In last month’s blog we started the discussion on EMR (Electro-Magnetic Radiation), and we will now continue to discuss some of the detrimental effects it can pose on our health, as well as some things we can do to adjust every day electrical device usage. In this day and age, we can’t avoid cell/cordless phones, radios, and computers/tablets entirely, but hopefully we can limit our time so as to reduce our EMR exposure.

Cell Phones, Cordless Phones and Wireless Devices – Radio and Microwave Frequencies

• Limit time spent on cell phones – use speaker phone away from your body; use text messaging over speaking if possible
• Avoid wireless ear attachments such as Blue Tooth – instead use an air-tube headset – the air portion of the wire interrupts transmission of radio-frequency to the head
• Strongly discourage children and adolescents from using cell phones
• Limit passenger use of cell phones or similar communication devices in the car to limit exposing other to second hand radio-frequency radiation
• Do not use a cell phone when reception is poor (less than three bars) – to avoid surges of increased power from the device
• Do not carry a cell phone on your body when it is turned on as it will be transmitting signals to the base station. Keep it in a separate area such as a hand bag, backpack, etc.
• Avoid using a cell phone when pregnant or while carrying small children
• Avoid living, working and attending schools that are within 1.25 km from a cell phone base, tower or antenna
• Use hard-wired baby monitors and security systems as opposed to wireless types
• In the case of high radio-frequency (RF) readings (greater than 50 uW/m2) in sleeping areas, consider RF shielding material for canopies and drapes and/or RF film for the windows. In extreme conditions or in cases of extreme sensitivity, with the guidance of a trained specialist, RF shielding paint can be applied to the bedroom walls

Computers

• Always use a wired internet connection rather than wi-fi
• Never use your laptop computer on your lap while using AC power (while plugged into an electrical outlet) – use battery power instead
• While working on your laptop when plugged in, use a wired extension key board and wired extension mouse
• You can also use a grounded copper sheet or Mu-metal (a nickel-iron alloy that has a high magnetic permeability making it effective in shielding magnetic fields) under your laptop when in use on a table to limit EMF from emanating downwards
• Locate the computer tower, surge protectors, voltage converters, cables and wires as far away from you as possible (at least one meter)
• Do not locate a computer on a common wall with a bed, crib, sofa or reading chair
• Avoid work areas, businesses and public areas that have wireless installations such as wi-fi
• Lobby against the use of smart meters on homes for measuring utility consumption and the use of WLAN (wireless local area network) and Wi-Max (wireless metropolitan area network) in cities
• Upgrade monitors from an old cathode ray tube (CRTO design) to a low-emission liquid crystal display (LCD)
• Avoid low voltage lighting, florescent lighting including compact fluorescent lights (CFL). Use incandescent or light emitting diode (LED) light fixtures/bulbs. Avoid use of rotary and sliding dimmer switches to control light levels as they are a source of magnetic and radiofrequency fields

For more information on EMR- Electromagnetic Radiation – www.buildingbiology.net

We can’t do it all! But if we are mindful of what can contribute to Electro-magnetic radiation and some tools we can use to limit its exposure, we are on the path to being healthier!

Author Info

Ashely Gordon