EMF exposure in your home: what you need to know. Many people don’t even know this is a ‘thing’ that they should be concerned about for their health.

What are EMFs?

EMF means an electromagnetic field, which is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. Every cell in the human body has an electromagnetic field. All matter is affected by these fields in some way. In our modern lives of electronics and communication devices, EMF isn’t a by-product. EMF is the product. These are no safe levels of EMFs for you and your family.

What is EMR?

EMR stands for Electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is a form of energy that is all around us and takes many forms, such as radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays. Sunlight is also a form of EM energy, but visible light is only a small portion of the EM spectrum, which contains a broad range of electromagnetic wavelengths. Electricity and magnetism were once thought to be separate forces. However, in 1873, Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell developed a unified theory of electromagnetism. The study of electromagnetism deals with how electrically charged particles interact with each other and with magnetic fields.

What are the negative impacts of EMF exposure in your home?

On-going high levels of low-frequency EMF exposure in your home can contribute to sleep issues, stress, depression, brain fog, dizziness, frequent illnesses, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances and increased cancer risk. WE often forget about this risk when we think about our health challenges and it is vital that we put focus on the dangers of EMF exposures for ourselves and our families.

We all need to learn how to enjoy the benefits of modern living and communication devices while reducing the dangers to our health.

The NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) categorizes EMFs into 2 different groups:

1. Low frequency/non-ionizing EMF radiation. EMFs with lower frequency that visible light that are non-ionizing radiation e.g. EMFs from microwave ovens, computers, visible light, Wi-Fi, cell phones, Bluetooth, power lines and MRIs.
2. High frequency/ionizing EMF radiation. These EMFs have higher frequencies than visible light, which ionizing radiation. E.g. ultra violet (UV) light, x-rays, and gamma rays. These EMFs can, under certain circumstances lead to cellular and or DNA damage with prolonged exposure.

Tips for reducing EMF exposure in your home

• Don’t balance your laptop directly on your laptop. Use a laptop tray or work at a desk.
• Use a cellphone holder/selfie stick when using your phone to keep it further away from you.
• There are some cell phone covers/protectors available in the marketplace that provide some protection. These devices are not yet scientifically proven but studies are on-going.
• An air tube headset is a headset for your cell phone and other electronic devices that keep the harmful EMF radiation away from your head. They function similar to a medical doctor’s stethoscope. Sound is ported up to the head via air tubes rather than electrical wires.
• Unplug anything unnecessary in your bedroom to limit dirty electricity.
• Get rid of metal bed frames, which raise your body’s electricity.
• Use an earthing mat on your mattress to sleep on.
• If you are considering starting a family, protection is especially important. You may want to consider wearing RF-protective clothing to protect your growing baby.
• You can install a WIFI-router guard.
• Turn off your smart TV when not in use.
• Turn off all appliances when not in use.
• Get a Smart Meter guard for your home ( you most likely have a Smart Meter).
• Many modern convenience devices can be potentially dangerous such as baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, living near cell towers, and if you live in a condo the EMF activities going on between you and your neighbor.

Children, technology and EMF exposure

• Children as young as 10 – 12 years of age are attached to smart phones for hours per day. According to a survey by Common Sense Media (2019), 53% of children in the United States own a smartphone before the age of 11.
• Do not keep your cell phone on your body (or in your pocket). Find an alternative way to carry it around. This is especially true for children who are more vulnerable to EMFs.

EMF exposure at work and school

Also be mindful of the EF exposures in your workplace and office building if you work outside of the home. This can often be a high level of exposure. Schools are another source of EMF exposures for your kids – please do your best to protect them.

Becoming EMF aware

While we celebrate the conveniences of modern living, we haven’t been well prepared for the inherent dangers in these devices and EMF exposure in your home. Please become EMF aware and protect you and your family. As we mentioned at the start, EMF is actually the product of these modern devices so you cannot remove EMF exposures completely but you can reduce your family’s exposure.

Infographic of daily habits (mostly free) to reduce EMF exposure in your home

Print out this infographic, put it up on your fridge, kitchen wall where your family can see it clearly until these habits become part of your daily lives. You owe it to your kids future. You can discuss it around the table. It is our experience that kids are excited to take control of these lives and learn about these inherent dangers but also that there are ways to mitigate the dangers. They will share with their friends and spread the message.

References

1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences retrieved from: Electric & Magnetic Fields
2. Common Sense Media – retrieved from: the common sense census media use by tweens and teens