Do Electric Blankets Cause Cancer?

Electric blankets work to provide heat when it’s cold. Unlike regular blankets, heat is generated by electricity so you stay warmer. But some people want to know, do electric blankets cause cancer? Here is what you need to know about how to stay safe with them, and if they’re something to avoid due to cancer risks.

How Electric Blankets Work

How electric blankets work is pretty simple. There is a heating element that is part of the blanket, and once it is plugged into an electrical outlet, this heating element or insulated wire heats up to keep you warm.

Do Electric Blankets Cause Cancer?

All devices emit some kind of radio waves. In the case of electric blankets, they have the same frequency as shavers, hair dryers, and electrical lines. They are a source for very low magnetic fields (EMF) and electrical fields.

According to Healthline,

The National Cancer Institute indicates that “no mechanism by which ELF-EMFs or radiofrequency radiation could cause cancer has been identified.”

Berkeley Wellness also indicates that there’s “no convincing evidence that typical exposures to EMFs pose any risk” of causing cancer.

It seems that extensive research states more of the same. According to Academic, there is a lot of research that shows while there is always a minor risk, results did not support an association between breast cancer risk and exposure to EMFs from electric blankets.

It is also important to note that this study took four years, and those in the study used electric blankets for at least 16 years.

Electric Blankets and Proximity Exposure

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to electric blankets, while studies do not show much risk of cancer, you still have exposure to EMF radiation. The same Academic group that conducted the testing for cancer showed that,

Electric blanket use represents a substantial source of close, whole-body exposure to EMFs. The contribution of an electric blanket turned on throughout the night to a user’s total exposure to EMFs has been estimated to be from two to four times those of ambient background residential levels.

So while you may not be at risk for cancer, you do have a higher risk of EMF exposure due to its proximity to your body. Think about it. When you use a blanket, you use it right on your body – and near every part.