We have done extensive research on EMF danger. But, having EMF Protection Information available is important for you to be able to judge for yourself. And it may be wise to protect yourself and your loved ones from this energy pollution that surrounds us. The degree of danger is still being debated by experts, but it is acknowledged that it exists. Isn’t it best to be on the safe side and take whatever protection is available?

Should You Be Worried About EMF Exposure?

We are all accustomed to the electronic conveniences of our modern life. But are you aware of the potential health risks presented by these gadgets that make our world work?

Power lines, cellphones, microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, computers, and other appliances send out streams of invisible energy waves. Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are produced everywhere electricity is used. This includes your home and your workplace.

Experts are concerned about the potential health effects of these fields. How much should we be worried?

While researchers don’t believe most EMFs are that dangerous, there are still scientists who question the safety of EMF exposure. Perhaps there hasn’t been enough research in order to understand whether EMFs are harming us.

Let’s take a closer look.

Electric power lines and indoor lighting spread across the world at the turn of the 20th century. And scientists realized that these power lines, supplying all that energy to the world’s population, were sending off EMFs. They are just like the sun which emits EMFs naturally.

Scientists have now learned that many electrical appliances also create EMFs. As the medical field advanced, much of its diagnostic and treatment equipment was also found to make EMFs. These include imaging devices for X-rays, MRIs and CT scans.

Today, 90 percent of the world’s population has access to electricity and uses electrical appliances. That means lots of electricity and EMFs are created around the world.

But even with all these waves, scientists generally don’t think EMFs are a health concern.

There are two types of EMFs that you might be exposed to:

• High-frequency EMFs. This is the ionizing type of radiation. Scientists seem to agree that X-ray imaging machines and CT scans produce low levels of this high-frequency type of radiation. Other sources of high-frequency radiation include gamma radiation from radioactive elements and UV radiation from either tanning beds or the sun.
• Low- to mid-frequency EMFs. This is the non-ionizing type of radiation. It’s mild and thought to be harmless to people. Household appliances like microwave ovens, cellphones, hair dryers, and washing machines, as well as power lines and MRIs, produce this type of radiation. This category of EMFs includes extremely low-frequency EMFs (ELF-EMFs) and radiofrequency EMFs (RF-EMFs).

Non-ionizing radiation

These are some of the devices that generate non-ionizing radiation.

• microwave ovens
• personal appliances like electric shavers, hair dryers, and electric blankets.
• computers, tablets, and laptop computers
• smart meters
• wireless (Wi-Fi) routers
• cellphones
• radio and television signals, radar, and satellite stations
• Bluetooth devices
• power lines
• MRI machines

Research on Harmfulness

Disagreement exists in scientific literature determining whether EMFs pose any danger to human health and, if so, how much.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified non-ionizing EMFs to be in the radiofrequency range of Group 2B, which would be a possible human carcinogen. Electronic products like cell phones, smart devices, and tablets produce these fields.

IARC operates under the World Health Organization (WHO).

Their 2011 evaluation pointed to a possible link between RF radiation and cancer in people. One possible type glioma is a malignant type of brain cancer. Their conclusion was that there could be some risk. And some researchers have now classified these rays as a Group 1 known carcinogen.

This report in 2011 was based on evaluation of much lower levels of frequency than the current 5G phones. However, it does emphasize that there is a link between cellphone use and cancer. And that these risk needs to be carefully monitored by the scientific community. More research is needed into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones. Seems like a bit of caution here might be in our best interest. Better safe than sorry, especially now with young folks who live on their phones.

Going forward with smaller more recent studies, researchers analyzed data for almost 2 decades. And they found that even people exposed to high levels of extremely low-level frequency magnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) over a long duration showed an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of leukemia in adults.

More Studies

European scientists also uncovered a possible link between EMF and leukemia in children.

Other studies on low-frequency EMFs suggest that these energy fields may cause various neurological and psychiatric problems in people. And they concluded that long-term exposure could be harmful to cognitive ability and may induce pathology similar to that of Alzheimer’s disease.

Also, other research programs suggest that the body’s tissues and its nervous system may be affected by the heat generated by RF-EMFs. This study, conducted on rats and mice, showed that the heat from cell phones does affect body tissue and nerve activity.

Most researchers say further studies should be done. But, with all this research it suggests to me that there is room for concern. Better be safe.

Possible symptoms related to EMFs included:

• headache
• sleep disturbance
• memory loss
• dizziness
• loss of concentration
• tremors

Still want more Information

EMF exposure levels are monitored at the global, national, and local levels in a patchwork of procedures by multiple organizations, depending on where you live.

Internationally, the primary guidance on radiofrequency EMFs comes from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

In the United States, a variety of governmental agencies have specific responsibilities for managing EMF exposure.

Here are some examples of federal controls:

• Electronic devices. Standards for all electronic devices emitting non-ionizing or ionizing radiation are set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source.
• Cell phones. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets exposure limits on electromagnetic radiation from both cell phones and cell phone towers. The FCC rules and guidelines are based on standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), plus input from other governmental agencies. The first study by the FCC was in 1969, and the latest changes posted in 2013. Much has happened since then.
• Smart meters. The FCC sets exposure limits for radiation emitted from smart meters. Those are the boxes on the sides of houses and businesses that use a cellular transmitter to track power consumption.
• Power lines. Currently, there are no federal restrictions on EMFs from power lines. i
• Medical use. Many medical devices and procedures use ionizing radiation to diagnose and treat conditions and diseases as previously stated. Various regulatory agencies share responsibility for the safety of these procedures and devices, including the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the FDA, the EPA, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
• Nuclear power. Several regulatory agencies share responsibility for regulating nuclear power and coordinating disaster response, including the EPA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the NRC.
• Imported products. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) screens imported goods to be sure they’re free of harmful substances.
• Workplace. Exposure to EMF in workplaces is governed by legislation and enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Televisions and computer screens

Computer screens and television sets work similarly, and produce both electric and magnetic fields at various frequencies. Screens with liquid crystal displays (LCDs) do not produce significant electric and magnetic fields.

Fortunately, modern TVs, which generally use LCD, LED, or plasma screens, emit only small amounts of radiation. But it’s enough that you should keep children from getting too close. If you Watch from a couch several feet away there should be little danger.

Wireless devices

The FCC requires that all wireless communications devices sold in the United States meet minimum guidelines for safe human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) energy.

For wireless devices that operate at 6 GHz or less and are meant for use near or against the body (cellphones, tablets, and other portable devices), the FCC sets exposure limits in terms of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). This is a measure of the rate at which the body absorbs RF energy. The FCC limit is 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg).

Microwaves – Microwave ovens operate at very high power levels, but they have shields to reduce the leakage of radiation outside the oven to almost nothing.

IN YOUR HOME

Much of your EMF exposure in your home probably comes from the wires carrying electrical current.

You also get short-term high exposures when you are near electrical appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines. The EMF radiation drops off sharply as you move away from these appliances.

PROTECTION

The EMF strength around appliances diminishes rapidly with distance. At 1 foot, the magnetic fields surrounding most household appliances are lower than the limit in the ICNERP guidelines for the general public.

ICNERP Guidelines

• Don’t sit or linger near appliances. One of the best ways to avoid EMF exposure in your home is to keep your distance from appliances. Yes, you do need to get up close to turn on the television, open the fridge or microwave, and load the washing machine. Just try to keep these close encounters short, and don’t sit next to appliances — or allow your kids to.
• Put your phone down. Especially when you aren’t using the phone, place it away from you. At night when you sleep, put it in another room.
• Use the speaker function or earbuds with your phone. This will reduce RF exposure to your head. Earpieces do generate and emit fields, but not nearly as much as your phone. Using earpieces or speakerphone, you can greatly reduce exposure to your head.
• Don’t carry your phone in a pocket. Try to carry your phone in a bag or briefcase when you’re out.
• Unplug occasionally from all electronic devices and electricity. Take a day off from electronics, or even several days. Your body will thank you!

To reduce high-level exposure and associated risks, try these tips:

• Limit X-rays. Only receive X-rays that are medically necessary.
• Limit your time in the sun. You need some sun for your health, just not too much. Also, avoid sun during the middle of the day when the rays are strongest.
• Limit time in tanning beds. If you must have that quick summer tan, just limit your time under the lights.

WI-FI

Wi-Fi is a wireless technology. We use to connect laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices to the Internet. In fact, you are likely reading this article on a device that’s currently connected to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi sends data via electromagnetic radiation, a type of energy. The radiation creates areas called electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

There is concern that the radiation from Wi-Fi causes health issues like cancer. However, there are currently no known health risks in humans.

Currently, there’s no definite answer to this question. That’s because there’s no solid evidence suggesting that Wi-Fi, or EMFs in general, directly causes cancer.

HOWEVER, AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION CERTAINLY IS WORTH THE COST OF A PREVENTATIVE DEVICE! ONE THAT COSTS LESS THAN 10 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE DEVICE (THE SMARTPHONE) THAT MIGHT BE CAUSING YOU HARM.

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