Q: I am two months pregnant. The laboratory at my work place has hardware that emits radio waves. These are prototype base stations that mobiles latch on to. We develop software that runs on this hardware. I hope I am not getting too technical. What I am asking is exposure to radio waves harmful during pregnancy? If yes, then is there a safe limit? What could be the possible side effects on the baby? I avoid going to the lab as much as possible but sometimes it becomes inevitable. Hoping to hear from you soon.

A:Many different sources and exposures to electromagnetic fields in the living and working environment, including computer screens, water beds and electric blankets, radio frequency welding machines, diathermy equipment and radar, have been evaluated by the WHO and other organizations. The overall weight of evidence shows that exposure to fields at typical environmental levels does not increase the risk of any adverse outcome such as spontaneous abortions, malformations, low birth weight, and congenital diseases. There have been occasional reports of associations between health problems and presumed exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as reports of prematurity and low birth weight in children of workers in the electronics industry, but these have not been regarded by the scientific community as being necessarily caused by the field exposures (as opposed to factors such as exposure to solvents).