Non-ionizing, electro-magnetic (EM) radiation is radiation without enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from their orbits around an atoms nucleus. Examples are microwaves, radio waves (RF), infrared light (IR), visible light, extremely low frequency (ELF) fields and fields produced by video display terminals. Extremely Low Frequency field are produced by basics building electrical current. Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from the orbits around an atoms nucleus when the two interact.

These forms of EM energy are generally not dangerous, with some exceptions: high-energy radio waves microwaves and IR light can cause destructive heating of biological tissue; intense visible light can cause blindness; and intense UV can cause blindness and superficial skin burns in high doses over a short period of time. Skin cancer and cataracts of the eye at lower doses over long periods of time are also associated hazards. There is debate as to whether long-term exposure to moderate-to-intense radio-frequency (RF) fields and ELF fields is harmful to human beings.

The Environmental Health and Safety Office can provide training on the various aspects of non-ionizing radiation and measure the exposure to employees of non-ionizing radiation produced by ELF and video display terminals.