For most of the world, electronics have become an integral part of daily life. We use electronics to communicate, to work, to play, to light our homes, to brush our teeth, and to tell time. In the US alone, over 94% of adults report owning a mobile phone, and of those 86% report owning a smartphone.
But despite the overwhelming positive impact electronics have made on our quality of life, many are starting to question whether modern technologies may pose a risk to our health.
Hundreds of scientists and doctors, backed by research, have begun to ring the alarm bells. Many scientists are urging us to reconsider the implications of ubiquitous electronic devices on our long-term health and wellbeing.
EMFs and Electronics- Understanding the Connection
So, why all the fuss? Why, exactly, have scientists and doctors ignited a debate on the safety of the devices that now surround us?
As it turns out, the electronic devices we use emit electromagnetic fields, often referred to using the acronym EMF.
Electromagnetic fields are all around us and occur in nature. The Earth emits an electromagnetic field and even our bodies have their own EMF’s. EMF’s occur wherever there are charged particles in motion. Lightning storms, for example, charge particles in the atmosphere and create EMF’s.
Our smartphones emit EMF’s in order to communicate with cell towers. Using powerful antennae, they transmit data to servers, pinpoint our location, and place calls to other smartphone users.
The type of EMF emitted by our phones is known as radiofrequency (RF) radiation. This type of radiation is non-ionizing, meaning it won’t destroy or denature the stuff it passes through. Because it has a lower energy level than more powerful types of radiation, it simply heats up the molecules it passes through, but it does not destroy them.
Because RF radiation passes energy to the molecules it passes through in the form of heat, radiofrequency radiation has found application in microwave ovens. That’s right, microwaves work by emitting a low-energy form of radiation that heats the molecules of your food as it passes through them.
It is an established fact that smartphones cause the body to heat up when they are used in close vicinity to the body. This phenomenon occurs for the same reason that microwaves heat your food. The RF radiation emitted by your smartphone causes the molecules in your flesh to heat up as the radiation passes through your body.
In comparison to the EMF’s found in nature, the EMF’s created by our modern devices, particularly our smartphones and communications devices, are very powerful. While the body is robust and adapts to change, many scientists worry that there hasn’t been enough thoughtful research on the impact these EMF’s may have on our body.
Particularly, research on the safety of smartphones has focused almost exclusively on the heat-inducing aspect of RF radiation. Some scientists have considered devices that transfer minimal heat to the human body as being safe. This view is being called into question as the evidence mounts that our bodies are sensitive to EMF’s in other ways, as well.
For example, certain brain process relating to sleep, anxiety, depression, and energy levels may be negatively impacted by the exogenous EMF’s induced by smartphones. These secondary effects of smartphone use fall outside of the heat-transfer paradigm and, therefore, haven’t been given as much attention in smartphone safety research.
That’s not to say that smartphones are the only threat to our health when it comes to RF radiation. WiFi routers, smart meters, Bluetooth headphones, fitness trackers, wireless printers, vehicles, and many other “smart” communications technologies are constantly emitting RF radiation.
And the radiation onslaught of modern technology doesn’t stop there. In fact, any technology that uses flowing electricity—pretty much all electronics—creates small EMF’s known as extremely-low frequency EMF’s, or ELF EMF’s.
ELF EMF’s are far less powerful than their cousins, RF EMF’s, and so aren’t as concerning to scientists. Nonetheless, ELF EMF’s are more typical and abundant, making them a serious source of EMF radiation and exposure.
Given the number and intensity of EMF’s that surround us, you may be wondering if there is a way to limit your exposure to these potentially dangerous forms of radiation.
Physics allows a way for us to shield our bodies from the EMF’s around us. While it may take some work and investment, with proper planning and execution you could seriously limit your exposure to EMF and start enjoying the benefits of a low-EMF lifestyle.
Simple Steps to Protect Against EMF Radiation
In the list that follows, I will discuss some common sources of EMF radiation and help you avoid, eliminate, or protect yourself from these EMF-producing devices.
For each source, I will show you example levels of EMF reported around the internet. It’s important to note, however, that it’s always better to test EMF’s yourself. By purchasing an EMF meter like the TriField here on Amazon, you can test the devices in your home and see the actual level of EMF created by your exact device and setup.
This is the EMF meter I currently use, and it has helped me identify the largest sources of EMF’s in my home.
Without further ado, here are seven common sources of EMF radiation and how you can block or severely reduce them.
Smart Smartphone Usage
For most people, smartphones represent the biggest source of EMF exposure. As a matter of habit, we constantly carry our smartphones with us and use them for work, entertainment, and to communicate with loved ones.
The main way smartphones produce EMF’s is through their transmission of WiFi and cell signals. These signals are especially powerful and damaging when you place calls or hold the device near your head.
In order to reduce your exposure to the EMF radiation of your smartphone, consider taking the following steps:
Stop carrying your smartphone in your pocket. If possible, leave your smartphone on a desk or on a passenger seat instead of carrying it on your person.
Stop sleeping with your smartphone. Sleeping with your smartphone introduces your body to unnecessary EMF radiation and may interrupt your sleep. Try leaving your smartphone at least 3 feet away while you sleep. If possible, place it in airplane mode or turn it off to reduce your exposure even further.
Let’s Talk About Your WiFi Router
WiFi persists as one of the strongest and most constant sources of EMF radiation in the home. Unfortunately, many of our devices work exclusively over WiFi and ditching WiFi altogether is seldom an option.
Luckily, there are some smart ways to reduce the amount of EMF radiation from your router.
Turn off your WiFi router at night. This is probably the best way to cut down your WiFi EMF exposure. By turning off your router when you go to bed, you are essentially eliminating 8 hours, or 30%, of your exposure.
Get a router with a timer. If you lack the discipline to constantly switch your router on and off, consider getting a router with a WiFi timer like the Netgear Nighthawk router on Amazon. This is the one I use, and I love it. I have mine programmed to turn off at 11:00 pm and it doesn’t turn back on until 6:00 am in the morning.
Avoid Bluetooth Accessories
With more and more electronics ditching the headphone jack, Bluetooth accessories are becoming more common than ever. The scary thing about Bluetooth devices is that they are technically worn on the body—in your ear, on your head, on your wrist, etc.
Here is what I recommend:
Ditch your Bluetooth electronics altogether. Unlike WiFi, I think it is feasible for most people to ditch their Bluetooth devices altogether. Instead of a wireless headset, consider a wired one with an adapter that doesn’t transmit EMF.
Don’t use wireless headphones. Wireless headphones are a major source of EMF radiation. By switching to wired headphones, you can easily cut down on your exposure to EMF radiation.
Laptops Shouldn’t Be Used on Your Lap
Laptops use a variety of radiofrequency technologies, such as Bluetooth and WiFi, to transmit information. If you use a laptop frequently, here are my tips for reducing your exposure to the EMF they create:
Stop using your laptop on your lap. Using your laptop on your lap, or your belly, is a bad habit. Instead, try to use your laptop on a desk or table where it is not in contact with your body. Remember, the farther away you are from the source of EMF, the weaker the radiation becomes.
Get an EMF-shielding laptop sleeve like this one on Amazon. EMF-shielding laptop sleeves block the EMF radiation emitted by your laptop when they are sleeping or in your book bag. I like this one because it is effective and it looks nice!
Charge Your Electronics the Right Way
Modern electronics frequently use a different voltage and/or frequency than the power that comes out of a typical power socket in your home. For this reason, many chargers must convert the electricity they use and end up creating dirty electricity in the process.
Get a dirty electricity filter, which you can get here on Amazon, to filter out the EMF-inducing spikes of electricity caused by your charger.
Charge your electronics far away from where you sleep. The farther away you are from charging electronics, the lower your EMF exposure will be.
Recommended Products and Final Word
If you are concerned about your exposure to EMF radiation, then you have to check out these products below:
- Best EMF Meter: CLICK HERE
- EMF Protective Blanket for Babies and Adults: CLICK HERE
- EMF Protective Belly Band for Pregnant Women: CLICK HERE
- EMF Protected Cell Phone Pouches: CLICK HERE
- EMF Protected Laptop Case and Sleeve: CLICK HERE
- EMF Protective Clothing: CLICK HERE
Hopefully the tips I’ve provided will help you limit your exposure to EMF radiation in your daily life. Remember, it’s always importance to find a balance. Try implementing one or two tips at a time and then work your way up to some of the more difficult suggestions.
Thanks for reading!