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There is no consensus on whether electric blankets can cause cancer due to the electromagnetic fields they emit. Some studies suggest a link, while others find no difference. It is up to individuals to make their own decision on whether to use them or not.
For a number of years, people have heard reports of electric blankets causing cancer. Some people dismiss this as nothing more than an urban legend, while others insist the idea has a scientific basis. In fact, there has been a large study on the relationship between electric blankets and cancer. Unfortunately, there’s no consensus as to whether there’s really a connection or if the whole idea is simply a myth.
Discussion of electric blanket use and cancer risks usually revolves around the issue of electromagnetic fields that emanate from various types of wiring. In theory, the wiring in an electric blanket would give off a field as easily as the wiring found in homes or power lines that supply residences and other buildings with electricity. If this is true, continued exposure to the field through regular use of an electric blanket could help trigger a variety of ailments, including the development of cancer.
What is often up for debate is whether or not an electric blanket has an electromagnetic field strong enough to trigger the growth of cancer cells in the body. People who don’t believe blankets pose a serious threat point out that all kinds of objects generate fields of their own, including televisions, computers, and various types of kitchen appliances, which emit a much stronger field than an electric blanket.
Proponents of the connection point out that it is sometimes a matter of proximity over long periods, rather than the strength of the field. The wiring in the home is usually inside walls, so there is a barrier between individuals and the source of the field. People tend not to use kitchen appliances and stay in their presence for hours on end. People spend six to eight hours at a time under an electric blanket, however, with little more separation than just a sheet.
While it would seem that scientific studies would either confirm or refute any connection between electric blankets and cancer, there have been no firm conclusions. The results of some studies indicate that women who frequently use electric blankets are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Some studies indicate that men who sleep under an electric blanket may be at higher risk for testicular cancer.
At the same time, other studies find no difference between test subjects who use blankets and those who don’t. Evaluations of these various studies by government health agencies do little to shed light on the matter. Some agencies find there is a connection, while others see no appreciable risk.
Ultimately, your best option is to make your own decision about electric blanket warnings and determine how you will respond. If you think there’s some legitimacy to the concept of a fact-based electric blanket cancer scare, remove the devices from your home and use other methods to keep warm at night. On the other hand, if you feel that the alleged connection has no basis, you may choose to continue using the blanket on cold nights. Until irrefutable evidence is produced, the best anyone can do is weigh the options for themselves and make a personal decision.
