Thread: effect of radio waves

Hello people


I want to ask that radio waves can be harmful for living things? ( I know the some em waves such as gamma or x-ray also microwaves can be harmful ) If it is, how ? or why? then what is the limit of radio waves to be safe. I ask because, gamma rays or x-rays have some specific units such as gray or sievert for calculaion of effect of these radiation to living things. I know these are high energetic radiations not like radio waves . Also are these units can be used for radio waves ? Therefore if it is not, which frequency of em wave can effect minimum harm ? What is the limitation ?

Thanks for your all comments...

(1of3) John Kanzius Machine / Cancer Cure / Radio Waves - YouTubeJohn Kanzius (March 1, 1944 -- February 18, 2009) - YouTube

Originally Posted by PhysicsEngineer

Hello people


I want to ask that radio waves can be harmful for living things? ( I know the some em waves such as gamma or x-ray also microwaves can be harmful ) If it is, how ? or why? then what is the limit of radio waves to be safe. I ask because, gamma rays or x-rays have some specific units such as gray or sievert for calculaion of effect of these radiation to living things. I know these are high energetic radiations not like radio waves . Also are these units can be used for radio waves ? Therefore if it is not, which frequency of em wave can effect minimum harm ? What is the limitation ?

Thanks for your all comments...

Harmfulness of "Radio Waves" depends upon a number of things, some of which are inconclusive. If RADAR waves are included in the definition of Radio, then we become more concerned of harmful effects; after all, the very first microwave ovens were named "RadarRange". It all depends mainly on the wavelength, which determines the relative energy or penetrative qualities, as well as the intensity of a given wavelength radiation. jocular

Originally Posted by PhysicsEngineer

Hello people


I want to ask that radio waves can be harmful for living things? ( I know the some em waves such as gamma or x-ray also microwaves can be harmful ) If it is, how ? or why? then what is the limit of radio waves to be safe. I ask because, gamma rays or x-rays have some specific units such as gray or sievert for calculaion of effect of these radiation to living things. I know these are high energetic radiations not like radio waves . Also are these units can be used for radio waves ? Therefore if it is not, which frequency of em wave can effect minimum harm ? What is the limitation ?

The danger from sub-light frequencies is from heating. As long as you keep the tissues from heating too much, you're fine.

Until you get up to UV frequencies, the energy of photons is too low to break chemical bonds, so you're not going to induce cancers, etc.

Sure it can be dangerous! But just as dangerous as a strong light. When it gets to strong you'll heat up. Simple as that. But tk421's answer should be sufficient. There are a few very specific excpetions though. Some frequencies we cannot see have a significant effect on hidden occular sensors, which can greatly affect our behaviour, yet we cannot see them. This is however rare, and not so dangerous.