PHOENIX – So much for the conspiracy theory about an electrical substation’s proximity being the root of the 49ers’ injury evils.
General manager John Lynch shared Sunday that an independent scientist deemed the 49ers safe from electromagnetic waves, after conducting tests from the practice fields to the weight room and even the cafeteria.
“He basically (said) it was a big nothing burger. We’re safe. We’re in a safe place of work,” Lynch said at the NFL annual meeting at the Biltmore Resort. “The levels are, I think I read, 400 times less than an unsafe zone. It’s a normal place of work, a normal gym. We’re safe, we’re healthy and we feel really good about that.”
As an injury-riddled 49ers roster lurched into the playoffs, speculation turned to the neighboring power plant’s impact on health, sparked by a social-media thread from wellness entrepreneur Peter Cowan and his use of a gaussmeter outside the facility’s fences.
Some players encouraged the 49ers to investigate, but Lynch noted that it was not broached by anyone who joined the team in the past few weeks since free agency opened, including wide receiver Mike Evans.
The 49ers did not share the identity of the independent scientist.
“That (study) was important to us. Not just to turn a blind eye, but to look into it because it’s our players’ wellness, and our coaches’ and staff,” Lynch said. “It’s encouraging it came out in a good place.
“His findings were clear,” Lynch added. “Our facility is safe, exposure level is similar to what you’d experience in a typical workplace or commercial gym.”
In practical terms, more direct exposure would come from using a hair dryer in the morning or waiting in front of a microwave oven for your popcorn to finish.
The NFL Players Association stated ahead of last month’s Super Bowl that it would be following the 49ers’ investigation, which is now complete.
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