Domestic appliances are not subject to the 26th Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Emission Protection Law (26th BImSchV). However, limit values defined by this Ordinance and re-commended by the German Commission on Radiological Protection (SSK) for the assessment of possible health effects of all low-frequency electric and magnetic fields in the 50 Hz range, e.g thewse values can be used to evaluate domestic appliances of these fields.

Electric fields always exist in connection with voltage even if there is no current flowing. The electric field strength is measured as Volt per meter (V/m). Magnetic fields, however, only occur if electric charges move, i.e. if the appliances are switched on and a current is flowing. For static and low-frequency magnetic fields usually the magnetic flux density (in microtesla (µT)) is measured.

Low frequency electric and magnetic fields of sufficient intensity are able to influence the nervous system in the body or to interfere with medical implants such as cardiac pacemakers. There is epidemiological evidence that long term exposure to low frequency magnetic fields may have a negative impact on childhood leukaemia.

The values of electric field intensity and magnetic flux density produced by most domestic appliances are generally low and adverse health effects are not to be expected if users keep normal distance from the appliance. In most cases a distance of at least 30 cm from the appliance ensures that the fields do not even interfere with pacemakers. However, people with pacemakers should ask their physician for information on potential interferences from low-frequency fields of domestic appliances. For precautionary reasons BfS recommends to keep exposures to low-frequency electric and magnetic fields as low as reasonably possible. This is especially true for long lasting exposures and for possibly sensitive persons such as, e.g., children, pregnant women and old or sick people.

In the following the typical strength of low-frequency fields in the proximity of some domestic appliances is described and some rules to be observed for precaution are given.

The recommended maximum value for homogeneous electric fields in relation to the human body is 5 kilovolt per meter (kV/m). An electric boiler for example produces a locally restricted electric field of 0.3 kV/m at a distance of 30 cm. The values measured at a distance of 30 cm from hi-fi units, electric irons, refrigerators or hand-held blenders are 0.1 to 0.2 kV/m. A value of about 0.06 kV/m was measured for coffee makers and TV sets. A light bulb produces an electric field of 0.005 kV/m at a distance of 30 cm. Thus most domestic appliances produce only low electric field intensities compared with the recommended maximum values which are locally restricted.

For low-frequency magnetic fields a maximum value of 100 µT to the entire human body is recommended. For commonly used domestic appliances the values of magnetic flux density operated at a distance of 30 cm are well below this maximum value. Examples for values between 0.5 and 10 µT are blenders, electric heaters, washing machines and electric cookers. It is also valid for night storage heaters. Magnetic flux densities below 0.5 µT are measured at a distance of 30 cm from tumble-dryers, computers, refrigerators and video cassette recorders.

However, the values of magnetic field intensity vary considerably, depending on the type and make of appliances. The values at the surface of different types of hairdryers  vary between 6 and 2,000 µT and on the casing of electric razors between 15 and 1,500 µT.

Up to 800 µT can be observed when drilling machines and vacuum cleaners are used. However, health impacts are unlikely since such appliances are only operated for a short time period and electric or magnetic fields are locally restricted. People with pacemakers and electronic implants should, however, be careful when using such equipment. Interference with the functioning of implants cannot be excluded. In case of doubt the attending physician should be consulted.

Some domestic equipment such as clock radios or baby monitors are operated on mains transformers. At distances of 30 cm the measured field strength does not exceed a few microtesla. However, since  such equipment may result in long-term field effects, BfS recommends as a precautionary measure to keep the distance from the equipment as large as possible (ca. 1.5 to 2 m), depending on the function of the equipment.

Product identification referring to the field intensities produced, might provide customers with valuable information for making their purchase decisions.

The electric or magnetic fields produced in the vicinity of domestic installations are well below the maximum values recommended by the German Commission on Radiological Protection (SSK). As a result of the mode of operation, demand switches contribute to the precautionary reduction of the electric fields produced when all appliances are switched off. They will, however, not affect the fields produced during operation. Demand switches, therefore, do not contribute to precautionary reduction of magnetic field effects, since these occur only when equipment is in operation.

In contrast to the majority of domestic appliances, electric blankets are in direct contact with the body. They are also often used for long time periods. Magnetic fields of up to 0.45 microtesla (µT) were measured at a distance of 10 cm from the surface of electric blankets (which corresponds roughly to the body centre of a person lying on it). These values are well below the maximum value of 100 microtesla (µT) recommended by the SSK.

Media have repeatedly reported on negative health effects in connection with magnetic fields produced by electric blankets but scientific investigations have not yet been able to confirm this. The BfS has no information of any negative health effects related to this application.

The BfS recommends in general that electrically operated equipment with live conductors is not left unattended, nor used while lying in bed to avoid the risk of electric shock caused by a damaged of the electrical insulation. It is usually sufficient to warm the bed in advance, the electric blanket should be disconnected while sleeping. Moreover this measure helps to reduce exposure to electric and magnetic fields for reasons of precaution.

Waterbeds are manufactured in such a way that the heating is as far away from the bed surface as possible. At a distance of 10 cm above the surface of the waterbed (which corresponds roughly to the centre of the body of a person on the bed) values of up to 0.2 microtesla (µT) were measured which are far below the maximum value of 100 microtesla (µT) recommended by the SSK. So far no adverse health effects have been observed at these intensities. In accordance with the principle of precaution, BfS generally recommends that permanent exposure to electric and magnetic fields is kept as low as possible.

Induction cookers, sometimes also called eddy current cookers, , operate on the following basic physical principle: electric currents are induced in electrically conducting objects, a saucepan for example, by a changing magnetic field. This current heats the saucepan directly. The alternating magnetic field in the cookers is created by an alternating  current with a frequency of approximately 20 to 100 kHz, which passes through a coil. Saucepans for such cookers are produced from ferromagnetic materials (materials that can be magnetised) in order to improve the heat generation.

As soon as the saucepan is taken off the hob, the energy supply to the coil is automatically switched off and the magnetic field is no longer existent. As long as the saucepan is on the hob, the magnetic field is absorbed by the saucepan. If a saucepan of a fitting size recommended by the manufacturers is placed in the centre of the hob, only low magnetic stray fields can be observed in the vicinity of the cooker. If inappropriate saucepans or frying pans are used (no ferromagnetic material, with an uneven bottom, too small for the hob), however, higher magnetic fields may occur in the near vicinity of the cooker. The same is true if an appropriate saucepan is not placed in the very centre of the hob, so that the hob is on the verge of being switched off. At distances to the hobs that are common practice (10 to 20 cm), magnetic flux densities have been observed that nearly reach or even exceed the limit value of 6.25 µT recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for the relevant frequency range. In order to keep the exposure to these mid-frequency magnetic fields as low as possible, only recommended saucepans of a size fitting to the respective hob should be used. The saucepans should be placed right in the centre of the hob and, if possible, a minimum distance of 5 to 10 cm to the front edge of the cooker should be kept.

People with pacemakers should be careful since even these low stray fields might have an influence on the function of the pacemaker. If you have a pacemaker, please ask your physician for information on potential interferences.