Electricity is all around us all the time.​

It makes our lives easier, safer, more fun,​

It makes our lives easier, safer, more fun,​

and most of us never think about it.​

and most of us never think about it.​

But is there such a thing as too much electricity?​

But is there such a thing as too much electricity?​

Could the thing that is the foundation of the modern world​

Could the thing that is the foundation of the modern world​

slowly be killing us?​

slowly be killing us?​

Before we dive deeper,​

Before we dive deeper,​

let's try to understand what electricity is,​

let's try to understand what electricity is,​

and how it affects us.​

and how it affects us.​

Electricity is the movement of an electric charge.​

Electricity is the movement of an electric charge.​

This movement generates ​​Electric​ and ​Magnetic Fields​

This movement generates ​​Electric​ and ​Magnetic Fields​

that spread out through space and carry energy.​

that spread out through space and carry energy.​

We call this phenomenon:​ ​​​Electromagnetic Radiation​.​

We call this phenomenon:​ ​​​Electromagnetic Radiation​.​

Radiation is a word that makes people very nervous.​

Radiation is a word that makes people very nervous.​

But, to radiate just means, "giving off".​

But, to radiate just means, "giving off".​

Like when the radiator in your house gives off heat​

Like when the radiator in your house gives off heat​

in the form of infrared radiation.​

in the form of infrared radiation.​

Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum​

Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum​

correspond to different types of radiation.​

correspond to different types of radiation.​

And, many of them are perfectly harmless.​

And, many of them are perfectly harmless.​

Some of them can be dangerous though.​

Some of them can be dangerous though.​

Radiation with very short wavelengths​

Radiation with very short wavelengths​

like UV Light, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays​

like UV Light, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays​

are strong enough to rip electrons out of their atoms,​

are strong enough to rip electrons out of their atoms,​

which can cause burns and genetic damage.​

which can cause burns and genetic damage.​

This is what many people have in mind when they hear the term "radiation".​

This is what many people have in mind when they hear the term "radiation".​

The rest of the spectrum covers a large range of longer waves​

The rest of the spectrum covers a large range of longer waves​

from Visible Light, Infrared,​

from Visible Light, Infrared,​

Microwaves, to Radio Waves.​

Microwaves, to Radio Waves.​

This is the kind of radiation that's emitted by all sorts of human technology.​

This is the kind of radiation that's emitted by all sorts of human technology.​

Mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers,​

Mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers,​

electric power lines, and household appliances.​

electric power lines, and household appliances.​

This radiation doesn't disrupt molecules in our body.​

This radiation doesn't disrupt molecules in our body.​

However, some kinds of radiation can stimulate muscles and nerves​

However, some kinds of radiation can stimulate muscles and nerves​

and can also make the hair on your body vibrate,​

and can also make the hair on your body vibrate,​

which can sometimes cause a tingly feeling above certain threshold values.​

which can sometimes cause a tingly feeling above certain threshold values.​

Other kinds are useful for making dinner.​

Other kinds are useful for making dinner.​

Microwaves push the water molecules in your food around​

Microwaves push the water molecules in your food around​

which warms it up.​

which warms it up.​

This happens to us all the time.​

This happens to us all the time.​

For example, the pleasant warmth you feel at the beach​

For example, the pleasant warmth you feel at the beach​

is your skin heating up from exposure to​

is your skin heating up from exposure to​

electromagnetic infrared radiation from the sun.​

electromagnetic infrared radiation from the sun.​

We are surrounded by natural, and generally harmless,​

We are surrounded by natural, and generally harmless,​

sources of electromagnetic radiation all the time​

sources of electromagnetic radiation all the time​

and always have been.​

and always have been.​

But, since the Industrial Revolution,​

But, since the Industrial Revolution,​

we have added a lot of it to our immediate environment.​

we have added a lot of it to our immediate environment.​

The question of whether this is actually dangerous​

The question of whether this is actually dangerous​

first got public attention when a 1979 study​

first got public attention when a 1979 study​

linked leukemia to living near power lines.​

linked leukemia to living near power lines.​

This particular study was quickly discredited though.​

This particular study was quickly discredited though.​

The connection could not be explained​

The connection could not be explained​

and no direct causal link was confirmed.​

and no direct causal link was confirmed.​

But once this had been proposed, the idea persisted.​

But once this had been proposed, the idea persisted.​

And the thousands of studies about possible dangers​

And the thousands of studies about possible dangers​

illustrate that it's still seen as a very real threat.​

illustrate that it's still seen as a very real threat.​

A lot of people claim to be sensitive to the radiation​

A lot of people claim to be sensitive to the radiation​

coming from our appliances and cell phones.​

coming from our appliances and cell phones.​

They report symptoms like headaches,​

They report symptoms like headaches,​

nausea, skin reactions,​

nausea, skin reactions,​

burning eyes, or exhaustion.​

burning eyes, or exhaustion.​

But those are just effects reported on a day-to-day basis.​

But those are just effects reported on a day-to-day basis.​

A few studies have found much more unsettling results.​

A few studies have found much more unsettling results.​

Like, possible connections between the side of the brain,​

Like, possible connections between the side of the brain,​

which people use when they are on their phones,​

which people use when they are on their phones,​

and the appearance of brain tumors.​

and the appearance of brain tumors.​

The question that science is trying to answer,​

The question that science is trying to answer,​

is not so much about the acute effects of irradiation.​

is not so much about the acute effects of irradiation.​

We know, for example,​

We know, for example,​

that x-rays cause immediate damage to the DNA in your cells​

that x-rays cause immediate damage to the DNA in your cells​

but that the same doesn't happen with radio waves.​

but that the same doesn't happen with radio waves.​

The question is rather:​

The question is rather:​

Is the sort of weak electromagnetic radiation we are constantly surrounded by​

Is the sort of weak electromagnetic radiation we are constantly surrounded by​

harmful in the long run as a result of some as-yet-unknown mechanism?​

harmful in the long run as a result of some as-yet-unknown mechanism?​

Answering this question was much harder than we first thought.​

Answering this question was much harder than we first thought.​

There are thousands of primary sources,​

There are thousands of primary sources,​

reports, and statements by an onslaught of different organizations.​

reports, and statements by an onslaught of different organizations.​

So, we read a lot for this video.​

So, we read a lot for this video.​

You can take a look at our research in the video description.​

You can take a look at our research in the video description.​

What we found is that this debate is a good example​

What we found is that this debate is a good example​

of how science should be communicated and how it shouldn't.​

of how science should be communicated and how it shouldn't.​

Many of the much-cited studies that spread panic about electromagnetic radiation​

Many of the much-cited studies that spread panic about electromagnetic radiation​

are highly controversial.​

are highly controversial.​

For example,​

For example,​

a series of population studies based on surveys and self-reporting.​

a series of population studies based on surveys and self-reporting.​

What this means is, for example,​

What this means is, for example,​

asking brain tumor patients how much they think they used their phone in the last few years.​

asking brain tumor patients how much they think they used their phone in the last few years.​

The problem is that people are unreliable.​

The problem is that people are unreliable.​

We tend to misremember things or can be influenced easily.​

We tend to misremember things or can be influenced easily.​

On top of this,​

On top of this,​

studies or media reports may be cherry picking the findings that best suit their opinion​

studies or media reports may be cherry picking the findings that best suit their opinion​

or make for the most exciting headline.​

or make for the most exciting headline.​

For example,​

For example,​

a study looking for cancer in rats and mice from cell phone radiation.​

a study looking for cancer in rats and mice from cell phone radiation.​

The results seemed to show a connection.​

The results seemed to show a connection.​

But, for some reason, only in male rats.​

But, for some reason, only in male rats.​

And, none at all in mice.​

And, none at all in mice.​

But it was ​​reported​ as if this study did prove​

But it was ​​reported​ as if this study did prove​

that mobile phone radiation causes cancer.​

that mobile phone radiation causes cancer.​

Unfortunately, this is the case for studies with both positive and negative findings on the issue.​

Unfortunately, this is the case for studies with both positive and negative findings on the issue.​

Another aspect, is that the WHO did officially classify radio frequency fields​

Another aspect, is that the WHO did officially classify radio frequency fields​

as possibly carcinogenic.​

as possibly carcinogenic.​

But what this actually means​

But what this actually means​

is that there are some hints that they might cause cancer,​

is that there are some hints that they might cause cancer,​

but we can't prove it, and that we will keep an eye out.​

but we can't prove it, and that we will keep an eye out.​

So, if we zoom out a bit, what's the big picture?​

So, if we zoom out a bit, what's the big picture?​

On the whole,​

On the whole,​

there was no consistent evidence in human studies​

there was no consistent evidence in human studies​

that electromagnetic radiation below exposure value limits causes health problems.​

that electromagnetic radiation below exposure value limits causes health problems.​

There are some statistical associations​

There are some statistical associations​

but they're mostly weak and inconsistent.​

but they're mostly weak and inconsistent.​

If there were any definite cause-effect relations​

If there were any definite cause-effect relations​

we would know by now because of all the data we have.​

we would know by now because of all the data we have.​

So, based on the current state of science,​

So, based on the current state of science,​

should you worry about the radiation from your laptop, or cell phone, or TV?​

should you worry about the radiation from your laptop, or cell phone, or TV?​

The answer is no.​

The answer is no.​

You shouldn't.​

You shouldn't.​