These invisible forces, produced by nearly all electronic devices (yes, even the phone or computer you're using right now), surround us all the time.
While mostly harmless, some sources of EMFs can have higher outputs that might be worth keeping an eye on for health and environmental reasons. That's where the Trifield Meter swings into action.
In this post, we'll share essential tips and tricks for optimal use of the Trifield meter. So, whether you're at home wondering about the emissions from your WiFi router, or at work concerned about the electrical wiring, the Trifield Meter can be your guide.
Picture this scenario...
In this snapshot of modern life, you're surrounded by a whole bunch of EMFs. They're produced by anything that uses electricity or has a magnetic field - that means your TV, laptop, smartphone, and even the wiring in your walls.
Monitoring the EMFs in your environment is about taking control and understanding your surroundings. By using a Trifield Meter, you can identify those pesky high-level EMF sources and make informed decisions, like maybe not setting up your home office right next to your WiFi router.
At first glance, the Trifield Meter might seem like an unassuming piece of tech. But its compact design and sturdy casing means it can handle the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But don't let its simplicity fool you. This thing packs a punch when it comes to EMF detection.
Key benefits of the Trifield TF2 EMF Meter
Here's a look at five key features that set the Trifield Meter apart from other EMF meters:
The Trifield Meter isn't just a one-trick pony. This clever gadget has three modes - magnetic, electric, and radio/microwave - allowing it to detect all of the three major types of EMF radiation:
Different modes of the Trifield EMF meter:
The only type of EMF that the Trifield meter doesn't measure is dirty electricity or Electromagnetic Interference (EMIs). Dirty electricity refers to electrical noise or interference that's present on power lines, often caused by electronic devices converting AC power to DC power. We won’t go into detail, but you can read all about it in this post here.
When measuring magnetic fields, the Trifield Meter uses a weighted method that's designed to align with how these fields affect our bodies.
Frequency weighting means the meter is more sensitive to frequencies that have a greater impact on our bodies. The meter uses a weighted method that's designed to align with how these fields affect our bodies. This is based on established guidelines for human exposure to magnetic fields.
Magnetic Field Detection in AC Mode: This feature of the Trifield Meter underscores the detection of magnetic fields within a frequency band of 40 to 800 hertz. These frequencies are commonly associated with emissions from power lines and the electrical wiring in our homes.
Electric Field Detection in AC Mode: The Trifield Meter's AC electric field mode emphasizes the detection of electric fields originating from common household appliances and wiring, particularly within the 40-800 Hz frequency range.
Radio/Microwave Field Detection: This setting on the Trifield Meter is geared towards radio frequency fields falling between the 800 MHz and 2.5 GHz range. Such frequencies are typical of the wireless communication employed by devices like cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and smart meters.
Ever tried to read a display in low light? Not fun, right? Thankfully, the Trifield Meter comes with a backlit display, ensuring clear readability in all lighting conditions.
This small but significant feature makes the Trifield Meter a highly reliable tool no matter where you want to measure EMFs.
But the best part about the Trifield Meter is its ease of use. There's no need for a degree in electrical engineering to understand it. The display is easy to read, and it even has a sound option to hear the intensity of the fields. This user-friendliness, combined with its high-level accuracy, makes it a standout in the world of EMF meters.
Look for the battery compartment on the back of the Trifield Meter, open it up, and insert a 9-volt battery. Just flip the switch on the front to your desired setting, and you're in business. Remember, patience is key here. Give it about a second or two to settle before you start taking measurements.
You've got three main ones on the standard Trifield Meter: magnetic, electric, and radio/microwave.
Observe that the knob serves a dual function - it changes the measurement modes and also acts as a power switch.
The Trifield’s ability to measure all three types of EMFs makes it a real game-changer.
What does a trifield meter measure?
Check this informative video of the Trifield TF2 EMF meter in action and what you can expect to see when you measure different types of EMF fields:
You might run into a couple of common issues while using your Trifield meter.
For one, you might find that your Trifield Meter's needle swings quite a bit. Don't worry; it's not your device being moody. EMFs can fluctuate, so a bit of swing is entirely normal. My advice? Take several readings and consider the average.
Another potential hiccup could be unusually high or low readings. If you're getting results that seem off, try moving to a different location or adjusting the orientation of your Trifield Meter. Remember, this device measures in three dimensions, so rotating it or changing your position might give you a more accurate reading.
EMFs are three-dimensional, so holding your Trifield Meter in different orientations can yield different readings. My advice? Rotate your device and take measurements in various directions to get a comprehensive view of the EMFs in your environment.
The Trifield Meter might also pick up on EMFs from your own body, especially if you're holding a device or standing near an electronic source.
The sensor for Electric Fields in the meter is extremely responsive, even to the touch of your hand. Given our bodies' high water content, we are naturally conductive and can carry an electric field. If your hand is too close to the sensor while measuring an Electric Field, it can affect the accuracy of the reading due to this interference.
For best results, try to hold the meter towards the bottom when taking these types of readings to minimize any potential impact from your body's own electric field.
Another tip is to measure at different times of the day. EMF levels can differ depending on when the measurements are taken and the number of electronic devices in use. Take readings in the morning, afternoon, and evening to get a better understanding of the EMF exposure throughout the day.
Getting no reading or a constant maxed-out reading could be because of something as simple as a low battery. Try replacing the battery and see if that resolves the issue. If not, you might be in a very high EMF area (like next to a microwave in operation). Move to a different location, then try again.
Lastly, let's chat about maintenance. Your Trifield Meter is a sturdy device, but like all electronics, it deserves some care. Keep it away from extreme temperatures and high humidity. If you've used it in a dusty environment, a gentle wipe down with a dry cloth can keep it looking and working like new. Also, remove the battery if you're not planning on using the meter for a while.
Now, let's put all that theory into practice. We're going to look at a few case studies or scenarios where you might find yourself reaching for your trusty Trifield Meter.
Through these scenarios, it becomes evident that the Trifield Meter is more than just a gadget - it's an essential tool for just about anyone.
Remember, interpreting your readings isn't about fear or anxiety. It's about understanding your environment and making informed decisions. The Trifield Meter is a tool, and like any tool, its power lies in how you use it.
The meter can conveniently be purchased online, with Amazon.com offering one of the most competitive prices. You can access the product directly via this link on Amazon.
When purchasing through Amazon, the meter is supplied directly from the manufacturer, ensuring constant availability, and you can expect to receive your order promptly. The product has numerous customer reviews and boasts a solid rating of four and a half stars. Therefore, we highly recommend considering Amazon for your Trifield Meter purchase.
We hope this comprehensive guide and review of the Trifield meter has been useful to you.
We can't emphasize how important it is to measure electromagnetic fields in your environment. These invisible forces surround us every day, emitted by anything that uses electricity or has a magnetic field. Monitoring EMFs is crucial for understanding our environment and potential health impacts.
The Trifield Meter is a compact, user-friendly device that measures all three types of EMFs (magnetic, electric, and radio/microwave). Its versatility and ease-of-use make it a standout amongst other EMF meters. We highly recommend it!
]]>And if you’re reading this post, we assume you already have a good understanding of the potential health hazards of EMFs emitted by electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
With that key understanding, it's absolutely crucial to equip yourself with a reliable and accurate EMF meter that can measure different types of EMF radiation in your environment.
In this post, we'll share our top picks for the best EMF meters and detectors in 2023. We'll cover different types of EMFs to look out for, the key benefits of using an EMF detector, and why an EMF meter is a valuable tool in your battle against EMF radiation. We’ll provide detailed information on each meter's features, capabilities, and why it could be the right fit for you.
By the end of this post, you'll have a clearer understanding of the different types of EMF meters and detectors available, and you'll be able to choose the best one for your needs. So let's get started!
Let’s start with a brief overview on what is EMF radiation.
If you're like most people, you use a range of electronic gadgets on a daily basis, from smartphones to computers to microwaves. While these technologies make our lives easier and more convenient, they also produce electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that may be harmful to our health.
EMF radiation is also not just limited to our day-to-day devices. It is a type of energy emitted by various sources around us, such as electronic equipment, power lines, and wireless communication technology. Some of the most common sources include:
Despite the fact that EMFs are invisible to the naked eye, they can still have a negative impact on us. Exposure to high amounts of EMF radiation has been reported to increase the risk of cancer, alter sleep quality, and create a host of other health concerns.
That is why measuring and detecting EMF radiation in our homes and workplaces is critical. We can better understand the levels of EMF radiation in our environment and take steps to decrease our exposure by using an EMF meter or detector.
EMF meters are handy devices designed to measure and detect EMF radiation levels in our environment. They work by sensing magnetic, electric, and RF fields created by electrical devices, power lines, wireless devices, and other EMF radiation sources.
Whether you're a concerned parent, a health-conscious individual, or simply someone who wishes to live in a safer and healthier environment, an EMF detector is an indispensable tool for protecting you and your loved ones.
The video below provides an easy to understand overview of the different types of EMFs and why it's important to measure them:
There are many different types of EMF readers available, each with their own set of features and capabilities.
Next, we'll cover the most popular types of EMF meters and the EMF fields they can detect.
Magnetic field meters are used to measure the strength of magnetic fields emitted by a variety of sources, including power lines and electrical wiring. These meters are used to examine the potential health concerns connected with prolonged magnetic field exposure, which has been related to an increased risk of cancer and other health issues.
Electric fields are types of electromagnetic radiation produced by the movement of electric charges. They come from a variety of sources, including electronic equipment, power cords, and electrical wiring.
Electric field meters are intended to measure the strength of these electric fields in the meter's immediate area. They can assist you in identifying potential sources of electromagnetic radiation and in making efforts to decrease your exposure.
Radiofrequency (RF) meters are used to assess the strength of RF radiation emitted by cell phones, tablets, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, and other wireless devices.
RF radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that has the potential to heat biological tissue and cause other effects on human health. It is measured in units of frequency called hertz (Hz) and can range from low-frequency (LF) to high-frequency (HF) electromagnetic waves.
RF meters are essential for those who want to identify and limit their exposure to potentially dangerous RF radiation, which has been related to health problems such as cancer, infertility, and neurological diseases.
Combination meters are devices that are designed to measure all three types of EMF radiation, including magnetic fields, electric fields, and RF radiation. These meters provide a comprehensive analysis of the electromagnetic environment in a given location, allowing users to identify potential sources of harmful radiation.
It is important to note that combination meters may not be as specialized or sensitive as individual meters designed specifically for one type of EMF radiation. Additionally, they may be more expensive than single-function meters due to their multiple capabilities.
Overall, combination meters are a useful tool for those looking to get a comprehensive analysis of the EMF environment in their homes, workplaces, or other locations.
When using an EMF reader, it’s important to understand what EMF field you want to measure or detect. For example, an electric/magnetic EMF meter will NOT measure RF radiation, but that does not mean that there is anything wrong with the meter. You just need to know what you are using the meter for.
Below are some key differences between magnetic fields, electric fields, and RF fields to better understand what type of EMF meter you need to use for each type:
Type of Field |
Source |
Frequency Range |
Measured Units |
Measured with |
Magnetic Fields |
Power lines, electrical wiring, household appliances |
50-60 Hz |
Gauss (G), milliGauss (mG), milliTesla (mT) or microTesla (µT) |
Magnetic Field Meter |
Electric Fields |
Electronic devices, power cords |
50-60 Hz |
Volts per meter (V/m) |
Electric Field Meter |
RF Fields |
Wireless devices, cell towers, Wi-Fi routers |
1 MHz - 10 GHz (or higher) |
Watts per square meter (W/m²) or Volts per meter (V/m) |
RF Meter |
Another type of EMF you should ideally be measuring is what is known as "dirty electricity" - we won't go into much detail, as we've covered this topic in a LOT of detail in this post here.
We highly recommend you read that post and also measure dirty electricity in your home with a dirty electricity meter to mitigate it.
The level of EMF that is considered high for a living space is a matter of debate and depends on various factors such as the source of the field, frequency, and duration of exposure. However, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
Electric Fields: Anything above 10 volts per meter (V/m) is considered high. However, the ideal safe level is considered to be below 3 V/m.
Magnetic Fields: 4 milligauss (mG) or higher is considered high. Some experts recommend keeping the exposure level below 1 to 2 mG to reduce the potential health risks associated with long-term exposure.
RF Fields: Anything greater than 1 mW/m² can potentially cause harm.
You can keep these baseline numbers in mind when you measure the EMFs in your environment to see what is supposedly safe and what might be concerning.
Now that we've discussed the types of EMFs we need to measure, let's take a closer look at our top picks for the best EMF meters and detectors this year!
The Trifield TF2 EMF meter is a versatile, high-quality instrument that measures all the types of EMF fields - magnetic fields, electric fields, and radio frequencies (RF). It's a highly popular choice among EMF professionals and individuals wanting to better protect themselves from EMF radiation.
The Trifield TF2 measures the full range of EMF frequencies including:
The weighted mode in the Trifield TF2 EMF meter accounts for the human body's variable sensitivity to different frequencies of EMF and adjusts the readings accordingly.
The meter will produce a higher reading in the weighted mode for EMF frequencies that are known to be more damaging to human health. This provides the user with a more accurate view of the potential health concerns linked with the EMF being measured. There are three weighted mode options:
AC Magnetic Field Weighting: This mode highlights magnetic fields with frequencies ranging from 40 to 800 hertz, which are often produced by power lines and electrical wiring.
AC Electric Field Weighting: This mode accentuates electric fields produced by electrical appliances and cables in the 40-800 Hz frequency range.
RF Microwave Weighting: This mode focuses on RF fields with frequencies ranging from 800 MHz to 2.5 GHz, which are often produced by wireless devices such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and smart meters.
It should be noted that the weighted mode is not always required for measuring EMFs. In most cases, an unweighted reading may be sufficient to identify the potential health concerns associated with a given source of EMF.
Below, is an informative video of the Trifield TF2 EMF meter in action and what you can expect to see when you measure different types of EMF fields using it:
Available on Amazon for a little over $180, which we think is a fair price for everything it does.
Overall, the Trifield TF2 EMF meter is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality, versatile, and accurate device to measure ALL types of EMFs from one device. There are other options on the market, but the Trifield TF2’s durability, accuracy, and range of features make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about minimizing their exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
The Cornet ED88T Plus is a highly precise and dependable EMF meter with a broad frequency range and three-axis monitoring of magnetic, electric and RF fields.
The Cornet ED88T Plus EMF meter can measure fields in the frequency bands listed below:
It can detect electro-pollution from a wide range of sources, including:
Here's a detailed review and guide video of how the Cornet ED88T Plus works highlighting all of it's key features:
Available on Amazon for around $195, it's a bit more than the Trifield TF2 Meter, but comes with some added features as well.
The Cornet ED88T is a highly regarded EMF meter and is a top favorite amongst EMF professionals! First, it is a tri-mode meter rated for up to 8GHz, more than the Trifield that goes up to 6GHz. Second, it offers a lot of unique features - such as the reading history feature that tracks EMF exposure over time and the ability to log data. The interface might take some time getting used to, but this one is definitely a top contender.
The EMFields Acoustimeter AM11 is by far the most popular RF meter on the market. It is a highly sensitive device, able to measure a broad RF frequency spectrum.
The Acoustimeter AM11 measures electromagnetic radiation at frequencies from 200 MHz to 8 GHz which includes microwaves and most RF frequencies, including:
Here's a short video of the Acoustimeter measuring 5G radiation from a cell phone tower:
Available on Amazon for around $250, this one is on the higher side, but it is incredibly accurate based on what users are saying, which makes it a worthy investment.
If RF radiation is really what you are looking to measure, and measure properly, the Acoustimeter is by far the best RF meter in the market. You won't be able to measure electric or magnetic fields or extremely low frequencies (ELF) close to 60 Hz (frequency of power lines) - which also goes to show that you need more than one meter to measure all the different types of EMF radiation accurately.
The Erickhill EMF Meter is a dependable and precise tool for detecting electric and magnetic fields. Its compact, portable design makes it convenient to use on the go. While it does not monitor RF radiation, such as 5G, it is an excellent choice for measuring EMF radiation from domestic appliances, power lines, and other sources.
The Erickhill EMF Meter measures both electric and magnetic fields and is ideal for detecting EMF radiation emitted from home appliances, power lines, electrical wiring, and other sources. The meter can measure frequencies ranging from 5Hz to 3500MHz.
You can view the meter in action below:
Available on Amazon for just under $40, this is a handy and affordable EMF meter, with the right amount of features for its price.
If it's a low-budget EMF detector that you're looking for, the Erickhill EMF Meter is a great buy based on it's ease of use and precise readings. It's great if you're just getting started and want to test your home appliances and electronics and see where you're exposed to more EMFs. It's also a handy meter for ghost hunters and works well to detect paranormal activity.
The GQ EMF-390 is a versatile and affordable EMF meter that measures all types of EMF radiation, including electric, magnetic, and RF radiation emitted by wireless devices like cellphones and Wi-Fi routers. The device is simple to use, featuring an OLED display panel and sound/light alarm functions to warn users of high EMF radiation levels.
The GQ EMF-390 can detect a wide spectrum of electromagnetic fields, including:
This video provides an excellent walk-through of the GQ EMF-390, definitely worth watching:
Available on Amazon for just under $100, for that price you get some incredible features, as long as you invest the time to learn how to use them.
The GQ EMF-390 is a popular EMF meter, especially for data lovers, as it displays and stores an incredible amount of data. It can display electric, magnetic, and RF readings all at the same time. Plus, it has some really valuable features such as the "safety suggestion" feature that is excellent for those not sure about what a dangerous EMF reading looks like, along with real time RF monitoring and the RF spectrum analyzer. A very handy meter to have in your EMF meter arsenal!
The Safe and Sound Pro II RF Meter is a dependable and precise professional-grade meter for measuring RF radiation in your environment. It detects a wide frequency range and features both audio and visual warning systems to warn of high RF levels.
The Safe and Sound Pro II RF Meter can measure RF radiation from a variety of sources including:
Watch a detailed review of this RF meter, by Michael Neuert, an EMF expert and engineer, who highly recommends the Safe and Sound Pro II RF Meter:
Available on Amazon for $425, this is an expensive meter, but comes recommended by EMF experts.
The Safe and Sound Pro II RF Meter has highly sensitive detection capabilities for RF radiation and covers a wide frequency range of 200 MHz to 8 GHz, which some low budget meters may not cover. It also features an audio alarm system that immediately allows you to identify specific sources of RF radiation. For a more cost-effective option with a few less features, you can also check out the Safe and Sound Classic II RF Meter from the same company.
The Wintact EMF Meter measures both magnetic and electric fields with a wide frequency range. Its large LCD screen displays readings in both numerical and graphical formats, making it easy to interpret and understand the results. It also includes sound and light alarms and hold and peak hold functions.
The Wintact EMF Meter can measure EMF levels at home or the office, including:
Here's a quick unboxing video of the Wintact EMF meter that's worth a watch:
Available on Amazon for just over $35, this is the most affordable EMF reader on our list.
Unlike many other EMF meters, the Wintact EMF meter has a small form factor that makes it easy to carry and store, which is especially important for those who are on the go. Also, it's one of the most affordable options on the market, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Although it measures only two types of EMF sources (electrical and magnetic), it still covers a lot of household appliances and electronics you can get started with.
Congratulations, we've made it through the list of the Best EMF Meters of 2023! Now, let’s discuss why you might want to consider getting an EMF meter in the first place and how it can be a valuable tool for you.
There are many reasons to buy an EMF meter, and below we cover some of the top reasons to consider investing in one:
And, there you have it, folks! If you made it here, you've read over 5500 words on everything you need to know about EMF meters!
Let’s recap the key points below:
After discovering EMFs in your home and environment using an EMF meter, it's important to take action to reduce your exposure.
This can include simple steps like moving your bed away from power outlets, using wired connections instead of Wi-Fi, and turning off electronics when not in use.
More extensive measures can include shielding your devices with faraday fabric or installing filters to reduce dirty electricity.
Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to reducing your exposure to harmful EMF radiation!
Read some of our more detailed posts for expert EMF protection tips you can implement right away:
As more people discover the dangers of EMF, they look for ways to limit exposure, often without wanting to give up the conveniences of modern technology — and one way to do this is to use shungite.
So, what is this miracle stone? And, how can you use shungite for EMF protection?
In this post, we’ll reveal what shungite is, shungite EMF benefits, and how to use shungite for EMF protection in your day to day life.
What's all the hype around shungite stone? Shungite is a rare black stone sourced from Karelia, Russia and is composed of up to 99% carbon.
The stone boasts a unique structure. It is composed of almost all the minerals on the periodic table, and contains what are known as fullerenes — spherical, hollow 3D molecules made up of 60 carbon atoms.
Scientists are unsure of its origins, but the stone is thought to be billions of years old, before organic life even existed on earth.
Theories suggest that it may have come from a meteorite that hit the planet, or microorganisms in the water in the region, or the formation of organic matter in rocks that transformed over time.
Although its origins remain a mystery, one thing scientists agree on are its potential benefits due to the fullerene content present in the stone.
Does shungite really work for EMF?
Shungite is known to be a natural water purifier and has been used in Russia to purify water since ancient times. It is also known to reduce oxidative stress, kill bacteria and shield against EMF emissions. Read more in our detailed post titled, 7 Amazing Shungite Water Benefits.
Many different studies have vouched for Shungite’s powerful and protective benefits.
As per research done on the antioxidant properties of shungite in a Russian study, shungite is 30 times more effective in removing free radicals from water than activated carbon.
The study showed that shungite began to “purify water with a high and constant speed,” and considerably absorbed heavy metals, chemicals and other pollutants.
A 2003 animal study demonstrated the stone’s ability to decrease the “severity of damage produced by high-frequency electromagnetic radiation” in shungite-shielded Wistar rats.
Another study showed that the carbon content in shungite can help extract “radioactive elements from water,” and that shungite was “highly efficient at absorbing radioactive metal cations, including cesium and strontium.”
Due to its unique structure, Shungite has the unique ability to absorb harmful substances from the environment, making it an effective purifier, bactericide, and protective EMF shield.
We’re constantly surrounded by harmful frequencies that can throw us physically out of equilibrium.
Geopathic stress is a term used for energies in the Earth potentially affecting the body's subtle energy system and affecting our health and well-being.
It refers to the Earth’s natural energetic vibrations being disrupted by what’s going on underground and features such as geological faults, underground deposits, utility lines, pipes, sewers, tunnels and more.
Studies have shown that geopathic stress may lower a person’s resilience to fight illnesses and disease. Some say that these vibrations cause your body to vibrate at a higher frequency, causing immune and health disruptions.
For example, if your bedroom is over an underground utility line, your body can unconsciously sense this and tries to balance and neutralize these vibrations which can affect sleep, well-being and general body healing.
So, where does shungite come in? Shungite exhibits its own natural geomagnetic properties which can help neutralize the effects of EMFs and geopathic stress, thereby restoring equilibrium to our bodies, and reducing the risk of imbalances that may cause disease.
Unlike other forms of carbon such as graphite or diamond which have stable structures that render them as non-reactive, shungite is more fluid due to the presence of fullerenes or hollow carbon molecules.
There’s virtually no other mineral on the planet that contains fullerenes, which not only help to absorb and neutralize negative energies, but also create a shield or force field providing a certain level of EMF protection which helps to absorb radiation, and protect the body from its harmful effects.
Shungite can be used to protect against the EMF emitted from smartphones, laptops, tablets, routers, and other types of EMF sources.
The powerful mineral can be used in many different ways, including:
Shungite water — Place a clean shungite stone in a glass of water overnight and drink the mineral-rich purified water in the morning.
Shungite pyramid — The shape of the pyramid allows it to attract, absorb and neutralize EMF radiation coming from multiple directions. Great to place in the corners of your room to form a protective shield.
Shungite objects — Shungite also comes in many other different shapes. A simple cube is perfect for placing on your office desk or nightstand, and a sphere is great to meditate with. You can even place shungite objects in your bath as part of a digital detox, which will help strip EMF from your body’s energy field.
Shungite sticker — Shungite is great for wireless radiation protection as it absorbs EMF without interfering with cellular signals.
Place Shungite Cell Phone Stickers at the back of your smartphone, tablet or laptop to efficiently absorb negative ions, and neutralize electromagnetic fields (EMF), electromagnetic interference (EMI), and radiofrequency (RF) signals emitted from your devices.
Shungite jewelry — Why not look stylish and protect at the same time? Wearing shungite jewelry is a great way to enjoy a constant level of protection at all times.
How do you use shungite for EMF protection? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>Our modern world relies on technology for work, travel, school, security and healthcare — so you may be surprised to know, that this can all become highly vulnerable during an EMP disruption or attack.
Now, we don’t mean to scare you, but the possible threat of EMPs to our energy systems by a weapon or a natural solar flare is plausible — in fact, it’s even happened before.
And, although some people may believe that EMPs are a conspiracy theory, or are blown out of proportion or even fake, according to the Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack, they are very much real.
In this post, we’ll cover what an EMP is, how an EMP works, types of EMPs, EMP shielding options available, steps you can take for creating an EMP shield, and hands-on EMP protection tips you can start using today.
An EMP or electromagnetic pulse, can be defined as a natural or manmade massive burst of electromagnetic energy, that is released in an instant.
It can be described as the electrical signal in lightning — but with the escalation in voltage being a 100x faster!
To put that into perspective, an EMP may directly not cause us physical harm, but it can go through the earth and has the capacity to cause significant damage to everything on the energy grid, including our personal devices to our present-day communication systems.
EMP differs from standard radio waves in two key ways:
While a radio signal may produce a 1/1000 volt in a receiver antenna, an EMP surge can produce 1000s of volts.
When an EMP event occurs, it releases an incredible amount of energy in the form of a powerful electromagnetic field at one time.
This tremendous surge of energy is enough to fry and short-circuit electronics and even bring down the entire energy grid.
All of the below can completely be disrupted or stop working in case of an EMP event:
According to the EIS Council, an EMP strike can destroy critical infrastructure in two ways and have a devastating impact:
The most affected and vulnerable are SCADA 4 control systems that run on almost all modern current infrastructure including:
Failure of these systems can lead to catastrophic damage, some of which may take years to replace. What’s more terrifying is that it would be close to impossible for disaster-relief support systems to provide help if communication systems fail. That is why a lot of people who know about EMP are petrified of an event like this occurring.
EMPs can be emitted naturally through a solar storm, but they can also be manmade and generated in what is known as an EMP attack, such as a nuclear EMP weapon that explodes at a high altitude, also called a High-Altitude EMP (HEMP).
If a nuclear bomb were to hit the earth, the level of destruction would be unfathomable.
But, even if a nuclear weapon were to detonate over 30 kms or 15+ miles above the earth, it would be disastrous nonetheless.
According to a report presented to the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack:
“Any nuclear weapon detonated at an altitude of 30 kilometers or higher will generate a potentially catastrophic EMP. A nuclear detonation at 30 kilometers altitude will generate an EMP field with a radius on the ground of about 600 kilometers. Detonated at 400 kilometers altitude, the radius of the EMP field will be about 2,200 kilometers.”
Here’s what would happen during a nuclear EMP blast miles above the earth:
Technically, there are three phases to a nuclear EMP (E1, E2 and E3) attack:
This is the fastest stage and most damaging, with a massive burst of gamma radiation and up to 50,000 volts of electricity being released within a few nanoseconds of the blast.
This is similar to the surge lightning would produce, which is good because our power grid does have built-in protection and grounding against lightning, but it won’t really help, as pretty much everything will have been fried from E1 anyway.
This is a slow moving EMP pulse that produces geo-magnetically induced currents in telephone lines, power lines, and other long electrical conductors, which will slowly start to build up high voltage and zap devices and electronics they’re connected to, such as transformers and any other equipment in their path.
Although, a nuclear EMP attack seems implausible, the concept of EMP weapons has been around for some time, ever since the US started testing nuclear bombs after the 1950s.
US nuclear weapon testing in 1962, resulted in a high-altitude detonation at 250 miles (400km) above the Pacific Ocean.
This was no small blast — it was 100 times bigger than the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
It resulted in an EMP field over the Hawaiian Islands, nearly 900 miles away, causing damage to electronic systems, traffic lights, burglar alarms and telephone links.
50+ years of ongoing testing by the Congressional EMP Commission which proved that:
“…modern electronics are over 1 million times more vulnerable to EMP than the electronics of 1962.”
Six EMP tests conducted between 1961-1962 over Kazakhstan (larger than all of Western Europe) proved that:
“…a single weapon can cause widespread destruction of the electric grid.”
Today, U.S. intelligence gives more importance to non-nuclear EMP weapons, such as EMP bombs or e-bombs. Different from an EMP nuclear blast, a non-nuclear EMP weapon wouldn’t impact such a large area, as the photons would not blast miles above the earth.
EMP weapons are also not designed for physical harm, but they could generate electromagnetic pulses that would take out power grids, destroy electrical devices and even create blackouts on a local level.
So, for example, an EMP bomb could be used to take out power and communication before a military invasion.
EMP bombs aren’t a far-fetched conspiracy theory. According to a 2017 article,
“The US Air Force's Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), uses bursts of microwave energy to disable electronic devices such as computers, communications and air defense radar systems.”
Although, EMP weapons may still not be very probable, it seems very likely that the future of modern warfare will include an EMP bomb of some kind.
Other real-life applications include an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) cannon that could stop a smart car by disabling its microprocessors and electronics that control the engine. This could be a game-changer in curbing high speed car chases and catching suspects.
Nuclear EMP gets a lot of attention, but a solar flare EMP is actually more possible. According to NASA:
A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Flares are our solar system’s largest explosive events.
A solar flare can cause an incredible amount of energy to charge towards the earth, at the speed of light, which is at just over 8 minutes. Solar flares can infiltrate the atmosphere where radio waves travel, disrupting radio communication signals and even causing blackouts.
But they’re nothing compared to a coronal mass ejection (CME), which can be devastating.
A solar flare is not enough to take down the power grid or fry electronics — but a coronal mass ejection (CME) could do just that.
According to NASA, coronal mass ejections can:
“…jostle Earth’s magnetic fields creating currents that drive particles down toward Earth's poles. When these react with oxygen and nitrogen, they help create the aurora, also known as the Northern and Southern Lights. Additionally, the magnetic changes can affect a variety of human technologies. High frequency radio waves can be degraded: Radios transmit static, and GPS coordinates stray by a few yards. The magnetic oscillations can also create electrical currents in utility grids on Earth that can overload electrical systems when power companies are not prepared.”
CMEs are low-frequency and don’t travel as fast as solar flares and can take hours or even days to reach earth. Unlike, high frequency nuclear EMPs, a CME won’t fry electrical devices (mobile phones, laptops, tablets etc.) if they aren’t plugged in or turned on when the event occurred.
As this article from GovTech explains,
“If we are hit with an EMP attack, we have plenty of other things to worry about. If you want to protect items, it is easy to shield them with a Faraday Cage.”
However, a large CME does have the potential to take out the entire power grid, without which many of these devices would be rendered useless, in any case. Here’s how it works:
“A large CME [which emanates from the sun] is a low-frequency event. To have an impact on anything, it requires a long "antenna." Our power lines are the perfect antenna for receiving the energy. The big issue is that this can destroy the large transformers. There are no spares of these, and it takes years to get a new one built.”
An eye-opening research paper titled, An assessment of threats to the American power grid, explains just how catastrophic an event like this can be:
In testimony before a Congressional Committee, it has been asserted that a prolonged collapse of this nation’s electrical grid—through starvation, disease, and societal collapse—could result in the death of up to 90% of the American population.
It's clear that this powerful eruption of high-energy radiation (super-charged plasma particles) from the sun can cause a geomagnetic storm resulting in electromagnetic turbulences on earth.
But, can one really happen in our lifetime?
Considered as one of the most significant solar events, the 1859 Carrington geomagnetic storm:
“…created strong auroral displays that were reported globally and caused sparking and even fires in multiple telegraph stations. The geomagnetic storm was most likely the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun colliding with Earth's magnetosphere.”
Events like the 1859 Carrington Storm are expected to occur once in every 150 years, and today with all of our power-hungry technology, such an event would be a LOT more disastrous. It could have the potential to cripple modern global tech infrastructure including the electrical grid, GPS satellites, computer systems and more.
Other notable solar flares that disrupted power grids and telecommunication systems include:
A solar flare overloaded the power grid in Quebec, Canada — leaving 6 million Canadians without power for nine hours and also caused disruptions in 200 US power grids.
Hailed as “one of the most violent sun storms in recorded history,” and given the highest designation level possible (X-Class), this storm blasted plasma particles from the sun’s surface out to space, but some made their way to Earth, disrupting satellites and blocking radio communication.
Intense space weather from Oct 19 to Nov 7, 2003 “slammed into Earth's magnetic field,” re-routing airplanes, disrupting satellite communications and systems and causing a power outage in Sweden for an hour.
Termed as one the strongest solar storms in recorded history, if this storm had hit just a week earlier, according to Nasa scientists, Earth would’ve been in the line of fire, having a catastrophic effect. The National Academy of Sciences calculated that:
the total economic impact could exceed $2 trillion or 20 times greater than the costs of a Hurricane Katrina. Multi-ton transformers damaged by such a storm might take years to repair.
What can you do, or what’s being done on the national level to provide protection from an EMP attack or CME?
As per this article in NBC News, the best way to provide EMP protection against a solar storm is to forecast them in advance, and have better warning systems in place. Utilities need to work on solutions, including:
“…building capacitor banks, which could work like batteries to absorb and dissipate excess energy. Or they can install electricity-dampening devices called Faraday cages, which are like force fields that can surround critical pieces of equipment and protect them from currents.”
A CME-level solar storm can take hours or days to reach Earth, but the solar flares from it can be seen in just 8 minutes. This gives critical time to take precautions such as protecting equipment and taking transformers completely offline — turning off the power grid, before the storm hits.
Although, we really have no control over an EMP solar flare or CME, countries can prepare with better space weather forecasting and maintaining strong international diplomacy.
The Octavian Report, explains how protection from an EMP attack or event can happen on a national level.
“At the national level, besides good intelligence and the deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system, electric systems and infrastructure can be hardened against EMP. In fact, a very basic program to protect the thousand most vulnerable transformers might be accomplished for around $150 million. A more extensive US program could cost $2 billion, and a robust program might cost up to $12 billion: still a very small and affordable sum compared to the potential losses.”
Can individuals and businesses do anything to protect from an EMP?
If we’re talking about a low-level EMP event, then planning and preparation would be the same as protecting from any potential calamity.
In the case of a Carrington-level EMP event, whether due to natural causes or an EMP attack, it can’t really be said how long it would take — months or years — to pick up the pieces if it led to widespread power loss and damage.
Now, we've listed the research and facts, but you don’t need to let the threat of a potential EMP scare you. Instead, we offer EMP shielding and protection tips below, with action steps you can take now to be prepared if an event like this were to occur.
An EMP Shield is anything that ensures that your electronic equipment, your home, and your car, is best protected and shielded from an EMP.
So, how to shield from an EMP?
There are several EMP shielding options available such as using a Faraday bag, or properly shielding solar panels, or using a portable generator that can all help to protect your from dangerous EMP pulses.
Even if you’re not an avid prepper, simply considering that an EMP event could take out the grid and fry your electronic devices, it makes sense that you’d want to look out for some EMP shielding options and take steps towards some basic EMP protection.
Below, we share some of the most popular EMP shielding options that you can consider for your electronic devices:
A faraday cage is an enclosure that prevents electromagnetic radiation from entering or leaving the space that is confined within the cage. These cages are built of materials such as copper mesh and aluminum, that can effectively conduct electricity, and ultimately stop any EMF radiation from getting through or getting out.
Ready-to-build faraday cages can be purchased online, or you can try DIY solutions that use galvanized steel trash cans with aluminum foil, depending on what you intend to use it for.
If you are building your own faraday cage at home, it’s highly recommended to use Faraday Fabric to line the container, as the fabric is designed for EMF protection, and does a much better job that aluminum foil any day.
Go here to learn how to build a DIY faraday cage.
Faraday fabric, also known as EMP cloth is a flexible shielding fabric made out of interwoven conductive metallic thread — usually cotton/polyester infused with thin strands of copper, silver or nickel.
This creates a powerful mesh that "attenuates," or weakens the intensity of radiation and helps to protect your devices from both natural and man-made EMPs such as power surges, lightning, solar flares, nuclear explosions, EMP bombs and other electromagnetic pulses that can damage or fry your electronics.
At Atmosure, we have many customers who use our faraday fabric to line their own enclosures such as wooden boxes or suitcases to create an EMP proof box to protect from dangerous pulses.
💡 Important note:
If you are looking to aim for 100% shielding, you may need to add more fabric layers and test using a reliable RF EMF meter, until the EMP proof box meets your specifications.
Just like lining a wooden box to create a boxed enclosure, you can easily use faraday fabric to create EMP bags and pouches.
It’s important to note that many people confuse Mylar pouches with faraday bags. A Mylar bag is made of laminated layers of food-grade aluminum and plastic, and although it might block a phone signal, it will not protect against an EMP attack.
You can achieve close to 100% shielding if you use several layers of quality faraday fabric to create an EMP-proof bag.
EMP bags are available online or can be made in all shapes and sizes and used to safeguard your devices when you’re not using them such as your laptop, tablets and mobile phones.
💡 Important note:
If you are looking to aim for 100% shielding, you may need to add more fabric layers and test using a reliable RF EMF meter, until the EMP bag meets your specifications.
Read more on Testing RF Fabric Using an EMF Meter.
It’s highly recommended to store away some items in properly designed and sealed EMP faraday containers and/or EMP bags in case of an emergency.
Here’s a quick checklist of items you can store away:
Not everything can fit in a faraday bag. Also, it’s not really practical to store away things you use and need on a daily basis.
Below, we’ll discuss how shielding from EMP pulses is still possible without a faraday cage.
Why is EMP protection for vehicles necessary, especially today?
Back in the day, cars were built using mechanical parts — unlike today, where the majority of cars run on electrical components. As per this Forbes article, a typical car today has more than 100+ microprocessors!
“Today’s automobiles use a huge number of computer chips, chips in the engine, chips in the seat, chips in everything…”
According, to this post from Semiconductor Engineering:
Today’s luxury cars contain some 1,500–2000 copper wires—totaling over 1 mile in length. To put that into perspective, in 1948, the average family car contained only about 55 wires, amounting to total length of 150 feet.
Since today’s cars rely so heavily on electronic parts, some of them may fail in the event of an EMP, according to the Commission’s Critical National Infrastructure Report.
So, what are somethings you can do to EMP proof vehicles so they have some amount of protection?
Pre-1960 vehicles that don’t have solid-state electronics (semiconductors, computer chips and transistors) will most likely not be harmed by an electromagnetic pulse. You can also go for a pre-1980 car with a carburetor and distributor (instead of electronic fuel injection). Either way, this is entirely based on speculation, as even circuitry-free cars could be vulnerable. Luck, plays a big factor here.
A metal garage could act as a giant faraday cage, but you’ll need to completely remove any wiring as those can serve as an antenna. This means no lighting, electric garage openers, or outlets. There are also other factors to consider — do you have windows? Could the EMP pulse get through the floor? How “leak-proof” is the structure? And more.
You can buy snap-on ferrite cores (type 61 ferrite), that absorb high frequencies better and can help attenuate the pulses from a small EMP surge. They can be snapped on to bundles of car electrical wiring and act as an EMP shield to offer some vehicle EMP protection.
The EMP Shield is an award-winning highly-rated product backed by a 10-year warranty, and an insurance policy. It claims to work by diverting energy from an EMP pulse away from the battery and the rest of your vehicle’s electrical circuitry.
That said, most people don’t really have the knowledge (or parts) to DIY a modern vehicle or turn their garage into a faraday cage to survive an EMP strike.
Even if you did manage to do it, in the case of an EMP attack, the corner gas station won’t be open for fuel or spare parts, and your electric car won’t be much use if the power grid is out unless you turn to solar charging (but that device too will need to be stored in a faraday cage).
So, it might be a good idea to think outside the box and consider other travel options — for example, keeping a bicycle handy, or a dirt bike that can run on some basic fuel and commonly available spare parts.
We already discussed how you can protect the electronics in your home using EMP bags and faraday boxes. So, what else can you do to provide better EMP shielding for home protection?
If you have solar panels installed in your home, you could better protect them. Solar panels don’t have many electronic parts, meaning they have a lesser chance of being affected by an EMP. However, they do have wired connections which means they’re vulnerable to EMP damage.
You could try installing a Faraday cage around your panels, but if they’re still plugged in, that won’t prevent your circuitry from being fried in an EMP attack. Sol-Ark solar inverters, seem to have come up with a viable solution for this.
Their solar inverters are “EMP-hardened,” meaning they can withstand EMP pulses and disruptions from both natural and man-made EMPs. Check out this video below, to learn more:
Do you use a whole-house generator that’s connected to the power gird for automatic back-up power? That might not be such a good idea during an EMP event, which is why you should consider a portable generator for EMP generator protection.
Whole house generators
The power line that connects your home to your utilities company is the perfect path for EMP energy to travel through and fry the electric components in your connected backup generator (unless it has some incredible EMP surge protection at the input of the transfer switch, and even then, protection is not guaranteed). So, having a whole house generator is risky, during an EMP event.
Portable generators
It’s far better to use a portable power generator that uses diesel, gasoline or propane, as the gas or fuel will not act as an antenna for EMP signals. Although, these generators won’t power your entire home, they’re excellent to keep on stand-by to power critical devices like heaters, pumps, fans and any medical equipment. Just make sure to NEVER plug in any cords (power cord, extension cord) into the portable generator until you absolutely need it, as the cord can act as an antenna for EMP signals.
Conductive paint has shown to provide shielding from EMP, and with more testing can work out to be a much more feasible, cost-effective and faster solution than trying to create faraday cages for electrical infrastructure.
According to this Forbes article, EMP paint can conduct heat and electricity and can adhere easily to a variety of surfaces, including metal, concrete, glass and composite - much of what the power grid is made of.
These paints are actually thin-film conductors. But anything that conducts an electric field also conducts a magnetic field in the orthogonal direction. So painting a large transformer with this paint is like putting a Faraday Cage over it, but cheaper.
Depending on your unique needs, there are of course different levels of EMP protection you might need.
In accordance to a comprehensive report by the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection and Resilience Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure and Equipment, we’ve created a detailed outline on the steps that can be taken for protection from an EMP, both natural and manmade.
Level 1 EMP protection involves making sure that you have essentials such as food, water, medicines and some backup of power to maintain your mission-critical systems until services come back up, for a few days to weeks (or longer). It also means following some basic guidelines to protect your devices and shield from EMP pulses.
Invest in a high-quality low fire risk EMP-rated surge protection device (SPD) to connect all your electronic devices, and guard against voltage spikes not only from EMPs but also more probable causes such as thunderstorms, lightning and faulty wiring.
How to select a good surge protector to best protect from EMP pulses:
Small electronics, cell phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, spare batteries and more can be placed in a faraday bag or case, which is constructed of a cloth with metallic thread to protect devices and gadgets from EMPs. Jump to our EMP Shielding section to learn more about Faraday Bags and where you can get them.
Also note, that placing devices in metallic trash cans does not provide dependable EMP protection, unless they have been altered to completely block radio frequencies from entering through gaps in the lid, base or handles.
Most companies recommend connecting your whole house backup generator to the commercial power grid, so that in the case of a power outage an automated transfer to the backup easily occurs. Even, if you have a whole house generator, it is highly recommended to invest in a portable power generator as well.
It’s handy to have a battery-operated AM/FM/NOAA radio. In the case of an EMP emergency, it can become an important means of receiving critical information on the current state of things from the government’s Emergency Alert System (EAS), which has radio stations, with some level of EMP protection, nationwide.
Level 2 EMP protection involves having systems in place to safeguard and protect critical equipment from vulnerabilities, in the most cost-effective way, where complete EMP facility shielding etc. is not a viable option.
In addition to Level 1 EMP protection, for Level 2 protection:
Ferrite beads or cores simply snap around a cable and are used to attenuate or weaken unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) and high frequency cable signals in two directions — to and from a device. They interact with the magnetic field of the signal, and create an impendence onto the cable, which affects only common-mode signals, such as EMP pulses or HEMP.
A UPS is a device that provides emergency power when the main power source fails. Investing in an EMP-resistant, preferably office-equipment grade UPS system can provide protection by levelling the current and decreasing downtime in the event of a surge.
According to the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection and Resilience Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure and Equipment recommendations:
“When selecting a UPS for protecting equipment from EMP, a true on-line, double-conversion type of UPS is recommended although a high quality line interactive UPS with good surge suppression and noise filtering can be used unless the equipment is extremely sensitive. Less expensive UPS units provide insufficient protection in that they allow voltage spikes to reach equipment before the battery is switched into the circuit, which can take as long as 25 milliseconds (ms). The more expensive on-line, double-conversion UPS ensures that the battery is always connected so that no power transfer switches are needed and voltage spikes will not damage the equipment. A high quality line interactive unit will take 2-4 ms to transfer power to the battery source, which easily meets the specifications for all common modern equipment.”
For the best protection against EMP, fiber optic cables are recommended, as they contain no metal. If these are not an option, use shielded cables, coupled with EMP-level surge protection and ferrites.
Some tips for “hardening” cables include:
Some other key factors to consider at this level include:
Level 3 EMP protection is geared to organizations, facilities and systems that can only tolerate a few minutes of power outage without putting health, life and security at stake. It requires robust shielding from EMP in the form of electromagnetically shielded racks and rooms to prevent electromagnetic frequencies and pulses from reaching mission-critical equipment.
In addition to Level 1, and Level 2 EMP protection, for Level 3 protection:
If mission-critical applications fail, they can lead to life-threatening situations, or pose a serious threat to security. EMP-shielded racks, rooms, and entire facilities can be developed and used to protect:
Seen as a traditional approach to EMP hardening, building an EMP shielded enclosure is common in military environments and certain types of facilities and industries.
An EMP facility shield is a “continuous conductive enclosure that meets or exceeds specified shielding effectiveness requirements.” Expensive to build, these structures require to be designed, engineered, installed and tested thoroughly. As there is more awareness around EMP, more commercial-based solutions are likely to become more viable in this niche.
Some other key factors to consider at this level include:
Level 4 EMP protection is for organizations, missions and systems where only a few seconds of outage can be tolerated, due to the immediate threat to life and security. This includes protecting equipment needed in military command, communications, control, and intelligence missions or non-military systems such as medical life support equipment, nuclear power plant controls, air traffic control systems and more.
In addition to Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 EMP protection, for Level 4 protection:
Woah! That was a lot of information regarding how to shield and protect against EMP, but even if you apply a few (level 1 and 2) protection tips, you'll be much better off than a lot of people, if a situation like this were to ever arise.
Lastly, let’s cover some commonly asked questions about EMPs:
An EMP is an electromagnetic pulse, while a high-altitude EMP (HEMP) is nuclear explosion that detonates high in the earth’s atmosphere.
The major difference is on the scale that they occur. Solar flares take place near sunspots and are smaller, whereas CMEs can be huge — even bigger than the sun itself! Solar flares produce rapid X-rays and gamma rays and can reach the earth in 8 minutes, whereas CMEs form slowly and can take days to reach earth.
The strong EMP pulse creates a geomagnetic current in power transmission lines which builds up with great energy, causing transformers to overheat rapidly and fry up.
It’s debated, but EMP attacks seem to come out on top for two reasons.
If the power were to go out for lets say a year or more, the results would be nothing less than catastrophic. Everything we depend on, from water to cars to money will be inaccessible as water pumps, gas stations or ATMs would be non-functional.
Well, because not everyone is in agreement that EMP is that big a threat. The EMP Commission has accused the utility industry of trying to avoid liability by minimizing the risks, but certain skeptics argue that the “EMP hawks” themselves are looking to maximize the profits of their own protection companies.
The mainstream opinion is that getting hit by a solar storm or EMP weapon is overhyped — however, we did show examples above, that both are very much possible.
There are many mainstream beliefs that have been proven wrong in history, from the Titanic being hailed as “unsinkable,” to Chernobyl never rupturing, to mortgage-backed securities being safe investments (they led to the 2007 stock market crash), to thinking that we were prepared for Covid-19.
In all these cases, the mainstream belief was proven wrong. The debate on EMP is still on, but it doesn’t hurt to have some EMP shielding and protection in place — you just never know.
]]>The Faraday Cage has been around for almost 200 years and has attested to being a valuable invention that is used regularly in society today. Take a look at your microwave for example!
Using a Faraday Cage for EMF protection against everyday electronics is something you may not have even considered needing. Nowadays, with nearly everything in our world being run by technology, it’s easy to not even question what is going on behind the scenes to make it all work. When the reality is we are almost constantly exposed to the emitting radiation and signals being bounced around.
That’s when a faraday cage can help us. By using this tool, we can reduce the amount of time exposed to EMF in our home environments. Thankfully the Faraday Cage is not a hard concept to understand, you can even DIY your own!
In this article, allow us to introduce to you the importance of EMF protection and the role of the Faraday Cage. Lastly, we’ll fill you in on how easy it is to get started and expand your Faraday Cage EMF protection.
The Faraday Cage is exactly as it sounds, a cage. However, this cage is to protect our health. Designed with the purpose of blocking out electric and magnetic fields (EMF), the Faraday Cage becomes a shield for us in this technology driven world.
This enclosure will prevent EMF across the spectrum from entering or leaving the space it is confined to in the cage, depending on your intended use. Cages are constructed of material that can efficiently conduct electricity, and ultimately stop EMF radiation from passing through.
Your faraday cage can be purchased online ready-to-build, or depending on your needs, a DIY solution with some household items is also a viable solution. We’ll discuss these options more later in this article.
A Faraday Cage can protect from the constant EMF that is in our environment.
EMF is the radiation that comes off of flowing energy, from both powered and “off” electronics. The energy from the sun’s rays is a perfect everyday example of EMF. But, this is not the EMF we are worried about. When we add all the EMF emitting from the electricity powering the world, there is an excess that can be harmful to our bodies. From our household appliances, to cellphones and laptops. Even much of our hospital’s equipment gives off EMF. Our world is full of it!
There is even speculation about the safety of the roll out of 5G towers which is replacing 4G & LTE. These new towers will be running at an extremely high radio frequency all around the world. Read more about 5G and what it means for our health in our guide.
But what about EMF is dangerous? We’re going to explain why you would want EMF protection, and some examples of how faraday cages are already used in everyday life to create an understanding of how we can take the application further.
For most seeking EMF protection, it is out of caution for the longevity of their health. Unfortunately for some, they already feel a physical awareness that they have a higher sensitivity to the exposure.
Science knows that exposure to a high level of EMF is harmful to our bodies, but claim that as-is a low level would not be. However, long term exposure to these regular levels of EMF are starting to show as a cause to health problems coming up later in life, manifesting in the form of illness and even cancer. This would happen because EMF has the ability to damage and even alter our cells and in some cases even our DNA.
As mentioned before, there is a lot of electricity flowing around us, constantly exposing us to EMF. On the surface, it may not seem like we are in harm's way, it’s not like we are sitting in front of an X-ray machine. However, the constant daily exposure is going to add up.
There are already people who are physically experiencing the damage of EMF. Causing them to endure aches, pains and even illness that otherwise would have no reason for existing. Not until they have tried EMF protection like a Faraday Cage, did they find their answer.
Although scientists insist most EMF exposure to be safe, there are a few instances that faraday cages and similar technology have worked their way into everyday situations. Such as the microwave, which uses high radiation to contain heat within, but does not allow it to escape, as that would be too powerful and harmful for our bodies
In hospitals, you could say MRI scanners and X-Ray rooms are a form of faraday cage. These machines and rooms are designed to create the least amount of radiation exposure to the least amount of people.
The Faraday Cage was invented by the man Michael Faraday in the 19th century, hence the given name to this invention. His work was inspired by some earlier work from Benjamin Franklin. Particularly, a case where Franklin tested shocking a cork in a metal can.
Mr. Faraday built his first Faraday Cage by creating a large box within the space of a room, out of wire mesh. He then proceeded to rush the room with a constant flow of electricity. Faraday was able to stay in his cage comfortably with no harm for nearly two days before finishing the experiment.
Only the material constructing the cage conducted the flow of electricity. There was no reading or signs of electricity anywhere else within the room inside the cage. As a result, he was able to conclude that the flow of electricity is dissimilar to liquid running through a pipe. This would later help finalize how electricity flows towards the positive charge through a wire.
Michael Faraday’s invention continues on today with many uses from our hospitals to our homes. I think he would be astonished that his work today is being used to help protect the health of many in a truly electrical world.
There are two main ways you can go about using a Faraday Cage. Either you are going to surround yourself, or you are going to surround an item. Here’s how:
By building a cage around yourself, you can keep EMF away coming from the multiple electrical appliances and devices in your surroundings. However, this method can be a little impractical. Building a cage around yourself like Michael Faraday did would become limiting to your accessible spaces and activity while protecting yourself. This option may be ideal if you would like to dedicate a portion of your day to being entirely EMF free.
Alternatively, you can put items in a Faraday Cage and it will work on the same premises: EMF will not be able to pass through the cage. For example with this route you could place your phone inside a small Faraday Cage and it will prevent the EMF emitting from your phone from entering your environment. Using a Faraday Cage this way may work if you are in a room with only a few items such as your cell phone or a laptop and want to take a break from the exposure. This is a good idea if you sleep with these items in your bedroom.
Building a Faraday Cage can be fairly simple if you need it for small tasks, and almost any Faraday Cage can be built entirely with household items. From small scale to large, here are a few ideas for your DIY Faraday Cage.
For a quick and easy cell phone Faraday Cage you only need your phone and two items from your kitchen!
For a classic and multi-purpose faraday cage, go with the classic design like Michael Faraday. Using wire mesh from your hardware store you can create any size Faraday Cage for your needs.
Check Out This Youtube video to see how it’s done!
If you’re looking to store a lot of items, perhaps tools and other electronics that are not regularly in use, you can turn some storage spaces in your house into effective faraday cages. Filing cabinets and large metal tool cabinets are easily converted into faraday cages with proper conductive lining and even connection.
If this is all too much, simply buy a faraday cage online and assemble at home! Nothing wrong with ensuring it is of high quality and done right.
Although effective, the Faraday Cage is not always practical. Use either restricts your body’s mobility (to the confines of the room the cage has been built), or restricts your access to bringing devices and tools with you on the go. This can be annoying if you want to bring your electronics with you simply for emergency situations.
Luckily, there are a few ways to reduce your EMF exposure throughout the entire day that are easy to take with you on the go.
Faraday fabric is the result of combining the concept of the faraday cage with fabric. You then have flexible and mobile EMF protection at any time throughout the day.
This fabric can be extremely versatile. Use it to make covers for cell phones, tablets, and laptops. Use it as a protective layer by placing it directly over your lap while using your electronics. Or take it further and use it to line some of your everyday clothing items such as hats or jackets. Wearing the faraday fabric will protect those experiencing a heightened sensitivity to EMF or someone looking for all day reassurance as they navigate their day.
Many of us have headphones in for a portion of our day either at the gym, on transit, or when out for a walk. This is a great opportunity to make a swap for your health. Even your headphones have electronic pieces and magnets creating and emitting radiation. With these anti-radiation headphones, you can feel safe about your choice - maybe you’ll opt to listen to that second podcast episode!
These headphones have a few tweaks that make them free of EMF that can potentially reach your head. For starters there are no magnets in the speakers that could amplify the electromagnetic fields. They also feature technology that allows the amount of wires to be used reduced and kept away from your head. Lastly, you can feel confidently secure knowing that every piece is constructed of an EMF shielding material.
As there is no practical way for us to measure and keep track of how much EMF radiation we are exposed to in a day we need a tested and proven solution. Faraday cages will provide an easy and reliable option for EMF protection. With their versatility in design, there is an option for nearly every electronic and situation.
]]>This was after the pandemic started, and the little store was at capacity with six people inside and a line outside. Everyone seemed to be looking to improve their health, and to protect themselves from getting sick. Months later, I've kept the habit of keeping my shungite crystal close-by, but now I've started to wonder about it. There has to be a deeper story, I thought. And there is. One that starts about two billion years ago.
It's slightly misleading to find shungite beside amethysts, quartz and citrine crystals. Compared to the other stones, it is a little different. At first glance you might mistake some types of shungite stone for onyx, black tourmaline or obsidian, but dig a little deeper into what this stone is and what it does, and you'll quickly discover how much of a powerhouse is contained within.
In this post, we'll go over what shungite stone is, how its use has evolved over the past 300 years, shungite crystal benefits today, and how you can start working with shungite in your daily life to protect your energy and heal your body.
Peter the Great, a ruler of Russia in the 1700s, is the first record we have of royalty using the stone for health-related benefits. He is specifically reported to have used shungite stone for water purification, and is said to have demanded soldiers in the Great Northern War between Russia and Sweden (really, Sweden?).
Even though there are many who don't know about or use shungite crystals today, as you can tell, it's been around for a while and its benefits have been known for generations.
Fast forward to today, and people around the world use shungite stone for more than water purification: protection from the harmful effects of human contact with electromagnetic fields. Peter the Great and his soldiers in Russia would have had no idea the little black stones they were carrying around would mean so much to us years later.
Today shungite stones are still recognized for their purification properties, and for their grounding, stabilizing energy.
The methods to using shungite are almost deceptively simple, but have been found to be effective.
The origin of the name 'shungite' is simple enough; it's literally derived from the place the stone was first found. A village where you can probably imagine this discovery was the most exciting thing to ever happen, in Shun'ga, Karelia (a republic of Russia) - as seen below.
Shungite stone is available in three types: type I, which is delicate and silver in color, and has the highest concentration of carbon (90% or more). Other names for this type of shungite stone are ‘elite’ or ‘noble’. It is also very rare and very fragile.
Type II is sturdy enough to be shaped, and has a carbon concentration of 50 to 70%. This type is also known as ‘Petrovsky’ shungite. It is often a dark grey color or black, and is sturdy enough to be carved and polished.
Last is type III, called ‘regular’ shungite, and is also black. It has the lowest carbon concentration at 30 to 50% and is also easily shaped.
There are also other types of shungite, sometimes called ‘shungite rock’, that have even lower concentrations of carbon.
There is science that proves the electronics we use every day are affecting our health. At the very least, we know that everything in our environment affects us. We're affected by the shows we watch, the music we listen to, even the quiet hum of an electric fan.
Our bodies and energy can pick up on subtle changes in our physical environments, so it's no wonder that the invisible networks that power our devices would affect us too. The only issue is how.
Our computers, cell phones, televisions, baby monitors, modems, connected cars and devices all emit frequencies that are undetected to the human eye. These are electromagnetic frequencies, commonly called ‘EMFs’.
Just because EMFs are undetectable doesn't mean our bodies aren’t affected by these emissions.
To the casual observer, it doesn't look like there's any danger from using our phones or WiFi connected devices. But, if you'll allow me to go all Neil-deGrasse-Tyson for a moment, considering the history of human life on planet earth, we haven't had this technology for that long.
In a larger context, considering billions of years of life on planet earth, the internet has not been around for a long time.
If our ancestors had cell phones and computers and WiFi and 5G, maybe we'd have more information about what the effects are on our physical bodies. The truth is, despite 25,000 studies being published on the topic (according to the World Health Organization), the effect of EMFs on humans is not considered common knowledge just yet. We're still learning.
The real issue is with low-levels of EMF exposure. It's easier to see what the impact is for high level exposure. But what happens when we're exposed over long periods of time to EMF from our devices, being in wired cities, or even electrical outlets?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO): "Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist and need further research."
The WHO goes on to further admit that "[s]ome members of the public have attributed a diffuse collection of symptoms to low levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields at home. Reported symptoms include headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue and loss of libido. To date, scientific evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic fields."
But the WHO is a multinational organization, one that some would say has an interest in not sharing all of the facts.
In an article on the benefits of shungite, health writer Valerie Burke (who has a background in allopathic and integrative medicine, and a master's degree in nursing science, according to their bio) points to numerous studies that outline exactly how EMFs affect the human body. One study found low-level EMFs put stress on humans on a cellular level.
Then there are studies that show EMFs can increase the concentration of free radicals. According to Burke, "[f]ree radical damage is linked to anxiety, dementia, autism, ADHD, cardiac arrhythmias, depression, and infertility." As you can see, much of the damage caused to the body by free radicals sound similar to what the WHO calls those 'diffuse collection of symptoms.'
The good news is, science shows there are a few ways to mitigate the effects of free radicals and other harm from EMFs.
What gives shungite stone its power is a part of it's carbon composition, specifically a molecule called fullerene. These molecules are shaped and look kind of like soccer balls (which is why they're also called 'buckeyballs').
The reason they're special in the context of shungite stones, is because these are the molecules that are said to give the stone its healing and protective properties. Fullerenes act like a sponge for free radicals. So the more carbon shungite has, the more fullerene, and the stronger its ability to heal and protect.
Model of a fullerene molecule. Unaltered image from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Regina Martino literally wrote the book on shungite. A geobiologist and bioenergy expert, Martino specializes in stones and crystals, and has been studying the effect of shungite crystals on the body for over ten years.
When they first encountered shungite in 2006, they were studying how crystals—not just shungite—have the ability to change human energy fields when placed nearby and worn on the body. Working on a team of researchers, Martino says they discovered that shungite was a natural source of protection for human life.
According to Martino and other experts, shungite crystals can neutralize EMFs. The stone is able to convert the radiation from our devices into energy that is not harmful to our own energy and bodies.
In terms of metaphysical shungite healing properties, shungite crystal meaning covers both physical and spiritual protection.
Shungite stone is said to be grounding, detoxifying and neutralizes and balances energies. It can protect from harmful energy forces (EMFs) and help shield from a toxic environment. If you're feeling physically or emotionally weighed down, shungite stone can do wonders for you.
There are two common ways you can purchase shungite. It can come as chips in a small bag, or more polished in different shapes, either for jewelry or for your space. The last type of shungite is often type II or or type III. Although it has a lower carbon concentration than type I, it has been found to still provide protective benefits.
Before you start to use your shungite stones, it's important to clean them. No matter what type of shungite you have (Type I, II or III), the shungite crystal cleaning method will be the same:
Make sure you don't use any harsh chemicals or detergent to clean the shungite stone, as this can damage its surface.
Generally, there are three ways of using shungite that are most common:
Thanks to billions of years of history, and Peter the Great, we know that simply placing some shungite in water for 48 hours is sufficient for purification.
A study from 2017 showed that when placed in water, shungite is able to absorb bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. The study further found that the surface of shungite is able to absorb up to 95% of of contaminants in water. In the results of the study, they found the qualities of shungite made it “... an effective filter material for wastewater treatment and purification from organic and chlorinated organic substances (oil, pesticides, phenols, surfactants, dioxins, etc.).”
This all means that you can basically place some shungite in water and with time, your water will be pure of most of the stuff you don’t want in it. Read our detailed post titled 7 Amazing Shungite Water Benefits (And How to Use Shungite for Water Purification) to learn more.
When looking for shungite, you have to know what you’re looking for. Shungite for water purification looks very different than jewelry or for in your home (which we’ll get into later).
Types II and III often come with a fine black dust that you'll need to rinse off before using it. Elite shungite can be used in water and might need a little rinsing, but because of how it’s formed, it generally does not have the same dust.
Usually you can use a jug of water and just place the stones in side. If you’re using the type of stones that have black dust, rinse the stones before placing in the water you intend to use.
You can use the same stones for some time; some sources say you can use the same stones for purification for a year. Other sources say you never need to replace shungite chips for water.
According to an article published on Healthline, ingesting shungite water could help you with everything from allergies, sore throats and asthma, to chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and problems with the liver, kidney, and gallbladder. This, however, is based on theory. Because of shungite’s properties, its believed water purified with shungite could help with a variety of ailments.
Aside from being ingested, shungite and shungite water can also be used on the skin. There are many ways to use shungite cosmetically, such as taking a bath using water or using shungite powder for a facial mask or scrub.
Shungite stones in water
Pro tip: Once you’re ready to change your water purification stones, don’t throw them out! Once you’re ready to change your shungite stones, take the old chips and use them in your garden or potted plants. Just place the stones in the soil and let them do their work.
Types II and III shungite could be called 'fun shungite' because they can be molded into nearly any shape, large or small, which means you can readily find shungite jewelry in the form of bracelets, necklaces, rings, pendants, and more.
Some people report an immediate shift in their energy on holding or touching a shungite piece. In Shungite: Protection, Healing, and Detoxification, author Martino describes what it was like the first time their team handled shungite.
“The first sensation we felt was that of a lightning-fast impact that spread up through the body, followed by a great expansion of life energy along with a beautiful feeling of substantiality or energetic density...”.
Martino’s team has conducted studies on what happens when crystals are near the body, and found that compared to other stones, shungite expands the vital field the most. It also had the effect of ‘significant’ expansion of the first (or root) chakra.
Not only did they notice this stone was able to balance all of the chakras, but the stone was also able to ground overall energies, specifically the body’s energetic field that is impacted by EMFs.
Martino and other researchers say that EMFs impact an energy called a ‘torsion field’. As a disclaimer, this phenomenon is not widely accepted by scientific experts. Nonetheless, those who say they have studied torsion fields note that a healthy field turns to the right, while unhealthy torsion fields turn to the left. EMFs, according to them, force torsion fields to the left.
Shungite, Martino says, helps protect the body against the negative effects of left-turning torsion fields.
This is one of the reasons why shungite is thought to be a highly protective stone. Not only is it said to protect human energy fields from the harmful effects of EMF, but because it’s a grounding stone it can help with building a secure and protected energy.
Wearing shungite jewelry or at least carrying a small piece in a pocket or bag during the day is one way to that many people protect and strengthen their energetic field.
How much of what people report experiencing with shungite stone could be explained by the placebo effect?
There are many doctors and scientists who discuss the human energy field but don’t seem to be as enthusiastic about shungite as Martino and other shungite stans.
It could lead us to wonder: if shungite is as powerful as some say it is, why isn’t it more widely accepted?
We also know how long it can take for science to catch up to what we already know. For years, meditation was considered “woo-woo”, to take a term from Oprah. These days it’s widely accepted that meditation is key to inner peace and focus.
When it comes to your body and your health, the experts don’t know everything. While there might be some placebo effect, this points to the reason I call types II and II shungite ‘fun’. If you’ve never had a piece of shungite jewelry and find one you like, you can always try it and see how you feel with the piece in your hands or on your body.
Like Martino, you might feel an impact and expansion right away, and if you feel more grounded and aligned with shungite stone, there’s nothing an expert can say that will change that experience for you.
In addition to jewelry, shungite is available in some very cool structures and toys. The stone itself has a distinct look, as if it’s keeping secrets. Whose secrets, no one knows. And when a little creativity is applied, the stark, black color with just slight hints of brown, white, and metallics, and solid weight of a type II or III shungite gives it a vibe that is equally as mysterious as it is magical.
So it makes the perfect addition to your home decor since whatever your style, you can probably find a shungite stone that fits. Solid skulls, pyramids, cones, cubes, and spheres of all sizes are common. As are more complicated geometric shapes like obelisks. There are shungite statues and figurines, dishes and plate ware. You can even find massage mats with shungite cones installed. And if you already collect stones and crystals, you might think adding shungite to your collection is a no-brainer.
But what’s the point of all this?
As mentioned previously, some scientists have discovered shungite has a natural ability to neutralize the destabilizing impact of EMFs in the energy around us. This then creates a compelling argument for placing EMF slates or tiles under or around the places in your home that emit the highest concentration of frequencies, like having a disc that you put your phone on.
The research and experts suggest that just having shungite near devices can help neutralize EMF radiation, so placing a large tile under your modem, or a pyramid on your computer desk would be enough to protect your environment. Some experts say it’s fine to place a large pyramid or figurine somewhere central to protect a space.
Some shungite stickers or discs are made as an adhesive, which makes it easy to place on the back of a laptop or smartphone.
There’s another way you can use shungite that deserves at least a mention: for clearing, protecting and healing your energy.
We’ve discussed how shungite has been found to be an excellent grounding and centering stone. If you keep a piece in your home office or around your computer, you can meditate using the stone with an intention for being focused and centered at work, or whatever conditions you want to create.
Getting a stone that is shaped in a way that means something to you is a great way to strengthen this practice. A shungite egg, for example, might represent fertility and the birthing of new ideas to make more money.
Simply hold the stone and repeat a mantra a few times, while concentrating on the condition you want. Or you can hold the stone and meditate. You can picture the stone’s energy going into you or the work you’re doing and imagine yourself focused throughout the day.
Shungite has become more and more popular in recent years. With the recent boom in online shopping, anyone in the market for shungite stones needs to be aware that the fakes are out there.
To really know if the stone you have is real, you’d have to get some high tech equipment. And if you don’t use or have those already, getting an authentic piece may require some trust and a little research (though you’re reading this, so you already have a head start).
1. The Look. As discussed, types II and III of this stone can be polished, though the stone is not solid black. This might be hard to see if you’re shopping online, but shungite stones will often have barely noticeable lines and specs on their surface. Types II and III shungite for water will most likely come in a bag, and as mentioned before, will have a fine black dust.
If you’re in the market for elite shungite, keep in mind this stone is fragile. It’s not possible to shape elite shungite into pyramids or skulls. Type I shungite should appear ‘raw’, meaning not shaped or polished in any way, and be handled with care. An elite shungite stone in the shape of a pyramid is probably not the good energy stone you’re looking for. It’s a red flag.
2. The Feel. Polished shungite does not really respond to being scratched, so trying to damage the surface will not permanently alter the look of the stone. If you scratch your piece and black paint comes off… Well it’s not good news.
If you have a shungite piece in the shape of a wand, you could try using it on your smartphone. Shungite is a conductor, and its unique material makes it capable of interacting with touch devices. Instead of using your fingers, you could type out a text message using a wand or other shungite piece that’s easy to handle. This video below demonstrates an easy and effective way to determine if your shungite is real with a flashlight.
Having shungite stones in your home and wearing a piece can help to neutralize the impact of EMFs, but there's more you can do to reduce your exposure to harmful radiation. Here are a few ideas:
For more ideas read our post: Top 35 Tips to Protect Against EMF Dangers That You Must Know
Ask anyone about the effects of electromagnetic radiation, and the topic of shungite may or may not come up. Available in esoteric and crystal shops across North America, the material is not quite a crystal, but its purported benefits rival that of any amethyst, moldavite, or citrine. Yet, it still remains a secret to thousands of people.
Some sources say the stone is pretty close to a cure-all.
It's been connected to helping with both physical and non-physical ailments. Perhaps the most interesting and unique of its healing and protective properties is the ability to cancel out the negative effects of electromagnetic frequencies, or EMFs.
There are many things we can do to protect our bodies, minds, and energies from the EMFs in the air all around us. Studies on shungite stones show that this ancient mineral can cleanse water, balance our chakras, and protect us from harmful radiation. Ready to give it a try?
]]>But these same devices that we’re glued to day in and out, also produce electromagnetic frequencies (EMF), which is a major concern today.
EMF radiation is all around us and includes EMF frequencies emitted from cell phones, laptops, wireless routers, smart TVs, cell towers, power lines, 5G towers, smart meters, dirty electricity and more.
Some people are sensitive to this invisible radiation, and actually experience very real physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, burning sensations, nausea and anxiety — also known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
If you’re one of these people, it makes sense to take immediate measures to limit this radiation.
But, even if you’re not, there’s every reason to do what you can to block out more radiation than is necessary in your life, and RF blocking fabric or faraday fabric can help you do just that.
In this post, we’ll cover what is faraday fabric, does it work, and how to use faraday fabric or RF blocking material for EMF protection.
Faraday fabric, also known as EMF shielding fabric or RF shielding fabric is a flexible fabric made out of an interwoven conductive metallic thread.
It is constructed of cotton or polyester material that is infused with thin strands of copper, silver or nickel creating a powerful mesh that "attenuates," or reduces the intensity of radiation emitted from devices such as the mobile phone in your pocket, the WiFi router in your home office, and the smart meter outside your bedroom window.
The function of faraday fabric is to block electrical charges or electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) radiation from entering or escaping whatever is enclosed within it.
Used by law enforcement agencies and the military to block signals from Wi-Fi routers, cellular phones, Bluetooth connections, GPS, RFID, and more, this highly-effective EMF blocking fabric helps protect against data theft and enhances digital privacy.
Today, with the sheer number of devices emitting EMF radiation, faraday material has found another critical application — blocking harmful radiation from your wireless gadgets and helping to lower your EMF exposure.
To understand how faraday fabric blocks radiation, we need to take a look at how a Faraday cage works.
Named after Michael Faraday, who invented the electronic isolation chamber in 1836, a faraday cage is a metallic container made from a conducting shielding material such as metallic plates or a metallic wire mesh that shields whatever is in it from external electromagnetic fields.
The way faraday cage material works is that the electric fields or radiation are distributed around the cage’s exterior, cancelling out charges and the field’s effects on the cage’s interior. So, the cage acts as a protective shield, blocking charges on the surface, and preventing them from entering the interior.
But, that’s not all.
The same way a faraday cage prevents outside radiation from penetrating inside the cage, it can also do the exact opposite — prevent electromagnetic radiation from components placed inside the cage to escape outside.
This two-way protection makes it incredibly useful in many types of real-life applications, such as being used in the metal shell of your microwave, shielded TV cables, suits worn by electricians while working on high voltage power lines, MRI scan rooms — and protection from EMF-emitting wireless devices.
Sure, you can use a faraday cage, but carrying a solid metallic structure to protect you from your phone’s wireless signals can get difficult!
RF fabrics are ordinary cotton or polyester materials infused with thin strands of copper, silver or nickel creating a powerful mesh that "attenuates," or reduces the intensity of radiation emitted from devices such as your mobile phone.
So, why use EMF blocking cloth? Below, is an overview of some of the key benefits and shielding applications:
Just like any other fabric, faraday cloth can easily be cut and sewn to totally isolate devices from incoming or outgoing signals.
It’s great to use for pillow covers, to cover walls to protect against electrosmog from the neighbours’, and perfect for creating faraday bags, faraday cases and pouches to enclose wireless devices such as your smartphone, laptop, tablet, Wi-Fi router, credit cards or smart meter. You can also use it to shield signals from your car keys by creating a faraday bag for key fob.
Below, we’ll cover some key applications of faraday EMF shielding fabric:
WiFi routers constantly emit radio frequencies (RFs). Your WiFi router is built using transmitters, which use microwave radiation to transmit data through the air, to all of your WiFi-enabled devices. This means there is always radiation floating in your surroundings when your wireless router is on and transmitting.
Create a faraday pouch to protect against WiFi radiation:
💡 Important notes:
Your smartphones and tablets emit radio frequencies or RF radiation at full power when they are sending or receiving information - such as when you’re on a call, browsing the internet, connected to a 5G network, or navigating using GPS.
Our RF blocking fabric is composed of a fine copper mesh that "traps" the RF signal from your phone or tablet, effectively blocking any outside radio waves (including 5G signals) from reaching your device.
Create a faraday bag for phone to protect against cellular and 5G radiation:
💡 Important notes:
If you tend to work with your laptop on your lap, creating a laptop radiation shield to protect from RF radiation is worthwhile. RF radiation is emitted when your laptop is sending or receiving any type of wireless information which in most cases is from the WiFi router, Bluetooth or any other wireless device such as a wireless keyboard or mouse.
Create a faraday blanket to protect against laptop radiation:
💡 Important notes:
Faraday fabric is often also called EMP cloth, as it helps to protect your devices from both natural and deliberate electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) such as power surges, lightning, solar flares, nuclear explosions, EMP bombs and other electromagnetic pulses that can damage or fry your electronics.
Solar storms have occurred in the past, and if one were to occur today it would widely damage power grids, cars, computers and electronic devices.
How to use the EMP fabric to protect against electromagnetic pulses:
💡 Important notes:
Smart meters have been under speculation for quite a few years now as they emit the same kind of (RF) microwave frequencies as mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices.
If a smart meter is installed on the wall opposite from the room you sleep in, there's a good chance that a lot of EMF is leaching into your bedroom. If you’re especially sensitive to EMF, symptoms may include anxiety, fatigue, tinnitus, sleep disruptions, dizziness and more.
Create a faraday case to protect against smart meter radiation:
💡 Important notes:
Faraday fabric enclosures offer military-grade protection and are used by law enforcement agencies to protect their devices and block signals from WiFi routers, cellular phones, Bluetooth connections, GPS, RFID and electromagnetic interference.
The fabric is excellent to use for data and identity protection, and prevents hackers from accessing anything with an RFID chip, like your credit card or building access card.
How to use the RF blocking fabric to protect against hacking and data theft:
Creating an RFID blocking bag or faraday bag for key fob is one of the best ways to prevent your car getting stolen.
Modern car key fobs function on electromagnetic signals. When the key is close to the car, a frequency is transmitted between the key fob and the car to lock/unlock it. Tech-savvy thieves have figured out how to clone the signal, open the door and drive off.
Create a faraday fabric key fob holder to protect against keyless car theft:
💡 Important notes:
When testing EMF fabric to ensure maximum success with your RF shielding project, it is important to understand what your expectations are.
EMF signal reduction is very different from achieving 100% signal blocking.
These are very different projects with their own unique challenges.
Every environment is different and the steps required to achieve your desired result will vary depending on your particular environment, and what you want to achieve.
Just like all faraday fabrics are metal-based making them flammable, Atmosure faraday fabric is constructed of copper and nickel. As such, it is conductive, and may get hot.
Please note: Keep the fabric away from electrical outlets, power strips, and plugs.
Looking for faraday fabric near me? Faraday products may be available in home improvement stores, but the ideal place to often buy the best faraday fabric is online. You can opt for a faraday fabric roll, or buy anti-radiation faraday sheets by the yard.
Atmosure’s military-grade Faraday Fabric for EMF Protection (1 Yard) comes in a high-grade metallic copper, nickel and polyester fiber composition in a fine diamond-pattern for superior shielding against:
The best faraday fabric is highly durable, corrosion-resistant and long-lasting. Atmosure’s faraday fabric is an excellent daily radiation blocker wherever you go and offers:
Available by the yard (44" x 36") for easy measuring and purchase.
Comes with an actionable 5G safety guide and a handy instruction card!
You can use a reliable EMF meter to test the level of RF signals blocked. Place the meter on the device to measure signal strength BEFORE you cover it with the fabric. Then cover the device with the faraday enclosure and retest the signal strength again. This will help you assess how effective the enclosure you’ve created is, and if it partially or completely blocks signal transmission.
First you need to check if your EMF meter is designed to test for RF signals. Second, you need to see if the device itself emits any RF signals. If an appliance emits RF, then just cover it, and RF signals will be considerably reduced, which can be measured using a high-quality RF EMF meter.
To achieve best results, it is highly recommended to use EMF fabric only for devices that you can cover.
If you completely cover the router with the faraday shielding material from all sides, it won’t function as it will block the signal. By completely cover, we mean double up the fabric and make sure there is a tight seal at the top, bottom and sides. This same concept can be applied to any type of faraday bag for phone, laptop case, or pouch made with the fabric.
For best signal shielding, it is recommended to use multiple layers of EMF shielding fabric to layer the wall and make sure the fabric touches the wall end-to-end. You can use special faraday tape to join multiple faraday sheets (use at least a 1-inch overlap) and seal the seams and ends.
Yes, many customers use Atmosure faraday fabric to create curtains and window coverings for EMF protection. If you have tested your home and know that EMF is coming in through your windows (from a neighbor’s smart meter or WiFi), covering your windows is a good idea to minimize signals entering your home.
Faraday bed sheets can help prevent electric fields from reaching your body when you're sleeping. This keeps your body grounded and therefore protects against any electrical discharges that would normally be absorbed by the earth.
When it comes to Atmosure faraday fabric, our tests have shown that faraday fabric clothing is equally protective no matter which side of the fabric is facing up, so it can be used on either side. If you’re worried about the metallic fibers rubbing against your skin you may want to line the faraday fabric with a non-metallic fabric on the inside when creating wearable faraday clothing.
First, you may have been looking for 5G connectivity in your area, and wanted to find a 5G tower location near you. Or, more importantly, you may be concerned about having a 5G tower near you and the implications of 5G radiation so close to home.
If you got here simply because you wanted to see if your area has 5G coverage, read on, as you may be in for some unexpected, rather shocking news related to 5G rolling out...and if you're here to validate the dangers of a 5G tower popping up near you, well, we can tell you straight off the bat — the news is certainly worrisome.
In the post, we'll cover 5G towers locations near you, and also address what 5G is, why you should be concerned with the eruption of 5G technology, and the serious implications it may have on your health and well-being.
Imagine downloading a full-length movie in under 5 seconds...that's a reality now with 5G unfolding.
5G, or fifth-generation cellular wireless, just like its predecessors, 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G is the latest upcoming form of mobile communication and mobile networking technology. Similar to generations before it, 5G aspires to make wireless communication faster as more and more people want to stay connected online.
And by fast...we mean lightning fast. As per Consumer Reports, a 2-hour movie that took 26 hours to download on a 3G network and 6 minutes on 4G, will only take...wait..for it...3.6 seconds on a 5G network.
So what does this mean?
Well, it means that apart from just your internet connection getting blazing fast, everything around you will become faster and more connected.
Not only will you be able to play graphic-intensive video games lag-free, but you can also expect quick-responding safer smart vehicles, instant access to files on the cloud, advanced robotics and AI, and much more.
In fact, there will be an outburst of new products and services along with the Internet of Things (IoT), that allows multiple devices to communicate with each other, and demands super-fast speeds, leading to smarter homes, and smarter cities.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it is.
Sure, it goes without saying that 5G will bring tremendous benefits in terms of how we consume wireless information...but at what cost?
Many experts believe that will all the hype around 5G rolling out in the upcoming years, there are some serious, rather, dangerous health concerns that consumers need to be aware of.
But before we get to that, let's first look at how 5G is different than the 4G we use today, so we can better understand the potential dangers 5G towers can bring to where you live.
With 1G the world experienced analog voice, next came digital voice and text messaging with 2G, 3G brought in mobile data, and 4G took the world by storm with widespread mobile internet usage worldwide.
No matter where you live today, your phone is most likely connected to a 4G network. And in order for you to stay constantly connected, your phone uses RF or radiofrequency waves to connect to the nearest cell tower.
You may have seen these towers in or near your area. In fact, some are even disguised as trees as you can see below:
These towers also referred to as macrocell towers, have the capacity to support many devices, on a wide range of frequencies, over spanning distances.
However, what they are not equipped for is for supporting 5G.
In order to understand why we'll need to take a look at the radio spectrum which is broken up into different "radio bands". Each band has a specific frequency limit, and the spectrum itself is divided into frequency ranges from ELF (extremely low frequencies) to EHF (extremely high frequencies), as demonstrated in the image below.
Source: RFPage
While 3G uses a frequency band of 1.8-2.5 GHz delivering a data rate of up to 2Mbps, 4G works on bands of 2-8GHz delivering data rates up to 20 Mbps or more.
So the higher the frequency...the faster the speed.
But 5G is in a league of its own. To achieve speeds that are potentially 100x faster than 4G, 5G uses the EHF or Extremely High-Frequency band that runs in the 30 GHz to 300 GHz range.
That is the first reason why 4G cell towers cannot support 5G, as they are only capable of transmitting on a specific frequency of the RF spectrum.
Secondly, the RF frequency spectrum that 5G uses does not work well over larger distances, nor can it penetrate easily through objects like buildings, trees ore even moisture.
In fact, in order to make 5G work, these networks require entirely new infrastructure to work, which we'll go into next...
5G requires new technologies to work in sync to deliver uninterrupted speeds while managing a massive number of connected devices on a network. This video below is a highly recommended watch to understand exactly how 5G works, and the infrastructure and technology it demands.
The RF frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz required by 5G, falls under the EHF band, which is also called the millimeter band, as the wavelengths in this frequency run from 1-10mm, and are referred to as millimeter waves (mmW). Besides being a popular choice for 5G networks, mmWaves also have applications in satellite communication and radio astronomy.
When it comes to frequencies, it's also important to note that higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths.
So while a 3 KHz, low frequency, has a wavelength of 100 km (over 60 miles), a 300 GHz, high frequency, has a wavelength of just 1 mm.
So, although 5G promises high speeds, the shorter high-frequency millimeter wave spectrum is prone to distortion and interference, requiring advanced technologies like small cell infrastructure, MIMO, and beamforming.
Small cells are basically base stations that work on low power but are capable of handling a huge volume of data. Unlike the much larger 3G/4G cell towers we see today, small cells look fairly simple and basic and are in fact designed to look unobtrusive. They are easy to deploy on lampposts, bus shelters, and buildings so they are always close to connected users.
Source: Lifewire
Since small cells use millimeter waves for transmission which can only cover shorter distances, and not get past minor obstacles like a raincloud or a car, a lot of them are needed in close proximity to cover a larger area, without compromising signal quality or seeing drops.
That brings us to MIMO (multiple input, multiple output), and beamforming. MIMO basically uses multiple antennas for increased efficiency in transmission and reception, which is important to keep up with the high data rates that 5G demands, and for reducing signal disturbances.
While MIMO-enabled towers have multiple antennas to streamline transmission, beamforming directs these antennas to specific areas and locations to offer uninterrupted service. Through beamforming, a small cell tower can literally locate a particular user at a specified location and can transmit to them using multiple antennas at the same time. If the user changes location, these changes can automatically be tracked by the network, and transmission will instantaneously be shifted to different small cell antenna sites, so a smooth connection and continuous service, is always maintained.
Watch this insightful video snippet below to see how MIMO technology works as explained by renowned EMF engineer Pawel Wypychowski:
Source: The EMF Guy
But not all 5G is created equal. Although millimeter waves are the ideal carrier for super-charged speeds, you'd need hundreds if not thousands of small cell towers to compensate for the poor coverage millimeter waves offer.
Most mobile carriers aren't equipped to shell out that kind of money (just yet), to install small cell towers on every street corner. Therefore, current 5G solutions will also run on other RF frequency spectrums, such as low-band and mid-band connections, and beamforming will ensure that your phone signal doesn't drop every time it jumps from a mmWave connection to another band. So even though you may face a lapse in speed, you'll still always be connected to the network.
To understand this better we highly recommend you watch the snippet below to get an idea of how the 5G roll-out is currently unraveling (in fact, if you really want to learn more about the drivers behind 5G, frequency ranges, 5G smart car radars and more, the entire video is well worth a watch!):
Source: The EMF Guy
Different phone carriers in the U.S. are proposing to use different frequency bands for 5G.
It's important to note that the 5G spectrum (or any radio band) need to be licensed to carriers and is usually sold through auctions. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulates the use of RF bands globally, while in the U.S., usage is controlled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
As of writing this post, the FCC has auctioned the 24 and 28 GHz bands for 5G use. However, "later this year, the FCC will auction the upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz bands. With these auctions, the FCC will release almost 5 gigahertz of 5G spectrum into the market—more than all other flexible use bands combined."
To see FCC's 5G plan for America, you can view this brief video below:
With the high cost of the infrastructure associated with 5G, most carriers will continue to use different bands in the service options they provide, so when you're looking for 5G towers locations near you, the carrier you use will dictate the coverage you have.
Below you'll find the 5G deployment plans for the most common US carriers:
Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband runs on mmWaves and uses frequencies between 28-39 GHz
Using more spectrums than any other carrier nationwide, Sprint will employ the 800 MHz, 1.9 GHz and 2.5 GHz RF bands.
T-Mobile's strategy is to use both mid-band and low-band spectrums in its 5G roll-out plan.
Depending on denser or more rural/suburban areas, AT&T will either use the mmWave spectrum or the mid-band to low-band spectrum respectively.
Next, we'll show you exactly how you can find if your area has 5G coverage. This can come in especially handy if you're searching for a new home, considering moving to another state, or want to see the level of 5G exposure where you currently live.
There are a few ways to find a 5G tower location near you. Below we'll share some of the most up-to-date and user-friendly resources we found to find 5G antenna and 5G tower locations near you.
We found that Ookla's 5G interactive map was one of the easiest tools to use to find a 5G tower location near you, and we'll take you through it below.
The first thing you'll see when you go to the interactive map is a flat map of the world with 5G marked locations.
You can also filter by the following "deployment" types to narrow down your results:
Commercial Availability — A 5G network is currently live in this area, and devices are available for users to purchase
Limited Availability — A 5G network is present in this area, but devices are only available for certain users such as a particular carrier, sector or industry
Pre-Release — 5G infrastructure (cell towers) are in place but the service is being tested or is not yet available to the public
Here are the steps you need to follow to find a 5g tower location:
To dig deeper into the areas, simply pick a carrier and find their coverage map.
Let's start with T-Mobile. We just googled "T-Mobile 5G coverage map," and found this page that shows T-Mobile's 5G coverage. In our case, we clicked on New York, but there are other cities you can choose from as well as shown in the image below.
The areas in pink are marked as 5G, and those in dark purple are all under 4G LTE, as marked by the legend on the top left.
You'll see the 4G covers the entire area, and 5G covers some areas of New York like the Lower East Side and around the Empire State Building and Downtown Brooklyn. But if you go more north towards Harlem, you'll see that 5G coverage starts to dwindle.
Obviously, you can't pin-point down to the precise location of each individual tower (they are quite small), but as 5G towers are small cell, they need to be in close proximity of about 150 meters (500 feet) of each other to provide proper coverage.
Next, comes Sprint. Sprint actually has one of the best coverage maps from all of the other carriers. The first page we found was this one, that showed an overview of all of the cities where Sprint has 5G coverage.
But their best 5G coverage map is actually here where you can literally zoom in specifically to each neighborhood.
When you first land on this page, it just shows a map of the US, but here's what you need to do:
You can also get an idea visually by locating all of the "orange" 5G areas amongst the more "yellow" 4G areas.
We found that AT&T's coverage maps were lacking far behind other carriers. We found a page talking about AT&T's 5G roll-out, that simply showed us an overview of coverage areas, where we could see if our city is covered, as seen below:
The interactive map with a legend that AT&T provides here only covers up to 4G coverage, and did not help to identify any of their 5G coverage in detail:
Similar to AT&T, Verizon also provides an interactive map here, but it doesn't show any 5G coverage just yet. Verizon actually provides two types of service, Verizon 5G Home for home users, and separate coverage for cell phone users, that only rolled out earlier this year.
To check for Verizon 5G Home service you'll need to go here, scroll all the way to the bottom and enter your street address to check if the service is available for your area.
For mobile coverage, after some hunting, we found this link that shows a list of areas where Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband mobile network is available.
Another way you can check for Verizon's coverage is through a site called Cellularmaps.
You can see all of the areas where Verizon provides home and mobile coverage, marked by red and green dots in the legend.
Upon clicking through to an area, you will be taken to a page on the Verizon website that shows you a list of covered cities, and the specific areas that have 5G coverage. It's not as detailed as some of the other carriers above, but you get the idea.
We found that Cellularmaps is actually a great resource for quickly getting an overview of different areas in the US that have 5G coverage, but for a more detailed analysis, we recommend following the steps outlined above.
If you live outside the US, we found this article especially useful for current and upcoming 5G availability around the world.
There are also other resources we found such as Cellmapper and Antennasearch, and although these are excellent tools to check for 4G towers and coverage, unfortunately, they don't cover 5G just yet.
We also installed the OpenSignal app, that claims to help to find the nearest cell tower in your area close to you, and although it worked for 4G towers, again we had no luck for 5G coverage.
So for now, follow the steps outlined above to locate 5G coverage near you, and as more information gets unveiled on 5G tower locations, we'll be sure to update this post.
Now that we've covered how to find 5G in your area, let's talk about how you can actually locate and identify actual 5G towers near you.
Like we said earlier 5G towers are very different than your regular 3G/4G LTE towers. Those are easy to identify, although sometimes they are disguised as trees or flagpoles, but, most are large and rather obvious. 4G cell towers are designed to "simultaneously support hundreds of devices and operate on different radio frequencies."
You can also find the base stations or "cell sites" of these towers on top of buildings, tunnels, street lights, bridges and billboards and they allow "users to maintain their connections while traveling from one base station to another, even while driving at 100 miles/hour on a fast-lane highway," and are roughly 50 to 200 feet in height as seen below.
Source: Ruby Washington/The New York Times
5G small cells are quite different. Unlike cell sites installed on top of rooftops or building facades that need at least 150 sq ft to be installed, 5G small cell sites are much smaller, and "can be installed in a cabinet approximately the same size as a high school locker." In most cases, 5G small cells also have just one antenna per cell.
Since they are so inconspicuous, you have to look closely to find them, and since different carriers are installing different 5G equipment, they don't all look the same. Also, wireless carriers are deliberately hiding them:
"In Florida, they are camouflaging 5G towers in fake palm trees. In Arizona, they are building metal cactus trees to hide 5G towers. In Colorado and California, towers are being hidden inside phony evergreens."
So technically, 5G towers are likely to be placed in areas you would not expect. However, there are still a few things you can do to locate them:
A Verizon 5G small cell installation in downtown St. Paul
Source: Julio Ojeda-Zapata/Pioneer Press
5G antenna in Arizona and New Mexico, disguised as a giant cactus
Small cell towers fixed on streetlights and utility poles in Pasadena, Calif.
Source: Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
4. If you see something like the above it is most certainly a tower. To make sure it is a 5G tower, all you need to do is set your EMF meter to the RF (radiofrequency) setting. Then as you walk towards the tower check to see if the readings shoot up. You should get a steady signal once you're near the tower.
Remember how we mentioned above that not all 5G is created equal? This is important to keep in mind when trying to measure 5G frequencies near you.
Although mmWave technology is the "vision" for 5G in the next few years, it will take an immense amount of resources to build the millimeter wave-based small cell infrastructure that 5G demands. Most mobile carriers are not equipped for that just yet, so currently 5G runs on low-band and mid-band RF connections as well.
Similar to the high cost and slow roll-out of 5G infrastructure, 5G EMF meters that can measure higher frequency mmWaves are also not easily available in the market for consumer use just yet.
Those that we did find are industrial-based laboratory measuring equipment available for tens of thousands of dollars. Some leading manufacturers include Narda-STS, Rohde & Schwarz, and Anritsu.
So until a 5G meter is available for public use, and the rollout of 5G becomes more predominant across the nation, we highly recommend using the Acoustimeter AM-10 RF Meter Model.
This EMF meter can measure RF frequencies from 200 MHz to 8 GHz, which covers most of the current live 5G roll-outs from most carriers.
But, we must warn you, the results on using this EMF meter are going to be concerning — as you'll see below. It's also more terrifying as this is just the beginning...and you can only imagine what a full-fledged 5G roll-out is going to look like...
To learn more about EMF meters, read our post: The Ultimate Guide to EMF Meters and Detectors
This brings us to an important junction in this post, with the FCC's plans for 5G deployment, and carriers unrolling 5G (slowly but surely) nationwide, why are some people concerned?
First, assuming you haven't read our other posts on Atmosure, detailing EMF Exposure and EMF Dangers, before we talk about the dangers of 5G, we'll briefly establish why radio frequencies (RFs) transmitted by cell towers (the same frequencies used by 5G) are dangerous.
It's a known fact that all cell phones emit electromagnetic radiation in the form of radio frequencies when connecting to a cell tower. There's no doubt that in the long-term cell phone radiation (combined with all the other types of EMF you are bombarded with each day), is detrimental to health.
In fact in 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO), actually classified cell phone radiation as being "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
When you look at the telecom industry, most argue that it all comes down to how much EMF actually poses harm to human health.
When talking about EMF exposure from cell phones, you have to consider two points of exposure — the first from the cell phone itself, and the second from the cell tower transmitting to the phone.
The truth is that only radiation generated from the cell phone is somewhat regulated, with the radiation limits being controlled by what is called SAR or Specific Absorption Rate.
In the United States, for instance, the FCC has set a maximum SAR limit of 1.6 watts/kg of body weight. That means that any phone that causes the body to absorb more than 1.6 watts of EMF for each kilo of body weight cannot legally be sold.
Source: Swiftfire
However, many experts believe that just measuring cell phone EMF by SAR ratings does not protect the public, and there is more to cell phone-induced EMF radiation than just the "heating" aspect.
And, their concerns are validated by a mountain of research. There are a large number of studies proving that both cell phones and RF transmitting cell towers emit harmful EMF radiation, including:
This 2015 study showed that even at lower radiation levels, cell phone signals accelerated quicker tumor growth in mice. What's interesting to note is that the "tumor-promoting effects" in the study were observed at "low to moderate exposure levels (0.04 and 0.4 W/kg SAR), thus well below exposure limits for the users of mobile phones."
This groundbreaking study showed that just 50 minutes of holding a wirelessly connected cell phone next to the head (and brain) increases the rate of glucose metabolism, altering the brain's electrical activity, potentially leading to inflammation and disease. This study proved that even at low levels, EMF radiation can adversely affect the body's biochemistry.
Four separate research reports compiled by renowned Turkish professor Dr. Suleyman Kaplan, backed by 20 years of research in neurology, showed that exposure to 900MHz EMF drastically damages brain development in rats. One of the studies conducted on rats comparable in age to human teenagers "found significant brain cell damage within the hippocampus and cerebellum of rats following exposure to cell phone radiation frequencies," at just 1 hour a day for 1 month.
The aim of this study was to evaluate if people living closer to "cellular transmitter antennas" were more at risk of developing malignant tumors. The study examined 1000 participants and evaluated their medical history in comparison to how close they lived to nearby cell phone masts. The study revealed that "the risk of newly developing cancer was three times higher among those patients who had lived during the past ten years (1994-2004), within a distance of 400m from the cellular transmitter, in comparison to those who had lived further away." It also concluded that the patients also "fell ill on average eight years earlier."
Last year's $30 million NTP (National Toxicology Program) study found "clear evidence" to confirm that 2 years of exposure to cell phone radiofrequency radiation (RFR) damaged DNA and increased cancer in male rats, and male and female mice.
Finally, researchers with the distinguished Ramazzini Institute (RI) in Italy documented the correlation of cell tower radiation and cancer. The study exposed 2448 Sprague-Dawley rats from their "prenatal life to their natural death to "environmental" cell tower radiation for 19 hours per day (1.8 GHz GSM radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of 5, 25 and 50 V/m). RI exposures mimicked base station emissions like those from cell tower antennas, and exposure levels were far less than those used in the NTP studies of cell phone radiation."
The study found an increased rate of malignant brain (glial) tumors in female rats, and an occurrence of precancerous conditions such as Schwann cells hyperplasia in both male and female rats.
Dr. Ronald Melnick, Senior Science Advisor to Environmental Health Trust (EHT), explained that "all of the exposures used in the Ramazzini study were below the U.S. FCC limits. These are permissible exposures according to the FCC. In other words, a person can legally be exposed to this level of radiation. Yet cancers occurred in these animals at these legally permitted levels."
He concluded by saying that, "Governments need to strengthen regulations to protect the public from these harmful non-thermal exposures."
There are many many more studies to prove the harmful effects of cell phone radiation, but let's now specifically address why 5G cell towers are especially dangerous.
Continuing from where we left off on the Ramazzini study above, numerous experts have expressed their concerns over RF exposure, urging governments and public health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) to re-evaluate the carcinogenic threat of cell phone radiation.
With the roll-out of 5G, this threat is becoming very real, as emphasized by David O. Carpenter MD, former Dean of the School of Public Health at the University at Albany, "This is particularly urgent because of current plans to place small 5G cell towers about every 300 meters in every street across the country. These 5G ‘small cell’ antennas will result in continuous exposure to everyone living nearby and everyone walking down the street. The increased exposures will increase risk of cancer and other diseases such as electro-hypersensitivity."
This is supported by Dr. Joel Moskowitz, a public health professor at the University of California, who stated that 5G cellular technology is "a massive experiment on the health of all species."
Dr. Moskowitz emphasized that the mmWaves frequency used for 5G wireless communication can be absorbed by the skin and can impact biological processes adversely affecting the skin, eyes, sweat glands, testes, and peripheral nervous system.
Dr, Carpenter and Dr. Moskowitz are not alone in their apprehensions.
Over 240 doctors and scientists from 40+ countries worldwide (who have published peer-reviewed research on the adverse health effects of non-ionizing EMF) have signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, which calls for stricter limits to 4G/5G RF exposure.
The appeal strongly asserts:
“Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.”
There are countless more evidence-based studies opposing 5G, such as the Letter to the FCC from Dr. Yael Stein MD in Opposition to 5G Spectrum Frontiers, lists of literature reviews, research papers and expert opinions, and an unending list of Appeals From Scientists on the Health Risk of 5G that you can go through when you get a chance.
So we hope by now you're convinced that the health threat of 5G and 5G towers is not just hyperbole. Supported by scientists, doctors, and experts all around the globe — the threat is very much real.
Part of its rarity is due to the fact that deposits of this ancient stone are only found in a remote area in Russia, called ‘Shunga’ located in the Karelia region.
The stone ‘Shun-gite’ also takes its name from the ‘Shun-ga’ village where it’s found.
Historical records dating back all the way to the 17C show that locals from the area used shungite as a water purifier and as a healing aid for skin rashes, pain relief, insect bites, burns and more.
Fast-forward to today, shungite is hailed by many as the "Mineral of the 21st Century," and is widely accepted by the scientific community as being able to naturally kill bacteria, absorb toxins and heavy metals, provide EMF protection (check out our Shungite Stickers) and remove pesticides from water.
In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into understanding what makes shungite water so special, discover shungite water benefits, and learn how to use shungite for water purification.
Shungite water is an overall term used to describe water that has been:
Considered a natural water purifier, shungite stones have been used to create shungite water in Russia since ancient times.
In the early 18thC, Peter the Great is attributed to setting up Russia’s first spa, to make use of the purifying properties of shungite water which he himself had experienced. He also initiated the use of shungite water for the Russian army.
Even today, several local municipalities in the Karelia region use shungite water filtration and purification to treat tap water in the local area.
Placing shungite in water helps to naturally neutralize impurities, and enriches the water with oxygen, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and more. Water infused with shungite is considered safe to drink, without any added purification methods, such as treating it with chemicals.
Due to shungite’s natural absorptional, catalytic, and bactericidal properties, it is used to purify sewage water from many organic and inorganic substances, and has shown to absorb “up to 95% of contaminants” including:
Modern research and testing have confirmed the antibacterial properties of shungite water, which we’ll cover next.
There has been extensive research showcasing shungite’s powerful water purification properties and protective benefits.
Research conducted on the antioxidant properties of shungite uncovered that shungite is 30 times more effective in removing free radicals from water than activated carbon. It stated that:
“This is a very important factor, because the free radicals formed during water treatment with chlorine and its derivatives, have a negative impact on the human health that is the cause of many diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc.).”
The study revealed that shungite began to “purify water with a high and constant speed,” and considerably absorbed chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants.
Additionally, shungite functions as a powerful natural bactericide and “there is evidence that after the passage of water containing bacterium E. coli, through shungite filter there is an almost complete removal of this bacterium.”
Another study showed that shungite’s high carbon content can help extract “radioactive elements from water,” and that shungite was “highly efficient at absorbing radioactive metal cations, including cesium and strontium.”
What’s the science behind shungite’s fascinating water purification properties?
These qualities make shungite incredibly special:
It’s unique structure, combined with its high carbon content gives shungite the unique ability to absorb harmful substances from the environment, making it an effective purifier and bactericide.
Shungite has shown to have many benefits such as being a natural antibacterial and antiviral, and eliminating harmful pollutants and free radicals from water.
Infusing shungite in water:
Fullerenes, present in shungite, have a special structure and come under what are known as CNSs or carbon nanostructures. CNSs have shown to have “antibacterial activities toward pathogens,” and “may cause considerable structural damage to the cell wall and membrane of the microorganism.”
Due to the unique properties of fullerenes, they can “trap and isolate bacterial cells from their microenvironment” leading to an “inactivation of bacteria, reducing its ability to proliferate.”
Shungite has been used for centuries to purify water in Russia, and recent research has shown that due to its unique fullerene structure it can remove “many organic and inorganic substances (heavy metals, ammonia, organochlorine compounds, petroleum products, pesticides, phenols, surfactants, etc.)” from water.
Apart from pollutants, shungite has also shown to remove radioactive compounds from water, making it excellent for those looking to reduce EMF exposure in their lives.
Another study demonstrated that shielding with shungite, “decreased the severity of damage produced by high-frequency electromagnetic radiation,” in Wistar rats.
A 2017 study revealed that shungite solution demonstrates “an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action against UVB-induced skin damage in hairless mice.”
The same study showed that shungite was able to decrease inflammation, and researchers noticed that the shungite-treated group showed a “lower level of proinflammatory cytokines,” or proteins that contribute to inflammation in the body.
Traditionally, water infused with shungite has been used to treat:
Shungite helps to normalize metabolism in the body, boost enzyme activity, and suppress free radicals, helping to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and ease other ailments.
Shungite helps to energize and mineralize water, which ensures better functioning of the body’s cells and tissues, as the water contains natural antioxidants, which help to neutralize free radicals. This helps to naturally boost immune function, as well as detox the body.
Doing a shungite water detox is excellent to do as part of a regular detoxification routine, and is especially good for athletes to help rejuvenate fatigued and tired muscles after a workout.
We already know that shungite can remove negative EMFs in the form of radioactive compounds. Similarly, shungite is also known to absorb negative energy, helping to create balance, which in turn helps to relieve stress.
Fullerenes can influence tissue regeneration, and also neurotransmitters in the brain, which can expand an individual’s stress resistance abilities.
Combined with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, shungite water may help to relieve stress and calm the mind.
Now that you know the many benefits of shungite water, how do you go about buying shungite?
The most important tip when buying shungite for making shungite water is to understand the different types and grades of shungite available in stores or online and their respective uses:
This is the purest form of shungite with at least 95%+ carbon content, and the highest fullerene content.
This is the reason why elite shungite is the best for making alkaline shungite water as it has the highest fullerene content, which attracts and neutralizes waterborne pollutants, while adding key minerals to water and giving the water its therapeutic effects.
Elite shungite is silvery black in color, and due to it being rather soft, it cannot be used to form any shapes, and is available in raw stone and granule form. If you want to use shungite specifically to make shungite water, elite shungite is ideally what you should be using.
The second grade of shungite or black shungite has a black luster and contains 50-70% carbon content, meaning it has less fullerenes than elite shungite.
The third grade or Type III shungite contains 30-50% carbon and is grayish in color.
Being harder, Type II and Type III shungite can be shaped into jewelry and other forms such as spheres, discs and pyramids. Type II and III shungite is great for protecting against the harmful effects of EMFs and shielding from negative energy.
Ready to make your own shungite water?
All you need to get started is high-quality elite shungite and regular tap water.
Follow the steps below to make pure, healthy and therapeutic shungite water at home:
Some say that shungite water is acidic and needs to be treated and made alkaline before drinking, however, it's important to do your own testing, as was done by Crystal Healing For Women.
This picture below shows 4 cups of water:
Cup #1: Made with ONLY Elite Noble Shungite, and is completely alkaline (PH 9-10). PH 1(orange) is most acidic and PH 14 (purple) is most alkaline.
Cup #2: Made with Elite Noble Shungite, but mostly the Type II shungite. Still alkaline and good to drink, but less powerful than Cup #1 made with only Type I or elite shungite.
Cup #3: So-called “purified” water available bottled at stores or delivered to offices — it is way too acidic, and a waste of money.
Cup #4: Filtered water by reverse osmosis and an advanced filter system. Way too alkaline to drink every day, but excellent to drink at controlled doses.
She states that,
“If you talk to experts in Russia as I had, they will tell you that shungite water is acidic. When I asked about the shungite river in Russia been known for it's healing properties and purity of water, their answer was that this water (in the river) is flowing, contrary to water that is still in a jar or container. Hence making the water to become even more acidic. This in itself makes sense, at least to me. However and based on test that I have done (see images of testing acidity in different water above) I have done shungite water and it has turned my water from acid to alkaline, that is what the test strips showed when tested. I believe this could be because the water I initially used BEFORE adding the elite noble shungite was extremely acid, so the shungite not only removed contaminants but helped the water to become more alkaline as well. I recommend for you to do your own testing and experiment with different waters. The important thing here is to know is that shungite water is very healthy for you.”
The key takeaway from this exercise is that shungite water is very healthy for your body, but the most important thing to keep in mind is using the right type of shungite and making sure you get it from a trusted, reputable source.
Besides the many physical healing properties of shungite water, many healing practitioners believe that shungite not only helps to purify water, but also charges the water with positive vibrations and healing energies, which help to keep the mind and body balanced and healthy.
In the spiritual and metaphysical realm, shungite is known to be a powerful catalyst of transformation and growth.
An essential stone to include as a part of your spiritual journey, using shungite and drinking shungite water helps to balance the root chakra, making you feel grounded and protected.
The stone helps boost overall energy levels and corrects spiritual, energetic and emotional imbalances in your body, creating an overall sense of harmony. It's a powerful protector of electromagnetic energies, helps relieve stress and anxiety and detoxifies on a physical, mental and spiritual level.
It is recommended to drink 1-2 glasses of shungite water daily to keep your mind and body in balance and feeling energized.
These waves are called electromagnetic fields or EMFs and have existed right from the dawn of time when the natural rays of the sun hit the earth. The earth itself has its own magnetic field.
With the generation of electricity over a hundred years ago, mankind reached technological milestones such as the invention of the light bulb, the telegraph, transmitters, and radio communication — and as EMFs occur anywhere you have electric power, this meant a lot of artificial, human-created EMF entered our planet.
Fast-forward to today and we are now completely immersed and dependent on the technological devices that we use every day, from our Smartphones, computers, and microwaves, to the Wi-Fi router in our home, and the appliances we use every day, such as televisions and hairdryers.
Many experts now believe that constant EMF exposure may cause health risks.
In this post, we'll answer the question, "What is EMF?," discuss the sources and types of EMF, learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, and touch upon the controversy surrounding EMF radiation today:
The full-form of EMF is Electromagnetic Field — a field that is comprised of both an 'electric' and a 'magnetic' field. These fields travel perpendicular to each other in waves that are invisible to the human eye.
Based on Maxwell's equations, in the electromagnetic wave diagram below the electric field is shown as "E" and the magnetic field is shown as "B." As you can see the electric (E) and magnetic (B) waves are traveling perpendicular to each other.
Source: Wikipedia
A good example of natural EMF is the sun. The sun emits waves that generate both electric and magnetic fields, also known as 'radiation.' As the sun emanates EMFs, we can actually see the energy radiated as 'light.'
The EMF the sun generates is much lower in intensity than the high-intensity EMF waves that technology produces. So, if you live in an area surrounded by power lines for example, although you cannot see them, you are exposed to artificial EMFs.
To gain a better understanding, let's take a closer look at the two different fields that make up EMF - electric and magnetic fields.
Both, electric and magnetic fields are energy (or radiation) generated by electricity which is simply the flow of electrons (or current) through a wire.
An electric field is created by what is known as 'voltage', the push or pressure that causes electrons or charges to move in the wire. Also known as electromotive force, as the voltage increases, so does the intensity of the electric field.
A magnetic field is what is created when a 'current' or electrons start to move through a wire or any electrical gadget. As the current or flow increases so does the intensity of the magnetic field. However, the further the magnetic field gets from its source the less intense it gets.
Electric fields are always present, even when a device is turned off. Magnetic fields, on the other hand, are only created when a current is moving and flowing, and this usually requires the device to be switched on as seen below:
Source: Sintef
So for example, since current is always flowing through power lines they are constantly generating a magnetic field. Magnetic fields can also transfer through walls, buildings, materials as well as living beings. Electric fields generally get weaker as they hit a wall or an object.
Together, electric and magnetic fields are called electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are all around us. They exist in our homes, offices, schools, and in the environment, we're surrounded by. EMFs are produced by both natural or man-made sources.
Below we'll discuss each type in detail:
Invisible to the human eye, natural forms of EMF exist everywhere.
Visible light — the light we can see using optical radiation (part of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes ultraviolet radiation (UV), visible light (VIS) and infrared radiation (IR)
Lightning — generated by the built-up charges in the atmosphere that also causes thunderstorms
Earth's Magnetic Field — what causes a compass needle to point North and is vital to navigation and bird and fish migration
Human-generated sources of radiation are all around us and have actually blown up in recent years due to the growth of digital technology and mobile devices. They include everything from getting an X-ray to plugging a device into a power socket.
In fact, you might be surprised to know that the number of mobile phones in the world now outnumber the world's population.
Electrical Appliances — microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines, hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, blenders, etc.
Radio Communication — radio and TV stations, cordless phones, remote controls, Wi-Fi routers, air traffic control, etc.
Digital Devices — computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, smartwatches, etc.
Medical imaging — X-rays, mammograms, CT scans, radiation in cancer therapy
Nuclear energy — nuclear power plants and reactors, nuclear weapons
There are essentially two types of EMF exposure. Low-frequency EMF radiation, also known as non-ionizing radiation, is considered to be mild. High-frequency EMF radiation or ionizing radiation can do a lot of damage.
The way to differentiate between high and low levels of EMF are by their wavelength and their frequency levels. This is also a vital factor that determines how we as humans react to EMF. So, the higher the EMF frequency, the more energy it will produce and the more energy that is produced, the more damage it can potentially cause.
Source: Mirion Technologies
This type of low-to-mid frequency EMF radiation has lower frequencies than visible light and the frequencies are not strong enough to break through molecular bonds.
Nonetheless, these low-level EMFs can still have harmful effects on your health and due to the explosion of electrical devices we are much more exposed to this type of radiation. Examples include mobile phones, Wi-Fi, MRIs, Bluetooth, power lines, visible light, electronic gadgets, and appliances.
This type of mid-to-high frequency EMF radiation has higher frequencies than visible light and due to its ability to sever the bond between molecules, it has the potential to cause damage to cells and reach right down to the DNA level.
Sources of ionizing radiation include radon and thoron, which are natural gases that occur in rocks and soil, cosmic radiation from the sun or the solar system and natural radiation present in soil from the beginning of time. It also includes radiation from X-rays and radioactive material.
Source: EPA
The Electromagnetic Spectrum signifies all the frequencies of electromagnetic energy or EM radiation. It ranges from low-frequency radiation (long wavelengths such as those of power lines) to high-frequency radiation (short wavelengths such as those of x-rays). It also includes both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, as discussed above. The electromagnetic spectrum, made up of low to high energy frequencies, includes:
All the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that you see on the spectrum are made up of light particles or "photons".
Similar to sound waves, photons also travel in waves but at the speed of light. The frequency or cycles per second (hertz), energy (volts) or wavelength (meters) of the EMR that you see on the spectrum is directly dependent on the amount of energy in the photons.
So, to put it simply, the strength of an electromagnetic field (EMF) is based on its frequency and wavelength.
The shorter the wavelength and the more the waves, the more energy is created as shown in the image below:
Let's take a closer look at each of the different frequencies that make up the electromagnetic spectrum below:
The RF spectrum is by far one of the most important parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, especially when we talk about daily EMF exposure.
Covering frequencies from the range of 30Hz to 300GHz, radio waves are most commonly used today, primarily in the telecommunications industry.
It's important to note that radio waves are regulated by the laws of each nation and strictly controlled by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), an international governing body. This is to limit interference and also to allocate radio frequencies to licensed providers such as television stations and cell phone carriers.
Due to its increasingly high demand, the radio spectrum has become increasingly congested over the past years, leading to an array of technological advancements such as digital two-way radio, ultra-wideband and more.
The ITU divides radio waves into what are known as radio bands. Radio bands are frequencies that specifically fall under the RF spectrum and are divided into different ranges from ELF (extremely low frequencies) to EHF (extremely high frequencies). Each band is defined by its own frequency limit.
Popular transmission systems that you're most likely familiar with such as AM/FM radio, television broadcasting, cell phone networks, Wi-Fi, aircraft control, marine navigation, and satellite systems work within any one of these bands in the RF spectrum.
Source: TeraSense
ELF is the lowest range of frequency in the RF spectrum and ranges from 3Hz to 3 kHz. It is easily susceptible to interference and can get disturbed by changes in the atmosphere. It is most commonly used by scientists to understand the Earth's natural activities such as in seismic studies (the study of earthquakes), and in marine communication.
Ranging from 3 kHz to 30 kHz, VLF also has fairly long wavelengths making its use in antenna systems highly complicated. This frequency range is used mainly used in communication with submarines.
The LF frequency range of 30 kHz to 300 kHz is apt for long-distance communication due to its long wavelengths and the ability of the signals to get reflected by the earth's ionosphere (the ionized part of the earth's atmosphere that is able to reflect radio waves).
LF frequencies are primarily used for amateur radio as this frequency can work even when other forms of communication may fail. Other areas of application include RFID tags, submarine communication, and automatically synchronizing radio-controlled clocks.
Ranging from 300 kHz to 3 MHz, this radio frequency band has been popular since the 1800s with less complex antennas, transmitters, and receivers working on this band. The MF band is most commonly used in AM radio, aircraft and marine navigation, amateur radio and for emergency locator beacon such as avalanche beacons used by skiers.
The HF band ranges between 3 MHz and 30 Mhz and is also referred to as short wave. Similar to LF, this band also gets reflected by the planet's ionosphere so it is a good band for long-distance communication. The HF band is popular for certain types of radio broadcasting such as shortwave and amateur radio, RFID tags, weather broadcasts and OTH (over-the-horizon) radar which can detect targets for incredibly long distances as compared to ordinary radar.
Originating a few decades ago, the VHF band operates from 30 MHz to 300 MHz and had become increasingly popular due to its use in analog television (before the dawn of digital TV) and FM radio broadcasting. It is also used for air traffic control, aircraft-to-aircraft communication, healthcare equipment such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and military navigation.
Since different sources can define frequency ranges differently, generally frequencies that are between 300 MHz and 300 GHz are also termed as "microwaves" in the electromagnetic spectrum and include UHF (Ultra High Frequency), SHF (Super High Frequency) and EHF (Extremely High Frequency) bands as described below.
Basically, microwaves have shorter wavelengths than radio waves and move by the line of sight, meaning they travel in a "direct path from the source to the receiver." Unlike lower frequency radio waves, microwaves cannot travel as ground waves along the surface of the earth nor can they be reflected from the earth's ionosphere.
Microwaves are extensively used in technology today as you'll see below:
UHF is one of the most important frequency bands as it has the most direct impact on our daily lives.
The UHF band is highly complex to implement and operates from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. This is the band used for all types of cellular transmission (GSM, LTE, and CDMA) and television broadcasting. It is also used for a lot of other applications you may be accustomed to using daily such as GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, cordless phone, your microwave oven, and Bluetooth.
Other applications include radio astronomy (the study of celestial bodies), remote control systems, keyless entry systems, baby monitors, and Zigbee, a communication protocol used in smart home automation and devices like the Amazon Echo Plus.
Ranging between 3 GHz to 30 GHz the SHF band can only operate properly in a line of sight format, when there is no obstruction between the source of the signal and the receiver, as this will result in a break of transmission. Due to its smaller wavelength, design and implementation using SHF can get highly complex.
SHF is most commonly used in cable and digital television broadcasting, satellite communication, radio astronomy, radar systems, microwave ovens, cellular networks, and Wi-Fi or wireless LAN (5GHz channel).
The highest frequency in the RF spectrum, EHF ranges from 30 GHz and 300 GHz. Due to its highly complex line of sight and implementation requirements, it is only used in advanced and more sophisticated communication platforms such as radio astronomy, remote sensing used in land surveying and weather analysis, and millimeter-wave scanners (part of airport security in certain airports).
This particular radio band is also the suggested frequency of use for extremely high-speed internet applications such as 5G technology due to the high-bandwidth available as seen in the image below:
Source: RFPage
So as you can see, the RF spectrum which includes both radio waves and microwaves is a key part of the electromagnetic spectrum and a lot of our digital communication platforms in the coming years may rely on radio frequencies in their ability to provide higher bandwidths.
Now we'll go on to cover other key frequencies that make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
Infrared radiation (IR) or infrared light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light (making it invisible to the human eye) but shorter than those of radio waves and microwaves.
Although we can't see it, we can feel infrared radiation as heat. Literally, everything on earth and the universe at large emits infrared radiation on some level, with the most common natural examples being our sun and fire.
As per NASA, infrared frequencies can range from 3 GHz to up to 400 THz.
Similar to visible light that ranges from violet to red (shortest to longest wavelength), IR also has its own wavelength range. Since it has a longer wavelength than the first color "red" on the visible light spectrum that's where it gets its name — infra-red.
IR can further be broken down to "near-infrared" and "far-infrared" waves.
Called "near-infrared" waves, the shorter wavelengths closer to the visible light spectrum don't really emit any heat - think of the red IR light on your TV remote when you flick through channels on your television.
The "far-infrared" waves, longer wavelengths which are closer to microwaves on the EM spectrum are what emit intense heat, such as natural sunlight or fire.
In fact, 50% of the sun's energy reaches the earth in the form of infrared light, the rest being ultraviolet (UV) light and visible light.
Common applications of IR radiation include toasters, flatbed scanners, heat lamps, lasers, remote controls, night vision cameras, and even standard incandescent light bulbs. In fact, according to the EPA, only 10% of the energy emitted by these bulbs is light, the other 90% is infrared radiation.
Gaining popularity for its health benefits, infrared saunas (as seen in the image above) are all the rage today due to their potential detoxification and anti-aging benefits. Unlike a standard sauna that uses heat to warm the air, an infrared sauna generates heat directly and encourages a rise in the body's temperature resulting in sweating and elimination of toxins on a cellular level.
More advanced uses of IR include military applications, weather satellites, astronomy, and art conservation.
About 40% of the sun's energy arrives on the earth in the form of visible light. Visible light carries a frequency between 430 THz to 750 THz. The visible spectrum is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can view, and gives us our sense of sight.
To put it simply, all EM radiation is light, and visible light is essentially the only part of this radiation that we can actually see.
Our eyes house cone-shaped cells that function as receivers, much like an antenna! They tune into the wavelength of the visible light spectrum and give us the amazing ability to view objects. Other wavelengths are simply too long or too short to be perceived biologically, and our eyes are simply not designed to see them.
Source: Wikipedia
Like all types of EM radiation, visible light also travels in waves. When intercepted by a prism, you can see the different wavelengths from red (longest) to orange, yellow, green, blue and violet (shortest) wavelength, as all the colors in a rainbow, as seen in the image above.
Close to 10% of the energy of the sun that enters our planet is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It's what gives you a suntan or when exposed for longer, a sunburn. The frequency range of UV radiation oscillates between 800 THz or 10 12 hertz to about 30,000 THz.
Similar to "infra-red," less than red, which is longer in wavelength than the "red" wavelength of visible light, "ultra-violet" is shorter in wavelength than "violet," on the visible light spectrum making it "ultra" or beyond violet.
UV rays cannot be seen by the human eye, however, some insects such as hornets and bees can see them. So while certain flowers may look relatively dull to us, to certain insects they display vibrant colors and striking markings in UV light, as shown in the video below:
An important point to note is that UV radiation is ionizing, meaning it has enough energy to break through chemical bonds and cause serious damage to living tissues.
All UV radiation comes from the sun and the UV spectrum is further divided into UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C rays — the shorter the wavelength the more damaging the UV radiation.
This is the shortest wavelength and the most harmful type of UV radiation, but thankfully UV-C is entirely absorbed by the earth's atmosphere and does not reach us.
Medium in wavelength, around 95% of UV-B is absorbed and filtered by ozone in our planet's atmosphere, however, what does get through are the damaging rays that can cause sunburn, skin aging, and may even lead to cellular damage right down to the DNA level and cause diseases like skin cancer.
These are the longer wavelength UV rays and are responsible for 95% of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the surface of the Earth. These rays can cause immediate tanning, penetrate deeper into the skin and can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, melanoma and skin cancer.
UV rays are also emitted from sun lamps, halogen lights, and tanning beds, so its best to be informed about the effects as you may be at greater risk for skin tissue damage.
UV rays are strongest between 10 am to 4 pm, but it is always advisable to wear sunscreen and covered clothing to stay protected at all times you're exposed to the sun.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has helped co-developed the UV Index with the National Weather Service that rates how strong UV rays are on a scale of 1 — 11+. The higher the number the greater the risk of damage.
If you live in the United States you can check the UV Index in your area here.
X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation and similar to UV rays can cause chemical bonds to breakdown causing damage to living tissues and cells.
X-rays or X-radiation is a type of high energy, short wavelength electromagnetic radiation. Frequencies range from 30 petahertz — 30 exahertz (3×10 16 Hz to 3×10 19 Hz). X-rays have wavelengths shorter than UV radiation but longer than gamma rays.
X-rays occur naturally in radioactive elements such as radon gas and enter the Earth through cosmic rays.
However, X-ray radiation can also be artificially generated. The most common example that you're probably most familiar with is routine medical imaging tests or "X-rays" to determine broken bones, dental issues, or other health ailments.
The most common type of X-ray medical imaging, radiography is used to determine fractures, dental and chest issues. It uses the least amount of X-ray radiation.
Fluoroscopy involves an X-ray beam being passed through the body while a continuous X-ray image is shown on the radiologist's screen and real-time pictures are taken of the body part that needs to be examined. This process uses more radiation than a routine X-ray, however, the amount of radiation is still fairly small.
Best described as an intricately detailed X-ray, the patient lies down and enters a scanner. X-ray beams then pass over the patient as a 3D image of different angles is taken to generate cross-sectional snapshots of affected areas. As so many images are taken in a short period of time, CT scans use a high amount of X-ray radiation.
Since X-rays have ionizing radiation, they are classified as a potential carcinogen by the World Health Organization and the US government.
Also, high levels of radiation such as the type used in cancer radiation therapy can lead to nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and hair loss, that is so commonly seen in cancer patients.
However, many argue that the benefits of medical imaging outweigh the effects of the radiation, as it can help to diagnose important medical issues, remove blockages and locate problems that can prove to be life-saving.
Similar to X-rays, Gamma rays occur naturally in radioactive elements which include radon gas, uranium, and plutonium, and occur in cosmic rays that enter and hit the earth's surface.
The most dangerous type of electromagnetic radiation, gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and are the type of rays emitted during nuclear fission with frequencies over 30 exahertz (3×10 19 Hz).
So what exactly is nuclear fission?
Basically, it is a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom is bombarded by a neutron which breaks the atom into several fragments and releases more neutrons in the process, which in turn bombard other atoms.
Since this process happens in a chain reaction it releases a massive amount of energy — the kind of energy released during a nuclear bomb explosion or generated in a nuclear reactor.
Source: Tes.com
Gamma rays are generated by the process of nuclear decay as seen above, while in X-rays, the rays are created outside the nucleus.
Applications of both X-rays and gamma rays include the generation of nuclear energy in power plants, airport security scanners, radiation therapy for cancer, divulging counterfeit art and nuclear weapons.
By now you know that the sun's strong rays, including the heat from your own body and the gadgets you use every day are streaming out energy waves. And, although we know that high-frequency, high energy waves like the type that caused the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, are capable of doing a lot of damage — what about lower frequencies of EMF radiation in the spectrum?
To answer this, let's take a look back into history. As we entered the 20th C, power lines for electricity and interior lighting spread globally. That is when scientists recognized that similar to the sun, power lines also generated EMFs.
As the years passed, scientists discovered that just like the sun, power lines, appliances that run on electricity, including MRIs and X-rays also created their own EMFs.
As per data from the World Bank, as of 2016, almost 87% of the global population now has access to electricity and the numbers are only rising. With more electricity comes more electrical appliances, computers, mobile phones, digital devices...and more EMFs.
While many scientists don't think that the escalating number of EMF waves around us are necessarily harmful, there are many who think EMFs are a growing health concern.
Firstly, there's no argument that high-frequency EMF can be damaging — if you've ever been sunburned you know what we mean.
The main controversy today is around low-levels of EMF exposure, and how much EMF radiation is deemed acceptable at that level.
This could be a difficult question to answer due to a few reasons:
Although there have certainly been research studies linking EMF radiation and health problems, you may not have heard much about them, due to all the reasons above.
As per a 2012 research study, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ELF-EMF (1Hz to 300 Hz), which is still fairly low-frequency radio waves as being "possibly carcinogenic to humans," however more conclusive data needs to be obtained for exposure to become a concern to the public.
However, the study did go on to say that that does not negate the fact that "some human subjects may have greater sensitivity to ELF-EMF."
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a condition termed as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), is a "real" condition where a "number of individuals have reported a variety of health problems that they relate to exposure to EMF."
Animal studies have already linked cell phone radiation to cancer, however, the ongoing debate is over whether any of these effects will be seen in humans.
When it comes to higher levels of radiation such as EHF (Extremely High Frequency), the proposed frequency band to be used for technologies such as 5G, the potential health risks may be a serious cause for concern.
This eye-opening video below discusses the potential pitfalls of 5G as being apocalyptical in nature for the planet.
Now that you know what EMF radiation is and its potential dangers, in the next post, we'll delve deeper into everything you need to know about EMF exposure.
Discover our catalog of EMF protection tools to help keep you guarded from EMF exposure.
What you may not know is that since your wireless router connects to your laptop, smartphone, tablet, smart home appliances, game consoles…and more — it becomes one of the major culprits of electro-pollution or electrosmog in your home.
So, do wireless routers give off radiation?
Yes, they most certainly do, and we’ll look into how they can potentially cause long-term harm to your health and well-being.
All devices that use WiFi, emit radio frequencies (RFs), which fall under what is known as microwave radiation. Microwave radiation, yes you guessed it, is the type of radiation your microwave oven uses to heat and cook food.
Your WiFi router is built using transmitters, which use microwave radiation to transmit data through the air, to all of your WiFi-enabled devices. This means there is always radiation floating in your surroundings when your wireless router is on and transmitting.
And, while these microwave frequencies floating all around us can’t be seen by the naked eye, they can still disrupt our bodies' own natural frequencies, affecting our tissues, cells, right up to our very DNA — and long-term daily WiFi use, year after year, can potentially pose serious risks to our health.
Thousands of studies have shown that WiFi exposure can cause "oxidative stress, sperm/testicular damage, neuropsychiatric effects including EEG changes, apoptosis, cellular DNA damage, endocrine changes, and calcium overload."
WiFi radiation can affect everything from how well you sleep, to your fertility, your brain health, and potential cancer and DNA damage risk.
For example, a study in Hong Kong revealed that exposure to WiFi "lowers fertility rates" and kills sperm.
Another study unveiled that, "RF EMF exposure prior to sleep alters brain activity," and adversely affects cognitive performance.
What’s more alarming is that WiFi can actually cross the protective blood-brain barrier, which can alter brain activity, potentially leading to inflammation and disease.
So, now that we know that wireless routers give off radiation, and that long-term WiFi exposure can be harmful to our health, what can we do about it?
You might think that simply disabling the wireless option on your router might be enough to stop it from emitting radiation — but as the video below demonstrates, it is not!
So, how do you protect from WiFi radiation? Well, the best way to protect from wireless router radiation while still having access to the Internet, is to hardwire your internet connection.
Fortunately, we have a detailed blog post to show you how that’s done! Is WiFi Safe? Why Switch to a Wired Internet Connection (With Step by Step Instructions).
If you’re traveling or can’t hardwire your internet, we suggest you simply cover the WiFi router with some Faraday Fabric (here's the one we recommend), and this will essentially block out any EMF your router is emitting, and protect you and your family from WiFi EMF exposure.
You can then use a simple Ethernet adapter to connect your laptop or phone to the Internet and enjoy a low-EMF Internet connection!
]]>Studies show that even though "non-ionizing" radiation, like the RF radiation from cell phones cannot break through molecular bonds (like X-rays), it can still have serious harmful effects. And, at certain frequencies, heat or thermal energy can cause damage to tissues and cells.
Since we are exposed to this type of EMF from all the devices around us, almost all the time, even low-dose EMF, over time, can pose a serious long-term health threat. That’s why it's not surprising that the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified cell phone radiation to possibly be "carcinogenic to humans."
Source: Swiftfire
There are thousands of research studies linking EMF exposure with behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, irritability, hyperactivity, insomnia, weakened immunity, infertility, autism, DNA dysfunction, and even cancer.
So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family from EMF exposure?
Although, there are many things you can do to protect against EMF dangers, often the best and easiest way to start is to do what you can to limit your exposure to cell phone radiation, as most of us have our phone on us at all times.
In this post, we’ll share how you can reduce your exposure to cell phone radiation, and share easy and actionable protection tips you can implement right away!
Radiofrequencies (RF) from cellphones come under the umbrella of microwave radiation — the same frequencies your microwave uses to heat and cook food.
Your phone emits high levels of RFs, so much so, that cell phone manufacturers have to legally tell you to keep your phone at some distance from your body.
You're supposed to keep an iPhone 7 at least 5 mm (about 0.2 inches) away from your body, a Samsung Galaxy S6 at least 1.5 cm (about 0.6 inches) and a Google Pixel 1 cm (about 0.4 inches) away.
But, guess what, how is the whole world using their cell phone today? Close to their body.
Watch the video and read the post below to learn how to protect yourself from the radiation emitted by your phone.
In the video, we use an EMF meter to show you before and after EMF readings after our protection tips are implemented — see what we discover!
Any time you are not using your phone, put it on airplane mode. This is especially important if you habitually put your phone on your nightstand, or worse, under your pillow. Only connect your phone to data or Wi-Fi when you need to. This way you not only protect from RFs, but can boost your productivity and catch up on your messages and email when you want to.
Putting your phone on airplane mode is not completely enough to bulletproof yourself from EMF exposure. The next thing you want to do is to turn off location services which uses GPS, Bluetooth, crowdsourced Wi-Fi hotspots, and cell towers to determine your location.
When you turn on your navigation and maps, the meter jumps (as seen in the video above) showing that even on airplane mode, it’s emitting something. Also, when you use your phone from the car, with location services on, your phone is constantly searching for a cell tower to connect to. So, if you don’t need GPS, turn location services off on your phone.
We love browsing the web just like anyone else! A good practice to follow at home or in the office is to connect your phone, laptop or tablet to the Internet using a wired Ethernet adapter, instead of a wireless connection using Wi-Fi or mobile data. This is a great way to use the Internet without RF frequency exposure! Check out this handy phone adapter for a low-EMF Internet connection.
If you’ve been following tip no. 1 and putting your phone on Airplane Mode, that’s great! However, there is one follow-up point you need to remember. Every time you turn Airplane mode off to make a call, book Uber etc. put your phone down, and step away from the phone. This is because your phone is emitting high levels of radiation trying to re-connect to cell towers and search for Wi-Fi. So, remember, when turning off airplane mode — step away!
This is a simple but important tip — many people carry their phones on their body, such us in their pocket or bra. When it comes to EMF, distance is your friend.
A UK study found that "men who keep a mobile phone in their trouser pocket could be inadvertently damaging their chances of becoming a father."
So, put your phone in your backpack, briefcase or purse, when on the move. When at work or at home, simply keep it at a distance from you, and don’t carry it around on you. If you do feel the need to carry your phone in your pocket, consider using a case made of RF blocking faraday fabric from Atmosure.
If you need to use your phone only for phone calls and SMS, and don’t really need to browse the web or use data, simply disable cellular or mobile data on your phone. This will immediately reduce the radiation you’re exposed to.
With Location Services on, you can download maps to your phone and then while driving simply put your phone on airplane mode. This way you still have access to your maps offline, and limit being exposed to excess radiation in your car while driving.
When your phone has poor reception or a weak signal, it’s best not to use your phone, or better still, put it on airplane mode. This is because your phone is constantly trying to search for a signal and connect to cell phone towers, emitting high levels of radiation in the process. So, if you’re in a low-signal environment don’t force yourself to make a phone call. Just wait till you get better signal.
Answer your calls using wired earphones, and not by placing your phone to your ear, and exposing your brain to high levels of radiation.
Wireless and Bluetooth earphones emit high levels of EMF, and although using wired is better, we highly recommend using an Air Tube headset or anti-radiation earphones from Atmosure, which eliminate close to 99.9% of EMF exposure to the head.
If you don’t have wired earphones, you can simply use your phone on speaker mode. The idea is to use your phone as far as you can from your body, especially when you’re making phone calls.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this content, and you’ll start to implement these actionable tips on reducing your cell phone radiation right away!
]]>You are among our nearest and dearest, so we wanted you to be among the first to know that we have a new name!
EMFProtector is now Atmosure. What we do is a labor of love and our new name better reflects this. We hope you will like it as much as we do.
We feel the new brand name will serve all of you better and will make our mission and products more unique and distinct and help us reach and impact more people. And, as always - we appreciate your support!
Not to worry, nothing else is changing here. We’re the same people who are fiercely committed to helping you feel protected and healthy in a technology-driven world. While our name is changing, you can continue to count on all our products and EMF tips and advice that you’ve come to trust.
Nope, this is a labor of love for us. We’re the same team with the same commitment and the same values :)
Absolutely not! You can continue to count on our current products. We’re only changing the name on our website and all our social media channels.
Check out some of our current products below:
Anti-Radiation Air Tube Headphones
4 LAYERS OF PROTECTION TO REDUCE HARMFUL RADIATION BY 99%
Faraday Fabric (44" x 36") — RF, EMI, & RFID Shielding for 99% EMF Protection
BLOCKS 99% OF 5G, 4G, WIFI, AND BLUETOOTH RADIATION
We do have a few exciting new products coming soon. We can’t wait to tell you about them. They'll be centered around protecting your health, reclaiming your energy, and feeling the difference!
We see our customers as our friends. You’re really important to us.
Have questions or thoughts? Comment below or shoot us an email and let us know what’s on your mind.
]]>It’s there every time you switch on the lights, run the dishwasher, turn on the TV, or even as you sleep — you can’t see it, but it’s very much there.
What are we talking about?
Electro-pollution, or dirty electricity.
Dirty electricity, also referred to as electrical pollution, line noise, dirty power, and EMI (electromagnetic interference) is a form of corrupted electricity that is polluting your home, and has been linked to health conditions such as asthma, learning problems in children, diabetes and even cancer.
In this post, you’ll discover what dirty electricity is, its major sources, how to measure dirty electricity, why you should use dirty electricity filters in your home, and what our Stetzerizer vs Greenwave dirty electricity filter test reveals.
We are engulfed by a variety of electrical sources in our homes, including all plugged in household appliances, lighting, smart meters, and electrical wiring.
All of these electrical sources emit electric and magnetic fields known as extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic radiation or RF (radio frequencies) which are known to adversely affect our health.
The electromagnetic frequencies that are generated when electrical power is created, transmitted, and distributed usually has a frequency of 50–60 Hz.
In simple words, all of the electronic devices we use are designed to run on this frequency. Although this worked for older electronics, modern devices such as today’s computers, CFL bulbs, smart televisions, dimmer switches, and other devices don’t use this electrical power cleanly.
They demand more, less, or variable power, referred to as high-frequency voltage transients — which cause unstable surges that sit in your wiring emitting and radiating EMF radiation.
Due to the inability of 60-hertz wiring to meet the needs of modern devices, manufacturers have to manipulate the way in which these electronics draw power, which most commonly involves:
Further to point 3, most modern appliances are designed with energy-efficiency in mind, and in order to save electricity, they turn electrical currents on/off rapidly — literally thousands of times or more per second.
The above manipulation of standard electrical current by these appliances, energy-efficient lighting, and other electronics, causes spikes and surges of EMF, or dirty electricity, which travels along electrical wiring and power lines, and can often be one of the highest sources of EMF radiation in your home.
Constant bursts and spikes of electricity (think tens of thousands of times a second) creates unstable dirty electricity that can radiate throughout a house, an entire building, or even from one home or building to another via wiring and power lines.
These high-frequency voltage transients can even become airborne, which can be very stressful on the body, potentially leading to many health issues.
By reducing dirty electricity and EMFs in general, you help to lower the load of electro-stressors on your body — enabling the body to focus on repair and recovery, rather than constantly fighting off environmental stressors like EMF.
You’ll be surprised, but there are many sources of dirty electricity in your home. These include:
Lighting
Home Appliances
Home Electronics
Smart Appliances
Source: Dr. Jay Davidson
We’ve covered a lot of research in some of our other posts which specifically focus on the damaging effects of EMF on the body.
Scientists and medical experts agree that as we add more electric and wireless devices to our daily lives, we increase the chances of developing health issues including:
So, should you be concerned about dirty electricity?
Studies have shown that dirty electricity has the potential to disrupt sensitive electrical processes in the body.
Promising research documented that when dirty electricity was reduced using dirty electricity filters in schools and people’s homes:
If you’re looking to reduce dirty electricity in your environment, the first step is learning how to measure it, and then taking steps to mitigate it.
Although you can use an AM radio, we find that the easiest and most accurate way to measure dirty electricity in your home is to use a plug-in EMI meter. Simply plug in the dirty electricity EMI meter into an outlet to check for electrical noise.
Once you identify the different outlets in your environment that are major sources of dirty electricity you can choose to install dirty electricity filters around your house to minimize the effects of dirty electricity.
Once the dirty electricity filters are installed you can use your plug-in EMI meter to measure the difference in how much dirty electricity was reduced.
Dirty electricity filters are devices that transform unstable electricity or high-frequency voltage transients back to 60-Hz power that can safely be used.
They do not affect 50/60 hertz electricity already present in wiring, but filter and short out surges, bursts, and spikes created by modern devices.
Installing dirty electricity filters around your home (all you need to do is plug them into outlets around the house) is by far one of the best ways to significantly reduce dirty electricity.
Check out our video below where we do a hands-on EMF test comparing two of the top dirty electricity filters in the market today.
Dirty Electricity Filter EMF Test: Stetzerizer vs Greenwave Dirty Electricity Filters
Looking for other ways to further reduce dirty electricity in your home or office?
Follow these handy tips:
Even if appliances are plugged in and are not being used, they will still continue to generate dirty electricity. When not in use, turn OFF and unplug all appliances, electronics, and all other devices in your home, and switch off CFL lighting.
Switch to incandescent lighting instead of using fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, or energy-saving compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Some LED bulbs may be okay, and you can test them using an EMI meter, however, incandescent lighting is still best.
Dimmer switches may help set the mood, but they are notorious dirty electricity generators. As you dim the lights, dimmer switches limit the flow of electricity to the bulb which cycles electricity on/off and causes a lot of corrupted electricity to flow back to the wiring in the walls. If you have dimmer switches, it is best to replace them with standard on/off light switches.
If possible, replace your smart meter with an analog meter. Research suggests that "smart meter pulses can average 9,600 times a day, and up to 190,000 signals a day. Cell phones only pulse when they are on."
Every time these pulses happen, there is a surge or spike or burst, which creates a significant amount of dirty electricity and emits a lot of harmful radiation. There have been countless accounts of people feeling sick after a smart meter was installed in or around their home. It is best to use a traditional analog meter, so check with your power company to see if they will replace your smart meter with an analog one for a small fee.
EMF exposure considerably reduces when distance increases from the EMF source. Keeping this in mind, maintain your distance from all appliances when they are in use. For example, don’t use your laptop or phone while plugged in. Similarly, charge your phone in a socket at a distance from you, and not your bedside table.
According to Fortune, in 2019 alone, Apple is expected to have sold 50 million AirPods translating to close to $8 billion in revenue, and sales are expected to grow 50% annually.
On the outside, AirPods look sleek, compact, and befitting for busy gym-goers, travelers, runners, audiophiles, students, and remote workers. But on the inside, are they causing harm to your health?
In other words, are Apple Airpods safe, and should you be using them?
In this post, we’ll discuss how Apple Airpods really work, and perform our own Apple Airpods radiation test, to see if they are safe for everyday use.
Most people know what AirPods are, but to really understand why Apple AirPods may be harmful you need to understand all of the components that go into making them work.
As stated on Wikipedia, “AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds created by Apple…In addition to playing audio, AirPods feature a built-in microphone that filters out background noise, which allows phone calls and talking to Apple's digital assistant, Siri.”
There are certain words from the excerpt above that pop out immediately as red flags...
Let’s take a closer look at some of the above in detail, to understand if Apple AirPods are safe or not.
To answer this question, we'll need to take a look at EMF or electromagnetic radiation. EMF is a type of electric and magnetic energy emitted from wireless technologies and devices.
It is created by any device that has wireless or Bluetooth connectivity or is connected to a cell phone tower.
AirPods are by far one of the most connected devices you can put in your ear, as they connect via Bluetooth, cellular, and WiFi.
Although many argue that the risks of using these devices are overblown, there is an immense amount of research proving that EMF emissions from these devices have proven health risks, especially as they are worn in such close proximity to the body.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are “possibly carcinogenic” to humans.
Leading experts and scientists recognize these dangers, and a recent article quoted a petition signed by 250+ scientists from 40+ countries worldwide and called on the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) to reinforce its guidelines on wireless safety.
The petition expressed "a ‘serious concern’ about the non-ionizing electromagnetic field (EMF), which is the kind of radiation emitted by wireless devices, including Bluetooth technologies."
So, let’s take a closer look at Apple AirPods radiation, and what you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to when you put on a pair of Apple AirPods.
Apple AirPods have been in the limelight for their growing popularity but also for emitting dangerous amounts of EMF, especially as they are worn right next to the brain.
Jerry Phillips, professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado, states that “my concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation.”
Wireless or RF (radio frequencies) are a type of EMF radiation emitted by Wi-Fi, satellite radio, cordless phones, your microwave oven, and yes — wireless and Bluetooth headphones, like the AirPods.
When you put on a pair of AirPods, you expose yourself to WiFi, Bluetooth, and Cellular radiation.
Recent research titled, Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health, suggests that the biggest culprits are "pulses" or "quick bursts of electromagnetic energy that help wireless devices communicate."
Apple spokesperson Alex Kirschner, "confirmed that the AirPods, like other Bluetooth headsets, will constantly transmit signals while they are in your ears."
This should definitely be a red flag for wireless and Bluetooth headphone users, especially those who are plugged in all the time.
So, every time your AirPods are transmitting or receiving data they are literally "pulsing" packets of radiation right next to your most important and sensitive organ, your brain.
When you wear wireless earphones such as Apple's AirPods, it's like having tiny Wi-Fi routers plugged into your ears for hours on end. They actually run on the exact same frequency that your microwave uses to cook food!
Although Apple says that they comply with standard safety guidelines, there is mounting research to show that cell phone radiation and radio waves can lead to neurological conditions such as ADHD and early dementia, adversely affect fertility, damage DNA, and even cause cancer.
AirPods also connect via Bluetooth, a type of RF (between 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) that facilitates the instant transmission of audio, video, data, or text over short distances.
The key to note here is short distance — what this means is there is hardly any distance between the source of radiation (AirPods) and the wearer.
In our posts, we frequently mention the inverse square law of physics which states that when the distance from a radiation source is doubled, the exposure level to the radiation is reduced to a quarter.
This makes distance our number one friend when it comes to EMF protection.
And this is why, we can never recommend using Bluetooth headphones such as Apple AirPods, as they are literally designed to be placed in the head for hours on end (even when they aren’t being used!) and are a potentially risky way to have long meetings, listen to music, watch movies or make phone calls.
But there’s something that makes Apple AirPods even more dangerous than other Bluetooth headphones…
Unlike most Bluetooth headphones Apple AirPods are true wireless, meaning that they don't have any wires, not even between each earpiece.
So while in most wireless earbuds the Bluetooth transmitter is placed at the nape of the neck (further away from your brain), in the AirPods, the transmitter is in the earpiece itself, which fits snugly in the ear canal, right next to your brain.
This makes them A LOT more harmful, and as research suggests the effects of this continuous long-term radiation can potentially lead to “chronic fatigue, autism, increases in allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities, early dementia, DNA damage, loss of fertility and cancer.”
A groundbreaking study demonstrated that just 50 minutes of holding a wirelessly connected cell phone next to the head (and brain) increases the rate of glucose metabolism, altering the brain's electrical activity, and potentially leading to inflammation and disease.
This study proved that even at low levels, EMFs can affect the body's biochemistry.
Source: Environmental Health Trust
When you make and receive calls using AirPods, you are literally being bombarded by RF frequencies from cell phone towers that are wirelessly communicating and transmitting from the device plugged into your head.
Professor Phillips emphasizes, “What bothers me the most about AirPods is it’s taking cell phones one step deeper into the head. It’s a significant amount of power being delivered even closer to the brain. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Up until now, we’ve only talked about the potentially harmful effects of Apple Airpods radiation, but to really know if Apple AirPods are safe or not, we put them to the test using our trusted EMF meter.
Watch the video below to see what we discovered:
Convinced that your Apple AirPods are not safe to use?
Sure, it might be hard to let go of the convenience of using your AirPods, but trust us it’s worth it when it comes to your health and well-being, and safer ways and alternatives do exist!
If you have to choose between wired and wireless, we’d go with wired any day. Reason being that although there is an electrical signal that runs up the wire when you connect wired headphones to your phone or laptop, the signal is considered to be ELF or Extremely Low-Frequency Radiation.
In other words, it’s a lot less intense than a wireless Bluetooth frequency that travels through the air.
Although wired is definitely better, there is research to show that even ELF radiation can have negative effects with long-term use. Therefore, to eliminate up to 99% of radiation we recommend using air tube earphones.
Airtube earphones deliver audio through hollow “air tubes” instead of standard wiring. How they work is that speakers convert electrical signals to acoustic (sound) signals, before the electrical signals reach your ears.
To learn more read our post: Are Wireless Headphones Safe? (And Why Use an Air Tube Headset)
So, only the acoustic signal is transmitted through the air tubes and to your earbuds (which are free from the speaker and transmitter), virtually eliminating 99% of EMF radiation to the head and brain.
Atmosure's Anti-Radiation Air Tube Earphones provide:
Order your pair of Anti-Radiation Air Tube Earphones for 99% EMF Reduction now!
5G has been a lot in the news lately, and if you're not sure what exactly it is, why it's getting so much hype or why many people worldwide are protesting against it, we suggest you start at the beginning by learning more about what EMF radiation is and why EMF exposure can be SO dangerous.
When it comes to 5G specifically, in one of our earlier posts, we discussed the dangers of 5G radiation and how to figure out if there are 5G towers near you.
We covered in-depth what 5G radiation is, the technology behind it and why it is potentially so much more dangerous and concerning than the current 4G cellular coverage we have today.
In this post, we want to continue the discussion on 5G, and share 20+ action steps, tools, and tips on how to protect yourself from 5G radiation and other EMFs.
Before we even begin, let's just start by saying that looking at the way things are going now, if you live in a major city, a full-fledged 5G roll-out is closer than you think.
Countries all over the world have started to roll-out 5G, and nothing is stopping it from becoming the mainstream cellular network in denser areas.
Therefore, it is increasingly important to learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from constant 5G radiation that you are most likely going to be bombarded with, soon, and for years to come.
So how do you deal with a seemingly inevitable problem?
Well, first it's important to acknowledge that there is a problem.
As of April 2020, 253 EMF scientists from 44 nations have signed an Appeal to the United Nations, calling for stricter limits to 5G RF exposure, stating that the rolling out of new and emerging digital technologies are "a clear violation of human rights."
"Wireless communication technologies are rapidly becoming an integral part of every economic sector. But there is a rapidly growing body of scientific evidence of harm to people, plants, animals, and microbes caused by exposure to these technologies.
It is our opinion that adverse health consequences of chronic and involuntary exposure of people to non-ionizing electromagnetic field sources are being ignored by national and international health organizations despite our repeated inquiries as well as inquiries made by many other concerned scientists, medical doctors and advocates."
Now, the question to ask is, if there is so much research to show that 5G technology demands more testing, why are governments all over the world not prioritizing and safeguarding our best interests?
For any organization that wants to push an idea or technology to market, they need to "lobby" for laws that favor their innovations. This could also mean doing away with laws, not in their favor.
Massive industries like Big Pharma, energy, manufacturing, as well as wireless technologies, and many other industries spend billions to ensure their motives are protected, and laws are made in their favor — to generate profit and serve their shareholders and board members.
Here's how most tech innovation gets rolled out:
Technology is most often built in secrecy, with limited testing. When a new idea is discovered, a patent is filed and lobbyists are hired to influence lawmakers to push the idea forward — irrespective of the potential dangers of the technology. Through hidden payoffs, pay packages, mutual profit-making agendas, and unimaginable incentives, laws are rushed, with the mass public having little or no say in the matter.
So, although you might think that the government should keep the public's best interests in mind, in reality, that rarely happens, and unregulated 5G infrastructure is a primary example of this.
And, this is exactly why you need to learn how to protect yourself and your family from the looming threat of 5G radiation. Because as long as human greed and laws glorify industries and corporations, and not the public, or the environment, the health of the planet and all living beings on it is always going to be at risk.
Next, we'll discuss how to protect yourself from 5G radiation, with actionable tips you can implement right away.
Ready to learn how to protect yourself from 5G radiation?
Before we start, it's important to note that 5G radiation protection is somewhat different than the current 4G EMFs that we are exposed to. The technology itself and how it works is different, and the roll-out in neighborhoods and cities at large is going to be very different than the 4G we know today.
As 5G protection demands a different and perhaps more holistic approach, we'll need to cover all our bases. Below, we'll discuss these protection strategies in detail, so nothing is missed out.
The first thing you need to know when protecting yourself from 5G radiation is that the greater the distance between the source of the EMF and you, the lower your exposure.
This is true for any EMFs, from power lines, cell towers, mobile phones, wireless devices, and 5G technology.
Electromagnetic fields are made up of both electric and magnetic fields and are produced when a current flows through wires or any electrical device. Due to this, EMFs are found near any electrical source, whether it is a plugged-in household appliance such as a hairdryer or a much larger power line.
As per the Inverse Square Law of Physics, when the distance from a radiation source is doubled, the exposure level to the radiation is reduced to a quarter. Similarly, if the distance is tripled, the exposure is reduced to a ninth, and so on.
So, the further you move away from the source of an EMF (further away from the magnetic and electric fields), your exposure exponentially decreases.
So, for example, when it comes to protecting from EMFs from power lines, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), states that the strength of an EMF "is proportional to the amount of electrical current passing through the power line and decreases as you move farther away."
The same inverse square law applies to 5G technology. The closer you are to a 5G tower, the more you are exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, than if you lived further away from 5G infrastructure.
But this principle goes beyond living near or being in the proximity of a 5G tower alone.
With 5G being so predominant in the news, most people are only concerned about how to protect from 5G radiation. Although protecting from 5G is important, it's far more important to mitigate radiation from the EMF sources you're currently exposed to.
It's also important to remember that while 5G continues to roll-out, 1G/2G/3G/4G radiation will still continue to exist.
Most mobile carriers are not equipped to build the small cell infrastructure that 5G demands, so currently 5G runs on low-band and mid-band RF connections, relying upon 4G towers and networks.
So, as the first step to protecting from 5G, you still need to protect from this type of radiation.
You can start by maintaining distance and protect yourself from devices and other types of EMF in your home. This includes not placing your phone against your head, using anti-radiation earphones, or using a laptop on your desk rather than your lap.
Read on...as we share many more tips and action steps below.
As 5G continues to be deployed more rapidly, avoiding it is NOT going to be easy. It's not just our phones that are going to be connected, but literally, any other device that is "5G-enabled" — and these are already making their way into the market.
And, now that you understand that creating distance between the source of radiation and yourself can minimize exposure, the first thing you can start to do is to distance yourself from wireless devices and gadgets that pick up radiation frequencies which can be from 5G, 4G, other Gs, WiFi or Bluetooth.
Research has shown that cell phones may be harmful and can even cause cancer when kept for long periods against a part of the body. It's best not to carry your phone in your pockets, bra, etc. and carry wireless devices in a purse, bag or backpack.
If you must put it in your pocket, put it on airplane mode or protect yourself from 99% of EMF radiation with Faraday Fabric.
You might have the habit of having your phone on you 24/7, and even browse the net before you hit the sack. This makes cell phones the worse culprits when it comes to EMF exposure. Make sure to never put your phone under your pillow, or your nightstand. If you use your phone alarm, switch to a battery-operated clock. It's best to put your phone on Airplane mode before heading to bed. As 5G continues to roll-out, the best thing we can do is to maintain distance between our phones and our bodies.
The danger of cell phone radiation is an entire topic in itself, and we've covered it here, but the point we're trying to make is that the last thing you want is your brain to be bombarded by dangerous radiation every time you're on a call.
Consider using the phone on speakerphone mode, or getting a pair of anti-radiation air-tube earphones that are specially designed to block up to 99% of EMFs going to your brain.
When you turn on that handy icon on your phone that looks like an airplane, your phone stops connecting to a cell phone tower or your Wifi. It's best to also turn off Bluetooth and Location services as these may still be emitting. Any device in your home that you are NOT constantly using should be on Airplane mode at all times, so it is not constantly emitting EMFs, even when not in use.
If you spend most of your time in your home office, that's not where you should place your router! Similarly, by no means should you place your Wifi router in your bedroom. As 5G rises into common use, many homes will be using it as their default way to connect to the Internet. Maintaining distance from your router, and turning it off at nighttime are some of the best ways to protect from 5G radiation.
There are many more points we can discuss here, but since that will take over this entire page, you can read our other detailed post with more tips on how to protect yourself from EMF dangers.
The main takeaway here is — if you can limit the use or distance yourself from a source of EMF radiation, do it. This will considerably reduce your exposure.
Apart from protecting yourself, it's also important to protect your home as a whole. If you live in a larger city, 5G roll-out is closer than you think, and 5G infrastructure might already be present in your area, without you even realizing this.
This is because 5G towers are different than the 3G/4G cell towers you are used to seeing.
4G requires one cell tower that transmits to a wider coverage area. 5G, on the other hand, uses a network of many small multiple towers.
Before we cover how to protect your home from 5G radiation, let's take a step back and understand how 5G technology works. This is important, so we know what we're up against.
While 3G uses a frequency band of 1.8-2.5 GHz delivering a data rate of up to 2Mbps, 4G functions on bands of 2-8GHz delivering data rates up to 20 Mbps or more.
In other words, higher frequency = faster speeds.
But 5G is an entirely different beast. To achieve speeds that are potentially 100x faster than 4G, 5G uses the Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) band that works in the 30 GHz to 300 GHz range.
And, that is why there are 5G radiation concerns, as these are dangerously high-frequency levels offering unheard-of speeds.
Why are such high speeds needed?
Because of, the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Internet of Things (IoT), allows multiple devices and even appliances to communicate with each other, and with people all over the Internet. This demands super-fast speeds, paving the way for smarter homes, and smarter cities.
The RF frequency spectrum that 5G needs to use to deliver these speeds does NOT work well over larger distances, nor can it penetrate easily through objects like buildings, trees, mountains, or even moisture.
This means that instead of larger cell towers, smaller "cell sites" are needed in a closer proximity to cover a large area, without compromising signal quality or seeing drops.
In other words, 5G towers will be everywhere. Outside your home, on a traffic light, a lamppost, a bus shelter, and it's going to be much harder to avoid 5G radiation.
Just so you can understand the volumes we mean, 5G "small-cell antennas," need to be spaced at approximately every 500 feet, and an Accenture study estimates that compared to the 320,000 4G antennas we have currently, "5G will require 769,000 small-cell antennas, an increase of 449,000 new antennas."
So yes, 5G will be everywhere, BUT there are some things you can do to limit your exposure.
A lot of people already have "smart" appliances in their homes. A 2018 report suggests that "the Internet of Things (IoT) could drive smart appliance revenues to over $342 billion worldwide," between 2017 and 2027.
But...think about it — do you really need:
All smart devices have wireless antennas that are constantly pulsing UHF (Ultra High Frequency) microwave radiation.
Using more "smart" appliances and devices means exposing yourself and your loved ones to increased EMF radiation which is known to cause sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, stunted fetus development, harm fertility, and more.
With 5G unfolding and IoT becoming a widespread reality, upgrading to these luxuries, rather than necessities, is a choice you'll have to make for your family.
There's already news of 5G-enabled routers going to be released into the market soon, which means that 5G frequencies will be circulating in most homes connected to the internet sooner than you think. Firmware upgrades for your current modem and Wifi router to support 5G speeds may also become a quick reality.
The best thing you can do to future-proof your home from 5G radiation is to hard-wire your internet connection.
And in fact, switching to a wired internet connection now will mean a lot fewer EMFs floating around in your home as Wifi is one of the main culprits of in-house "electro-pollution," or electrosmog, potentially causing long-term harm to the health and well-being of everyone in the home.
We think this topic is so important that we've done an entire post on it detailing all the steps here: Is WiFi Safe? Why Switch to a Wired Internet Connection (With Step by Step Instructions)
But in a nutshell, the idea is to use a shielded Ethernet cable that connects your router and modem to your computer. This enables you to have a fast and reliable low-EMF connection and helps eliminate microwave radiation emitted from your Wifi router.
Most building complexes, commercial spaces, and homes across America now use "smart meters," electronic devices that automate the tracking and billing of utilities such as electricity, water, and gas.
Smart meters have replaced traditional analog meters, and although this might seem like an upgrade, there have been countless accounts of people feeling negative effects after a smart meter was installed in or around their home.
This may be because smart meters emit the same kind of wireless (RF) microwave frequencies as mobile phones, microwaves, and Wi-Fi devices, and potentially pose a serious threat. Health experts have expressed their concerns over smart meters because their "pulses can average 9,600 times a day, and up to 190,000 signals a day." In comparison, mobile phones "only pulse when they are on."
So, now you might be thinking if smart meters transmit wirelessly....will they be connected to 5G in the future?
Based on the information we found, the answer unfortunately is...yes they will.
Technology is already in the market for advanced metering infrastructure or (AMI). As per this article:
"While smart metering currently features cross-network connection capability for 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE, the coming impact of 5G for IoT solutions in enabling new applications across AMI and smart utility functionality will be felt across the globe. Building an AMI framework now for 5G capabilities will revolutionize the way the world connects us to the world around us."
It goes on to say that, "5G will support over 1,000 more devices per meter than 4G. 5G’s network slicing, compared to the present-day LTE, will allow smart energy use cases to be handled by a single network. "
Another article titled, The Importance of 5G for Utilities, states that 5G will "deliver new levels of performance and efficiency that will support a broad set of industries including utilities."
It goes on to say that, "to reap the upcoming benefits of 5G without waiting for coverage to expand, utilities could utilize multimode systems that support all major cellular technologies simultaneously, from 2G to 5G – so devices would connect initially with 3G or 4G and then use 5G as network coverage becomes available."
With 5G network coverage and IoT becoming more widespread, there's no doubt that smart meters will be 5G-enabled in the future.
So, what can we do to protect ourselves?
If you have a smart meter installed right outside your home or bedroom, investing in a smart meter shield is a smart way to prevent EMF radiation from beaming into your home.
Another really good way to protect your home is to use EMF shielding paint. EMF shielding paint is a special type of water-based paint that is conductive and blocks out almost 99% of RF and low-frequency electric fields.
This special paint is a dark black color and needs to be applied just like regular paint. It's best to apply it both on the inner and outer walls of the house, including on the roof. You also need to make sure to include the ceilings, and especially the doors, and window frames, where EMF readings are generally much higher.
Two layers of shielding paint are usually required to get the best protection. Once the EMF shielding paint has dried, you can use any standard paint of your choice to paint on top of it.
EMF shielding paint can help to block "external" 5G radiation coming into the house from 5G small cell towers, so it's an excellent strategy to use to mitigate EMFs.
If you find that cost is an issue, consider painting the areas of your home that you spend the most time in, such as your bedroom, to ensure deep restorative sleep, and create an environment with zero RF frequencies, similar to what our ancestors had.
One important point to take into account, as to why you need to shield your home, is that 5G is also coming at us from satellites above.
For example, GalaxySpace, a China-based communications satellite provider, already has a "low earth orbit (LEO) satellite" launched into space.
Elon Musk's company SpaceX has been approved to launch "nearly 12,000 Starlink internet satellites (and recently applied to loft up to 30,000 more)." As of last year, SpaceX already has 60 satellites in space "which operate at a low-Earth-orbit altitude of about 342 miles."
Other providers such as Amazon, Facebook, and OneWeb are also planning their own 5G satellite networks.
This means that shielding your house with anti-EMF paint (especially the roof) will become more important than ever so that you can minimize 5G satellite frequencies from penetrating into your house.
Can you see a 4G cell tower or a 5G small cell tower with your naked eye from a window or a balcony in your home?
Well, then you are being exposed to far more EMFs, which is why just using EMF shielding paint may not be enough, and you'll need to add extra protection using radiation shielding fabrics.
Watch this video to see the difference that BOTH shielding paint and fabric can make in protecting from 5G radiation. Here's a snapshot from the video that shows before and after readings using only paint, and paint and fabric.
You can purchase Anti-Radiation EMF RF Shielding Fabrics that are washable, breathable, and sewable to create shielding curtains for your home. Make sure to purchase the washable type, as NOT all fabrics available are washable.
We recommend this 100% Silver Fiber EMF Protection Material that you can use to make drapes, curtains, bedding, garments, and even tents and canopies.
Alternatively, you can make a Faraday cage with our own Atmosure Faraday Fabric to block EMF. You can use this to make cases for your phone, tablet, or laptop, or to protect against any kind of device which is emitting wireless.
Also, if shielded paint is not an option (especially if you are renting) you can use Faraday fabric like this Military Grade Fabric that blocks RF Signals (WiFi, Cell, Bluetooth, 5G networks, etc.) and you can line it against the walls as shown in the image below:
This fabric is a good option as it can be cut, sewn, and taped like regular fabric to create any type of DIY RF signal shielding enclosure.
An EMF Protection bed canopy can help to keep EMF out of your bed and provides a layer of added protection while you sleep.
This is critical as research has shown that exposure to "magnetic fields at night resulted in less total sleep time, reduced sleep efficiency," and participants also reported broken sleep patterns "and feeling less rested in the morning." With most people spending anywhere from 5-10 hours sleeping, EMF protection while you sleep is a must.
You can create your own EMF bed canopy using a breathable and washable Anti-Radiation EMF RF Shielding Fabric or you can buy an EMF Protection Bed Canopy, that is already ready to use.
It works especially well to block electrosmog, and strong Wi-Fi signals coming in from your neighbors.
Remember, that apart from just 5G radiation, you also want to protect from all of the different radiation still present in your home. So, even as 5G is rolled out, you still need to protect from1G/2G/3G/4G radiation that currently exists in your home.
Most homes have what is called "dirty electricity," or electromagnetic interference (EMI).
EMI is caused by temporary spikes in voltage, and can really shoot up the amount of EMF present in your home. It can be caused by shoddy wiring, devices such as computers, adapters, chargers, routers, and even energy-efficient (CFL) lighting.
If left unchecked, it can become a major source of damaging EMF in your home. So, as you think about protecting your home from 5G, you need to take care of this first.
Watch this helpful video below to understand what dirty electricity is, why it's harmful, and how to measure it:
To detect dirty electricity or EMI in your home you can use a Line Noise EMI meter to ascertain the problematic areas and install special filters to reduce dirty electricity.
Apart from following the action steps we covered above, you also need to have some 5G radiation protection tools and gear in your arsenal, in your fight to constantly protect and shield against 5G radiation.
One of the best investments you can make is to purchase an EMF meter. A top quality EMF meter will not only help you ascertain the amount of radiation in your home, but also your surroundings and your neighborhood at large.
You may not know which areas of your home or which appliances give out the highest electric and magnetic field readings, but an EMF meter removes the guesswork, and helps you locate areas in your home where you might need to make changes.
For example, if you have a smart meter outside your bedroom, you'll be able to measure exactly how much EMF it's beaming, and how much EMF the smart meter shield you purchased is blocking using the EMF meter.
Or you may discover that your current Wi-Fi router has a lot of spikes in readings, and you may perhaps decide to switch to a low-EMF Wi-Fi router.
Whatever the case an EMF meter will always keep you on your toes, and will also come in very handy when 5G starts rolling out.
So, which EMF meter should you buy, and can it measure 5G?
Well, current EMF/RF meters available in the market only measure RFs below the 8GHz range. As we covered above, 5G frequencies are much higher.
As 5G towers continue to be rolled out, with many operating at much higher frequencies, it is important to keep an eye out for meters that may be released into the market that can measure higher frequencies.
However, as we mentioned above, most mobile carriers aren't equipped (just yet) to install 5G small cell towers on every street corner. Therefore, current 5G implementations run on low-band and mid-band connections, which can be measured!
We recommend using the Acoustimeter AM-10 RF Meter Model, which can measure RF frequencies from 200 Mhz to 8 GHz, which covers most of the current live 5G roll-outs across the nation.
See it in action below:
We love this meter as it is super-easy to use, and works really well in measuring RF radiation. This is important to know as other cheaper EMF meters measure just electric and magnetic frequencies, however, when it comes to measuring microwave radiation and 5G, you want to make sure you purchase an EMF meter that measures radiofrequency or RF radiation.
Another EMF Protection device you need to start using now, are air-tube earphones. While standard earphones are 100% wire, air tube earphones are created with an "air tube" component designed from hollow, bendable air tubing.
Since there is are no loudspeakers in the earpieces, and the speakers are moved away from the head, and all RF frequencies are blocked at the hollow air tube, EMF radiation simply does not reach the ears or get to the brain.
So, an air tube headset not only increases the distance between you and your cell phone but provides up to 99.9% of EMF protection due to the unique air tube design. Remember distance is your friend when trying to protect from EMF and 5G radiation, so using air tube earphones will help reduce your exposure.
Atmosure's Anti-Radiation Air Tube Earphones feature:
There are tools available that are backed by science to naturally reduce the radiation in your environment, and create a sacred space for healing to take place.
Two of these tools that we have personal experience and highly recommend include the Qi Shield and Tachyon Sun Spots.
The Qi-Shield is a protective energy device that generates its own power, creating a torus field (a field filled with negative ions). These negatively charged particles combat free radicals and neutralize the positive charges created by radiation, so they can no longer adversely affect you.
Requiring no power source, the Qi-Shield can be used at your home or on the go and provides the ultimate protection from 2G-5G RF frequencies, WiFi, and other EMF. It even energizes water and improves the air quality in your home.
Tachyons are particles (smaller than atoms) that travel faster than light. They are said to have "no-frequency" and work directly on your body, mind, emotions, and energy field to repair and balance energies provide healing, pain-relief, and protection from electromagnetic (EMF) radiation.
Tachyon Sun Spots are professional hand-polished zero-point energy crystal tools that come in a set of 4. Placing them strategically in your home creates an intersecting energy field that generates a "neo field", which is a sweet spot, sacred space, or "clear energy environment," that counteracts the effects of EMFs and "5G milli-waves that disrupt and destabilize biological systems."
You can view how they work in the image below:
To learn more about Tachyon energy and these powerful zero energy crystal tools, watch the video here.
With 5G internet being commonplace in households soon, you might want to think twice before carrying your smartphone in your pocket or working on your laptop on your lap.
And not just that...with 5G being rolled out heavily, especially in larger metros and cities, where you're going to have at least one 5G small cell tower per block, it's essential to start thinking about EMF protective clothing, and how you're going to protect yourself when you're outdoors.
For example, wearing a shielded head covering is great for protecting your head and brain from harmful EMF/RF frequencies.
This particular EMF Protection Shielding Cap claims to protect from 3G, 4G, and 5G frequencies and is made from a rugged, cotton outer layer, soft cotton inner, and high capacity RF shielding internal layer.
You can also try other EMF protective clothing items such as an EMF Protection Hood Hat to shield your head, ears, neck, and thyroid, or a full chest and head covering with this RF Shielding Anti-Radiation Hoodie.
It's also very important to protect your sensitive organs from EMF radiation.
There have been countless studies that show that EMFs damage sperm and harm fertility, and we've written an entire blog post on it here: How EMF Radiation Affects Male Fertility (with 10 EMF Protection Tips)
This is a tough decision to make, but one you should consider if you're really serious about wanting to get some REAL and immediate protection from 5G or even 4G cell towers.
The cost to install 5G infrastructure is going to be massive, which is why it will continue to roll-out in major cities first and then move to rural areas. If you live in a small city or the countryside, you may be lucky to escape 5G radiation for a lot longer, compared to if you live in a large, clustered city.
Also, many people today simply don't want to be bombarded with added radiation, so you don't particularly need to be sensitive to EMFs, or have electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) to consider moving away from these towers.
There are already many people living the EMF-free life, and we've covered this in a blog post where you can Discover 40+ EMF and WiFi Free Zones Across America and Around the World.
Relocating is never easy or perhaps even realistic for most of us. However, moving to a rural location where there are simply fewer towers will be an immediate way to curb exposure and something you could realistically consider.
An office environment is a brewing hub for EMF exposure. You've got everything from shared WiFi, artificial CFL lighting, electronic equipment, an overload of devices such as computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones, not to mention electrosmog coming in from nearby offices, and dirty electricity.
All of this continued EMF exposure can really take a toll on your health when you consider that the average majority of the corporate world spends close to 40 hours a week in the office.
If you're really serious about protecting from EMF, including 5G, you may consider remote work. By working remotely you will be better able to control the EMF environment in your home (which you can rarely do at an office).
For example, instead of using WiFi you may shift to hard-wiring your internet, and you could replace CFL bulbs with incandescent lighting, or just work in an area with natural light.
But, more importantly, the main advantage of working remotely is that since you're not commuting to an office location every day, you don't need to be restricted to a location close to your office, and you can instead choose to work in a more rural area to distance yourself from the towers.
There is a definite connection between electromagnetic radiation and heavy metals and toxins such as mold. So, apart from external EMF influences you also need to look at what may be going on internally to significantly reduce the impact of harmful EMFs on your body.
Brian Clement, a naturopathic doctor who has treated over 4000 people with EHS, states that "if your cells contain metal, they will attract and enhance electrical frequencies like a lightning rod, which makes them more likely to develop EHS symptoms. In short, the more your body contains heavy metals, the more you’ll have health problems with EMFs."
He mentions several modalities for detoxification including, taking:
Apart from heavy metals, there are other toxins that you also need to consider.
Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, founder of the Klinghardt Academy (USA), discovered a connection between electromagnetic radiation and mold as explained in this eye-opening video. His research shows that EMF makes mold spores grow at 600 times their normal rate, and makes mold more reactive and aggressive. This can cause a lot of health problems including Lyme disease.
Also, it might be a good idea to refrain from wearing any metals on the body as well. For example, metals like steel, aluminum, titanium & nickel can potentially become antennas for RF radiation, and with the increasing deployment of 5G, minimizing any kind of metals on the body is best for better protection.
So, in order to make your body less susceptible to attract 5G radiation frequencies, it is highly recommended that you follow the above tips and start to detox from heavy metals and toxins like mold immediately.
In addition to detoxing, and using tools such as the Q-Shield and Tachyon Sun Spots, eating an antioxidant-rich diet, preferably organic diet can help strengthen your natural defenses and immunity and protect against EMF exposure and the oxidative stress that goes with it.
In his research, Dr. Martin Pall, of the Washington State University, emphasizes that "non-ionizing, low-intensity EMFs act primarily via activation of voltage-gate calcium channels (VGCCs)" leading to chronic inflammatory diseases.
In order to reduce this effect, supplementing with key vitamins and minerals can be very helpful. Zinc has shown to minimize the effects of electric and magnetic radiation in animal studies, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium are essential to regulate metabolic processes on the cellular level.
Magnesium is a natural calcium channel blocker, and it is highly recommended to eat foods rich in magnesium such as leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, and legumes. You can also supplement with 200-400 mg magnesium glycinate, which is free of soy, gluten, & GMOs.
Vitamin C has also shown to help mitigate the oxidative stress-inducing effects of electromagnetic radiation such as WiFi, so make sure to eat plenty of citrus fruits, broccoli, and leafy greens, and also consume a therapeutic supplement such as black currant seed oil which has 4X the Vitamin C of oranges!
Potassium-rich substances such as fulvic acid which is naturally found in soil, peat, and shilajit have shown to stabilize and neutralize radioactive elements, and can also be very helpful to combat the harmful effects of EMFs on the body.
By practicing holistic mind, body, and soul wellness and staying healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually, you essentially make yourself less sensitive to EMF frequencies.
Every person has an aura, which is also known as the body's electromagnetic field, or the energy shield around us which protects us from negative frequencies. Someone with a weak aura will be more susceptible to attract EMF frequencies, compared to someone with a strong aura.
So it is important to live a holistic lifestyle, and be healthy in all of these three areas (mind, body, and soul), to stay protected from EMF and 5G.
You can strengthen your aura by practicing mindfulness, breathing, and meditation techniques, prayer, spending time in nature, maintaining a positive attitude, and staying away from electromagnetic fields.
Spend a few hours in nature every week, or take an EMF-free vacation to a place where there is no Wi-Fi and abstain from using all technology.
EMFs affect everything from your immunity to your stress levels, so walking barefoot, connecting with the earth, and going device-free, can help to balance your energy and electromagnetic system, helping to cleanse negative energies and nourish the mind and body.
Keep abreast of any 5G roll-out plans that your city council has in mind for you, and continue to stay educated in the global deployment of 5G and also in the global fight against 5G radiation.
Discover if there are 5G towers near you already, and don't support 5G technology by upgrading to 5G enabled phones, appliances, and devices.
The human immune system is nothing short of baffling. It has evolved after literally thousands of years of fighting against hundreds of outside threats such as bacteria and viruses.
However, exposure to manmade EMFs is still fairly new to the human race, as artificial electromagnetic radiation has only been around for the last 100 years or so.
To our bodies, artificial EMF is an unknown adversary that we simply have no defense walls against.
In this post, we'll cover if electromagnetic radiation can impact immunity, uncover research on the link between EMF and immunity, and understand the different ways EMFs burden the immune system:
The function of the immune system is to seek out foreign objects, such as viruses, microbes, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, and attack them to mitigate their effects.
Well, research is showing that exposure to EMF (such as that from cell phone radiation) may disturb the natural functioning of your immune system, making it respond in ways that it should not.
Below, we'll cover research on how EMFs impact immunity and go on to talk about the different ways EMFs may throw the immune system out of whack, causing it to over-react or under-react to threats, causing everything from allergies to autoimmune problems.
There are a large number of studies proving that cell phones, RF transmitting cell towers, WiFi, wireless devices, and 'smart' meters all emit harmful EMF radiation, that can impact immune function.
This study explores the impact of extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (< 300 Hz) on calcium signaling in the body, and how this type of "nonionizing electromagnetic energy" can cause cellular changes.
The Bioinitiative Report has been developed by leading scientists and medical doctors from 10 different countries and is a "Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF)."
The report makes an important point that "human beings are bioelectrical systems. Our hearts and brains are regulated by internal bioelectrical signals. Environmental exposures to artificial EMFs can interact with fundamental biological processes in the human body."
Source: BioInitiative.org
It provides a wealth of resources such as research summaries, and an RF chart as seen above which summarizes adverse health effects of EMFs with a colored glossary. Look out for the blue sections in the chart highlighting "disrupted immune function."
This detailed research report coming from the Department of Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, discusses the direct effects of EMFs on the immune system, with a special emphasis on its role in electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS).
It references a variety of key research studies and makes the following conclusions:
This review deals with a variety of research studies that have shown that "EMFs disturb immune function through stimulation of various allergic and inflammatory responses, as well as effects on tissue repair processes," and that "such disturbances increase the risks for various diseases, including cancer."
It concludes by asserting that, "existing public safety limits are inadequate to protect public health, and that new public safety limits, as well as limits on further deployment of untested technologies, are warranted."
This review came out in 2009, and we can't help but correlate, that even a decade later the effects of "untested technologies" such as 5G and the adverse health impact it is having on the world today, is going largely unnoticed, and hardly anything is being done by key decision-makers to protect public health.
As we discussed above, with many leading scientists and medical experts convinced that EMFs can disrupt immune function, it's not surprising that some medical doctors are exploring treatment strategies that involve limiting or eliminating EMFs to treat disease.
Dietrich Klinghardt MD, Ph.D., Founder of the Klinghardt Academy (USA), and lead clinician at the Sophia Health Institute is globally renowned for his work on successfully treating patients who have chronic pain and illness with biological and integrative medicine which encompasses non-invasive pain management, toxicology, biological dentistry, energy psychology, and more.
Dr. Klinghardt's main premise is using a treatment protocol that combats the effects of chronic toxins such as lead, mercury as well as environmental pollutants and electromagnetic fields to treat patients.
Now you might be thinking...it's understandable that ingesting heavy metals or being exposed to environmental pollutants can cause harm and lead to illness — but how do EMFs enter the picture?
Below, we'll discuss the adverse effects of EMFs on immunity, and how this may possibly link to coronavirus or COVID-19.
Experts like Dr. Klinghardt believe that EMFs can trigger the microbes naturally in our body to become more virulent — severe, rapid, aggressive and more hostile.
In this report, Dr. Klinghardt writes how harmful toxins along with EMF can make any situation with retroviruses much worse. Retroviruses use RNA in their genetic material instead of DNA. By infecting a host cell, they transform a copy of their genome into the cell, changing the host cell genome, allowing rapid multiplication of the virus in host cells.
Most RNA viruses — including coronaviruses — use this method to replicate.
He emphasizes how "cell phone radiation has disabled many of our protective proteins," and how "anti-retroviral strategies" such as EMR protection, treatment of Lyme and mold and metal detox should be used in the treatment of chronic illness.
In a separate report he reasserts, "if we have a chronic endotoxin-producing infection such as Lyme, or exposure to mould in our home, or chronic EBV –WiFi and the use of the cellphone massively potentiates the virulence of the problem and opens the blood-brain barrier."
Watch this brief 5-minute video where he explains how EMF exposure to toxins such as mold can make these toxins even more virulent, making a bad situation A LOT worse than it is:
In other words, EMFs can trick the body to think that it is infected with a virus, this could be why co-infections (having 2 or more viruses at the same time), are so common with Lyme disease.
A report citing several research studies titled Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system clearly demonstrated that, "EMF exposure triggers oxidative stress in various tissues, but also that it causes significant changes in levels of blood antioxidant markers. Fatigue, headache, decreased learning ability, and cognitive impairment are among the symptoms caused by EMF. The human body should therefore be protected against exposure to EMF because of the risks this can entail."
We already know that oxidative stress leads to inflammation. Apart from being directly linked to inflammation, if EMFs can also stimulate dormant microbes into virulence as Dr. Klinghardt talks about above, combined, this can trigger an overactive immune response in the body.
And, as the immune system starts firing at the wrong targets, it can't protect against an already growing infection — such as Lyme and other autoimmune diseases.
People with certain chronic conditions, such as Lyme disease, can be more sensitive to and be more affected by EMFs as they already suffer from a weak immune system and can experience an increase in inflammation due to EMF exposure. Prolonged exposure may further damage the immune system and even slow down recovery.
The Klinghardt Protocol bases over 900 successful treatment cases in treating Lyme disease patients by using methods to decrease the toxic burden and "unload" the system, thereby encouraging healing and recovery. This includes implementing "low EMF" practices such as turning off fuses, avoiding cordless phones, limiting cell phones, wireless technology, computer use and living near an airport (radar).
Below is an interesting video clip from the DVD "Exploring the Spectrum" by Dr. John Nash Ott. that shows how an airport radar can impact the movement of aphids 14 miles away. Under a minute, and worth the watch:
Melatonin is the important sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, responsible for the body's sleep and wake cycle.
Harvard's department of Sleep Medicine warns that blue-light emitting devices (that also emit EMFs) such as your laptop and cell phone can decrease melatonin production, making it even harder to fall and stay asleep.
One study measured the effects of magnetic fields from a broadcast transmitter on the sleep quality and melatonin cycle in human participants.
They discovered that after the transmitter was shut down, "sleep quality improved," and "melatonin excretion increased by 15%." The study concluded that "change in sleep quality and melatonin excretion was related to the extent of magnetic field reduction."
Other studies have shown that melatonin can actually "exhibit a protective effect" against EMF, and "can modulate the immune response on disparate levels with a significant effect on inflammation." It seems evident that the "disruption of melatonin due to exposure to weak EMFs" can potentially lead to "long-term health effects in humans."
And, as melatonin decreases in our body as we age (see below), may actually explain why MOST people who die from the coronavirus are the elderly population.
Source: Nutritionreview.org
This is supported by Dr. Klinghardt, who shared a chart in his recent video, that shows coronavirus death rate by age.
In the video, Dr. Klinghardt goes on to say that "...the most known evil agent that decreases our melatonin levels is exposure to Wi-Fi, sitting on the computer that's not on airplane mode, the Wi-Fi router in the house and using the cell phone and of course having the cell phone towers all over the place now, and especially in the areas that are routed for 5G, it's every 100 yards or so, you have a cell phone emitting, a Wi-Fi emitting device, and so basically life as we've known it is over."
A cytokine storm is an overreaction of the body's immune system, that can seriously harm or even be fatal.
As per this article, "cytokine storms are a common complication not only of Covid-19 and flu but of other respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS."
Dr. Klinghardt references research done by Dr. Martin Pall, of the Washington State University, and explains that this uncontrolled hyper inflammation is responsible for causing coronavirus fatalities, and EMFs have a role in triggering such an event.
In his research, Dr. Martin Pall states: "I have focused in recent years on how stressors cause human disease, with special emphasis on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and also chemicals. Non-ionizing, low-intensity EMFs act primarily via activation of voltage-gate calcium channels (VGCCs) and to a lesser extent activation of other voltage-gated ion channels via forces on their voltage sensor."
Dr. Klinghardt explains that WiFi and radiowaves facilitate the entry of calcium into the cell, which then triggers a cytokine storm.
One article suggests that a "cytokine storm" may perhaps "explain deaths in younger patients. Statistics from China show some people in their 30s, 40s and 50s, who were not known to have had prior medical issues, have also died from the disease."
Because of this, Dr. Klinghardt emphasizes the importance of shielding and WiFi hygiene as an essential treatment of COVID-19.
Now that we know how EMFs impact immunity, and their possible influence on the coronavirus, let's shift our focus on 5G specifically.
Dr. Joel Moskowitz, a public health professor at the University of California, states that 5G cellular technology is "a massive experiment on the health of all species."
If you're wondering why, and haven't already heard about 5G and the potential dangers it possesses we strongly recommend you read our post, 5G Towers Near Me - Your Ultimate Guide To 5G and Finding 5G Towers Locations. We cover everything from how 5G works, the difference between 5G and 4G, current 5G coverage, dangers of 5G radiation and much more.
But to put it in a nutshell, as per an article in the Scientific American, 5G is a type of wireless radiation that “will employ millimeter waves for the first time in addition to microwaves that have been in use for older cellular technologies, 2G through 4G. Given limited reach, 5G will require cell antennas every 100 to 200 meters, exposing many people to millimeter wave radiation.”
It goes on to say that, “Millimeter waves are mostly absorbed within a few millimeters of human skin and in the surface layers of the cornea. Short-term exposure can have adverse physiological effects in the peripheral nervous system, the immune system and the cardiovascular system. The research suggests that long-term exposure may pose health risks to the skin (e.g., melanoma), the eyes (e.g., ocular melanoma) and the testes (e.g., sterility).”
Experts and scientists have been warning us about the risks of 5G for quite a few years now.
Over 240 doctors and scientists from 40+ countries worldwide have published peer-reviewed research on the adverse health effects of non-ionizing EMF, and have signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, which calls for stricter limits to 4G/5G RF exposure.
There are countless more evidence-based studies opposing 5G, literally lists of literature reviews, research papers and expert opinions, and an unending list of Appeals From Scientists on the frightening health risks of 5G that you can go through.
We already covered how electromagnetic radiation can potentially make toxins and microbes even more virulent and aggressive.
Is it possible then, that COVID-19 may have been born from 5G EMF radiation, transforming the RNA and creating a mutation leading to a more powerful super-bug?
A sort of weaponized virus that is easily spread and transmittable from person to person?
Professor Emeritus Martin Pall certainly thinks so.
In his most recent research, (that is worth reading in its entirety) he states that "the question that is being raised here is not whether 5G is responsible for the virus, but rather whether 5G radiation, acting via VGCC activation may be exacerbating the viral replication or the spread or lethality of the disease."
He cites a considerable number of different research studies to support his statements, and argues that "5G radiation is likely to greatly exacerbate the spread of the coronavirus and to greatly increase the lethality of the infections produced by it."
He concludes with a firm warning and grim outlook, saying that, "it is an atrocity of almost unbelievable proportions" that no proper tests have been done to validate 5G safety, and that based on what we know "5G presents threats of the sort that we have never seen before – multiple imminent existential threats to our survival."
In a recent document titled "Corona 2020," Dr. Klinghardt provides supporting evidence that 5G may be directly correlated to coronavirus deaths by stating that, 6 deaths occurred at the Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Washington, and that, "Kirkland has prided itself as being one of the first towns in the US wired for 5G."
He emphasized that "Evergreen hospital has according to our own measurements the highest levels of WiFi exposure ever measured in a hospital."
Besides practicing basic safety measures as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), such as social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, Drs. Pall and Klinghardt offer some helpful tips.
Dr. Pall suggests that those who live in areas that have no 5G radiation and can avoid EMFs when possible "will probably escape much of the impacts of this prospective global pandemic." In fact, he suggests that "one of the best things Wuhan can do to control the epidemic in the city is to turn off the 4G/5G system."
Dr. Klinghardt has seen several cases of recovery from COVID-19, by following a more integrative approach. Although he makes no claims in this video, he suggests the use of alternative therapies for both treatment and prevention of the virus.
He also highly recommends maintaining a low-EMF profile and not using WiFi and implementing EMF shielding to protect from electromagnetic radiation.
Or spend hours with your laptop perched on your lap? You might be surprised to know that both may be lowering your fertility.
Why? Because everything from your cell phone, laptop and wireless router to any wireless and Bluetooth devices you use emit what is known as EMF radiation.
EMF radiation is low-frequency energy emitted from any device that has a battery or is plugged into a socket. EMF stands for electromagnetic radiation and has both an 'electric' and a 'magnetic' field.
Many are highly sensitive to these constant EMF frequencies and feel unwell when engulfed by them.
But, to put it in a nutshell, EMF radiation, especially consistent long-term EMF exposure is known to cause many health problems, including adversely affecting reproductive organs and potentially causing infertility.
Around 14% of couples in high and middle-income countries have difficulty conceiving.
So, if you're concerned that carrying a phone in your pocket or radiation from your laptop may affect your ability to have children, then read on.
In this post, we'll discuss how EMF radiation affects fertility, why the research is concerning, and how anti-radiation underwear can provide the EMF protection you need.
Did you know that about 10% of all men in the United States who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, both "biological and environmental factors can impact male fertility."
One of these factors, according to the image below is "radiation."
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Harmful EMF radiation can alter the natural frequencies or "bioelectrical signals" of our body, damaging tissues, and cells. It can affect everything from our immunity, cognitive function, stress levels, sleep cycles, fertility, and even our very DNA.
Non-ionizing EMF exposure, which covers everything from radio waves and microwaves to visible light and infrared (you can read all about it here), does not have enough energy to break molecular bonds, but even with low energy, at certain frequencies, thermal or heat energy can cause damage to tissues and cells.
The bottom of your laptop can emit radiation as high as a whopping 100 milliGauss (compare this with power lines that emit in the range of 10-70 milliGauss and are still linked to childhood leukemia). Also, the older your laptop, the more EMFs it can generate.
One study that documented the harmful effects of laptop-induced currents on pregnant women and the fetus in the womb suggested that laptop computers or LTCs should be "renamed to not induce customers towards an improper use."
Watch this video below to learn more about the dangers of laptop radiation and how it affects your body's biology. Pay specific attention to EMF measurements taken from a laptop that is constantly plugged in and charging, to when it is not connected to a charger.
There's also research that documents the effects of laptop computers connected wirelessly to (Wi-Fi) on human sperm from healthy donors.
The study showed that sperm samples exposed for 4 hours to a laptop connected to WiFi "showed a significant decrease in progressive sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation."
The study emphasized that "keeping a laptop connected wirelessly to the internet on the lap near the testes may result in decreased male fertility."
With infertility rates rising, placing a laptop on your lap, close to your reproductive organs while working, is highly risky. The FCC recommends maintaining a distance of at least 20 cm between you and your laptop.
However, one study finds that "this 20 cm rule contradicts the “normal operating position” regulation in the description “a separation distance of at least 20 cm is normally maintained.” Indeed, “laptop” computer directly implies that it is to be placed on a lap which is not 20 cm distant from the user."
To learn more, read our blog post: Do Wireless Routers Give Off Radiation?
If you tend to work with your laptop on your lap, Faraday Fabric is a worthwhile investment. It can block over 99% of damaging EMFs emitted from the bottom of your laptop and also reduce thermal heat to your privates.
A study in Hong Kong unveiled that exposure to WiFi actually "lowers fertility rates" and kills sperm. Conducted in Japan, on 51 men, the "study showed that prolonged exposure to the waves from Wi-Fi devices lowered male fertility."
Sperm samples were split into 3 groups - samples that had no exposure to EMF from a Wi-Fi router, samples that were protected by a small shield that intercepted the waves, and samples that were fully exposed to Wi-Fi.
The samples were "placed near a pocket Wi-Fi router, in the way that a mobile phone would be carried in a man's trousers."
What's important to note is that in a time frame of 30-60 minutes, there wasn't much difference in sperm motility (motion) rate.
However, when the time frame was increased to 2 hours to 24 hours, "the study found that the longer the exposure, the lower the sperm motility rate and the higher the death rate."
This study is an important one as it throws light on low fertility rates but also foresees the potential negative impact WiFi can have on the rest of the body with long-term exposure.
Another study supports the above research stating that "Wi-Fi Radiofrequency radiation" within a connected laptop may decrease sperm quality when placed and used on the lap.
Do you constantly keep your cell phone in your pocket for hours on end?
A study coming out of the UK found that "men who keep a mobile phone in their trouser pocket could be inadvertently damaging their chances of becoming a father."
Conducted using 1,492 sperm samples, the study measured sperm "motility (the ability of sperm to move properly towards an egg), viability (the proportion of sperm that were alive) and concentration (the number of sperm per unit of semen)."
Researchers discovered that in sperm that have a normal movement of 50-85% fell by an average of "8 percentage points when there was exposure to mobile phones." Similar effects were also seen for sperm viability.
The lead researcher, Dr. Fiona Mathews, of Biosciences at the University of Exeter stated that "This study strongly suggests that being exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from carrying mobiles in trouser pockets negatively affects sperm quality," and that it could have even more implications for men who are "already on the borderline of infertility."
Now, you might be thinking, what about SAR ratings? If you think your phone falls under supposedly acceptable SAR values, think again.
SAR or Specific Absorption Rate is a measurement of the "rate at which energy is absorbed by the human body when exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field."
A 2015 study showed that even at lower radiation levels, cell phone signals accelerated faster tumor growth in mice, disputing the fact that SAR should not be the only form of measurement to determine low-EMF damage.
The research emphasized that "tumor-promoting effects in our study were seen at low to moderate exposure levels (0.04 and 0.4 W/kg SAR), thus well below exposure limits for the users of mobile phones."
This is far below regulated safety standards in countries worldwide, and many times less than the USA's maximum SAR rating of 1.60 W/Kg, making certain phones like the iPhone 7 (1.38 SAR), OnePlus 6T (1.55 SAR) and Google Pixel3 XL (1.39 SAR), way above the numbers reported in the study.
So now we know that it's not just the thermal aspect of EMF radiation that causes biological harm, but also the frequencies themselves. So, just because your phone meets SAR requirements does not mean it's okay to keep it inches away from your privates.
Now, a lot of times you'll read about not holding up a cell phone to your head while talking, and to use speakerphone instead, as doing that emits a significant amount of EMFs going to your brain.
And, there's truth in that. A groundbreaking study demonstrated that just 50 minutes of holding a wirelessly connected cell phone next to the head (and brain) increases the rate of glucose metabolism and alters the brain's electrical activity, potentially leading to inflammation and disease.
And while that is disturbing in itself, what's important to note in this study is that even at low levels, EMFs can affect the body's biochemistry.
So, you've got to remember that when you use Bluetooth headphones, you might think you're protecting your brain, but if you have your cell phone placed in your trouser pocket for hours — you're affecting your reproductive organs without realizing it.
There's also an entire article we've done on the dangers of Bluetooth radiation and wireless headphones that you might want to read.
Below, we'll take a detailed look at some of the other research that shows a clear link between EMF radiation and infertility.
There's good reason to never tuck your mobile phone in your pocket or bra. Studies have shown that "long–term semen exposure in the area of mobile phone RF–EMR leads to a significant decrease in the number of sperm," and that men should "avoid holding a mobile phone in a trouser pocket for long periods of time."
This has even been supported by some government agencies recently, with the California Department of Public Health recommending that phones should not be carried in a pocket, and that "radiofrequency (RF) signals from phones may be linked to certain types of cancer, lower sperm count, memory problems and loss of sleep."
Apart from the mounting evidence on the harmful effects of EMFs on so many different levels, including radiation from a host of different devices as seen above, below are some research studies that specifically highlight the link between electromagnetic (EM) radiation and their negative effects on fertility:
361 men who were undergoing evaluation for infertility were divided into 4 groups (A, B, C, and D) based on their cell phone use.
The study concluded that "use of cell phones decrease the semen quality in men by decreasing the sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology. The decrease in sperm parameters was dependent on the duration of daily exposure to cell phones and independent of the initial semen quality."
The study emphasized that "in all four cell phone user groups as the duration of daily exposure to cell phones increased," sperm parameters such as "mean sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology" decreased.
Samples taken from healthy donors as well as infertile patients were evaluated after being exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones.
The samples exposed to RF-EMW showed a considerable decrease in sperm motility and viability, an increase in ROS (reactive oxygen species ) level, and a decrease in ROS-TAC (total antioxidant capacity) score.
The study concluded that "radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones may lead to oxidative stress in human semen. We speculate that keeping the cell phone in a trouser pocket in talk mode may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility."
Sperm samples from 32 healthy men were divided into groups A and B.
In Group B, "the number of non–progressive movement spermatozoa was significantly higher in the group, which was influenced by cell phone radiation. The DNA fragmentation was also significantly higher in this group."
The study concluded that "a correlation exists between mobile phone radiation exposure, DNA–fragmentation level and decreased sperm motility."
Research coming out of Turkey shows that long-term mobile phone exposure can decrease sperm motility and fertilization, and increase oxidative stress.
The study stated that "EMF-induced alterations" can "lead to the formation of free radicals, protein misfolding and DNA damage."
It concluded that "EMF emitted by mobile phones has a number of well-documented adverse metabolomic effects on the male and female reproductive systems and can lead to infertility by increasing ROS production and reducing GSH and other antioxidants."
Semen quality and oxidative stress were measured in 3 groups of men after being exposed to electromagnetic radiation from an 1800-MHz 4G smartphone network and 2.45-GHz Wi-Fi.
The exposure levels were as follows:
The results showed that "with extended exposure time, reactive oxygen increased," while "antioxidant capacity" along with "sperm count, vitality, and motility decreased significantly."
The study concluded that "electromagnetic radiation may induce oxidative stress, damage sperm nuclear DNA, and eventually reduce sperm quality; these factors negatively affect male fertility."
This article is an amalgamation and a review of a mountain of research "focusing on radiation deriving from cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, as these are the most common sources of non-ionizing radiations, which may contribute to the cause of infertility by exploring the effect of exposure to radiofrequency radiations on the male fertility pattern."
The review reveals that "exposure to cell phones, microwave ovens, laptops, or Wi-Fi produces deleterious effects on the testes, which may affect sperm count, morphology, motility, an increased DNA damage, causing micronuclei formation and genomic instability, as well as disruptions in protein kinases, hormones and antioxidative enzymes. Such effects were found to be responsible for infertility due to an over-production of ROS in exposed cells."
All of this research linking EMF radiation to fertility is very very scary. The review we mentioned above also addresses this stating that "very limited research is available on protective measures, which worsens the problem as the electro-smog pollution is constantly increasing and one could then expect even more health problems including increased rates of male infertility due to such kind of radiation."
It's also especially concerning since over the last 4 decades sperm counts across the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe have declined by more than 50%. This means that the men today are producing "half the sperm" that their grandfathers did and are "half as fertile."
EMF radiation is responsible for a whole lot of other issues and health concerns, which all have their research-backed data.
If you're new to EMF radiation or want to learn more about the dangers of EMF exposure, we suggest you read some of the other eye-opening posts on this site to see why EMF radiation is currently all the rage.
Many factors play a role in male fertility, including hormonal issues, overall lifestyle, dietary habits, exercise, weight, age, drugs, smoking, alcohol use and more.
Environmental pollutants such as pesticides and chemicals, processed foods, GMO foods and even over the counter or prescription drugs may adversely impact sperm production. If you're looking to improve your fertility naturally these are all areas you should pay close attention to.
But, don't forget EMFs. Based on all of the research above, there seems to be a significantly strong correlation between cell phone use and a decrease in sperm motility and morphology that you should be concerned about.
So, what can you do about it? We've got a solution below.
On the move and constantly need to stay connected? It's hard not to keep your phone in your pocket. But remember, your phone sits in your pocket...sometimes for hours perhaps, just a few inches from your precious privates.
Also...how many times have you propped a laptop on your lap to wrap up some last-minute work or watch a late-night movie? That's literally thermal heat and radiation roasting your...
Need we say more?
And, based on the research here, even if you're NOT doing any of the above, even frequencies emitted by your WiFi router may be detrimental to your sperm count.
Why take that chance?
With anti-radiation underwear, you can shield and protect your reproductive organs from close to 99% of harmful electromagnetic radiation, and all you need to do is simply slip on a pair, or you can use faraday fabric instead as well - see how here.
Although the name might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, well-designed anti-radiation underwear looks and feels just like regular underwear.
It's just underwear made from a special breathable material (that works similar to faraday fabric) that blocks EMF radiation.
You can think of it as a Faraday Cage for your personal parts. And oh, if you're worried about not being able to get through airport security, don't worry, that won't happen.
Most anti-radiation underwear is a blend of silver mesh (thin strands of silver, or sometimes copper or aluminum) woven into soft cotton, cotton-polyester, flannel, or the type of material blend used by the manufacturer.
How it works is that the material blocks or rather "attenuates" the radiation emitted from devices such as the smartphone in your pocket, the WiFi in your home and office, and the smart meter outside your bedroom window.
To better understand how EMF protection underwear, and for that matter any type of anti-radiation or EMF shielding clothing works, we need to understand attenuation.
Generally speaking, attenuation is the reduction or loss of intensity or energy and is measured in decibels (dB).
Here are a few general examples to help you understand attenuation in action:
Get the idea?
Now, when it comes to measuring shielding effectiveness, for example, from the material used to make anti-radiation underwear, "the effectiveness of a shielding material is how much the radiation is reduced while passing through the material compared to when there is unrestricted passage. This is called attenuation. The result is given in decibels," as seen below:
So, if you’re looking to buy EMF clothing or a pair of EMF protection boxers on the net, and they mention the protection level to be let's say 20 dB, you can then presume that it blocks out 99% of EMF radiation. Anything let's say over 10 dB but under 20 dB will block anywhere between 90%-99% of radiation.
Another key point to note is that no EMF protection underwear or clothing will promise 100% shielding. This is because with any type of attenuation, whether you take the sunlight coming through your sunglasses, or the windows blocking the traffic noise from the outside — some of the sun and the noise is bound to get in.
So although it would not be correct to say that anti-radiation underwear lets no radiation in, it would also be incorrect to say that it does nothing at all. And anything over 99% is better than 0%.
So, when shopping for anti-radiation underwear the higher the decibels (dB) rating mentioned the better — that way you know that you are getting the best possible protection.
Now, a lot of people may have the question — does EMF protection underwear protect from 5G frequencies and signals?
Although mmWave technology is the "vision" for 5G in the next few years, it will take an immense amount of resources to build the millimeter wave-based small cell infrastructure that 5G demands. Most mobile carriers are not equipped for that just yet, so currently 5G runs on low-band and mid-band RF connections with RF frequencies from 200 MHz to 8 GHz, which covers most of the current live 5G roll-outs from most carriers.
To learn more, read our comprehensive post on: How to Protect Yourself from 5G Radiation (With 20+ Action Steps and Tools)
Most anti-radiation underwear today will protect at these frequency levels, but more testing will need to be done to determine shielding effectiveness for higher frequency ranges.
However, according to recent statistics "of all infertility cases, approximately 40–50% is due to “male factor” infertility" and can be attributed to factors such as "low sperm concentration, poor sperm motility, or abnormal morphology."
So, what this means is that around 50% of the time, problems with male fertility is the cause for a couple failing to conceive.
And, this fact is supported by global statistics...
Male infertility is on the rise, and the rates are quite alarming.
Source: Stratfor
Over the last 40 years, sperm counts across developed parts of the world such as the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe have declined by more than 50%.
What this means is that men today are producing "half the sperm" that their grandfathers did and are "half as fertile."
An article in The New York Times suggested that "male health in the modern world is at risk, possibly threatening fertility," as sperm counts in first-world nations dropped a whopping 59.3% from 1973 to 2011.
Researchers attribute hormonal issues, poor lifestyle, dietary habits, exercise, weight, age, drugs, smoking, alcohol use, including environmental pollutants such as pesticides and chemicals such as phthalates found in shampoos, processed foods, GMO foods, and even over the counter or prescription drugs as possible causes of male infertility.
But with 20% of infertility cases having "no identifiably known cause" you might want to think twice before you carry your smartphone in your pocket or put your laptop on your lap.
Recent research shows that EMFs or electromagnetic fields emitted by all types of electrical devices (including your cell phone and your laptop) emit low-frequency energy waves that can damage cellular processes in the body and cause many health problems, including adversely affecting reproductive organs and potentially causing male infertility.
With male infertility rates rising rapidly and sperm counts projected to fall "by an average of 1.4% a year," EMF exposure due to the enormous influx of technology all around us, simply cannot be ruled out.
In this post, we'll explore what EMFs are, how EMF radiation affects male fertility, and cover 10 EMF protection tips to best protect yourself (and your privates):
Although we've covered everything you'd ever want to know about EMFs in this in-depth article, What is EMF Radiation?, to put it simply, EMFs are electromagnetic frequencies that emit both "electric" and "magnetic" energy.
EMFs come in a range of different frequencies ranging from low-frequency radiation (long wavelengths such as those of power lines) to high-frequency radiation (short wavelengths such as those of x-rays).
When it comes to EMFs and male fertility, what we'll be focusing on are frequencies known as non-ionizing frequencies, meaning they are not strong enough to break through molecular bonds (such as X-ray radiation and gamma rays) but can over a long period and with continued exposure, be extremely detrimental to your health.
Part of the non-ionizing spectrum is the RF (radio frequency) spectrum which are waves radiated by any wireless device that has an antenna.
They also include microwave radiation responsible for any type of cellular transmission and a host of applications you may be accustomed to using daily such as GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, your cordless phone, and microwave oven, and Bluetooth.
Due to the explosion of electrical devices, we are much more exposed to this type of low-frequency radiation today than ever before.
And, that begs the question...can an influx of EMFs be correlated to plummeting male fertility rates worldwide?
Research has shown that everything emits an electrical current. Its been scientifically proven that even the human body has its very own electromagnetic field with chemical processes in the body being triggered by electrical impulses.
Nerve impulses are conducted via electrical currents, and that is why with the largest electromagnetic field in the body, the heart's electrical field is measured using an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Artificial or harmful electrical waves, such as those emitted from smartphones, laptops and other electrical devices are different from your body's natural EMFs and can alter the natural frequencies or "bioelectrical signals" of the body.
Source: Pemf.Energy
This can lead to the damaging of tissues and cells, leading to health problems, unbalance and disease. There is now little doubt that EMFs affect everything from our immunity and stress levels, to sleep cycles, fertility, and even our very DNA.
Apart from various physical, hormonal and environmental issues already contributing to declining fertility levels, one major culprit that cannot be ruled out is EMF radiation.
Studies have shown that "long–term semen exposure in the area of mobile phone RF–EMR leads to a significant decrease in the number of sperm," and that men should "avoid holding a mobile phone in a trouser pocket for long periods of time."
Men are especially vulnerable to EMF exposure as their reproductive organs are on the surface of the body, unlike female reproductive organs which are better protected by layers of tissue.
Below, we'll look at research that shows that electromagnetic radiation not only adversely affects sperm count, but also sperm motility (movement), morphology (formation) and viability (survival rate).
A study of 361 men who were undergoing evaluation for infertility showed that "the decrease in sperm parameters was dependent on the duration of daily exposure to cell phones."
So, the longer the exposure the more the damage. Participants were divided into 4 groups (A, B, C, and D) based on their cell phone use.
The study concluded that "in all four cell phone user groups as the duration of daily exposure to cell phones increased," sperm parameters such as "mean sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology" decreased.
This study clearly shows that prolonged exposure to EMF frequencies, especially by keeping a cell phone in your trouser pocket for long hours (close to your privates) may affect your fertility in the long-term.
Did you know your laptop can emit radiation as high as 100 milliGauss? That's as high as power lines which emit in the range of 10-70 milliGauss.
One study showed that sperm samples from healthy donors exposed for 4 hours to a laptop connected to WiFi "showed a significant decrease in progressive sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation."
The study concluded that "keeping a laptop connected wirelessly to the internet on the lap near the testes may result in decreased male fertility."
Decreased motility could hamper the sperm's ability to swim to the egg, and DNA fragmentation may cause birth defects and may even result in miscarriage.
This study shows that using a laptop connected to Wi-Fi especially on one's lap is detrimental to fertility and can affect sperm from impregnating an egg.
A Japanese study showed the effects of prolonged exposure to waves from Wi-Fi devices on 3 sample groups:
Samples 2 and 3 were "placed near a pocket Wi-Fi router, in the way that a mobile phone would be carried in a man's trousers."
As exposure time increased from 30-60 minutes to 2 hours to 24 hours, "the study found that the longer the exposure, the lower the sperm motility rate and the higher the death rate."
This study again emphasizes that the longer the direct exposure to waves from Wi-Fi devices, the more the damage, and that keeping a smartphone anywhere near your personal parts may negatively impact your fertility.
Harmful byproducts of oxygen metabolism, free radicals, cause "oxidative stress" or significant damage to the cells and tissues in the body.
Oxidative stress not only damages cells and tissues, but also proteins, and DNA leading to early aging and is linked with serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, brain disorders and can even impact fertility.
A study showed that Male Wistar rats that were exposed to radio waves from an active GSM (0.9/1.8 GHz) connected mobile phone for 1 hour a day only for 28 days, "exhibited a significantly reduced percentage of motile sperm."
The "RF-EMR exposure resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and low GSH content in the testis and epididymis."
This study shows that even low-frequency RF cell phone exposure at just 1 hour a day in less than a month can adversely affect semen quality, cause oxidative stress, and impair male fertility.
Titled Radiations and male fertility, this review is an amalgamation of a mountain of research "focusing on radiation deriving from cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, as these are the most common sources of non-ionizing radiations," and the effect they have on male fertility.
The review focuses on the history and sources of microwaves, and the effects of RF-EMF exposure on sperm count, motility, morphology, sperm cell cycle and apoptosis (death).
It also focuses on how RF-EMF exposure affects hormonal changes and can cause chromosomal and DNA damage, as well as induce oxidative stress and affect the reproductive endocrine system.
The review reveals that "exposure to cell phones, microwave ovens, laptops, or Wi-Fi produces deleterious effects on the testes, which may affect sperm count, morphology, motility, an increased DNA damage, causing micronuclei formation and genomic instability, as well as disruptions in protein kinases, hormones and antioxidative enzymes. Such effects were found to be responsible for infertility due to an over-production of ROS in exposed cells."
So what key takeaways can you conclude from the research above?
Below are a few we identified that are worth noting (and are downright scary)...
If this isn't scary enough...sperm count and quality can also be an indicator of your overall health.
As per this Harvard article, Danish research suggests that "semen quality" can be a great predictor of men's overall health. Semen analysis performed on over 50,000+ men revealed that as sperm count increased, mortality (death) rate decreased, and "men with the highest sperm counts enjoyed a mortality rate 43% lower than the men with the lowest counts."
What's important to take away from the above article is that EMF radiation does NOT only affect your fertility but affects your overall health and well-being.
Next, we'll cover EMF protection tips to help you best protect yourself.
Since this post is about how EMF radiation affects male fertility, we're going to focus on tips specific to that.
However, we highly recommend you check out some of the other articles on EMF Protector to fully understand the dangers of EMF radiation, and what you can do to best protect yourself.
At the very least, we encourage you to read the posts below:
Now, let's move on to EMF protection tips for male fertility, most of which you can implement right away,
If you've read up to this point, you know how damaging EMF radiation from your phone can be to your privates — especially in the long-term with prolonged exposure.
A study coming out of the UK found that "men who keep a mobile phone in their trouser pocket could be inadvertently damaging their chances of becoming a father."
So if you currently keep your cell phone in your pocket (whether you're using it for storage or while using a hands-free device) consider carrying it elsewhere, like in your backpack, office briefcase or your car when on the move. When at work or home, simply put your phone on the desk and not on you.
Now, you may think that if your phone falls under so-called "acceptable" SAR ratings, then it should be okay to carry on you, right?
Not really...the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of a phone is the measurement of the "rate at which energy is absorbed by the human body when exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field."
Studies have shown that even at low EMF levels (0.04 and 0.4 W/kg SAR), which are far below standard SAR exposure limits, "tumor-promoting effects" were seen in mice.
Standard phone SAR levels are way above this with phones like the iPhone 7 at 1.38 SAR, and the OnePlus 6T at 1.55 SAR.
Also, it is suggested that SAR limits are often exceeded by the way the phone is used today, and lab and field tests have shown that "SAR-limits can be exceeded even six fold" when these three conditions occur together:
a) the mobile phone is in a close proximity to the body (e.g. phone is in a pocket)
b) the mobile phone sends a data package (uplink), taking place always in the end of receiving data
c) the network connection is weak causing higher transmit power
So, even if your phone seemingly falls under SAR guidelines, it's NEVER safe to carry it in your pocket or anywhere on your body.
If you absolutely must carry your phone in your pocket, put it on airplane mode.
Putting it on airplane mode means that your phone won't connect to a nearby cell tower. It is also best to turn off WiFi, Bluetooth & Location Services as these can still be emitting even with your phone on airplane mode in your pocket.
Also, even if you are not carrying your phone in your pocket, putting your phone on airplane mode when you don't use your phone, and especially at night when you're sleeping, is a great way to reduce overall EMF exposure.
It's also a handy way to get more work done without distractions!
When you can manage it, it's much better to talk on speakerphone than using Bluetooth, for more reasons than one.
First, Bluetooth uses RF signals that run on a 2.4GHz frequency to send and receive data. This is the same band used by your microwave oven and cordless phone and can have damaging effects biologically on your semen, neurologically, and also affect your very DNA.
Second, when you use a Bluetooth headset, it's more than likely that since you're going "hands-free" you'll be carrying your phone in your pocket.
So while you may think you're protecting your brain from EMF radiation, you leave your reproductive organs unprotected.
So you might hold up your phone to your hip while texting or browsing, but it's better to keep your phone away from the general area of your hip as it's a bit too close for comfort to your precious parts.
Especially when you're riding the bus or subway, a few minutes can turn into hours of browsing.
So be mindful...and perhaps read a book, instead?
To make sure your privates are protected in the best possible way from damaging EMFs, and if you're finding it hard to not carry your phone your pocket — you need to invest in some premium protection.
Anti-radiation underwear is made from a blend of silver strands woven into soft cotton, or similar material, and blocks close to 99% of EMF radiation, whether it is from your phone, laptop or Wi-Fi.
A well-designed pair looks and feels just like regular underwear — except it keeps out or "attenuates" all of the unwanted frequencies that you want nowhere near your personal parts.
Do NOT use a laptop on your lap. In the research above you already saw how bad it can be both in terms of thermal (heat) from the fan and EMF radiation from the power supply and electronics. Plus, once you connect your laptop to Wi-Fi, it gets even worse as you're exposed to RF waves.
Although the FCC recommends maintaining a distance of at least 20 cm between you and your laptop, one study finds that using a laptop "directly implies that it is to be placed on a lap which is not 20 cm distant from the user."
Also, you should try to not use your laptop when connected to an electrical outlet as there is a lot more EMF emitted when it's plugged in and charging. We tested this, and you can see it here.
So, to recap...do not use your laptop on your lap, however, if there are times where you do tend to use it that way, we highly recommend using Atmosure's RF blocking fabric to protect yourself.
Yes, that's right...using more "smart" devices simply means more EMF exposure that will not only harm your fertility but also affect your health in other ways such as causing sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, stunted fetus development and more.
All smart devices have wireless antennas that are constantly pulsing UHF (Ultra High Frequency) microwave radiation.
So, if you're thinking of upgrading to the latest "smart" TV, refrigerator, washing machine or smart car, you might want to give it a second thought.
You may not know which areas of your home or which appliances give out the highest electric and magnetic field readings, but an EMF meter removes the guesswork, and helps you locate areas in your home where you might need to make changes.
For example, you may discover an area of your bedroom has unusually high readings, only to discover there is a smart meter on the opposite wall. Or you may realize that your Wi-Fi router has a lot of spikes in readings, and may decide to switch to a low-EMF Wi-Fi router.
Whatever the case an EMF meter will push you to make necessary changes to keep you, your swimmers, and your family more protected. We recommend using the Acoustimeter AM-10 RF Meter Model, which can measure RF frequencies from 200 Mhz to 8 GHz.
Minimizing EMF radiation by following some common-sense rules will help you stay better protected. A good rule of thumb to always remember is that the "strength of a magnetic field decreases dramatically with increasing distance from the source."
So, the further you are from your cell phone and laptop, or other electrical devices the better. This means keeping your Wi-Fi router away from your bedroom, not using a digital alarm clock, hard-wiring your internet, not using a baby monitor or cordless phone, and using an anti-radiation air-tube headset.
Discover many more tips you can incorporate starting today by reading this post.
You might consider detoxing. Whether you're detoxing from bad foods, toxins, or even damaging relationships, it can leave you feeling deeply revived.
Detoxing from technology has also become more and more popular. Due to an unhealthy, almost addictive attachment to technology, a technology detox is a concept that's becoming fairly common, with many people choosing to travel unplugged — leaving their phones and tech gadgets at home, to truly get the most out of their vacation.
But that's just the beginning. There are a lot of people, including experts, who believe that our dependence on tech is not only harmful due to our obsession with the Internet and social media, but because of the EMF or electromagnetic radiation coming from all of the devices and technology around us.
There are countless research studies documenting the harmful effects of EMF radiation, low-frequency energy that we can't see, emitted from any device that has a battery or is plugged into a socket. If the device is also wirelessly connected to a cell tower or another device (such as a WiFi router), it emits a higher-frequency EMF known as Radio Frequencies (RF).
There are many who are highly sensitive to these frequencies, and actually feel unwell when engulfed by them. There are others who simply want to live a quiet life, away from all of the technological noise we are bombarded by each day.
No matter where you fit in, in this post you'll discover EMF free zones where you can choose to live a completely EMF-free lifestyle, and WiFi free zones across America and around the world where you can go to unplug for a few days or even a few hours.
Can you imagine going about your day to day life without a cell phone or Wifi?
For people who live in EMF free zones, that is a reality. And by that we mean, no checking Instagram, no selfies, no WhatsApp forwards, no Google maps and no SMS texting.
Why would people care for such a lifestyle, you may ask?
Well, the possible harmful effects of EMF radiation has resulted in people suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and even multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) to look for EMF free zones to protect from EMF exposure.
These areas are also commonly known as Radio-Quiet Zones, EMF Quiet Zones or White Zones which is basically the color on the map for areas that have no cellular reception and mobile phone coverage.
White zones are basically a safe-haven for people looking for EMF protection from EMFs such as radio waves, microwave radiation and wireless technology.
Residing in these zones are EMF-free communities that live in EMF safe housing and are exposed to almost none, or zero percent, "electrosmog". Electrosmog is basically EMF pollution, or EMF frequencies lingering in the air that can have adverse effects.
As people around the world are becoming more and more aware of the dangers of EMF radiation and as the number of people with electrosensitivity is increasing, EMF Quiet Zones are springing up in the USA and in areas around the world.
Before we jump into EMF Free Zones, let's take a deeper look at electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) — and does it really exist?
While EMF Free Zones, like Green Bank in West Virginia, aim to measure radio frequencies in the universe, the EMF silence in the area has attracted interest from another group of people. These people aren't interested in finding activity in space, rather they want to find an endurable way of living right here on this planet.
Sufferers of what is known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), have been taking refuge in EMF free zones, to escape from the very technology that is an integral part of our lives.
So, what exactly is EHS? As defined by the World Health Organization, EHS is "a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields (EMFs)".
Certain countries are also paying attention. For example, in Sweden, EHS is classified as a "functional impairment," and in two separate court rulings in France and Australia, disability benefits have been awarded to EHS sufferers. On the contrary, no such steps have been taken in US courts.
Diagnosing EHS is no doubt difficult, and the symptoms can present as sleep issues, headaches, rashes, fatigue and aches, and pains. Some might start feeling unwell by being in the presence of a WiFi router that's constantly spiking and emitting signals to make a connection, and some may be set off just by driving past a cell phone tower.
Source: Dr. Jay Davidson
Whatever the reason for feeling unwell, one thing is certain — for those who suffer from EHS, the symptoms are very, very real. Why else would someone want to live a completely disconnected life away from all of the conveniences technology brings?
If you really think about it, we can all relate on some level. Remember the last time you took a quiet walk in the woods, strolled on a beach, or were away from the fast-paced life of the city. Being in a natural environment makes us all feel good, and instills a renewed sense of well-being.
Perhaps EMFs play a part in this, that we don't fully comprehend yet?
You may think that developing a sensitivity to EMF is a bit implausible, however, there is mounting evidence to show the adverse health effects of electromagnetic radiation, ranging all the way from sleep issues and infertility to brain tumors.
EMF exposure has shown to alter the natural "bioelectrical signals" of the human body and damage healthy tissues and cells causing health issues, imbalances, and disease, penetrating all the way down to our very DNA.
Source: Pemf.Energy
Non-ionizing EMF exposure, the type that is emitted from cell phones, mobile towers, 5G and electrical devices around us, although not high-frequency as that of x-rays or gamma rays, has shown to increase cancer risk, even at "intensities that are too low to cause tissue heating."
And, many of these EMF effects can create noticeable symptoms of feeling unwell, as those experienced by EHS sufferers, but also by those presenting cognitive issues, sleep disturbances and more.
No wonder there are people who choose to escape being constantly bombarded by EMF signals and opt for an EMF-free lifestyle. Living in or even visiting an EMF Free Zone allows the body to detox from the damaging effects of EMF radiation.
So, if you think you may have EHS...should you move to an EMF-safe zone?
Let's face it...relocation takes commitment in time, money, resources and being both mentally and physically prepared.
If you think you may have EHS, before making the investment to relocate, take a vacation to a place with very low-EMFs. Turn off your cell phone and do not switch it on to check email or social media updates. Don't use any other electronic devices. Monitor your diet, water intake, supplements, and your daily sleep cycle. Maintain the same routine every day as best as you can.
If you feel considerably better, rating how you feel to a 4 for example, on a scale of 1 to 5, then your self-diagnosis of electromagnetic hypersensitivity may probably be right, and you may consider this as a viable lifestyle option.
Next, let's take a look at EMF Free Zones in America and around the world.
Before we begin...
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the places listed are still being built or may not be open. Others may be partially EMF-free. This list is a starting point for you in your search for an EMF-free sanctuary.
Truth be told, most people with EHS are finding that safe havens are hard to come by and most may not be ready or willing to take them. Sometimes, it is really about finding and creating a safe haven for yourself. Please contact the people on the website links mentioned in the sections below for details about availability.
The Green Bank Telescope is a true marvel. Located in Green Bank, West Virginia, this gargantuan fully steerable telescope boasts the diameter of three football fields and stands taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Created by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), the telescope can capture and study even the slightest radio frequencies in the universe.
Watch this detailed video below to learn more about the Green Bank Radio Telescope:
And, in order to not have any interference in the readings, the United States National Radio Quiet Zone has been formed, which is a 13,000 square mile area with restricted EMF radiation.
For residents that live around 20 miles of the telescope, the strictest policies are in place, where people aren't allowed to have a mobile phone or wireless internet.
Due to the sensitive nature of the Green Bank Telescope, "most types of electromagnetic radiation on the radio spectrum (which includes radio and TV broadcasts, Wi-Fi networks, cell signals, Bluetooth, and the signals used by virtually every other wireless device) are banned to minimize disturbance around the National Radio Astronomy Observatory."
Source: Wikipedia
For about 150 residents, this restriction of radio frequencies and wireless technologies has made it a safe haven for those suffering from electrosensitivity, such as Diane Schous, who "finally started to feel better" after she visited the Radio Quiet Zone, and has now made it her permanent home.
Also check out Green Bank EMF-Safe Rentals, a site we found where the owners own 5.5 acres of land which is dedicated to rental sites recently finished in 2019. They offer several rental options and claim that their "land provides the ultimate best protection you can get here. We live within the 2 mile radius [around the actual telescope is the ONLY REAL AND TRULY SAFE AREA]. This you will come to find, is the best and the almost impossible and hardest to obtain."
Although the Green Bank Telescope exists to catch radio signals from the galaxy and requires the area around it to be EMF-free, there are other EMF free zones across America and around the world, that exist simply because people are looking for an EMF-free sanctuary.
Situated in the Utah Colorado Borderlands, The Tabauche Refugium, Smart Shelter Network is an ideal safe-haven for sufferers of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), which is an increased sensitivity to chemicals encountered in day to day life such as detergent, perfume and cleaning products.
Source: Electroplague.com
Founded by Gary Duncan over 20 years ago, the Smart Shelter Network was a way for him to retreat to nature after being diagnosed with MCS, triggered by years of formaldehyde exposure. Later he also discovered that he was "living and sleeping in an alarmingly high electrical field — one that was many times higher than even the “extreme concern” level of fifty volts per meter, as set forth in building biology guidelines."
To make sure he and others with similar problems had a place to take refuge in, Gary founded the Smart Shelter Network and also the Land Steward Program.
The land steward program is basically a volunteer program where people watch over the area that makes up the Tabeguache Corridor — a triangle of land spanning 10,000 square miles bordered by Aspen and Telluride in Colorado, and Moab in Utah. The volunteers manage and protect this land with no cost to the government and landowners, and in exchange, are able to restructure their health and live away from toxic electro-pollution.
This embodies Gary's philosophy who believes that "if the land can heal those with environmental illness, then those with E.I. should also heal the land."
Gary himself lives in a retrofitted Nomad trailer that is completely off the grid. He makes a weekly trip to Moab for food, gas, propane and a quick connection to the net.
The Tabeguache Corridor community also offers employment opportunities for people living there such as land stewardship jobs and also the chance for residents to purchase their own land.
Built to be electrosmog free, The Quiet Dome is intentionally built to provide EHS sufferers and those who want to get away from technology, a place to detox and recover. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains on eleven acres of land, with no cell phone towers within 2 miles, the dome has no WiFi (only wired internet), clean power, no CFL lighting (it uses low-voltage lighting) and no smart appliances — which are all some of the worst perpetrators of EMF.
Source: The Quiet Dome
Carefully constructed with a concrete shell, the dome was designed to be toxin-free and EMF-free, and also boasts to be earthquake and tsunami resistant.
And, even though the dome is surrounded by forest, it is just 12 minutes away from the closest town.
One case study posted on the Quiet Dome's site talks about Donna who has headaches, nausea, tinnitus, palpitations and more, and stated that "I always feel better when I get away from electrosmog."
Although the dome is not meant to be a place for permanently relocating, but rather a rented space that can provide a short detox from being bombarded by EMFs, it can be helpful for those looking for some respite away from modern technology.
And for now, it seems to be the only rentable vacation home in the world that is "fireproof, earthquake proof, self heated and cooled, toxic free, electromagnetically quiet, and surrounded by a mature forest with a 12 month stream."
Contact the owner directly for details about availability.
Dating back to 1988, one of the older EHS/MCS communities in the US is the Snowflake community in Arizona, which has been a safe-haven for a few dozen people who are electrohypersensitive or have chemical sensitivities. The community is also commonly known as the Environmental Illness (EI) community.
Source: The EI Wellspring
The EMF-free area is mainly rural land with each house zoned at an area of 20 acres, ensuring that there is no electrosmog seeping in from the neighbors. There is also a 4-unit housing development funded by the state of Arizona and run by an NGO, designed for low-income individuals with MCS, which can be rented out.
The EI community is around 8 miles from the nearest town of Snowflake, and the nearest cell tower is around 5 miles away.
Watch this video below to see what it is to like to live in the Snowflake EHS/MCS community:
The housing in the EI community is also built with non-toxic materials such as no additive concrete and includes homes like the Coyote House which are meticulously designed to shield from EMF and have low-EMF features.
Everything from the building layout, the foundation, and outer shell, to the plumbing, insulation and electrical wiring are also designed to minimize EMF.
Initially called the ElectroMagnetic Sensitivity Research Institute, the Healthy Housing Research Institute is a safe housing development initiative for people with EHS and chemical sensitivities.
The land in Rockvale, Colorado, includes a gulch (a deep valley), which keeps it naturally shielded from EMF radiation on three sides by the topography.
Source: EMSRI
Gary Johnson, a retired electrical engineering professor at Kansas State University who fell ill due to cell phone and WiFi radiation, founded the project after purchasing around 60 acres of land in Rockvale, Colorado in 2012, where he develops and builds low-EMF houses.
Johnson started with a test house that sold in 2014. The house was built on a Faraday cage concept, "the standard historical method of producing an interior space with low electromagnetic fields" to block wireless signals and EMFs.
The upcoming plans for the area include building a healing community by developing safe housing for five families, along with 24 cabins in the gulch.
The website currently mentions that rooms are available as of 12/1/19, so contact Johnson directly for availability.
Located in the White Mountains of Arizona, this project currently seems to be in the developmental phase where it plans to offer EMF-free housing, building lots, WiFi-free zones and more, available for purchase in their vision of building an EMF-quiet community.
Source: The EMF Experts
The location in NE, Arizona boasts mild weather all year round and is "described as the vanishing America, a quiet, secluded, view-rich, nature-blessed wilderness environment. A retreat far removed from the crowds, smog, and stress of metropolitan living, yet convenient to necessities. A peaceful, pristine, beautiful world apart that rejuvenates and restores."
It offers 40-225 acres of land offering those with EHS and MCS several options including EMF Quiet Retreats, camping facilities for those who want to escape from the modern life for a few days, a "tiny homes" community, and EMF-quiet areas for purchase. The goal is to foster a participatory-stewardship style EMF Quiet Zone community.
The community is also an easy drive to services in the area such as medical facilities, shops, banks and more.
If you want more information head over to this page and enter what you are primarily interested in such as a vacation/extended camping, tiny house rental, leasing land, seminar retreats, a guided tour of the EMF free home/lifestyle and more.
Although more of an eco-village rather than an EMF-free zone, this community lives off the land and gives back to the planet and encourages a community of self-sustenance, governance, communication, and mind and body well-being.
Source: Earthhaven Ecovillage
The community spans over 300 acres and has about 100 members, including families. It "offers unique buildings, inspiring home spaces and low EMF environments," and although it is not a complete EMF-free zone, it comes in pretty close, so we thought it was worth mentioning.
The community holds public, private and group tours and also offers living and work options.
If you want to look for long-term and short-term rental opportunities click here.
An area spanning 162-acres this retreat is bordered by forests and is an off-the-grid facility with no smart meters, cell towers or WiFi. Since there is no electrical utility service here, it adds to the low-EMF qualities of the area.
The phone and internet are delivered via satellite, with the actual dish mounted far away from the house. All water is supplied by wells and electricity via solar panels with a gas-powered backup system.
There are options for short term rentals in the area and you may also be allowed to camp on the property.
Although some sites mention that there are rental options available on sites like Airbnb, we did not find any and will update this section when more information becomes available.
Founded on 150 acres of pristine privately owned land around the Grassy Lake in Forest Hill, Nova Scotia is the Forest Hill retreat, that the owners say is a place where you can "charge your batteries within an afternoon like you just had a two-week vacation."
Source: Forest Hill Retreat
It is considered to be an EMF-safe haven for those with EHS and MCS, and the owners plan to limit the number of buildings to 25 for now, with their goal of being able to offer this lifestyle to anyone, irrespective of their budget.
Their vision is to create "a form of living that is often chosen in Canada and the US for trailer parks. Everyone who wants to be part of our retreat can rent a piece of land and put their own mobile home, trailer, tent, camper or whatever you need or want on the land. Each lot has access to water, power, the sewer and a road. The lots are spacious and allow the future inhabitants to choose the style of their future home and to create a nice yard according to their desires."
To learn more you can read this informative document and contact the owners here.
This EMF sanctuary is still in the planning stage and spans an area of 320 acres, 50km of Osoyoos, BC. The vision for the area is to be a community for those with MCS, but it will also meet the needs of those with EHS, with no wireless devices permitted anywhere in the area.
The building design is intended to be sustainable, non-toxic and functional and the location has been carefully selected to address the health needs of those with electro-hypersensitivities and also conditions such as Parkinson's, multiple chemical sensitivities and more.
We could not find any contact information for this property at the moment, so check this space for future updates.
The EHS Refuge Zone is a widespread privately owned property in a pristine rural area, in southeastern France.
Created by the NGO, Next-UP, "it has been made available by the organisation without charge as a humanitarian gesture for EHS sufferers in crisis for their rest and refreshment. All the facilities are entirely free."
Source: Next-up
Although it is not considered to be a complete EMF White Zone, it has very low-EMF levels with the land topography and features installed blocking mostly all the radiation. Background radiation levels vary "from less than 0.01 μW/m² in the insulated caravans to 0.01/0.02 μW/m² in the protected area outdoors."
For extreme EHS cases, a Faraday cage is available for a short period and those who wish to stay in the Refuge Zone need to have their own "caravan with metal bodywork or an approved camper van." Tents are not allowed.
Perks include free insulated caravans for trial stays for up to 3 days, to see if this lifestyle is for you. Communal areas also have extra shielding for better EMF protection.
You can contact the EHS Refuge Zone here for more information.
A tiny village in France with a population under 300 people, this village is one of the last remaining EMF White Zones in France, meaning there is almost non-existent cell phone coverage and wireless EMF radiation in the area. It has been attracting people with EHS over the past few years.
As per an article published a few years ago in the Telegraph, this could, however, change with the local government wanting to "put an end to Pailharès' wave-free status by erecting a mobile mast on a hill outside the village that will finally provide blanket reception."
People who have moved into the area like Jacques Vey, are worried that, "if the mast is switched on, people who suffer from the EHS syndrome will have nowhere to go. There are no more villages like ours in France."
At this point we have not found an update to the situation in Pailharès, however, you can look for rentals in the area and enquire if they are indeed EMF-free or not.
One of the first EMF refuges in Italy, Parc de Carne is located inside the Vena del Gesso Regional Park in Brisighella, Ravenna, Italy since May of 2010.
Source: Next-up
The area is EMF-free and is considered to be a low-EMF White Zone, with low levels of radiation. There was a Bed and Breakfast on the property which included boarding and amenities catering to the electrohypersensitive, however, that folded in 2018.
However, guests are now allowed to visit the area, enjoy the pristine nature reserve and rejuvenate in the EMF-free natural environment.
Just bordering Zurich is an apartment complex built especially for those who are electrosensitive and those who have MCS by the Swiss Healthy Life and Living Foundation.
Source: The EI Wellspring
The site for the 4-story apartment building was "carefully chosen for low levels of radon, air pollution (NO), noise, traffic and electrosmog, which was confirmed by objective measurements," and a dowser.
The building construction made sure the structure was as low-EMF as possible by using shielded cables, thick concrete floors, ceilings, and roofs and avoided the use of synthetic materials in construction such as "glue, plastic, paint and caulk" to make it MCS safe. There is also a built-in shield that blocks mobile reception and no WiFi is allowed (although landlines and hardwired internet are permitted).
There are also rules in place for renters and visitors of the 15 apartments in the complex which includes the banning of items "such as tobacco, fragrances, toxic laundry products, cell phones, and induction stoves."
Similar to Greenbank, the Australian Radio Quiet Zone (previously known as the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone) in Western Australia, was founded to protect the Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory or MRO.
Source: ATNF
The area is made up of three zones (inner, outer, and coordination), with the inner area being where all wireless devices are banned, to shield the radio telescopes from other frequencies and interference.
In the outer zones, the restrictions are less strict and while it is not deemed as an EHS safe-haven or refuge zone, it is an EMF Quiet Zone, so there is very little EMF radiation in the area.
For more information on the area, go here.
If you're moderately electrosensitive or find that ever so often you just need to detox digitally, just some time away from tech gadgets and WiFi can do wonders for your overall health and sense of well-being.
Next, we'll look at some WiFi free zones in America and around the world, where you can get away from wireless internet, even if it is just for a short time.
Although not considered to be a complete EMF white zone, this retreat is a much-needed respite for those who want to get away from technology and those moderately affected by electromagnetic sensitivities. The location of the retreat is in a valley with no nearby cell towers, and no WiFi and smart meter on property.
The website states that "the use of electronic devices is restricted at Harbin, inviting you to use your retreat time here as a “digital detox.” It’s a good idea to pack some alternative “devices” like a journal, sketchpad or watercolors. You’ll be surprised how quickly you adjust to a signal-free day, and many guests consider this feature to be a Harbin highlight."
You can choose to visit for a single day or pick from their lodging options which include both cottage rentals and Creekside Caravans. Learn more about the retreat here.
In Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, there's a café where "not a phone, tablet or laptop is in sight," and instead you'll see people mingling, chatting, sipping on drinks, with kids playing board games.
Kibbitznest, is a WiFi-free zone, and while most coffee shops like Starbucks offer free WiFi, café's like Kibbitznest, shun internet usage "in an effort to encourage face-to-face conversation."
The owners say that "customers are relieved to encounter a space that gives them a break from incessant screen use," and often tell her "I am so happy you opened this place."
Check out Kibbitznest here.
If you live in or are passing through Vermont, head over to August First, a no-WiFi bakery and café started by husband and wife duo Jodi Whalen and Phil Merrick, who got rid of their WiFi in 2012 after they realized that, "people would come in, set up their laptops and remain glued to them for hours."
In 2014 they banned laptops, and contrary to what you might think, their sales actually went up by 20% compared to 6% in the previous year.
For incredible pastries, mouth-watering sandwiches and no WiFi head over to August First here.
Now operating out of three locations in Columbus, Ohio (Italian Village, German Village, and New Albany), Fox in the Snow is a bakery and coffee shop that encourages you to slow down.
According to this post, at Fox in the Snow, "there’s no wifi, there are no signs on the pastries, so you have to ask and actually engage a human in conversation. The counters and tables are lower so you can chat with the baristas and talk with your friends. We need more of this type of thing in the world."
Find a location near you here.
A traditional American breakfast and lunch joint, we came across their Facebook post that said, "No Wifi zone here at Country Waffles! Sorry...must talk to each other or talk to one of us!"
They seem to have several locations as per their website, located all across California, which you can browse here.
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, SC, Kudu roasts their own specialty coffee and their website states that "In our shop you will not find Wi-Fi, but you will find a great space to sit down with friends and family to have a lively conversation over a delicious beverage."
Visit Kudu here.
One of downtown Schenectady, New York's most popular restaurants, proprietor Marc Renson has actually written a book about what to takes to run a coffee place that has attracted celebrities like Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling along with "the regulars" who come in each day.
Accordingly to this post, the place also offers no WiFi. Check it out here.
A European inspired café & bistro, located right in the heart of Inman Park in Atlanta, Bread & Butterfly, is a cozy place to enjoy a cappuccino with a perfect pastry, a hearty lunch, and a bistro-style dinner.
You'll find no WiFi here and can instead choose a book or magazine from their featured wall.
Get directions here.
Literally a 5-minute walk from the Historic Santa Fe Plaza, this deli has been around since 1931, making their own whipped cream cheese and fresh tuna, chicken and egg salad using family recipes.
Come in for a bite with no WiFi here.
A family bakery in the heart of Georgetown, this popular joint offers small-batch baked confections made from family recipes and has been featured in articles from the Washington Post and Bon Appetit to Insider and Buzzfeed.
According to their website they "believe that the best memories are formed around food and drink, and we’re dedicated to creating community gathering spots around DC."
In that attempt, they offer no WiFi. Check them out here.
With 30 locations spanning across 7 cities, including Boston, New York, California, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., La Colombe is known for their "ethical, long-term trade practices with their growers," and until recently offered no WiFi in any of their locations until early 2018 when they started offering WiFi in their Chicago locations, only on the weekdays due to customer demand.
General manager at Chicago's location, Evan DeVries, stated that "In Philadelphia and in New York City, people enjoy [not having WiFi] and like it. In Chicago, we tried to force the whole no WiFi culture and it didn’t necessarily work."
Call in to check with the location you'll be visiting to ensure a no-WiFi experience.
As mentioned on their website, Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure is a "feast for the eyes and you haven't even ordered yet. The woodwork is amazingly unique, the menu is fun and exciting, the artwork is dramatic, the people are friendly, the tables are made for good conversation."
Also, they offer no WiFi. One writer stated that "depending on what type of work you do, the best (or worst) part about Zanzibar’s is that there’s no wifi. For me, that means it’s a great place to get writing, editing, or reading done when I find myself getting distracted or aimlessly browsing the Internet. It also means it’s a wonderful place to host a brainstorming meeting or catch up with an old friend."
Discover it here.
With 8+ locations in New York, Café Grumpy banned laptops in eight of its locations and as per co-owner and chief executive Caroline Bell, "People were camping out at tables. People couldn’t chat with their friends."
So what happened?
According to Bell, "It feels more fun, more interactive, more like New York City."
Independently-owned and operated since 2005, check out all of their locations here.
With a dozen locations in New York, Birch Coffee is also "amongst the few that are now spearheading the WiFi ban."
According to this article, "Wi-fi is only available after 5 p.m. during the week," but make sure to call up the location you want to visit and ask about their specific WiFi policy.
This Upper East Side coffee shop in NY serves up chai teas, cocktails, and tasty lattes in an ambiance that looks like you're sitting in your Grandma's living room.
According to the website, "there's no WiFi on weekends (WiFi runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays)."
Find it here.
With three locations in SF, including Valencia, The Mill, and Portola, Four Barrel prides itself on being old-fashioned when it comes to roasting their coffee, where they "rely on highly trained people, not computers, to see through the intention of our roasting style."
As per this article, they offer no WiFi. Check out their coffee and locations here.
A quaint cafe, restaurant, bakery and bar the Dough Lover Diner is pretty firm about their no-WiFi policy with the website stating, "A lot of fuss has been made about our no laptops/tablets policy. It's nothing personal. It's not a publicity stunt either. (we still cannot believe that anyone cares so much! We simply prefer to put our focus firmly on our carefully crafted food and drinks. We passionately believe that they are better enjoyed in a social setting."
If you're in Brighton, check it out here.
A campaign launched in Downtown Amsterdam introduced ‘No Wi-Fi’ zones in certain areas, that basically blocked all wireless signals in a radius of 5 meters.
The outdoor advertising campaign, which was a bench that blocks out WiFi signals, reflected on Kit Kat's catchy slogan, “Have a break, have a Kit Kat," and encouraged users to take a break from being connected to the internet, and enjoy simpler things like a newspaper, a book or a conversation.
Here's a 1-minute overview of the Ad campaign below:
This campaign was done a few years ago, so we're unsure if these WiFi-free kiosks still exist. If you've spotted one, please let us know in the comments!
A cafe in downtown Toronto, "Jimson Bienenstock, the president of HotBlack, said the shop opened last year [2016] without Wi-Fi with the express intent of getting customers to — gasp! — talk to one another instead of burying their faces in laptops."
If you're in the downtown Toronto area, you can check it out here.
A biodynamic farm, Shangri-La is located in The Algarve of southern Portugal. The website states that their vision is "for a healthy environment as unaffected as possible by microwave radiation," and that they aspire to be a community for living a healthy lifestyle, "free from EMF/microwaves" radiation, and they "do not use any type of microwave generating devices."
Both short and long-term stays are available. Contact the owner directly for more details.
Villa Stéphanie is more than just a place of relaxation and luxury hospitality. It offers services in the fields of spa and medicine and their staff includes qualified detox coaches, nutrition coaches and more.
An interesting feature in their rooms is they use "a copper grid in the walls as well as special wall coating to block the wireless signal after you flip the switch." So basically, just by flipping a switch, all wireless internet signals are instantly blocked. Cool, huh? We thought so too.
Learn more here.
A beautiful gem in the secluded peninsula of Gotland, Sweden, you can book a room in the Hermit's Cabin for a completely off-grid experience where you'll have access to no WiFi. They recommend a 5-night stay to get the full experience with the nightly rate decreasing every day to see if you're up for the challenge. The 5th night is actually free.
Check it out here.
If you're looking for a complete digital detox, that offers a massage, candlelit dinner, thermal circuit and a voluntary submission of all your electronic devices, this is the place to be.
As per the website, "the Digital Detox Pack invites you to completely disconnect from the digital world, leaving behind E-mails, social networks, telephones and technology that steals our time every day. Dedicate a few days to really disconnecting and taking time to read, think and enjoy time with your companions."
Located at the edge of Lake Sarmiento, inside the UNESCO biosphere reserve, Torres del Paine National Park, this all-inclusive resort blends into the landscape, and offers adventures that include glacier hikes, horseback riding, and fly fishing.
A great place to digitally detox, you'll find "no TVs, no phone reception and no Wi-Fi beyond the common areas," as seen below.
Book a room here.
Known as Scotland's wildest guesthouse, this place is literally at the edge of nowhere and offers access to no roads, no electricity, and "no mobile signal".
What it is, "is the perfect place to relax and recharge - free from the stresses of modern life. Fabulous home-cooked cuisine in a traditional stone cottage with comfortable rooms, Rayburn-heated hot water, Tilley lamplight in the evenings and a stove-heated sitting room with unrivalled views."
For rates and accommodation, availability go here.
A truly unique concept, The Landmark Trust site states that "we take on historic places in danger and carefully and sensitively restore them. By making them available for holidays, we make sure they can be enjoyed by all, both today and for future generations."
Fairly different from conventional hotels, none of their buildings have "televisions, radios, telephones or Wi-Fi."
So whether you want to live in a castle, or a lofty tower they've got something for you. Click here to book.
Tropical luxury does not get any better than this — at The Hideout, guests get the ultimate experience in luxurious accommodation, gourmet food and health, and wellness programs.
One of their programs is the Digital Detox & Mindfulness Retreat program which is all about "disconnecting from distractions (no gadgets, screens, or noisy neighbours here!) and diving into the raw beauty of Nature."
See what's offered here.
We couldn't possibly cover all the places in the world that offer no-WiFi or are great for digitally detoxing or promoting EMF-free living.
However, below is a list of resources you may find helpful in your search to find a place that most resonates with you:
Wireless Free Living Communities — An open Facebook group for people looking for and seeking a wireless-free living community to live/survive in.
B.C. And Canadian Wireless-Free Living — A private Facebook group you need to join to read or post messages that covers EMF related issues in Canada.
Radiation Refuge — A place to find or advertise EMF-safe accommodation and locations around the world.
The EI Wellspring — Practical information for coping with chemical and electrical hypersensitivity.
Map of Radio Telescopes Worldwide — The IUCAF (Scientific Committee on Frequency Allocations for Radio Astronomy and Space Science) has published a map for radio-quiet zones around the world.
WiFi-Free Cafes in San Francisco — An older 2014 article, make sure to call each cafe prior to your visit to make sure it's still WiFi-free.
6 Destinations to Visit for a Real Digital Detox — National Geographic takes you to some of the most secluded places around the world.
The 25 Best Digital Detox Breaks For 2019 — For all the ones we didn't get a chance to cover, read this post.
These are just a few of them but every one of them is actually quite important for you to know and understand, literally if you want to have good health for years to come.
Let’s start with the SMART grid to understand more about smart meters.
All the way across America, you’ll see a network of transmission lines, substations, transformers and other equipment that deliver electricity from the power plant to homes and businesses. Every time you turn on any electrical device, you connected to the electric grid. This grid was built before 1900 although improvements were made on it along the way.
It’s estimated that there are >9200 electric generating units in the electric grid and over 300,000 miles of transmission lines. The utility companies, responsible for this infrastructure, included analog grids on all homes in the electric grid so that the amount of electricity used per home could be rightfully and appropriately charged. For example, if you don’t use much energy during the day, there’s no reason why you should be charged as much as someone who does.
The problem with this electric grid is that it couldn’t handle all the computerized equipment and technological needs of today’s society, say the government experts at www.smartgrid.gov.
And that’s why the industry built the Smart grid and the Smart Meter. The Smart grid allows two-way computer communication between the utility company and customers via a Smart meter. It’s not the type of communication like picking up the phone and calling the utility company and getting an answer. Instead, it’s the utility company computers interfacing your electric meter on your home.
Here's a picture of a smart meter:
The Smart meter replaces analog meters of the past.
Here's a picture of an analog meter:
An analog meter and a smart meter are mechanical devices that connect to the electric wires coming into the home or business. An analog meter represents the value of a measurement by a point on the scale whereas a smart meter displays the numerical value of the measurement.
If you need more information on the differences, check out these different videos on the difference between the different types of electrical meters (analog vs digital vs smart meter):
The utility company can use automation, computers and controls with the electric grid to ‘respond digitally to our quickly changing electric demand’ with the Smart Grid and Smart meters.
The governmental experts boast that the Smart Grid “represents an unprecedented opportunity to move the energy industry into a new era of reliability, availability, and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health… The benefits are:
“A smarter grid will add resiliency to our electric power system and make it better prepared to address emergencies such as severe storms, earthquake, large solar flares, and terrorist attacks. Because of its two-way interactive capacity, the Smart Grid will allow for automatic rerouting when equipment fails or outages occur… before they become large-scale blackouts.”
The website goes on to say that the Smart Grid with the associated Smart meters are a way to address the aging infrastructure, energy efficiency, increase national security to our energy system. A smarter grid will allow you to save money by using less power at times when electricity is the most expensive and by generating your own electricity, too.
It’s important for you to know all this upfront because after reading the rest of the information on Smart meters, you can make your own decision on whether or not the above information is true.
The government site also states that it’s the two-way communication in the Smart Grid – between the utility and its customers - that makes it smart. There was two-way communication before, as the analog meter gave the utility company the amount of electricity that was used by the user. The difference is that the analog meter of the past did not emit wireless signals 24/7, nor does it collect the data from the grid. The wireless component and the collecting data component are what makes it ‘smart’.
Yet, one UK weapons industry expert, Mark Steele, states that SMART stands for Secret Militarized Armaments in Residential Technology. And that alone should make you realize that this whole topic is definitely something you want to be knowledgeable about.
Your Smart meter is believed by the industry to be an upgrade from old analog meters. Let’s see why in this chart:
If you’re mechanically minded, you may want to watch a teardown of a smart meter to see what’s inside and responsible for some of the issues. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/dm-yZ1N3xmc
Since 2013, four million smart meter users have reported issues with the devices, according to the news site, www.dailymail.co.uk
The issues surrounding smart meters fall into eight main categories:
“Smart” meters are “hot,” in terms of broadcast power density, and can emit microwaves at levels many times higher than those reported by medical studies to cause serious adverse health effects.
Smart meters emit bursts of radio frequency (microwave radiation) an average of 9600 times per day and up to 190,000 daily transmissions. This means your body is receiving smart meter radiation. Their peak level emission is 2.5 times higher than the required safety level.
Smart meters could be located on any walls on your home, and one of the most unfortunate places is on the wall of your office or bedroom. If you work at home and are exposed to the radio frequency that emits from the smart meter, you could be getting “zapped” with 8 microwatts/cm2. Building biologists report that symptoms start at 0.05 microwatts/cm2.
A single smart meter radiation measurement has been registered as high as 7.93 microwatts/cm2.
At the level of 0.05, children suffer from headaches, behavioral problems, autism exacerbations, brain fog, and can’t concentrate at this level of microwave transmission. At higher levels, a broad spectrum of symptoms can be felt by those of all different ages.
There have been incidents where people receive smart meter radiation negative effects up to 19.8 microwatts/cm2 of whole body radiation exposure.
For example, if someone lives in an apartment complex, the wall of their apartment may be connected to the same wall with several smart meters for the whole apartment complex. This smart meter ‘bank’ could be 12 meters on the wall, each meter broadcasting radiofrequency pulses into the apartment, 380 times higher than at the level that causes headaches in children.
The RF radiation disrupts the weak van der waal bonds in the cells, preventing their reproduction.
The list of smart meter symptoms experienced from exposure includes the following, yet traditional medical doctors often miss seeing the pattern of symptoms:
Symptoms from smart meters can occur on the job, at home, and while sleeping. However, because smart meters connect to wireless frequency, the use of any wireless devices can also trigger symptoms.
Check out the story of this Australian man who developed electrohypersensitivity at his job.
EMF Sufferer in Australia https://youtu.be/sLO25nyauDg
Growing numbers of people who have smart meters have developed electrohypersensitivity. This means that they cannot be around smart meters and other electrical devices without feeling sick. They are often extremely sick and sometimes sick enough to be admitted to the emergency room.
One Swedish study showed that 3% of the population is severely sensitive to this type of radiation and would have to move out of the area after being exposed to RF radiation. Thirty-five percent of the population will experience moderate symptoms, and a total of 80% of the population experiencing any of the symptoms from the radiation.
Electrohypersensitivity may appear as nosebleeds, debilitating headaches, heart palpitations and left ventricular failure, and even bleeding from the skin pores. Not surprisingly, experts have recorded fertility decreases at 1.0 microwatt/cm2, chest pain and difficulty breathing at the same 1.0 dosage; altered calcium metabolism in heart cells at 2.5, changes in learning and memory at 4.0, and DNA damage in cells at 6.0.
Here’s a video news report on health issues from the smart meters:
And a report of some patients with this type of sensitivity:
Emergency Room Physician Discusses Electrohypersensitivity https://youtu.be/gisvfVeRpr0
Smart meters directly affect the functioning of the heart. Watch this video as a man plans an experiment suggested by a top EMF expert, Dr. Samuel Milham, to see what happens when he is under the influence of a smart meter.
A doctor on the scene, Dr. Gilberto Leon, warns about the effects of the smart meter in this next short EMF video.
“The frequencies from the smart meter are making our heart work too hard and there’s a massive change in the pattern of the EKG. If someone is compromised with a pacemaker or stents, it’s not a good thing because it is silently making our heart work too hard and you will have heart fatigue over time, and a decline in heart function. It’s an unnatural sequence of events that we are not able to adapt to,” said Dr. Gilberto Leon in the interview. Pretty revealing! It gives us new insight into whether or not there are health effects from smart meters.
The meters do not lower people’s bills for electricity as promised. Bills increase anywhere from $80 to $300; bills for $1000+ are not uncommon.
The utility companies have told their customers that their old analog meters were not as effective as the new smart meters and that if their bill was higher, it was because the new meters are more accurate.
New bills make the customer look like they are using significantly more electric power, when there has been no change in the usage.
Smart meters not properly installed can cause the large bill increase, stated one source. And in the U.K., costs incurred by the utility companies are blamed for this. There, an investigative reporter discovered that huge sums of money were going to be required to buy the meters and install them.
Here's a list of a few short videos on it:
Smart Meter Customers Report Higher Bills
CBS 5 Investigates Smart Meter Complaints
Free Gas and Electricity Smart Meters Not Actually Free
The smart meters are often found to be dangerous, causing house fires. Smart meter fires are not uncommon, yet they are quickly dismissed by the utility companies as the cause of a fire.
How these fires occur was explained by an electrician at the 21 to 23 minute timeframe of this video: https://youtu.be/dm-yZ1N3xmc
It’s not difficult to conclude that fires can be directly related to the cause when the actual smart meter is what is burning or has been burnt severely at a home and not much else is touched by fire.
You’ll find some interesting tidbits of information about smart meter fires on these news reports:
In Fresno, CA news reporters explained a story of a fire where the firemen reported PG&E rushed out to remove the smart meter that was burning up, thus removing the evidence of the fire.
Check the story yourself and make your own decision after hearing about the active arcing that frequently occurs at the level of the smart meter on the house:
The Smart Meter Education Network explains why it’s not necessarily a bad installation that causes the fires; it’s the simple act of replacing the meters that can be responsible. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/EKS5z5niKd4
Some consumers are adamant about not accepting the smart meters and the radio frequency they put out. They cite that there is no safety being done.
Check out how this man used chains on his meter to keep his analog meter. Here’s what happened: https://youtu.be/cMnjRHe-9UA The man wasn’t an ordinary tree hugger with no education; he was a mechanical engineer.
Many people observing how smart meters were rolled out into society state that smart meters were forced upon us by the utility companies. The utility companies may or may not allow customers to keep their old analog meters.
Sometimes, the city police are enforcing the residents to take the smart meters, as what happened in Naperville, IL. The good news is that if someone pushes back and doesn’t just take this type of treatment, they may receive a monetary award by the courts. Check out these short videos if you are having problems with the utility company:
Naperville Police Assist Smart Meter Installers
Consumers Not Happy with Electric Smart Meters https://youtu.be/W0bshUnX2YA
Smart Meter Technology Clashes with Health, Privacy Concerns
Consumers may have to take their case to court to keep their analog meter: https://youtu.be/qY2ruhr4t9M
Trying to avoid the estimated meter reads so that people will know exactly what they are using still ‘smells’ like an invasion of privacy: https://youtu.be/04N_TYpnAvc
Worse yet, breaking and entering, vandalizing property to get in to take the analog meter and replacing it with the smart meter.
Privacy Issues of SMART Meters:
Video: Smart Meters https://youtu.be/8JNFr_j6kdI
All these issues can be put into a comprehensive understanding of smart meters by watching the documentary by Josh del Sol called Take Back Your Power 2017. It’s highly recommended that you watch this documentary in full, even a few times. It's well worth the time investment.
Here’s the free link: https://youtu.be/B5y4Nhn6J5M
And if you’re looking for a more academic presentation, check out the presentation to the San Francisco Tesla Society by Rob States, mentioned previously. He holds three master’s degrees yet explains it simply. He’ll tell you what the utility companies seem to leave out of their website data and awareness campaigns: https://youtu.be/FLeCTaSG2-U
After reviewing all this info, you may be wondering what really can be done about it. You may feel as if you want to take no risks that are associated with having a smart meter on your house, and do not want your family to be harmed by them.
Don't give up. There are a few things you can do. It all starts with taking matters into your own hands. But this means someone should do something ‘correctly’, that is, not in a way to go against any laws, or incorrectly.
Here are some examples, where you’ll understand the difference:
This option seems plausible but it won’t work because smart meters are tamper-resistant and can send messages back to the utility company that they are being tampered with. You could end up with a major confrontation when they show up on your property. The grid sees all!
Also, since smart meters are connected to the grid, you could endanger your life if zapped by a power surge.
Chaining up your smart meter, walling it off or doing something to make it nearly impossible for utility company workers to access it is also not a smart move. Utility staff has been known to ‘break in’ to get access to their meter.
Opt-out policies are another alternative for dealing with smart meters. With this option, the customer contacts the utility company and asks for the opt-out form to sign. An extra charge is usually passed along to the customer since the utility company will have to send out a meter reader monthly to your home.
Remember that one of the purposes of the utility company was to eliminate the need for meter readers.
In the last few years, experts in the anti-smart meter movement have upgraded their ideas about opt-out policies. At a 2019 5G Online Conference, several experts discussed the idea that you should not have to pay for your own protection of your health! “It’s extortion,” they report.
Terry Stotyn, dirty electricity expert, has been an electrical and tradesman for 40 years. He’s one of the few experts that has solved complicated problems with dirty electricity caused by Smart Meters and other devices. As President of Cratus, he has found that even analog meters cause problems with dirty electricity.
Dirty electricity consists of line voltage transients that impede the flow of the normal sine wave flow. Sine wave is an energy voltage. It’s a spike that is made or induced from anything that switches such as a light switch or motor starting and stopping. The starting and stopping is what causes the spikes. These spikes can be very small or very large, up to thousands of volts or amps. The higher the transients are, the greater the association to health problems.
The switched mode power supplies in smart meters switch often. They constantly turn on and off. The smart meter uses all the wiring in your home to send these transients to and acts as an antenna. The antenna effect radiates six to eight feet from the wire.
What this all means is that it’s not only the 900 megahertz microwave frequency of Smart Meters that is the problem. There are other frequencies that are also transmitted by the Smart Meter.
Stotyn and his staff have created a SineTamer device that can eliminate the whole range of frequencies that cause symptoms that are emitted by the smart meter and eliminate all the transients that are responsible for causing the fires. The SineTamer is mounted on your electric panel. And by reducing the transients, it’s possible to get a reduction of 50% on your bill.
The difference between a regular dirty electricity filter you plug into the outlets and the SineTamer is the level of transients that are reduced, and the additional frequencies that are eliminated from the Smart Meter with the device. Find out more at http://www.poweremt.com or http://www.cratuscanada.com
4. Smart Meter Guards
You can cover or shield your smart meter to reduce the microwave radiation. There are various types of smart meter guards on the market. Guards can be expected to cut out about 90% of the microwave radiation that are given out.
Here’s a Smart meter Guard Product Review: https://youtu.be/aK4sAZlzvPY
The only problem with this method is that it doesn’t address the dirty electricity put out by the Smart Meter.
And there’s another potential issue – is the smart meter transmitting energy from the part of it that is not covered? You’ll want to check the radiation on the other side of the wall, as the signal may go into the home from the end that is not covered.
One Sacramento CA EMF Radiation expert, Eric Windheim, WindheimSolutions.com, puts insulation material that looks like bubble wrap and aluminum foil (called Heat Shield III 4’ x 125’ folds) on the wall that the Smart Meter is on in the home for his clients. He does this in addition to other strategies taken by building biologists.
If you don’t want to purchase a shield already made, you can do a do-it-yourself project by creating an inexpensive Faraday cage around the meter. Essentially you are simply making your own smart meter guard.
What you’ll need is aluminum window screening and a 6-1/2 inch post clamp. Cut a 13x13 inch sq and fold it in half to see where the center of it is compared to your meter. Center the screen over the meter and put the clamp over the screening material, covering the entire meter. Tighten the screw on the clamp. It’s that easy. Check out the link: https://youtu.be/aiJmx93MpPE
There are solutions. Don’t give up. Just get busy.
Sources:
Mercola, Dr. Joseph. Smart meter controversy takes an astonishing new turn. Published Sept. 11, 2017. https://www.spiritofchange.org/green-living-environment/Smart-Meter-Controversy-Takes-An-Astonishing-New-Turn/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7404861/One-three-problems-controversial-smart-meters.html
Del Sol, Josh. Take Back Your Power documentary on smart meters. https://youtu.be/2uMfx-FsJiE
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It goes without saying that WiFi is everywhere — from your home, office, and car to your kids' school and even your local coffee shop.
So, with WiFi taking over the world, is this something you should be concerned about?
Well, many people now realize that wireless internet poses a security threat, and more importantly a health risk.
In fact, with a multitude of devices connected to WiFi such as your computer, multiple phones, tablets, game consoles, smart home appliances and more, Wi-Fi is actually one of the main culprits of in-house "electro-pollution," or electrosmog potentially causing long-term harm to your health and well-being.
In this post, we'll explore if WiFi is safe, the long-term effects of WiFi radiation, why a wired internet connection is an excellent alternative to WiFi, and give you easy to follow actionable steps (with the equipment you'll need) to set up your own low-EMF wired internet connection:
Before we jump into why we recommend using a wired internet connection, it's important to understand how WiFi works and why there are issues regarding its safety.
All WiFi devices emit radio frequencies (RF), or more specifically microwave radiation — this is the exact same radiation that creates a heating effect to warm up your food in a microwave oven.
WiFi runs on devices called routers, which are built using transmitters that use microwave radiation to transmit information through the air around you to any WiFi-enabled device.
A type of non-ionizing electromagnetic frequency (EMF), microwave radiation operates in the 300 MHz to 300 GHz range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Part of the RF spectrum, the entire microwave spectrum is further divided into UHF (Ultra High Frequency), SHF (Super High Frequency) and EHF (Extremely High Frequency) bands as seen below:
Source: RFPage
Standard Wi-Fi runs on the UHF/SHF bands, which operate from 300 MHz to 30 GHz. These are also the same bands used for cellular transmission (GSM, LTE, and CDMA), television broadcasting, GPS navigation, satellite radio, cordless phones, microwave ovens, and Bluetooth.
Higher frequencies in the microwave spectrum such as the EHF band are used for millimeter-wave airport scanners and the highly controversial 5G small cell technology (which you can read all about here).
The most commonly used frequencies specifically for WiFi are the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, depending on range and speed. Although, higher frequencies as much as 60 GHz are used in certain settings, most standard WiFi networks broadcast on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.
This part of the frequency range also comes under what is known as non-ionizing radiation, which are basically frequencies that are not strong enough to break molecular bonds (like X-rays and Gamma rays). However, that does not mean that at lower levels, non-ionizing frequencies can't have harmful effects on your health.
In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified even lower ELF-EMF (1Hz to 300 Hz), low-frequency radio waves as being "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
WiFi signals on the 2.4 GHz band can travel up to 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors. So, while we can't see these invisible manmade microwave frequencies floating all around us, they can still have adverse effects on our bodies' own natural frequencies, affecting tissues, cells and even our very DNA — and long-term use over months and years can pose serious risks to our health.
You might be wondering if the RF from cell phones is different than WiFi, and they are actually used interchangeably quite often.
But is one worse than the other? Well, it depends on how you look at it.
First, it's important to understand that cell phones and WiFi transmit the exact same EMF or electromagnetic frequencies.
WiFi is somewhat safer than mobile phones because of the distance factor — we do not carry WiFi routers on us all day long nor do we hold them up to our heads.
However, on the other hand, if your WiFi router is always powered on, it is constantly always transmitting. A cell phone emits EMF at full power when it is sending or receiving information such as during a call, or using data or GPS. But, WiFi is transmitting at its highest power all day, all night long — and covering long distances.
So, while having EMF radiation up close to your body is worse (such as holding a cell phone to your head), being surrounded by RF frequencies round the clock is just as harmful.
Also, we'd like to mention that Bluetooth, a type of WiFi, when connected to your mobile phone and used in close proximity to your body can be very damaging. In fact, we've done an entire post about Bluetooth earphones which can be compared to having tiny WiFi routers plugged into your ears.
Multiple studies have proven that WiFi exposure can cause "oxidative stress, sperm/testicular damage, neuropsychiatric effects including EEG changes, apoptosis, cellular DNA damage, endocrine changes, and calcium overload."
One study in Hong Kong unveiled that exposure to WiFi actually "lowers fertility rates" and kills sperm. Conducted in Japan, on 51 men, the "study showed that prolonged exposure to the waves from Wi-Fi devices lowered male fertility."
Sperm samples were split into 3 groups - samples that had no exposure to EMF from a Wi-Fi router, samples that were protected by a small shield that intercepted the waves, and samples that were fully exposed to Wi-Fi.
The samples were "placed near a pocket Wi-Fi router, in the way that a mobile phone would be carried in a man's trousers."
What's important to note is that in a time frame of 30-60 minutes, there wasn't much difference in the sperm motility (motion) rate.
However, when the time frame was increased to 2 hours to 24 hours, "the study found that the longer the exposure, the lower the sperm motility rate and the higher the death rate."
This study is an important one that throws light on RF-induced low fertility rates but also highlights the potential negative impact WiFi can have on the rest of the body with long-term exposure.
Another study supports this research by stating that "Wi-Fi Radiofrequency radiation" within a connected laptop may decrease sperm quality when placed and used on the lap.
There are many studies to show that EMF can lead to electro-sensitivity, and in fact sleep disturbances are often one of the first symptoms that are reported by someone who may be sensitive to EMF or show signs of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS), a condition defined by the World Health Organization as "a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields (EMFs)".
Studies have shown that EMF leads to broken sleep patterns with devices such as an EEG (electroencephalogram), that records brain waves tracking sleep changes "in persons exposed to Wi-Fi fields."
This revealing study also showed that "RF EMF exposure prior to sleep alters brain activity," and affects cognitive performance.
And while other studies have also supported that exposure to EMF frequencies at night time leads to reduced sleep, decreased rapid eye movement, and lowered sleep efficiency, it's also important to note that WiFi can also be a distraction, causing us to stay glued to our devices for longer, delaying sleep.
Over twenty-six studies have shown that the most commonly reported "neuropsychiatric effects" following RF exposure from frequencies transmitted by devices such as WiFi include headaches, fatigue, depression, dizziness, vertigo, memory changes, and sleep disturbances.
These animal studies have shown that even at low-levels microwave EMFs can have "diverse high impacts in the brain, causing "at least 13 neuropsychiatric effects including depression in humans."
One reason for this may be that wireless EMF radiation such as WiFi can cross the protective blood-brain barrier, potentially causing harm and cognitive impairment to the brain.
In fact, when it comes to cell phone radiation, which works on the same frequencies as WiFi, there are many studies to show the damaging effects of cell phone EMFs to brain health.
One such study that especially stands out is a 2011 study, that made headlines, which showed that just 50 minutes of holding a wirelessly connected cell phone near the head, altered brain activity, potentially leading to inflammation and disease.
Source: Environmental Health Trust
This study is important because, it was previously assumed that the body would not notice such low levels of radiation, but this study changed that.
In an animal-based study, exposure of 2.45 GHz WiFi signals for 2 hours daily during the gestation (in-utero) period was studied on rat offspring.
The study concluded that "maternal exposure to WiFi radiofrequencies led to various adverse neurological effects in the offspring by affecting neurodevelopment, cerebral stress equilibrium and cholinesterase activity."
In a separate study titled "Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure of Wi-Fi on Development of Teeth and Changes in Teeth Element Concentration in Rats," growing rats that were exposed to 2.45 GHz of Wi-Fi electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
Although the study showed that EMR did not interfere with teeth and tissue growth in both the control and experimental group, it did show "alterations in the elemental composition of the teeth, especially affecting such oxidative stress-related elements as copper, zinc, and iron, suggesting that short-term exposure to Wi-Fi-induced EMR may cause an imbalance in the oxidative stress condition in the teeth of growing rats."
Cellular frequencies, the same used for WiFi, have also shown to affect children, teenagers and fetuses still in the womb the most.
In a Yale study, when pregnant mice were exposed to cell phone signals, their offspring demonstrated "increased hyperactivity and impaired memory."
Several studies have shown that RF radiation emitted from 2.4 GHz WiFi can impair insulin secretion and elevate blood sugar levels.
One study showed that WiFi electromagnetic radiation "can cause diabetes or increased diabetes predisposition at a young age." The study not only showed "increased oxidative stress markers in the EMR group," but the results also shed light on the fact that "diabetes and exocrine pancreas diseases have been increasing in the last few decades, parallel to the use of technological devices which produce EMR, and the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases has been rapidly increasing in young people." The study finally concluded that EMR causes both endocrine but also exocrine damage in the pancreas at a young age.
Another recent study examined the effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted from WiFi on insulin secretion in the rat pancreas.
After long-term exposure of 4 hours daily for 45 days to 2.4 GHz WiFi EMR, plasma glucose levels, and insulin were measured.
The study concluded that the WiFi-exposed group demonstrated "hyperglycemia" (high blood sugar levels) and data showed that "EMR of Wi-Fi leads to hyperglycemia, increased oxidative stress, and impaired insulin secretion in the rat pancreatic islets."
Dirty electricity, (surges of EMF traveling along electrical wiring), may also be a contributing factor to elevated blood sugar levels and may explain "brittle diabetes," a difficult to control form of diabetes that causes swings in blood sugar levels.
The study suggested, "minimizing exposure to radio frequencies (kHz to GHz), flowing along the ground or through the air," and in fact also recommended that the "diagnosis of diabetes needs to be done in an electromagnetically clean environment to prevent misdiagnosis."
The WHO and the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), have both classified cell phones as being a "possible carcinogen," but more research studies still need to conclusively show the link between cellular phones and WiFi frequencies and cancer.
However, rat studies have shown that heavy exposure to mobile phone radiation may increase the risk of some brain and also heart tumors. And, other rodent research has linked high levels of cell phone and WiFi exposure to oxidative stress and hormonal imbalances — the kind of swings that could encourage and possibly cause cancer and/or brain diseases.
The recent groundbreaking research titled, "Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health," supports the fact that WiFi causes oxidative stress amongst other changes, and also causes "cellular DNA damage (a process causing cancer and germ line mutations)."
A comprehensive research paper published by Columbia University explains the role of EMF in affecting and activating the cellular stress response. The study showed that EMFs can weaken and break a cell's defense system by interacting "directly with electrons in DNA," inducing the stress response, which can "lead to breaks in DNA strands."
WiFi's link to stunting cellular growth was also shown in a revealing science experiment by 9th-grade students in Denmark, who compared the growth of a plant in a room with no WiFi and one in another room with two WiFi routers. The results were startling and caused a stir amongst scientists.
As seen below, the "the cress seeds placed near the router had not grown. Many of them were completely dead.
Meanwhile, the cress seeds planted in the other room, away from the routers, thrived."
Now that you know that your WiFi connection may be harming you let's look at a few ways to protect from WiFi radiation.
We've divided the list below into good, better and best and highly recommend you follow our tips to best protect you and your family:
How often in the day do you actually use WiFi? Not everyone needs to be constantly plugged in and connected, especially on multiple devices. Disable Wi-Fi on all of your devices, and only enable WiFi when you actually need to use the device. For example, if you hardly use your tablet there's no point having it connected and transmitting. Put it on airplane mode so the Wi-Fi is not enabled on it all day and all night long and you're not exposed to all that added radiation.
Often you can have many devices plugged in and constantly transmitting to your WiFi router. Limit your use of wireless devices by cutting down the number of phones, tablets, game consoles and other gadgets in the house connected and running on WiFi. Also, substitute other wireless devices such as Bluetooth earphones with air tube earphones, wireless mice and keyboards, smart printers and scanners with plugged in USB alternatives.
Just cutting down on the number of devices can make a big difference in the invisible EMFs floating through the air.
It's understandable if you can't turn the WiFi off during the day, but there's nothing stopping you from turning it off at night time. EMF radiation can adversely affect sleep quality and your body's ability to generate healthy cells, so why subject yourself to its dangers while you and your family sleep.
Using a remote control is a simple and effective way to turn off your WiFi whenever you need to or better still, you can use Atmosure's RF blocking faraday fabric for 99% EMF protection.
Apart from just reducing and limiting devices that run on WiFi, it would be a smart idea to reduce the number of appliances or smart appliances in your house that emit EMFs overall. These include baby monitors, smart home thermostats, cordless phones, smart appliances, smart home automation and lighting, microwave cooking and more.
It may sound close to impossible to give up WiFi, but it is the best option for more reasons than one. Using a shielded Ethernet cable and opting for a wired internet connection actually gives you faster internet and is more secure. More importantly, doing it properly (as we'll show you below) reduces dirty electricity and EMF radiation, and is the best way to protect your health in the long-term.
Like we mentioned above, hardwiring your internet has many advantages to your health, privacy and security and in achieving better, more reliable internet speeds.
Next, we'll take a look at the key differences between wired and wireless internet and then move to step by step setup instructions.
Wireless internet or WiFi is a form of networking technology that uses RF waves to "wirelessly" transmit high-speed internet from a router to your device.
In a "wired" connection, the internet connection is not provided wirelessly but rather through Ethernet cables that transmit the data.
A wired internet connection virtually eliminates RF frequencies floating wirelessly through the air providing fast, dependable and more consistent low-EMF access to the internet without the need to connect to WiFi.
The primary setup for a wired internet connection requires:
Next, we'll cover how to set up a wired internet connection for your home or office.
There are many different ways to achieve wired connectivity, but we'll explain the easiest way to get you set up over a weekend.
The first thing you need to do before you start is to determine how your internet is currently connected.
Your internet provider will have provided you with a modem or a 2-in-1 unit that serves as both a modem and a router with WiFi built in it.
So, the first thing you need to determine is if you have:
You can also decide to purchase your own low-EMF router (as we explain below), but you need to make sure it is compatible with your ISP first.
Next, you'll need to plan how many connections you'll need to connect to from the different rooms in your house.
It's best to do this in writing or even sketch out a map of the home keeping the location of the modem in mind. Now plan out the exact number of connections you want in each room. You'll probably need a connection behind the television, and you may need one in the living room to plug in your laptop. You'll probably also want to add connectivity to your bedroom and the basement, and if you have a home office, you will need 1-2 ports there as well.
Doing this exercise is important to count out the exact number of ports you'll need to wire an Ethernet cable so you can have internet connectivity where you need it.
There's one key piece of equipment we need to set up a wired internet connection, and that is an Ethernet switch. It's actually a fairly simple device that connects to your modem or router via an Ethernet cable and has ports to connect multiple Ethernet cables to wherever they need to go around the house.
So, in the picture below you'll see the back of an Ethernet switch, where you would first connect your modem to the first port with a shorter Ethernet cable. Then you would use Ports 2,3,4, and 5 to run longer Ethernet cables to wherever they needed to go in your home.
But, there are instances where you would not even need a switch at all. Let's say you live in a small apartment and simply want to connect your laptop to wired internet. All you need to do is simply connect an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port behind the modem, and connect the other end of the cable to your laptop.
But in most cases, you will require multiple connections in your home for which a switch is required. There are many types of Ethernet Switches able in the market and the main key factor that you really need to consider when buying one are the number of ports (connections) you need, such as 5 ports, 8 ports, 12 ports, 16 ports, 24 ports, 28 ports and so on.
The Netgear 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch is a fairly simple and highly affordable 5-port switch that you can use to get started if you have a few connections. If you need more connections simple pick the 8 port, 16 port switch and so on. Also, remember that you'll need one port for the modem, so with the 5 port, you'll only be able to use the other 4 ports to hard-wire your internet.
So, what if you run out of ports in the future? You may even decide to add more ports to an existing network by using a secondary Ethernet switch.
For example, to connect your entire entertainment center such as your TV, media player, Bluray, receiver, and let's say a Roku, you can connect everything via Ethernet cables to one local switch, which you can then connect to the main switch, as seen below:
Once you've got your switch, it's time to start running your Ethernet cables. Before you start, make sure your modem is powered on and connected to the coaxial cable from your internet service provider. The coax cable is the one that has a screw-on connector and will most likely be coming out of a wall. Now connect a short Ethernet cable (usually comes with the modem) from the Ethernet port on your modem to a port on the Ethernet switch.
Now, we're finally ready to setup up a wired internet connection throughout the house!
There are many types of Ethernet Cables to choose from, Category (CAT) 5, CAT 6, CAT 7 and more. But, since our aim is to make sure we're reducing EMF radiation, we'd recommend using shielded Ethernet cables.
So, to reduce EMF in your current network or when setting up a new wired network, replace unshielded CAT5 cables with double-shielded cables like these:
Both these CAT7 cables have metallic gold plates around the RJ45 connectors, providing better shielding to protect against EMI interference.
Also, the "flat" shape rather than a rounded shape is great for a clean installation where you can run your cables alongside walls, follow corners or even slide cables easily under carpeting making them virtually invisible.
There are many ways of actually running the wires through your home, which we're not going to cover in detail as it really depends on how clean (and how much work) you want to put into setting up your network. So if you're a handyman looking to set up gang boxes and run in-wall wiring check out this video here or this detailed article here.
Alternatively, if you don't want to go down the route of adding connectors, terminating cable and installing new wall plates for Ethernet, then you can simply run the cables directly around the house.
View the video below to get an idea of how this can also be done fairly cleanly. The explanation goes a little over 20 minutes, but it's worth a watch to help you understand how to replicate a setup like this for your home:
To set up a clean run of Ethernet cable you can use cable concealers to hide or conceal the cable or simply run the flat CAT7 cable along the baseboard secured with double-sided tape or cable clips.
Below are some of the products we recommend to get you going:
Cable Concealer — We recommend the Cord Cover Raceway Kit, 157" Cable Management Channel, Paintable Cord Concealer System which covers cable, and cord wires
Cable Clips — These Adhesive Cable Clips (100 Pcs) will ensure that your CAT7 flat cables (mentioned above) are cleanly routed to where they need to go.
Also, there are certain instances where you want to run a hard-wired connection to a different floor, multiple floors, or connect from one room to another. Although this can be done by drilling a small hole in the floor or the wall, it is perhaps best to consult with an electrician or a handyman who can help you achieve the seamless setup you desire.
Ethernet Adapters
You might also need Ethernet adapters if your laptop does not have an Ethernet port or you need to connect your phone or tablet to wired internet. Here are a few we recommend:
iPhone / iPad — This handy Ethernet adapter for iOS connects your iPhone or iPad to the internet (Ethernet cable) using an RJ45 wired LAN. Enjoy a high-speed WiFi free internet connection with no EMFs.
Android — This durable high-speed network adapter works immediately (no drivers required), and can help connect your Chrome book, Macbook pro or Android phone to an Ethernet internet connection.
Now that you have your Ethernet cables setup you can start to plug them into any of the devices you want to connect to.
Make sure to disable WiFi on all of your devices so that your tablet, laptop, and your phone is not constantly searching for a WiFi network, and continuing to emit RF radiation.
To take it up a notch we also recommend turning off Bluetooth and using wired devices such as a wired keyboard and mouse to eliminate as much EMF as possible.
That's it! You've now set up a wired internet connection in your home.
Below, we'll take a look at what else you can do (or should not do) to ensure a truly low-EMF wired connection.
Now that you know how to set up a wired internet connection, there are certain things you need to be aware of to make sure that you reach your goal of making the connection as low-EMF as it can be.
In order to do this, it's important to understand dirty electricity and EMI. Many newer modems and routers can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can travel along your Ethernet cable and in fact be just as problematic to your health and wellbeing as WiFi is.
EMI is caused by temporary spikes or surges in voltage. If you have poorly run wiring, or devices such as computers, chargers, routers or even energy-efficient lighting, EMI or dirty electricity can literally exude through your entire home, and be a major source of damaging RF frequencies. To detect EMI in your home you can use a Line Noise EMI meter to see where the problem is coming from and install special filters to reduce dirty electricity.
Besides using shielded cables as mentioned above, there are also some other things to keep in mind to make sure your internet connection is low-EMF:
One thing to keep in mind when selecting a switch is to not go for a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) switch as seen here. This basically allows electricity (power) to run through the Ethernet cable and can be used to power a device such as an IP phone or camera, without a separate power cable. PoE cables are notorious for carrying high EMI and are not considered low-EMF.
Powerline adapters send data signals over your home's electrical wiring so you can essentially plug into the internet without using WiFi or Ethernet cable. The technology used by these adapters known as power line communication (PLC) creates a lot of EMI in your home's electrical wiring. This can then emit into your environment and radiate through all your PLC-connected devices.
Newer modems and high-bandwidth routers such as this Netgear router are rated at almost 1000 Mbps or 1 gigabit per second. These devices use gigabit-level "blazing fast" speeds which often create a surplus of high-frequency EMI, that can travel to your computer and other devices via the Ethernet cable. So using the lowest bandwidth equipment is always better.
We recommend the affordable low-EMF TRENDnet 4-Port Broadband Router rated at 10/100 Mbps, which may be considered on the slow side now but is actually adequate for most people's needs, even if you're streaming movies on Amazon Prime or Netflix. This is mainly because in most cases, your ISP is not likely to bring in more than 100mbps bandwidth to your home, and on average 25Mbps is the speed used by most households.
When it comes to modems the ARRIS SURFboard modem is a good choice over higher-bandwidth modems and is approved for Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox, but is not compatible with Verizon or AT&T.
In most cases, if you plug your cable into a modem, router or an Ethernet switch, the connection might not be properly grounded, so you may want to use a grounding adapter alongside your shielded cable.
If you've installed your internet connection into your walls, you don't need to worry about this EMI. Here's a quick video below on how to set it up. You can order yours here.
In fact, analysts predict that headphone annual sales volumes will amount to 176 million pieces by the year 2023.
Now, when it comes to headphones there's no argument that wireless leads the way. This is primarily due to the fact that consumers prefer the convenience of going wire-free and many Smartphone manufacturers have actually done away with the headphone jack altogether.
But, should we be concerned about everything from our mobile phones, routers, keyboards and mice, network cards, PDAs and our headphones going wireless?
Some people certainly think so.
In this post, we'll aim to answer the question — are wireless headphones safe? We'll discuss the technology behind wireless and Bluetooth, and tell you why we think anti-radiation headphones or air tube headphones are the smarter choice.
A lot of the demand for wireless headphones erupted in the year 2012, when there was a massive increase in the number of devices that could play audio through a Bluetooth connection.
As a matter of fact, by the year 2016, Bluetooth headphones actually surpassed non-Bluetooth headphone sales accounting for 54% of total revenue and 17% of the total number of units sold.
Within the wireless headphone market, noise-canceling is a feature that is much in demand, with major brands like Sony, Bose and Beats shipping out over 23 million units in 2018 alone.
True wireless headphones (headphones that don't have any wires, not even between each ear-piece) are also hugely popular, and offer a completely tangle-free experience, amounting to 12% of all wireless headphone sales.
The best example of true wireless?
Apple AirPods. According to Fortune, in 2019 alone, Apple is expected to sell 50 million AirPods translating to close to $8 billion in revenue, and sales are expected to grow 50% annually.
So, yes — wireless headphones are serious business.
And, the market is not expected to stop there. By the year 2022, the next big trend in headphones is forecasted to be headphones with voice assistants, which is already apparent in the market today with push-to-talk buttons integrated into the earpiece, and Apple's AirPods with voice-activated access to Siri leading the way.
So, why are we telling you all this?
Well, it's important to understand how technology has evolved and how more and more consumers today are embracing a wireless future with open arms.
In fact, so much so, that nobody really seems to be concerned if going wireless may have any harmful consequences.
So, let's just get right to it. Is it safe to use wireless headphones?
Truth be told, the answer isn't very straightforward. Assurances by the industry and government regulations claim that they are safe, however, there are many scientific studies and experts that say otherwise.
For example, a recent article quoted a petition signed by 250+ scientists from forty different nations worldwide and called on the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) to reinforce its guidelines on wireless safety. The petition expressed "a “serious concern” about the non-ionizing electromagnetic field (EMF), which is the kind of radiation emitted by wireless devices, including Bluetooth technologies."
The article quoted Jerry Phillips, professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado, who stated that “My concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation.”
Check out our eye-opening video below and read our blog to see how we measure and test Apple AirPods radiation levels.
In fact, these risks are not restricted just to Apple's Airpods. Phillips emphasized that current evidence “indicates potential concerns for human health and development from all technologies that operate at radio frequencies.”
Although Apple says that they comply with current safety guidelines, there is a growing number of evidence to show that cell phone radiation and radio waves can lead to neurological conditions, damage DNA, and even cause cancer.
So, the next time you plug in your Bluetooth headphones, should you be worried?
In the next segment, we'll discuss some of the technology behind wireless and Bluetooth to help you gain an understanding of what you're dealing with, and if you should be concerned.
Ever thought about the mysterious energy generated from your device's antenna that enables it to communicate?
Radio frequencies or RFs are an alternating current (AC) that when input to an antenna, generate an electromagnetic field that can be used for wireless communication and broadcasting. This field is called an RF field or a "radio wave."
Radio waves are very useful and come in both high and low frequencies. At the lowest frequencies, they can help to study earthquakes, be used in marine communication and radio broadcasting. At higher frequencies radio waves can be used for air traffic control, GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, cordless phones, your microwave oven, and yes — wireless and Bluetooth headphones.
At even higher frequencies RFs can be used for technologies such as 5G — the potential health risks of which may be a serious cause for concern (but that's a whole other blog).
Radio frequencies fall under what is known as non-ionizing radiation, meaning this type of EMF radiation has lower frequencies than visible light, and the frequencies are not strong enough to break through molecular bonds, as compared to ionizing radiation (which can break through bonds) such as X-rays and gamma rays.
Source: Scampstudy
Although radio waves are considered to be low-level EMFs, they can still have harmful effects on your health.
In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are “possibly carcinogenic” to humans.
Some experts actually believe that no matter the "strength or intensity," larger doses of EMFs are actually riskier. Recent research titled, "Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health," suggests that the biggest culprits are "pulses" or "quick bursts of electromagnetic energy that help wireless devices communicate."
Lead researcher, Martin Pall, professor emeritus of biochemistry at Washington State University (WSU) states that, “we have repeated studies that clearly show that pulsed EMFs are, in most cases, much more biologically active than are non-pulsed EMFs of the same average intensity,” and that “all wireless communication devices communicate, at least in part, via pulsation, and the smarter they are, the more they pulse.”
He asserts that industry-linked organizations turn a blind eye to these critical factors.
And, this constantly "pulsing" action is important to consider — especially when wearing wireless headphones.
In fact, Apple spokesperson Alex Kirschner, "confirmed that the AirPods, like other Bluetooth headsets, will constantly transmit signals while they are in your ears."
This should definitely be a red flag for wireless and Bluetooth headphone users, especially those who are plugged in all the time.
Also, you'll see that quite often the words "wireless" and "Bluetooth" are used interchangeably.
So, that brings us to the question, are wireless headsets and Bluetooth headsets the same, or is there a difference?
And is one better than the other?
A lot of people use both wireless and Bluetooth in conjunction, and although both are used for wireless communication, there are a few things that separate both technologies.
The first point to note between wireless vs. Bluetooth is that both "wireless" technologies don't use any type of wires to connect to devices. Also, all Bluetooth headsets are wireless, but all wireless headsets are not necessarily using Bluetooth technology.
So, before we look at the key differences between wireless and Bluetooth headsets, let's quickly understand the technology behind each.
Bluetooth earphones and headsets run on the 2.4GHz radio band frequency and most fall under "Class 2" Bluetooth technology which provides a range of up to 33 feet (roughly around 9 meters). So, with Bluetooth headsets, data is sent and received using radio waves, but only within a short-range.
These types of wireless headsets provide secure, wire-free listening and can easily be connected to any Bluetooth-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Wireless headsets also use the RF frequency which can range from 3 kHz to about 300 GHz. Most wireless headphones run under the 2.4 GHz radio frequency and can cover a large wireless range of up to 100 feet (roughly 30.5 meters). A wireless headset is powered by batteries that can connect to a device such as a laptop, TV or gaming console.
The headset wirelessly connects to a transmitter which is connected to the audio input of the device you want to connect to, such as your television. In the case of a wireless headset, you can actually connect multiple headphones to the same transmitter, making this technology popular for at-home multi-user gaming, movie-watching, or silent discos.
Range
Wireless headphones cover a much wider range (100 feet), whereas Bluetooth covers short distances (30 feet).
Portability
Since a wireless headset is connected to a base station it is not very portable and is best used for in-home use, such as for gaming or listening to music, office use, and call centers. Whereas in the case of Bluetooth, since most devices are now Bluetooth-enabled you can easily carry your Bluetooth enabled earphones wherever you go, such as in the gym, or while taking a walk or going for a run.
Compatibility
Wireless headsets may or may not connect with different devices and require an adapter to make a connection, however, Bluetooth earphones are compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device, which usually comes built-in by default.
Now that we know the different types of wireless headsets that we're dealing with and their pros and cons, let's see how they rate in safety.
Both Bluetooth and wireless headsets run on a 2.4GHz frequency which is also the same band used by microwave ovens, wireless modems in virtually all computers, mobile phones and printers, cordless phones, baby monitors, keyless entry systems and more.
In simple words, when you wear a Bluetooth headset, it's like having tiny Wi-Fi routers plugged into your ears for hours on end. And remember, they run on the same frequency that your microwave uses to cook food. Sure, the watts are different, but the frequency range is exactly the same.
Research has made it clear that radio frequencies produce radiation which can have an adverse effect on us, biologically, neurologically, and right down to the DNA level.
While Bluetooth and wireless headsets don't operate at higher frequencies such as the EMF you are exposed to when you hold a mobile phone directly over your ear, they are nevertheless placed in the ear for long periods of time, increasing the time of contact between the EMF radiation and your brain.
So, when you’re using Bluetooth earphones, you’re literally putting them as close to your head (and brain) as you possibly can.
Converse to the reports that suggest that low-dose radiation has "no-effect," research clearly shows that EMF exposure causes changes in brain activity. In fact, wireless EMF radiation has shown to cross the protective blood-brain barrier, potentially allowing toxic substances to reach the brain and cause cognitive impairment.
Although it was previously assumed that the body would not respond to low levels of radiation, a groundbreaking study demonstrated that just 50 minutes of holding a wirelessly connected cell phone next to the head (and brain) increases the rate of glucose metabolism, altering the brain's electrical activity, potentially leading to inflammation and disease. This study proved that even at low levels, EMFs can affect the body's biochemistry.
Source: Environmental Health Trust
A lot of people argue that when people ask the question, "are Bluetooth headphones safe?" there just aren't as many studies like those done for cell phone radiation to prove that they aren't safe. But the thing is that Bluetooth headsets work on the exact same RF frequencies as cell phones.
Both Bluetooth and wireless technologies use the same microwave radiation to transmit information, just like mobile phones — the only real difference is the range.
Cell phone antennas pick up signals from mobile towers and satellites, while a Bluetooth or wireless headset receives these signals from some feet away.
And, more importantly, a lack of studies still doesn't make the case for safety.
As per Wikipedia, "The question of harm to biological systems due to low-power ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is not settled. Controversy continues about possible non-heating effects of low-power non-ionizing radiation, such as non-heating microwave and radio wave exposure."
What this basically means is that although industry regulators zone in on just the "heating" aspect of microwave radiation, there is growing evidence to show that it's not just the thermal aspect of EMF radiation that causes biological harm.
This is also why SAR ratings are so controversial. SAR or Specific Absorption Rate is a measurement of the "rate at which energy is absorbed by the human body when exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field."
A 2015 study proved that even at weaker radiation levels, cell phone signals accelerated faster tumor growth in mice, disputing the fact that SAR should not be the only form of measurement to determine low-EMF damage.
The research emphasized that "tumor-promoting effects in our study were seen at low to moderate exposure levels (0.04 and 0.4 W/kg SAR), thus well below exposure limits for the users of mobile phones."
This is far below regulated safety standards in countries worldwide, and many times less than the USA's maximum SAR rating of 1.60 W/Kg, making certain phones like the iPhone 7 (1.38 SAR), OnePlus 6T (1.55 SAR) and Google Pixel3 XL (1.39 SAR), way above the numbers reported in the study.
And, to those who say that there aren't enough conclusive studies to show the adverse effects of wireless radiation, Dr. Keith Black, head of neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, provided the answer to CNN by stating that, " The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences," and that, "what microwave radiation does, in most simplistic terms, is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain."
"So in addition to leading to a development of cancer and tumors, there could be a whole host of other effects like cognitive memory function, since the memory temporal lobes are where we hold our cell phones."
The article emphasized that this type of radiation is not just limited to cell phones but "the RF of any wireless device -- a cell phone, Bluetooth headphones or a wireless router -- emits non-ionizing radiation."
So, now that we know that wireless and Bluetooth headsets emit EMF radiation that can have long-term repercussions — what about alternatives, such as using wired headphones?
A wired headset is one that simply connects a device (such as your phone, laptop, or tablet), with a wired cable. Just like any wire that carries an "electric current" and has both an electric and magnetic frequency, the wire in a wired headset also produces an electric current.
The way it works is that the wire that connects the device to the headset stimulates or acts as an antenna, carrying the RF frequencies right up the cord, and directly into the ears, head, and brain.
However, if you have a choice between wired and wireless, it's still better to use traditional wired headsets as at least some of the EMF radiation is dispersed away from the brain as it's carried along the cord.
But, although this is the better option, don't be mistaken, there is still EMF being emitted all through the wire and the headset itself.
Let's recap — wireless or Bluetooth headphones emit a considerable amount of EMF and as they are placed in the ears for long periods of time, day in and day out, the effect of EMF radiation is literally at the maximum. Wired headsets pose a lesser degree of exposure to the brain, but nonetheless, they still emit EMF. However, both are still better than putting your cell phone directly against your head.
So, is there a way to use headsets while eliminating almost all EMF exposure to the head?
Yes, there is! Air Tube headsets or anti-radiation earphones are a proactive way to do away with close to 99.9% of EMF exposure to the head.
Next, we'll cover what they are, how they work, and why you should use them.
The major difference between a wired and an air tube headset is how the audio is transmitted to your ears.
As discussed above, in a standard wired headset the sound travels up the cord and directly into your ears, and just like any wire carrying a current, this emits EMF radiation.
While standard headsets are 100% wire, an air tube headset is created with an "air tube" component designed from hollow, bendable air tubing.
This tubing replaces the traditional wire connected to the microphone earpiece and delivers quality sound while eliminating up to 99% of EMF radiation.
In an air tube headset, the part of the wire that carries the sound to the ears is replaced with a hollow tube, that carries the sound from the device to your ears, using sound waves. This not only protects against EMF but also provides an immersive sound experience.
Since there is no loudspeaker in the earpiece, and the speaker is moved away from the head, and all RF frequencies are blocked at the hollow air tube, the radiation simply does not reach the ears.
So, an anti-radiation headset basically protects the eardrum and the brain by completely eliminating almost 1000 Gaus of magnetic and alternating magnetic fields.
The air tubes isolate the magnetic field and the source of radiation and extend the distance between the cell phone and the body itself which decreases a massive amount of EMF exposure.
If you're a hard-core audiophile and want to experience all the high and low notes of your music, you may find that the sound quality of air tube headphones may not quite match up to those of traditional headphones, since the speaker is not sitting directly in your ear, but rather the sound is traveling to your ear through the hollow tubing.
Secondly, since air tubes use a hollow tube they need to be handled with a bit more care than with regular wired headsets. Most quality air tube headsets will actually come with a carrying case for better protection.
At Atmosure, we believe that the pros of using air tube headsets far outweigh the cons.
Can you really put a price on your health?
We believe that any device that drastically reduces radiation to important organs such as the brain is worth investing in.
Just by taking a little extra care in handling them, and placing them in the included protective carrying case when not in use will ensure that you'll enjoy an EMF-free listening experience going forward!
Air tube headsets don't work any differently than regular wired headsets. In fact, you can plug them into any device that has a 3.5 mm outlet (headphone jack), such as your cell phone, laptop, tablet or music player.
They are an excellent option to using speakerphone and are great for listening to music, enjoying podcasts, having muffle-free conversations with family and friends, and going into long meetings.
In fact, one of the main reasons you should use any type of headset is to get the phone as far away from your head as possible. An air tube headset just takes this to another level, giving your head and brain maximum protection.
So, essentially, an air tube headset protects in two ways:
With Atmosure's Anti-Radiation Air Tube Earphones experience the following benefits:
Order your pair of Anti-Radiation Air Tube Earphones for 99% EMF Reduction now!
Digital devices, smart meters, cell phone towers, appliances...are all known to generate EMFs or electromagnetic fields that are linked to chronic diseases and are classified as carcinogenic— but is EMF exposure really something you need to worry about?
EMFs have been on this planet since the dawn of time in the form of natural light from the sun and the earth's very own magnetic field. With the advent of electricity, man-made EMFs entered the picture and now almost a century later the amount of EMFs we are surrounded by has completely blown out of proportion.
Think about it...as a child, you may remember simpler times when all you had growing up (or saw at your grandparents' home) was a clock-radio, alarm clock (perhaps even a wind-up one), a TV, corded phone, stove, fridge, toaster, and blender.
Now think of your own home today...you're more than likely to own a cable box, game console, multiple TVs and cell phones, Bluetooth headset, computer, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, printer, scanner, cordless phone, Wi-Fi router, tablet, tablet charger, phone charger, laptop, digital alarm clock, multiple remote controls, electric toothbrush, hairdryer, electric razor, digital scale, curling iron, home theatre system, surround sound, wireless security system, smart home automation, CFL lights, iron, stove, refrigerator, microwave, electric can opener, toaster oven, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, coffeemaker, dishwasher, food processor, water purifier, electric grill, baby monitor...and the list goes on.
So, what's happening? Well, to put it simply, we're being bombarded day in and day out, 24/7 by EMFs — radiating energy fields all around us, without us even realizing.
From waking up in the morning, to taking a shower, to taking the subway to the office, to working on your computer, to relaxing in front of your Smart TV and then finally heading to bed, you are constantly exposed to the dangers of EMFs in a small or big way.
For most people, EMFs don't seem to pose any real danger, and many might actually not even be aware of the adverse health effects of electromagnetic radiation. However, for some EMF sensitivity is very real, and they are very much affected by what others cannot see or feel.
In this post we'll cover damaging EMF exposure, why you should be concerned about EMFs, and share 35 valuable tips to protect against EMF dangers:
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are "electric" and "magnetic" fields that occur wherever there is electricity or any electronic device.
Any plugged-in appliance generates an electric field. The higher the voltage, the more powerful the field. Magnetic fields are created only when the electric current is flowing, or the plugged-in appliance is switched on.
There are primarily four types of damaging EMFs:
AC electric fields (60Hz) from all types of house wiring and plugged in appliances. Ungrounded cords that have 2 prongs instead of three are especially bad. Voltage fluctuations make it difficult to accurately measure electric fields.
AC magnetic fields (60Hz) generated from house wiring, power lines, transformers, motors, grounding path currents and more.
Non-ionizing frequencies (the type that can't break through molecular bonds), generated from cell phones, appliances, Wi-Fi, smart meters, Bluetooth and other digital and wireless devices.
Apart from the above you also have what is called, "dirty electricity," or electromagnetic interference (EMI) that is caused by temporary spikes in voltage. If you have shoddy wiring, poorly designed appliances, energy-efficient (CFL) lighting and more, EMI can literally radiate through your entire home. To detect EMI in your home you can use a Line Noise EMI meter to see where the problem is coming from and install special filters to reduce dirty electricity.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), electromagnetic fields can affect the human body as the human body has its own electromagnetic field and biochemical response systems. Artificial EMFs can alter the body's natural frequencies and can affect sleep, induce stress, cause skin eruptions and even lead to chronic illnesses.
Some people are especially sensitive to EMFs, and have a condition called Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS), which is defined by the World Health Organization as "a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields (EMFs)".
If you have EMF sensitivity you may experience symptoms such as:
To put it simply, wherever there is electricity, there is EMF. So, whether you're using an appliance or digital device at home, or using a photocopier at the office under fluorescent lighting, driving in your "smart" car, or even live in the vicinity of a cell phone tower or power line you'll be exposed to EMFs.
Studies are proving that even though "non-ionizing" EMF exposure from cell phones and technology cannot break through molecular bonds, it can still have serious harmful effects.
Since we are exposed to this type of EMF almost all the time, even at that low-dose it can affect our bodies like a slow poison. So, therefore, it's not surprising that the WHO has classified radiation emitted from Smartphones to possibly be "carcinogenic to humans."
In fact, there is considerable research linking EMF exposure with behavioral issues, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, insomnia, irritability, vertigo, weakened immunity, infertility, autism, DNA dysfunction, cancer and more.
But, does that mean you need to let go of all your modern-day amenities, and completely go off the grid?
No, it doesn't. However, if you really want to maintain the best health for you and your family, there are some simple lifestyle changes and proactive steps you can take to reduce EMF exposure and protect your loved ones from EMF dangers.
When looking for a house, make sure you also survey the area around the home. Don't rent or buy a home next to high-voltage power lines, as they could create a powerful magnetic field in and around your home.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies "extremely low frequency magnetic fields," the same type of EMF generated by power lines as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
Many studies have shown that living in the proximity of a high voltage power line can increase cancer risk and also cause other health issues. The closer you are the worse the damage as seen in the image below:
Source: SafeSpace
Especially if have or are planning to have children, who are a lot more sensitive, you should be extra cautious. Low-frequency EMF has been linked to childhood leukemia with one study out of the UK showing that "living near high-voltage power lines raises children's risk of leukemia by 69%."
Today we are exposed to approximately 100 million times the amount of RF radiation that our grandparents are exposed to. This is partly due to the radiation from cell phone towers and antennas that emit microwave radiation.
These high-frequency radio waves ((800-1800 MHz), can travel as much as 45 miles on straight terrain.
The closer you are to a cell phone tower, the more dangerous it is as you'll see in this eye-opening video below:
The first thing you should do is scout your area for any cell phone towers or mobile phone masts in close proximity. You may even be surprised to see that your current apartment complex may even have towers mounted on top of it.
A good idea would be to first purchase a high-frequency EMF meter to measure the EMF intensity in and around your home. This is especially important if you can see a tower clearly right out of your bedroom window.
Once you ascertain that you do have EMF radiating into your home, you may consider certain shielding solutions such as shielding paint or possibly even changing residence if the readings are too intense.
Smart meters are commonplace in thousands of communities across many states nationwide. But are they really a "smart" choice?
A smart meter is basically an electronic device that automates the tracking of how much electricity, water, and gas, a property is using for efficient billing purposes. Although this may seem like a smart move, smart meters have been under the radar for quite a few years now as they emit the same kind of (RF) microwave frequencies as mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices.
An open letter written by several health experts voicing their concerns about smart meters to the Chair of the North Carolina Utilities Commission states:
"Smart meter pulses can average 9,600 times a day, and up to 190,000 signals a day. Cell phones only pulse when they are on."
Although research shows that the EMFs emitted from smart meters may be relatively low frequency, there have been countless accounts of people feeling negative effects after a smart meter was installed in or around their home.
Especially, if you live in an apartment complex where all the smart meters are localized in one location, and your flat is just a few feet away, all of this collective EMF can spell trouble. Also, if a smart meter is installed on the wall opposite from the room you sleep in, there's a good chance that a lot of EMF is leeching into your bedroom.
For those sensitive to EMF, symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, tinnitus, sleep disruptions, dizziness and more.
There's not much that can be done to reduce exposure but some places do allow you to opt-out, but this isn't an option in all places. In certain areas you may be able to call your power company and pay them a fee to replace the smart meter with a standard analog one, however, this might also not be an option everywhere.
As we said earlier, the more electrical devices you have in your home, coupled with the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi or mobile network the more EMF you and your family are going to be exposed to.
Going old school with your appliance choices is better than upgrading to the latest "smart" television, fridge or washing machine. All smart devices have wireless antennas that are constantly pulsing UHF (Ultra High Frequency) microwave radiation.
This type of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation is linked to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, stunted fetus development, and infertility.
So, although it might be tempting to control your lights from your Smartphone and switching on your air conditioner even before you get home, these supposed conveniences come with health risks that are simply not smart for long-term extended use.
Want to protect yourself from a cell phone tower or the electrosmog (surrounding electromagnetic waves) of your neighbors? EMF shielding paint can help.
RF frequencies are everywhere, especially if you live in the city. There are cell phone masts almost everywhere you turn, and not to mention the strong Wi-Fi signals coming in from your neighbors.
EMF shielding paint is a special type of water-based anti-shielding paint that is conductive and blocks out almost 99% of electromagnetic radiation (RF and low-frequency electric fields) from entering your home.
A deep black color, it can be applied like regular paint on the inside and outside walls of the house, including the ceilings, and especially the doors, and window frames, where EMF readings are generally pretty high.
Two layers of shielding paint are usually required to get the best protection. Once dried, you can use any regular paint color of your choice on top of it.
If shielding your entire apartment or home with EMF paint or EMF shielding fabrics is not feasible, a simple yet effective solution is to use an EMF bed canopy.
A high-quality canopy is a good solution for many, as firstly it is not permanent, so you can take it with you if you need to move. Secondly, it provides protection in the bedroom, where you spend most of your time.
The canopy works like a "Faraday Cage," invented in the 1800s by Michael Faraday to block electrical charges. Although the technology was built to protect electrical equipment from electromagnetic interference, the shielding mechanism is just as effective for protecting people from the effects of EMF radiation.
An EMF canopy is essentially a large Faraday Cage and utilizes a super-fine metallic wire mesh that repels RF radiation, similar to how an over-hanging mosquito net keeps the mosquitoes out.
The same technology is also used in Smartphone cases, built on the same principle, that completely blocks out EMF but may also block out wireless communication and cell-phone reception.
If you want to block out 99% of RF, EMI, & RFID radiation, Faraday Fabric is highly recommended.
Read more in our blog post here: Unrivaled Guide: What is Faraday Fabric or RF Blocking Material & How to Use it for EMF Protection
Most of us can't imagine life without Wi-Fi.
Everything is connected to it — your laptop, home office computer, printer, cell phone, tablet, and Smart TV, and perhaps even some of your other "smart" home appliances.
But did you know that Wi-Fi is actually the chief contributor to in-house electrosmog and "electro-pollution"?
This is because Wi-Fi devices emit RF microwave radiation — yes, this is the same radiation that creates a 'thermal effect' to heat up your food in a microwave oven.
Wireless routers contain transmitters that use the same microwave radiation to transmit data through the air surrounding us to any Wi-Fi enabled device.
We can't see these invisible energies, but they can have a similar type of heating effect on our bodies and our cells. In the long-term, this prolonged 24/7 exposure can have serious ramifications on our health.
Multiple studies have shown that exposure to Wi-Fi causes "oxidative stress, sperm/testicular damage, neuropsychiatric effects including EEG changes, apoptosis, cellular DNA damage, endocrine changes, and calcium overload."
There are several things you can do to protect you and your family against Wi-Fi radiation:
Use a shielded Ethernet cable that connects your router and modem to your computer. This will enable you to have a fast reliable low-EMF connection as you eliminate Wi-Fi microwave radiation. If your laptop does not have an Ethernet port, a simple USB Ethernet adapter will enable you to connect to the net with a wired connection.
Disable the Wi-Fi on all of your devices, and only turn it on when you actually need to use the device. For example, if your tablet is lying on your desk all day and you only use it in the evening, there's no reason to keep the Wi-Fi enabled on it all day and be exposed to all that added radiation.
Substitute your wireless mouse, keyboard, printer and scanner with plugged in USB alternatives (imagine the difference this will make if you're sitting in your home office surrounded by these devices for 8-10 hours a day).
If you can't turn the Wi-Fi off during the day, at least turn it off at night as EMF radiation can affect sleep quality and your body's ability to generate healthy cells.
Now you may be thinking that you switched all of your incandescent light bulbs to CFL (compact fluorescent lights) due to their energy-efficient properties right?
Well, that's how CFLs are marketed but what a lot of people don't know is that fluorescent lighting is actually a "toxin" you don't want in your home for the below reasons:
If you really need to use CFL light bulbs, stick with the ones marketed as double-encapsulated, so they won't leech mercury if dropped.
Also, there's no better light than sunlight — so, use as much natural light as you possibly can during the day and limit artificial light use.
A cordless phone or a DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology) phone, basically has a base and one or more handsets, allowing you to move around the house as you talk.
Although this may seem incredibly convenient, research coming out of Sweden has shown that radiation from cordless phones is a "probable human carcinogen."
One reason for this is that the base of a cordless phone along with all of its handsets, emit damaging pulsing microwave radiation 24 hours a day 7 days a week, even if they are not in use.
In fact, studies have shown that the amount of EMF emitted by a cordless phone is similar to that of a mobile phone.
Other research conducted on patients with malignant brain tumors documented that the risk of cancer multiplied for those who used a cordless phone and increased even more when both a cordless phone and a mobile phone were used.
The best way to reduce EMF exposure from cordless phones is to not use them at all and switch to a basic corded phone.
If you absolutely can't do without your cordless phone, unplug it from the wall when not in use (especially at night time) and use speakerphone when talking. It's also a good idea to have at least one corded phone in the house so you have a phone to use when the cordless is disconnected.
Mostly all baby monitors available in the market today are wireless and digital and use DECT, the same technology used in cordless phones that is known to be a high emitting source of RF radiation.
So, unknowingly, by placing a baby monitor in your baby's room, you are literally bombarding constantly pulsing harmful microwave radiation all-around your sleeping infant.
Here's an informative video explaining the damaging effects of wireless baby monitors:
If you absolutely can't do without a baby monitor, opt for a wired version that won't emit microwave radiation.
Can't do without your handy hairdryer?
You're probably not aware, but did you know that your blow dryer can emit anywhere close to 40 - 20,000 milligauss in EMFs? To understand this in context, your microwave emits roughly 100-500 milligauss of EMFs at the same distance!
Hairdryers actually pull a lot of power to function and what makes it worse is that the motor/heater part of the dryer is pretty close to your head as you're drying your hair.
Although a low heat/fan setting may help, it's way better to just towel-dry your hair (and your hair will thank you too).
If you feel you can't do without your blow dryer, at least try to limit use. So, for example, if you use your hairdryer 5 days a week, try to cut it down to 2 days. There are also low-EMF hairdryers available online that you can research and buy.
You probably don't use one of these anymore, but if you still have an old box TV or cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor, you should switch to a flat-screen LCD monitor that emits a lot less EMF radiation.
Older computer monitors can emit EMF radiation in a wide range of measurable frequencies as shown in this video below:
Microwave radiation is exactly what "microwaves" emit and are actually one of the biggest EMF emitters in your home. Although there are governed standards controlling the amount of EMF a microwave can emit, that doesn't mean using one is still not a health concern.
Microwave units are sealed to block the leeching of EMF but as the machine ages, the seals can disintegrate, leeching high amounts of EMF into the surroundings. So, if you've got a microwave lying around for a decade, you may want to consider throwing it out.
Just 10-hertz frequencies can pose health risks, but the frequency in a microwave is close to 2.45 billion hertz! Standing just 3 feet away, you are exposed to approximately 25 mG of EMF. This can have dangerous repercussions over an extended period of time.
Microwave radiation is known to induce cataract formation, weakened immunity, anxiety and depression, birth defects and even cancer.
Also, experts believe that since microwaving food violently and rapidly breaks chemical bonds and changes the molecular structure of food, food cooked this way can actually lose its nutritional value. This is yet another reason to stick to your stove.
So, although it's best to not use the microwave at all — if you can't give it up completely follow the safety precautions below:
Sure, it's called a laptop, but it should be nowhere close to your lap. Whether or not your laptop is connected to a power adapter or not it still radiates damaging EMFs.
The bottom of a laptop can emit radiation as high as a whopping 100 milliGauss (compare this with power lines that emit in the range of 10-70 milliGauss and are still linked to childhood leukemia).
In fact, one study that documented the harmful effects of laptop-induced currents on pregnant women and the fetus in the womb suggested that laptop computers or LTCs should actually be "renamed to not induce customers towards an improper use."
With infertility rates rising, placing a laptop on your lap, in close proximity to your reproductive organs while working, is highly risky. The FCC recommends maintaining a distance of at least 20 cm between you and your laptop. Also, the older your laptop, the more EMFs it can generate.
Invest in faraday fabric from Atmosure to help protect from laptop radiation as well as radiation from 5G, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth and more!
Harnessing the elemental energy of the earth is not only deeply balancing and grounding but can also potentially protect against EMF.
"Earthing" basically involves walking (barefoot) on the earth or on the grass to draw in the earth's energy and recharge your energy field.
A mounting body of research has shown the incredibly promising health benefits of earthing and grounding in improving sleep, reducing inflammation, promoting healing, normalizing cortisol (stress hormone) production, and boosting energy.
When it comes to EMFs, pioneering research suggests that earthing keeps you at the same voltage as the earth and helps to stabilize all the bio-electrical circuits of your body. Just like all electrical systems need to be "grounded," for stabilization, so does the human body.
You can practice grounding by strolling in the woods, walking barefoot in the grass or performing any activity that makes skin-touch contact with the earth for at least 15-30 minutes. A grounding mat may also be helpful to achieve similar effects.
Can what you eat really protect against EMF?
Radiation and other pollutants are said to destroy essential vitamins, fatty acids, and nutrients in the body, so the argument is that supplementing with antioxidants and eating a fresh, natural, preferably organic diet, can help strengthen your natural defenses and protect against EMF exposure and the oxidative stress that goes with it.
A 2016 animal study on rats being exposed to 2.45 GHz of Wi-Fi Routers and supplemented with Vitamin C concluded:
"WiFi exposure may exert alternations on the metabolic parameters and hepatic enzymes activities through stress oxidative and increasing of free radicals, but the use of vitamin C protects them from changing induced. Also taking optimum dose of vitamin C is essential for radioprotective effect and maintaining optimum health."
Building your antioxidant capacity is especially important during times when you are exposed to higher EMFs such as sitting on the computer all day at work, having an X-ray or CT scan, or taking a flight.
Make sure to maintain a diet that comprises of high fiber foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, foods rich in calcium, fermented milk products, vitamin A and C, essential fatty acids and more.
It's also important to eat foods rich in melatonin (the sleep hormone) such as meat and fish, bananas, grapes, cherries, oats, barley, corn, broccoli, and nuts. Exposure to blue light from devices can suppress melatonin and studies have shown that melatonin can "exhibit a protective effect," against EMF.
Salt lamps are actually carved from salt, Himalayan Pink Salt to be exact, and there have been claims made that the salt in the lamps actually acts as an antibacterial, improves immunity and removes airborne pollutants.
Makers and sellers of the lamps state that the lamps produce negative ions, and although there isn't much research to show measurable results, if the lamp does have a high amount of trace minerals it could potentially emit negative ions that have a lot of possible health benefits including purifying the air, easing asthma and allergies, boosting mood and sleep and even protecting against EMF.
So, why are negative ions important? Well, electromagnetic radiation from your phone, laptop, Wi-Fi, TV and more releases "positive" ions.
Salt lamps may be helpful in combating these harmful ions by producing negative ions to "ionize" the atmosphere and neutralize EMF.
Your bedroom is your sanctuary for rest, sleep and intimacy. If you find yourself skimming through your inbox in the middle of the night, you need to make changes.
So, why is this de-cluttering important?
Since the best healing happens as you sleep, the last thing you want is to be engulfed with EMF radiation emitted from devices in your bedroom such as a TV, one or more cell phones, a cordless phone, electric blanket, tablets, laptops, game console, LED lighting, chargers, baby monitor, digital alarm clock, digital photo frame, and more.
Harvard's department of Sleep Medicine also warns that working from the bed can negatively affect sleep patterns and that blue-light emitting devices such as your laptop and phone can decrease melatonin production, making it even harder to fall and stay asleep.
If you can't make your bedroom technology-free, some people even prefer to turn off all electric power to their bedroom before sleeping, to protect from EMFs as they sleep (learn how to do that here).
If it's not possible to cut power to your bedroom at nighttime (perhaps if your smoke detector is connected to the circuit), you at least need to make sure that your bed is positioned in a way such that there is no power outlet right next to your head.
All plugged in devices emit both an electrical and magnetic field when plugged in (even if the device is not in use), so you don't want any AC magnetic fields emanating for 6-8 hours all night long.
If you have a large room, try to move your bed away from the walls as all the electric circuitry is wired in the walls. The idea is to keep yourself at least 2-3 feet away from the fields.
Also, if your bed is positioned on a wall opposite to an electric meter, circuit breaker or a major device like a washing machine or refrigerator, it would be prudent to move your bed.
A plugged-in digital clock radio usually contains a cheap transformer (a device that converts high voltages to low voltages). So, if your alarm clock is plugged into a 120-volt circuit and requires only 9 volts to work, the rest is radiated out as heat and energy.
Now imagine all of this EMF being radiated right next to your head all night long, night after night.
Also, since most clock radios have 2-wire mains instead of a grounded 3-wire cable, it causes them to emit much higher EMF amounts which may cause serious long-term health effects. Also, the actual blue-light transmitted from the display can disturb sleep.
Thinking of using a cell-phone alarm? That's even worse, especially if you're charging it by your bed and it's connected with Wi-Fi.
All you need to do is replace your clock radio with a simple battery-operated alarm clock that has no clock radio built-in. You can safely place this beside your nightstand and it will emit no EMF or RF, giving you the sleep you deserve.
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), the "strength of a magnetic field decreases dramatically with increasing distance from the source." So the further you are from your cell phone, the better it is for you.
Here a few points to keep in mind while using your cell phone:
If you spend hours browsing video after video on YouTube or posting on Instagram you have to remember that you are constantly connected to Wi-Fi or to a cell phone tower. The less you use your phone the better.
Don't tuck your mobile phone in your pocket or bra. Studies have shown that "long–term semen exposure in the area of mobile phone RF–EMR leads to a significant decrease in the number of sperm," and that men should "avoid holding a mobile phone in a trouser pocket for long periods of time."
If you do need to carry your phone on you make sure it is in airplane mode. In fact, it is ideal to keep your phone on airplane mode when you're sleeping at night, and most of the day, and only reconnect to the web occasionally during the day to catch up with any messages. This is also sure to boost your productivity!
If you're accustomed to using your phone on just one side of the head, you should know that prolonged exposure on one side has been associated with a higher risk of brain tumors. So if you must use your phone against your head, consciously remember to switch sides ever so often.
To limit your exposure, increase your distance from your phone (the source of EMF) by using speakerphone for long calls and meetings. This is a lot better than even using a Bluetooth ear-piece, which also uses RF signals to send and receive data.
A lot of people constantly have their phone enabled for Wi-Fi, cellular data and Bluetooth when they don't really need all services on at the same time. So, for example, when at home, you may just need to be connected to Wi-Fi and can turn off your mobile data. This will stop the phone from constantly trying to connect to a cell phone tower.
Did you know that poor mobile phone reception could increase your EMF exposure by 10,000x? If you only see one bar or two on your phone screen wait until you get a better signal to make a call because your device actually emits high levels of EMF as it tries to compensate to connect with a cell tower. Similarly, don't use it on a bus or train, as your phone shoots power to the maximum level by constantly trying to connect to a new antenna.
Stick with a plugged-in charger or USB charger to charge your phone. Wireless cell phone chargers will increase EMFs in your home even when they're not in use, and are actually not good with energy-efficiency either.
Air tube earphones are highly popular today and are basically anti-radiation earphones that deliver sound via hollow air tubes rather than standard wires, virtually eliminating EMF radiation to the head.
A lot of people use wireless earphones but since these are connected through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth the effect of EMF radiation on the head can be incredibly high. Although wired earphones emit less EMF than wireless, the wires connect all the way to the earpieces so you'll still be exposed to radiation.
Air tube earphones have a built-in hollow tube that replaces a section of the wire and carries the sound to your ears. This way the magnetic fields emitted by the speaker are moved away from the head and all RF signals are blocked at the hollow air tube and do not reach the ears. The result is 99% protection from EMF radiation, along with crisp, and clear sound delivery.
Just like any other earphones, air tube earbuds can also be connected to your laptop, mobile phone, tablet and any other device that has a 3.5 mm outlet. They are an excellent alternative than using speakerphone — great for listening to music, meetings, and more.
Order your Atmosure Anti-Radiation Air Tube Earphones for 99% EMF Reduction and get the protection you deserve!
There are shielding products available in the market such as cell phone shielding cases that claim to block out 99% of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation.
But do they really work?
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there is no science-backed proof that these shields actually reduce EMF exposure. In fact, on the contrary, the EMF around the area shielded is still emitting EMF radiation and using a shield may actually "interfere with the phone's signal, cause it to draw even more power to communicate with the base station, and possibly emit more radiation." So, as your phone works harder to get a signal, it's actually emitting more RF-energy.
Studies show that "metallic patches or “chips” or minerals claimed by sellers to be protective, do not seem to make sense and might even be risky," and that using other avoidance strategies such as using speakerphone, waiting for a good signal, using Anti-EMF Earphones, or putting your phone in Airplane mode when not in use is much safer than shielding.
From the addictive sharing of images on Instagram, the Wi-Fi our smart devices run on, the video games our children are fixated with, the cup of tea we make in the microwave, and the smartwatches we wear on our wrists, it would seem impossible to live without these everyday conveniences we attribute to modern-day living.
While all of this advancement may claim to make our lives easier, it turns out that all digital devices, including all the appliances we use, emit energy waves (which we can't see), and there's a growing concern that they may have a negative impact on our health and wellbeing.
So, can all of these invisible energy frequencies really harm us?
In this post, we'll discover what EMFs are, discuss EMF exposure and the possible health risks it presents, and share practical tips to protect from all types of EMF exposure.
Electromagnetic fields or EMFs are natural or man-made waves that are made up of two "fields" — an "electric" field and a "magnetic" field, hence the name "electromagnetic." These fields travel together, perpendicular to each other, and can't be seen by the human eye.
Maxwell's theory of electromagnetic radiation, which can be traced all the way back to 1820, showed that electromagnetic radiation is comprised of light particles (photons) that travel as waves at the speed of light.
Source: Slideplayer
Natural forms of EMFs include the energy sent down to the earth by the sun, lightning, ultra-violet radiation (that can give you a sunburn), and the earth's own magnetic field that points the needle of a compass north.
Man-made forms of EMF occur anywhere there is electric power. So, everything from electric power lines, cell phone towers, and indoor lighting to medical imaging devices such as X-rays, your laptop, and literally any wireless technology you can think of generates EMF.
The amount of energy carried by the photons is what makes up the different types of electromagnetic radiation which can be expressed as wavelengths, energy or frequencies.
The strength of an electromagnetic field depends on its frequency and wavelength.
The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, the more energy is created as seen in the electromagnetic spectrum below, that displays the full range of electromagnetic frequencies and their respective wavelengths.
Source: Scampstudy
Also, as seen above, EMFs can be further broken down into two types of radiation — ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
The damaging effects of electromagnetic radiation depend directly on the type of EMF exposure experienced. Although, the wavelength and the intensity of the frequencies matter, research has shown that all types of EMF can be harmful.
Next, we'll look at different frequency types from the electromagnetic spectrum to understand the different effects EMF exposure can have.
It goes without saying that extended exposure to ionizing or high-frequency radiation can create serious health problems. If you've ever been out in the sun for too long and got sunburned, you've most likely experienced the burning pain of UV radiation first-hand.
This is also the reason why medical imaging technicians will ask women if they may be pregnant prior to taking an X-ray, due to the radiation potentially causing harm to the fetus in the womb.
Did you know 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime?
Protecting yourself from UV radiation is the most preventative way to stop the risk of skin cancer.
UV radiation is naturally present in sunlight and EMF exposure from it is a major concern today due to the depleting ozone layer. A known carcinogen, UV radiation from the sun can increase your risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer.
There are three types of UV radiation — UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.
UV-C is the highest radiation but is absorbed by the earth's atmosphere and does not reach the earth. UV-B radiation is what causes sunburns and reaches the "epidermis" layer of the skin.
UV-A does not burn the skin but penetrates deeper into the "dermis" layer and can lead to premature aging and wrinkles. Both UV-B and UV-A radiation are cancer-causing.
UV radiation is responsible for causing melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer) that accounts for 75% of all skin cancer deaths, non-melanoma skin cancers, and pre-mature aging.
It has also shown to increase the formation of cataracts in the eyes and macular degeneration.
Scientists have discovered that exposure to UV radiation can also suppress the immune system, weakening it, and reducing its ability to protect against infections and cancers.
When it comes to artificial UV radiation exposure, indoor tanning beds should be used with tremendous caution.
Studies have shown that the radiation from "tanning booths is 10 to 13 times more intense than that of the sun," and that indoor tanning increased the risk of skin cancers such as "basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma."
Did you know over 80 million CT scans are carried out in the US annually?
The radiation that you get from an X-ray, nuclear or a CT scan falls under "ionizing radiation," meaning high-frequency energies penetrate the body's tissues to display its internal bones and organs.
There's no doubt that X-rays have been saving lives for the past century, but today there are growing concerns on the long-term implications of X-ray radiation.
Since X-rays can alter and mutate DNA, potentially leading to cancer in a person's lifetime, both the US government and the World Health Organization (WHO) have deemed X-rays to be a carcinogen.
A 2004 study suggested that by the age of 75, cancer risk caused due to X-rays ranged between 0.6% to 1.8%.
A 2012 study also showed that CT scans of the chest and abdomen in children at cumulative doses of "50 mGy might almost triple the risk of leukaemia and doses of about 60 mGy might triple the risk of brain cancer," with Gy or "gray" being the measurement of the dose of ionizing radiation absorbed.
Yes, there are risks to X-ray radiation, but when it comes to medical imaging many argue that the benefits outweigh the risks as X-rays, nuclear imaging and CT scans can be life-saving protocols when it comes to diagnosing health problems.
However, that does not mean you can't take some precautions.
Gamma rays are the most dangerous type of electromagnetic radiation and can cause severe to fatal damage.
Probably, the worst cases in our history of EMF exposure caused by high-frequency gamma ionizing radiation are the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster and the atomic bomb blasts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
In April of 1986, a nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine malfunctioned due to a flaw in the design of the reactor, resulting in a steam explosion and fires that released radioactive material into the atmosphere.
The numbers claim that close to 50 people died due to acute radiation syndrome which is defined as "a collection of health effects due to exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation over a short period of time."
The unsettling symptoms are shown in the image below:
Source: Wikipedia
According to the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the long-term mortality is estimated to be 4,000 or more.
A large volume of children and adolescents during the time of the disaster had increasingly high rates of thyroid cancer. This was due to drinking milk from cows who grazed in pastures where radioactive iodine was deposited.
Workers or "liquidators" who were involved in disaster cleanup also demonstrated an increased risk of leukemia.
But there are several reports like this one that says the mortality numbers are misleading as "they only apply to those populations with the highest radiation exposures, and don’t take into account the larger numbers of people who were exposed to less radiation." The research estimates the number of cancers to be between 27,000 to 108,000 and fatalities to be in the range of 12,000 to 57,000.
Many experts have studied the after-effects of the nuclear bomb blasts on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945.
The image below shows the actual atomic cloud over Hiroshima following the blast:
Source: Wikimedia
An estimated 150-200 thousand people were attributed to having died in the blasts due to acute radiation damaging tissue and killing cells instantly.
However, those who survived but were exposed to ionizing radiation faced long-term implications such as cancer due to the radiation's ability to mutate DNA in cells and actually alter genes.
These long-term effects were seen as an increase in leukemia two years post-attack, which peaked 4-6 years later, and was most prevalent in children.
A study conducted in 1994 revealed that individuals who were exposed to radiation in the womb and were born to survivors showed malformations such as smaller head size and mental disabilities.
Other types of cancer took many years to develop and although higher radiation exposure was associated with higher cancer risk, "even low amounts of radiation were linked to an increased risk of getting and dying from cancer. There was no clear cut-off for safe radiation exposure."
By looking at the two devastating case studies above, it goes without saying that high-frequency gamma radiation can have serious short-term and long-term health implications.
So, is there a way to be prepared for a radiological emergency today?
When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from high-dose radiation there are three things to keep in mind:
Source: EPA
The EPA also recommends the following in the case of a nuclear reactor accident or terrorist attack:
Now that we've understood the damage and harm high-frequency EMF can cause, what about non-ionizing or low-frequency EMF radiation?
Source: Science Media Center
There is a growing concern on low-dose EMF radiation and the harmful effects it can have on us.
EMF is generated by everything that runs on electricity. So, this includes ALL of the following and more:
Experts argue that we are literally being engulfed by EMF 24/7, so even if the radiation is low-dose, it takes on a slow poisoning effect on our body.
That is why in 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO), admitted to the fact that radiation from cell phones is "possibly carcinogenic to humans," and can cause cancer.
It's been scientifically proven that the human body has its own electromagnetic field.
"You are an electric field — a giant electric field which holds your atoms together, and which uses other electric fields to talk to other bits of yourself."
- Jack Fraser, Master's Physics, University of Oxford
This phenomenon, known as "biomagnetism" states that magnetic fields are generated by all living things, and particularly by the human body.
In fact, the human heart is the most powerful source of electromagnetic energy which is actually detectable by scientific instruments.
"The heart generates the largest electromagnetic field in the body. The electrical field as measured in an electrocardiogram (ECG) is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the brain waves recorded in an electroencephalogram (EEG)."
Watch this eye-opening video about how long-term exposure to low-dose radiation can affect your body:
Harmful EMFs, which are different from our body's own natural EMFs, can alter the natural frequencies or "bioelectrical signals" of our body and damage tissues and cells, leading to health problems, unbalance and disease. They can affect everything from our immunity and stress levels, to sleep cycles and even our very DNA.
Depending on the health and sensitivity of an individual, the strength of the frequency and the level of exposure, this change can occur over many years, decades or even within hours or minutes.
Source: Pemf.Energy
Now that we understand the dangers, the key factor to keep in mind is that today most of our EMF radiation is coming from constant exposure to technology and connected systems and devices that may be wreaking havoc in our lives.
"Cells in the body react to EMFs as potentially harmful, just like to other environmental toxins, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals. The DNA in living cells recognizes electromagnetic fields at very low levels of exposure; and produces a biochemical stress response. The scientific evidence tells us that our safety standards are inadequate, and that we must protect ourselves from exposure to EMF due to power lines, cell phones and the like, or risk the known consequences. The science is very strong and we should sit up and pay attention."
- Martin Blank, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University
Non-ionizing EMF exposure covers everything from radio waves and microwaves to visible light and infrared.
Although non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to break molecular bonds, its effects are highly debated because even with low energy, at certain frequencies, thermal or heat energy can cause damage to tissues and cells.
Source: Swiftfire
This is also how a microwave works to cook food, and why you should not use a computer on your lap.
That said, studies have also shown that ELF and RF frequency exposure increase cancer risk, even at "intensities that are too low to cause tissue heating."
Next, we'll dive deeper into how low-dose EMF exposure can adversely affect our health and well-being.
According to the Environmental Health Trust, there have been many scientific studies proving the "neurotoxic effects" of cell phones and wireless radiation on brain development.
Contrary to reports that suggest that low-dose radiation has "no-effect," research clearly demonstrates that EMF exposure causes changes in brain activity. In fact, research has shown that wireless EMF radiation can cross the protective blood-brain barrier, potentially allowing toxic substances to reach the brain and cause cognitive impairment.
A 2011 study led by researcher Dr. Nora D. Volkow, that made headlines, showed that just 50 minutes of holding a wirelessly connected cell phone next to the head (and brain) increased the metabolism of glucose, altering the brain's electrical activity, which could potentially lead to inflammation and disease.
Source: Environmental Health Trust
Even though it was previously assumed that the levels of radiation were so low that the body would not notice, this study proved otherwise.
Dr. Volkow, who is the head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, recommends “to use a wired earpiece, use the cell phone in speaker phone mode or text message,” to protect from daily exposure.
Children, teenagers, and fetuses still in the womb are at the highest risk of EMF exposure.
Dr. Hugh Taylor, chief of OBGYN at Yale Medicine revealed that when pregnant mice were exposed to mobile phone signals, their offspring demonstrated "increased hyperactivity and impaired memory."
Research conducted on human subjects has also linked cell phone radiation to increased behavioral issues.
Research conducted by Turkish scientists "found significant brain cell damage within the hippocampus and cerebellum of rats following exposure to cell phone radiation frequencies." What's interesting is that the age of the rats was comparable to human teenagers and that the exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) signals were just for 1 hour a day for 1 month.
Here's an image that shows a child's brain absorbs a lot more radiation than an adult brain.
Source: Collective Evolution
Following the study, lead scientist Dr. Suleyman Kaplan emphasized that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s standards were not adequate for young kids and teens as they are more sensitive and are at risk for chronic lifetime EMF exposure.
Sleep disturbance is one of the symptoms that is often reported as hypersensitivity to EMF.
Studies have shown that exposure to "magnetic fields at night resulted in less total sleep time, reduced sleep efficiency, increased time in stage II sleep, decreased time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increased latency to first REM period."
Participants also reported broken sleep patterns "and feeling less rested in the morning."
Other research could not provide conclusive evidence if EMFs affect sleep quality, however, the research did admit that ELF magnetic fields "seem to impact sleep" and that "there are many indications that electromagnetic fields from mobile telecommunications influence brain activity during sleep."
Studies conducted with an electroencephalogram or EEG (a device used to track/record brain waves) have recorded "changes in sleeping humans exposed to non-thermal pulsed microwave fields," and "in persons exposed to Wi-Fi fields."
Also, besides just affecting sleep, EMFs have also shown to produce a host of "neuropsychiatric" effects which include depression, vertigo, memory changes, irritability, and cognitive issues.
Our immune system has evolved after thousands of years of fighting against a variety of outside threats such as bacteria and viruses.
However, exposure to artificial EMFs is still fairly new to us as they've only been around for the last 100 years or so.
To our bodies, EMF is an unknown enemy that our body has no defense walls against.
Studies have shown that "EMFs disturb immune function through stimulation of various allergic and inflammatory responses, as well as effects on tissue repair processes," and that "such disturbances increase the risks for various diseases, including cancer."
Source: Manhattan Neighbors
People with certain chronic conditions, such as Lyme disease, can be more sensitive to and be more affected by EMFs as they already suffer from a weak immune system and can experience an increase in inflammation due to EMF exposure. Prolonged exposure may further damage the immune system and even slow down recovery.
In fact, there has been a cumulative list of certain chronic symptoms that are being associated with EMF exposure, and there's even a name attributed to this condition.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) is a real condition defined by the World Health Organization as "a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields (EMFs)".
Source: Dr. Jay Davidson
Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, lightheadedness, rashes, skin irritation, headaches, fogginess and more when patients are exposed to EMFs in their environment.
EHS is hard to diagnose as the symptoms are common across many other disorders, however certain countries are paying attention. For example, in Sweden, EHS is classified as a "functional impairment," and in two separate court rulings in France and Australia, disability benefits have been awarded to EHS sufferers. On the contrary, no such steps have been taken in US courts.
There are a few reasons why most people are not aware of EMF exposure.
Firstly, although there is a lot of research out there to show the adverse effects of non-ionizing EMF exposure, there's not enough to show the potential long-term effects, simply because the technology is just so new and ever-changing.
For example, first there was 2G, then came 3G and now we have 4G all under different wireless broadband networks such as CDMA, GSM, and LTE. In fact, 5G technology might even be here sooner than we realize, and is a hot topic amongst a lot of people due to its EHF (Extremely High Frequency), posing potentially serious health risks.
As USA Today puts it, for 5G to work properly "you need a direct line-of-sight – as in, you can actually see the transmitter and are pointing your phone at it – to get the best possible speeds."
Imagine how harmful and damaging these shorter frequencies could be to our bodies' own natural frequencies, but since the present research done on EMF and the health problems associated with it are not widely publicized, most people are just not aware of the possible dire consequences.
Secondly, the health effects of being around EMF such as Wi-Fi, mobile phones, microwave ovens, cordless phones, and smart meters may not be easily noticeable at first and can surface after years or even decades of exposure. This is why the use of wirelessly connected digital devices amongst young children is a serious cause for concern, as similar to smoking, only time will tell of the ill-effects.
Thirdly, all industries from telecom and broadcasting to electronics and cell phone manufacturers thrive on billions of people buying their products and services. Imagine the colossal financial ramifications if people found out the potential damage these products and services are causing.
The analogy can be compared to Big Pharma, that would rather want people sick (and make billions selling pills) than find a cure for the disease.
So, if you're concerned about EMF, the best thing you can do is to be proactive and help minimize exposure for yourself and for your family.
Below, we'll cover some simple but important tips that you can follow to limit the negative effects of EMF exposure.
Want more tips? Check out our post on EMF Dangers and discover 35 tips to protect against EMFs.