to it’s low thermal output and lack of ability to heat up cells and tissues; only high level radiation can heat up body tissue and cells and produce harm.  When looking at the spectrum from a paralleled point of view you would think that would be the case but it doesn’t work that way. The latest research reveals that low level EMF’s, regardless of any heating effect, does produce biological effects on cells and DNA. Numerous studies have linked a variety of health conditions including neurological disease, cancer, infertility, depression and many other ailments to Extremely Low Frequency and Radio Frequency radiation exposure. Prolonged exposure is a cumulative process that can inhibit the flow of cell communication, exchange of neurotransmitters, and the transport of vital hormones throughout body systems eventually shifting biological processes in the body. Although you can’t get rid of EMF’s, it is possible to Neutralize or correct the ionic directional flow of RF’s and ELF’s; taking the incoherent frequencies and turning them into coherent frequencies, making them no longer harmful to human biological systems.

Frequencies on the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Frequency (F) spectrum starts at near zero (0) and can extend indefinitely. The Wavelength (W) spectrum also starts near zero and extends indefinitely in reverse.

Below are frequency band designations, nominal frequency ranges, nominal wavelengths, and their application uses.

Band Designation
Frequency (Hz)
Wavelength
Applications
 
20 Hz -­ 20 kHz
>100 km
Acoustics
30 Hz -­ 300 Hz
10,000 km -­ 1,000 km
Electronics, Submarine Communications
300 Hz – 3 kHz
1,000 km -­ 100 km
Not Applicable
3 kHz -­ 30 kHz
100 km -­ 10 km
Navigation, Weather
30 kHz -­ 300 kHz
10 km -­ 1 km
Navigation, Maritime Communications, Information and Weather Systems, Time Systems
300 kHz -­ 3 MHz
1 km – 100 m
Navigation, AM Radio, Mobile Radio
3 MHz – 30 MHz
100 – 10 m
Citizens Band (CB) Radio (aka Shortwave Radio), Mobile Radio, Maritime Radio
30 MHz -300 MHz
10 m -­ 1 m
Amateur (Ham) Radio, VHF TV, FM Radio, Mobile Satellite, Mobile Radio, Fixed Radio
300 MHz -­ 3 GHz
1 m -­ 10 cm
Microwave, Satellite, UHF TV, Paging, Cordless Telephone, Cellular and PCS Telephony, Wireless LAN (e.g., WiFi)
3 GHz -­ 30 GHz
10 cm – 1 cm
Microwave, Satellite, Wireless LAN (e.g., WiFi)
30 GHz -­ 300 GHz
1 cm -­ 1 mm
Microwave, Satellite, Radiolocation
300 GHz – 400 THz
1 mm -­ 750 nm
Wireless LAN Bridges, Wireless LANs, Fiber Optics
400 THz – 1 PHz
750 nm -­ 380 nm
Not Applicable
1 PHz – 30 PHz
380 nm -10 nm
Not Applicable
30 PHz -­ 30 EHz
10 nm -­ .01 nm
Not Applicable
>3 EHz
<.1 nm
Not Applicable

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.