Radiation
Radiation is all around us. From the warmth of sunlight to the X-rays that are used in hospitals or clinics, it comes in many forms—some harmless, while others are more concerning. But what about the radiation inside your car?
The Two Types of Radiation
To begin with, you need to know that radiation falls into two main categories:
- Ionizing Radiation: This is the powerful kind—the type that can knock electrons loose from atoms. It creates ions. X-rays, gamma rays, and certain nuclear sources fall into this category. Too much exposure to this can damage any living tissue and worse, may even lead to cancer.
- Non-Ionizing Radiation: This category includes ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radiofrequency (RF) waves. It doesn’t pack enough energy to ionize atoms, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Prolonged or high-intensity exposure can still have biological effects.
Where Does Radiation in Cars Come From?
Every major electrical component in the car plays a part in producing EMF, and some parts generate stronger fields than others:
Electric Motors and Batteries
At the heart of every electric and hybrid vehicle is an electric motor powered by a high-capacity battery. The constant flow of current through these systems produces what we call as extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields. It’s basically the same type of EMF found in power lines and household appliances.
Charging Systems
Ever noticed a hum while your car charges? That’s because both the charging station and the onboard charging system generate ELF magnetic fields while it’s recharging. The intensity of these fields will greatly depend on the design and placement of the charging parts.
In-Vehicle Electronics
From infotainment screens to GPS systems, these news and modern cars are loaded with tech. These electronics emit radiofrequency (RF) fields, which are much higher in frequency than ELF fields. While this is needed for connectivity, they add another layer to the EMF environment inside the vehicle.
How Much Radiation Are You Exposed to in a Car?
Radiation exposure is measured in millisieverts (mSv)—a unit that quantifies how much radiation the body absorbs.
Measuring Radiation
Devices like Geiger counters and dosimeters help track exposure levels. These can provide actual readings of radiation in any given environment.
Radiation Levels in Cars
While some studies show that radiation levels inside vehicles are comparable to what we encounter in daily life, other findings are showing the opposite and this is something that you and every passenger need to be aware about.
Health Risks of Radiation
Radiation exposure comes with a mix of short-term and long-term considerations. Here’s what you need to know about the risks:
Short-Term Effects
High doses of ionizing radiation—think nuclear accidents—can cause immediate health issues like nausea, fatigue, and radiation burns. But here’s the reality: the radiation levels you encounter daily, including inside your car, are nowhere near these dangerous thresholds.
Long-Term Effects
Long-term exposure to elevated ionizing radiation levels is associated with increased cancer risks and potential genetic mutations. On the other hand, non-ionizing radiation—like what you get from mobile phones—has been extensively studied, and so far, there’s no conclusive evidence tying typical exposure levels to serious health concerns.
How Vehicle Radiation Compares to Everyday Exposure
To put things in perspective, let’s make a comparison of vehicle-related radiation to a more familiar source:
Cellphone Radiation
What about cars radiation vs. cellphone radiation? Mobile phones emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation, a type of non-ionizing radiation. Radiation from cars is a different ball game.
Unlike cell phones, which blast out radiation in the gigahertz (GHz) range—billions of cycles per second—electric and hybrid vehicles generate magnetic fields in hertz (Hz). We’re talking tens or hundreds of cycles per second instead. That’s a major shift in how these waves interact with the human body.
While the full impact of these fields is still being studied, one thing’s clear—car radiation operates on a completely different wavelength, literally.
Why You Need to Stay Updated
New findings are raising questions about the potential health risks of radiation exposure inside vehicles. While past studies suggested that radiation levels from in-car electronics, Bluetooth, and EV battery systems were well within safety limits, emerging findings indicate that long-term exposure may carry risks that were previously overlooked.
As scientific understanding changes, so should our awareness. Regulations and safety guidelines may not always keep pace with the latest discoveries and that’s why it’s important to stay informed, reassess safety measures, and make adjustments where necessary.
