Measurement of electric and magnetic radiation emitted
from an electric toothbrush
Anna V. Hutter and Tanya Hutter1,2,*
1
Materials Science and Engineering Program & Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas
at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
*
[email protected]
Abstract
Non-ionizing radiation is all around us, emitted from cell phones, TVs, computers, and
microwave ovens. The aim of this work was to measure the radiation emitted from electric
toothbrushes during operation, and to compare it to common devices in a house. It was
found that the electric toothbrushes of the same brand emit relatively high magnetic fields
of 370 mG. This is significantly higher than the magnetic field measured two inches away
from the microwave. Further work should be done on measuring other types of electric
toothbrushes to gain more information of possible exposure to magnetic radiation. This
work highlights the possibility of potential health risks from electric toothbrushes and
includes a recommendation for providing warning of high magnetic fields to consumers.
ultraviolet (UV) radiation, x-rays, and
1. Introduction
radioactive materials. Ionizing radiation is
known to be dangerous. The non-ionizing
There are different sources of radiation
radiation is classified as a potential human
that can be found outdoors or indoors.
carcinogen, and effect on human health is
Electric and magnetic fields are an invisible
not yet fully established.1 Non-ionizing
energy, which is often called radiation.
Those
fields
are
grouped
into
radiation is not strong enough to directly
two
affect the structure of atoms or damage
categories - non-ionizing and ionizing
radiation.
In
the
the DNA, but it can cause atoms to vibrate
electromagnetic
and to heat up.
spectrum, the non-ionizing radiation has a
low frequency, and its main sources are
Exposure to non-ionizing radiation is
power lines, radio, TV, cellphones, and
common in the workplace. For example,
microwave ovens. Ionizing radiation has a
electric line workers are exposed to
high frequency, and its main sources are
magnetic fields between 0.5 and 34.8 mG,
1
with an average daily median of 2.5 mG,
prosthetic
while welders are exposed to magnetic
implants.5 A more recent blog post from
fields between 1.7 and 96.0 mG, with an
2020,
average daily median of 8.2 mG. Welding is
radiation of over 100 mG from an electric
the occupation with one of the highest
toothbrush, and highlighted the potential
exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
2
electromagnetic
the radiation emitted from an electric
frequency fields of 0-100 kHz.3
toothbrush and to compare its radiation to
A common household item that is
commonly used electric devices in a house
known to emit radiation is a microwave
such as the microwave oven.
oven, which offers a convenient way to
2. Methods
warm up food. It is well known, that when
the microwave is working, it is best not to
In this study a GQ Multi-Field EMF-390
stand close to it. This is because it can heat
Meter by GQ Electronics LLC7 was used
the body tissues in the same way it heats
(Figure 1). This meter has multiple sensors
food. According to the Food and Drug
that allow for simultaneous measurement
Administration (FDA), the allowed leakage
of electromagnetic field (EMF), radio
for a microwave4 is “5 mW of microwave
square
reported
dental
The aim of this work was to measure
provides some general guidance for low
per
had
and
health concerns associated with its use.6
The World Health Organization (WHO)
radiation
appliances
centimeter
frequency
at
field
(RF),
and
alternating
current electric field (AC EF).
approximately 2 inches from the oven
surface.” The manufacture of microwave
ovens has been regulated by the FDA’s
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
(CDRH) since 1971.
Electric toothbrushes are potentially
better at cleaning the teeth than nonelectric
toothbrushes.
As
all
electric
devices, it also emits electromagnetic
radiation.
However,
there
is
limited
Figure 1: GQ Multi-Field EMF-390 Meter7 used in
information available about the levels of
the
radiation
emitted
from
this study to measure EMF, RF, AC EF and
electric
frequency values.
toothbrushes and the potential effects on
For all the measured electric devices other
health. A study from 2012 looked at how
than the microwave oven, the meter was
magnetic fields produced from an electric
placed directly on top of the devices. For
toothbrush can affect the orthodontic and
2
the microwave oven, the meter was placed
two
inches
away.
background,
The
radiation
ambient,
values
The mobile phone was measured
or
when turned on and when on a call, the
were
latter emitted radiation of EMF equal to 2.5
mG and RF of 1080 mW/m2 RF.
measured in the same room while the
electric devices were turned off.
The values measured for the hairdryer
3. Results and Discussion
were relatively high – the EMF was 338 mG,
the RF was 0, and the AC EF was 980 V/m.
The aim of this work was to measure and
non-ionizing
Microwave oven is a known radiation
electromagnetic radiation emitted from an
emitter, and people normally know to stay
electric toothbrush with other common
away from it while it is working. The
electric
and
measured EMF was 72 mG, the RF was 330
specifically to a microwave oven which is
mW/m2, and the AC EF was similar to
known
ambient.
compare
the
values
devices
to
in
emit
of
the
house,
potentially
harmful
radiation. The measured EMF [mG], RF
Six different
[mW/m2], AC EF [V/m], and frequency [Hz]
electric toothbrushes
were measured in this work, all from the
values are presented in Table 1.
same company and the same brand. Four
background,
were adult toothbrushes and two were
measurement in the room was 0.7 mG for
kids’ ones. All six showed similar EMF
EMF, 0 for RF and 2 V/m for AC EF. When
reading
devices were placed under the meter for
toothbrush emitted RF radiation, and its
the measurements while being turned off,
value was 7 mW/m2. The AC EF was 2 V/m
the measured values similar to those in the
for all toothbrushes, same as ambient. The
room, therefore the devices did not emit
measured frequency ranged from 250 to
any radiation while off.
260 Hz.
The
ambient,
or
of
360-380
mG.
Only
one
Common items such as a fitness
The relatively high radiation from the
tracker and wireless headphones had
electric toothbrushes puts the electric
relatively low levels of radiation. The tablet
toothbrush
was measured by placing the meter at
hazardous emitter in a house. Especially
different locations on the tablet, and the
because it is used at least twice daily, 2
radiation values were highly dependent on
minutes at a time, and in a very close
location - EMF varied from 0.7 to 90 mG, RF
proximity to the brain. Potential health
2
from 1 to 380 mW/m , AC EF was same as
concerns could be even more significant
ambient, and the frequency was 48-85 Hz.
for
as
children,
potentially
whose
the
brain
is
most
still
developing, and for people who have
sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation.
3
Table 1: Measurement results of EMF, RF, AC EF and frequency.
EMF [mG]
RF [mW/m2]
AC EF [V/m]
Frequency [Hz]
Background (no devices)
0.7
0
2
0
Fitness tracker
0.7
4
2
0
Inside-the-ear wireless headphones
0.7
50
2
0
Over-the-ear wireless headphones
0.7
3
2
10
0.7-90
1-380
2
48-85
Mobile phone (not during a call)
1
0
2
0
Mobile phone (during a call)
2.5
1080
2
0
Hairdryer
338
0
980
60
Microwave
72
330
2
60
Electric toothbrush 1
380
0
2
258
Electric toothbrush 2
370
0
2
260
Electric toothbrush 3
360
0
2
250
Electric toothbrush 4
370
0
2
255
Electric toothbrush 5
370
0
2
255
Electric toothbrush 6
360
7
2
260
Device
Tablet
other commonly used electrical devices.
The effects of the exposure differ with
Six electric toothbrushes from the same
respect to frequencies and strength, and
based
on
the
currently
brand emitted similar radiation of around
available
370 mG, while the microwave oven, which
information, it is not possible to conclude
is a known emitter of potentially harmful
about health hazards resulting from the
radiation, had a much lower EMF value of
use of the electric toothbrush.
70 mG at a distance of two inches.
4. Conclusions
The fact that the electric toothbrush
emits
This paper provides a comparison of non-
relatively
high
radiation
is
concerning given its proximity to brain,
ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted
ears, nose, and throat during brushing for
from an electric toothbrush and from
4
two minutes twice daily. More work should
health/radiation-and-health/nonionizing/elff (accessed 2022 -04 -19).
be done to measure other types and
brands of electric toothbrushes in order to
gain a comprehensive understanding of
(4)
Health, C. for D. and R. Microwave
Oven Radiation, U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. FDA 2019.
(5)
Kameda, T.; Ohkuma, K.; Ishii, N.;
Sano, N.; Ogura, H.; Terada, K.
Electric Toothbrushes Induce Electric
Current in Fixed Dental Appliances
by Creating Magnetic Fields. Dent.
Mater. J. 2012, 31 (5), 856–862.
https://doi.org/10.4012/dmj.2012129.
(6)
Do Electric Toothbrushes Emit EMF
Radiation?
https://emfknowledge.com/2020/02/
14/electric-toothbrushes-emfradiation/ (accessed 2022 -04 -19).
(7)
GQ Electronics LLC, Advanced GQ
EMF-390 Multi-Field, Multi-Function
EMF Meter and RF Spectrum Power
Analyzer
https://www.gqelectronicsllc.com/co
mersus/store/comersus_viewItem.as
p?idProduct=5678 (accessed 2022 04 -19).
the emitted radiation across different
types and brands.
There should be more awareness of
the relatively high magnetic fields and the
potential
health
dangers
of
electric
toothbrushes. Therefore, we recommend
that
a
warning
message
about
the
potentially harmful radiation should be
provided
to
the
consumers
by
the
manufactures. We also recommend that
dentists provide this information to their
patients when they discuss oral care
options.
Those
actions
will
allow
consumers to make better decisions with
regards to the type of toothbrush they
prefer to use.
References
(1)
Moon, J.-H. Health Effects of
Electromagnetic Fields on Children.
Clin. Exp. Pediatr. 2020, 63 (11), 422–
428.
https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2019.014
94.
(2)
NIOSH fact sheet. EMFs in the
workplace.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96129/default.html (accessed 2022 -04
-22).
(3)
Exposure to extremely low frequency
fields, World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/teams/environ
ment-climate-change-and-
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