First off, what are they…
They are electric (produced by voltage) and magnetic fields (produced by current) also called electromagnetic fields. From EMFs.info, “Their sources are the charged fundamental particles of matter (principally electrons and protons).”
There are natural and man made EMFs. Natural EMFs are “Electric and magnetic fields occur naturally within the body in association with nerve and muscle activity. We also experience the natural magnetic field of the Earth (to which a magnetic compass responds) and natural electric fields in the atmosphere.” This post is about man made EMFs. To read more about fields and how they vary over time, distance, and structure, skim this page.
Before we dive deeper into this, I know sometimes it can be stressful and anxiety provoking learning about potential health complications from anything, especially things that are prevalent in our lives and especially things we can’t have complete control over, but the whole purpose of this post is to arm you with knowledge and offer as many ideas as I can for protecting against them, so skip to that part if you feel stressed 😉 They are everywhere (home, school, work, etc.), but there are so many steps you can take to reduce your exposure, so remember knowledge is powerful and start small and take the steps you can! You’re doing great!
How they work:
From the World Health Organization, “Electric fields are created by differences in voltage: the higher the voltage, the stronger will be the resultant field. Magnetic fields are created when electric current flows: the greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field. An electric field will exist even when there is no current flowing. If current does flow, the strength of the magnetic field will vary with power consumption but the electric field strength will be constant.
(Extract from Electromagnetic fields published by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in 1999 (Local authorities, health and environment briefing pamphlet series; 32).”
WiFi, cell phones, etc. operate on Radio Frequencies (RF). According to NCBI, a researcher determined are carcinogenic and petitioned to have them changed from possibly carcinogenic to probably or are carcinogenic.
Some examples of where they are found
- Anything plugged into a wall
- Microwaves
- Security system
- Bluetooth
- Headphones
- Computers
- WiFi
- Apple Watch
- Phones
- Alexa/Google Home
- TVs (especially smart TVs)
- Electric blankets
- MRIs, ultrasounds, mammograms, x rays, etc.
Why do we need to protect ourselves from them/what do they cause
From an NCBI article, the affect EMFs have on a person can also vary by age, gender, amount of water and electrolytes in the body, tissue density, etc. I think this is one of the reasons why it’s difficult sometimes to pin down just how harmful they are. There is so much we don’t know, but here’s what we do. A study from NCBI says, “EMFs that cause changes in the behavior of cells and tissues alter the function of the cardiovascular system and bone marrow. Electromagnetic fields affect and damage us on a cellular level. As I write the list of complications, it made this post too long, so click here for a more comprehensive list. All the below are from NCBI
- Blood Disorders
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Forgetfulness
- Sleeplessness
- Lack of concentration
- Leukemia and brain tumors
- Potentially increased risk of other neurogenerative diseases
- Heart ahrythmia
- Increased blood pressure
- Pregnancy complications for baby even in the womb including miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, etc. more here)
- Fertility issues
The researchers concluded after finding the above health complications from EMFs, “There should be major concern regarding the exposure to Wi-Fi networks existing in the vicinity of our living places.” (NCBI)
Easy, cheap or free measures
- Minimize cell phone use
- Keep phone at least 10 inches from yourself. This results in “10,000 fold reduction in exposure”
- Text or use speakerphone or air tube headphones when speaking on the phone
- Try to only use your phone when the signal is strong. The lower the signal, the higher the radiation (Berkeley)
- Unplug your TV and WiFi when not using, but especially at night
- Turn your phone on airplane mode in another room when you sleep. Airplane mode means your phone isn’t using data or WiFi, thus decreasing the amount of radiation emanating
- Don’t hold your phone while it charges and stay a good dinstance away while charging
- Limit items that are plugged into the wall, especially in your bedroom and don’t sleep near them
- Whatever does have to be plugged in, have it be the opposite side of the room (especially while you sleep)
- If you have an Apple Watch, fit bit or anything you wear that uses Bluetooth or anything like that, limit your use to only while you workout
- Stop using your Google Home/Alexa
- When speaking on the phone, put your phone on speaker whenever possible to avoid the phone being directly against your head
- Stop using your microwave. We use the oven and stove to heat things up and it’s slightly less convenient, but worth it
- Unless your baby has health issues, don’t use technology on them that used Bluetooth or WiFi such as the Owlet, Pampers new smart diapers, Happiest baby SNOO, baby monitor that connects via WiFi. Babies and children are even more vulnerable than us and need extra precautions. You obviously need a baby monitor, so I recommend plugging it in on the other side of the room with the volume loud enough that you can hear everything, but so the EMFs are as far from your little one as possible.
- Don’t keep your phone in your bra or pocket. Men especially don’t keep the phone in their pocket.
- If you let children watch movies on an iPad or cell phone, download it and turn the device to airplane mode
- If your children aren’t big enough for air tube headphones, limit or eliminate instances where they listen on headphones
- From NCBI, “This indicates that the antioxidant compounds in fennel and vitamin E, with other antioxidants, can reduce the harmful effects of EMFs on the reproductive system.” Be sure to check with your health care provider if pregnant or nursing before taking a supplement. I’m a big fan of food over supplements, but different courses of action are best for different people. Here is a list of lots of foods high in vitamin E. If you feel a supplement is best for you, be sure to choose real from real food over synthetic so it is more bioavailable.
- Keep your phone on airplane mode as often as possible
Changes you can make gradually that cost money
- Switch your headphones out for air tube headphones
- Switch security system to a corded one that doesn’t rely on WiFi
- Change TVs to non smart TVs
- Change out alarm clock for battery operated
Sources
Health Complications From EMFs