Do Innerspring Mattresses Amplify EMF Radiation?

Written by EMF Knowledge in Uncategorized

If you have done any research on EMF radiation, you may have come across the theory that your innerspring mattress amplifies the amount of EMF radiation that you are exposed to. Is this theory true? And if so, are you at risk?

Do Innerspring Mattresses Amplify EMF Radiation?

There is no science stating that innerspring mattresses attract or amplify EMF radiation. Although there may be EMF radiation present surrounding the innerspring mattress, the innerspring mattress itself will not magnify the amount of EMF radiation surrounding it.

Few studies can be found regarding metal spring mattresses and EMF radiation; however, the most popular study regarding EMF radiation and innerspring mattresses entitled, “Sleep on the right side-Get cancer on the left?” by Hallberg and Johanssonfound that innerspring mattresses may actually reduce the amount of EMF radiation that you are exposed to rather than magnify it.

In the study, it was found that innerspring mattresses may actually have a field-attenuating influence on EMF radiation which means that the electromagnetic field directly above the mattress is actually reduced and not amplified.

According to the study, metal-containing beds, such as innerspring mattresses, may actually reduce the amount of EMF radiation that certain sides of the body are exposed.

For example: If a person sleeps on the right side of their body (which is the more common side to sleep on as it avoids disturbance of the heartbeat), then the left side of their body is more likely to be exposed to EMF radiation that is flowing through the room.

This is because the right side of their body will be protected by the wave-reflecting metal springs of the mattress.

This theory was posited by the fact that the researchers noticed higher amounts of breast cancer and melanoma on the left sides of individual’s bodies than they did on the right side.

The researchers also thought that this may also explain why body parts farthest away from the metal containing mattresses such as the trunk and upper arms for men and lower limbs and hips for women, have higher melanoma rates than the sun-exposed face area.

However, the researchers concluded their study by stating that “The implications of this study should promote a critical consideration of population exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially during the night.”

This one study has caused much concern and controversy amongst those concerned about EMF radiation exposure, but as you can see from the quote provided by the researchers themselves, this study was not conclusive and called for more research to be done regarding exposure to electromagnetic fields during the night.

Misinformation Regarding EMF Radiation and Innerspring Mattresses

The misconception that innerspring mattresses amplify EMF radiation came from a July 2010 guest post in the ‘Scientific American’ blog that misinterpreted the aforementioned Swedish study “Sleep on the right side-Get cancer on the left?” regarding EMF radiation and metal spring mattresses.

The July 2010 guest blog post interpreted the study as follows:

“Thus, as we sleep on our coil-spring mattresses, we are in effect sleeping on an antenna that amplifies the intensity of the broadcast FM/TV radiation. Asleep on these antennas, our bodies are exposed to the amplified electromagnetic radiation for a third of our life spans.

As we slumber on a metal coil-spring mattress, a wave of electromagnetic radiation envelops our bodies so that the maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress in the middle of our bodies.

When sleeping on the right side, the body’s left side will thereby be exposed to field strength about twice as strong as what the right side absorbs.”

As you can see for yourself form the study above, the interpretation is off base and not aligned with what the researchers actually found.

Although there is no denying that you are exposed to EMF radiation while you sleep, the study did not conclude that your innerspring mattress amplified the amount of EMF radiation that you are exposed to.

In fact, as was mentioned above, the study found that the side facing the innerspring mattress may actually reduce the amount of EMF radiation that you are exposed to.

Now the question must be asked “what items are producing EMF radiation in your bedroom” and “what can you do to reduce your exposure to EMF radiation in the bedroom?”

How to Reduce EMF Radiation in the Bedroom?

To understand how to reduce EMF radiation in your bedroom, it is important to first recognize what objects in your bedroom are emitting EMF radiation. Objects that emit EMF radiation in your bedroom may include:

  • TV
  • Bedside Clock when it is plugged in
  • Phone chargers
  • Cellphones
  • Tablets
  • Laptops
  • Desktop Computers
  • Wi-fi in your house
  • Wi-fi routers
  • Cordless Phones
  • Mattresses that plug into the outlets
  • Cable or Satellite Box
  • Stereo System
  • Wireless Speakers
  • Certain Light Bulbs
  • Exercise Equipment
  • Fans that are Plugged In
  • Baby Monitors
  • Extension Cords
  • Heated Blankets, Heating Pads, Etc.
  • Heaters
  • Air Conditioning Unit
  • Gaming Consoles

So now that we have identified objects that are emitting EMF radiation in our bedrooms, what can we do to reduce our exposure to this EMF radiation?

Turn off your cellphone or at least distance yourself from your cellphone while you are sleeping. It may be tempting to keep your cellphone close by you side when you are sleeping because you may like to scroll through social media or watch Youtube videos before you sleep, but keeping your cellphone close by you while you sleep is actually exposing you to EMF radiation.

As you may know, one of the best things you can do to reduce your exposure to EMF radiation is to create distance between yourself and devices that emit EMF radiation. So if you must keep your phone on while you sleep, leave it at least 6 ft away from where you are sleeping.

Do not wear watches or sleep monitors to bed. Although these watches may be nifty to help you monitor how your body functions while you are sleeping, they are also exposing you to EMF radiation. Fitbits, Apple Watches, and other electronic watches/monitors are all exposing you to EMF radiation. If it is not required for you to wear these devices to bed then don’t. Place them away from where you sleep and go to bed.

Move electronics away from your bed. Similar to cellphones, try not to place electronics such as alarm clocks or televisions close to where you sleep. The closer these objects are to you the higher amount of EMF radiation you will be exposed to.

These are just a few ideas of ways that you can reduce EMF radiation in your bedroom. For a more comprehensive list of things you can do to reduce EMF radiation in your bedroom click here.

Recommended Products and Conclusion

If you are concerned about your exposure to EMF radiation, then you have to check out these products below:

Innerspring Mattresses DO NOT amplify the amount of EMF radiation that you will be exposed to in your bedroom. In fact, they may actually have the opposite effect. With that being said there are still steps that you can take in order to reduce the amount of EMF radiation that is being emitted in your bedroom.

Consider doing some of the things listed above before you throw out your innerspring mattress in order to reduce your exposure to EMF radiation.

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