Results

A map of EMF around SFU was created and EMF levels were placed into catagories. Green denotes that no magnetic radiation found, yellow denotes that EMF was found but it remains in the safe level for daily exposure (three milligauss), orange denotes that EMF was found but it was only slightly higher than the safe level, and red denotes that EMF was found to be high (greater than ten milligauss). See map below.

The areas of high exposure include point 112, located within the townhouse residence complex, point 41, located in the girls bathroom in the Academic Quadrangle near C9001, and point 42, located in the Academic Quadrangle next to B9200. Point 112 was in the vicinity of an electrical room and a pay telephone, which may explain its high value. Point 41 was located in a bathroom where electric hand driers are present; however, the meter was a fair distance from the heaters and since EMF decreases with distance from the source this may not be the source of the EMF (WHO, 2008). Finally, point 42 did not seem to be in the vicinity of anything significant that may produce EMF so the source of this magnetic radiation is unknown. The other areas that were above the recommended safe level include point 12, located next to a pay telephone, point 121, located near the passenger drop off area in the front of SFU, and point 102, located in the east side of West Mall Complex. No overall patterns were found for EMF levels above 3 milligauss. Since measurements were at random across SFU campus, it is possible that a pattern could have been seen if there were more points taken or different points taken. Students and faculty should consider avoiding the areas with EMF values about 3 milligauss (orange and red dots), or SFU should look into the sources of the magnetic fields and potentially rectify the problem as to prevent any future health risks.

A spatial interpolation could have been conducted for the EMF points to see what the distribution would be throughout the rest of the campus. Unfortunately, because there is high variability to the points this would not be very accurate. Three points were taken within McTaggert Cowen Residences each being 2 meters from each other and they were all quite different. Since magnetic fields decrease with distance, a spatial interpolation would not accurately depict the spatial distribution of EMF across SFU campus.