Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are known to be detrimental to our health. We’re all constantly exposed to them in this modern world, but we can limit our exposure. EMF exposure has been shown to cause a long list of health problems, but we still don’t know exactly why, or how much is dangerous. So it seems the important first step is to be aware of our exposure, and to take steps to reduce it.
I posted recently (Update On Sauna) that Dr Mercola had posted on EMF risks in conventional saunas, so I bought a cheap tester and determined mine is reasonably safe. But I also roamed my house and found some areas with localized high emissions that were expected, like my wifi router and microwave oven, but some that were not expected.
One peculiar reading was in a hallway near a bedroom, but in an area with no appliances or electrical activity of any sort. Later, I discovered I could put my hand between the tester and the wall at chest level and eliminate the reading. Looking on the other side of the wall, I found a light switch, which controls a switched outlet feeding some lamps. Turning off the switch eliminated the EMF. Disconnecting the lamps eliminated the EMF regardless of switch position. I replaced the switch and the problem was resolved. The house is about 50 years old and the switch has probably accumulated some corrosion that causes voltage fluctuations which are the culprit for EMF.
Another mystery was a bed with a large heating pad. It produced high EMF head to toe. I replaced the heat pad — problem resolved.
This photo shows one I was unaware of — a blank wall in the corner of the living room with high H field. On the other side of the wall is my electric meter — a “smart” meter that communicates with the meter reader from his truck out in the street. I have heard of homes with a smart meter close to a living or sleeping area, and finding health problems that are associated with EMF. That doesn’t usually persuade the electric company. Apparently some companies will return the manually read meter upon request.
One suggestion for meters or other immovable emitters might be to block the signal. I found that putting my hand in front of the offending emitter reduces the measured emissions considerably. So does a sheet of aluminum foil. We might find that hanging a picture with an aluminum foil backing might improve our environment in some cases. Creativity helps.
I also found that cell phones and chargers emit some EMF. I had a practice of putting my phone on the charger on the nightstand a couple feet from my head at night, along with my cell equipped tablet, and a cordless phone. The reading was zero at my pillow, but I have moved them to another part of the room overnight. I’ve heard of people who recommend putting them in another room. Just remember that EMF signals pass through walls, too, so true distance is the objective, not in an adjacent room where it might still be geographically close. The radiated power decreases with the square of the distance, so a little distance goes a long way.
As one reader commented, these cheap testers don’t accurately show our exposure to all frequencies of the EMFs we’re constantly exposed to, but they give important clues where the problems are. Zero is not really zero, just belowcthe detection threshold of the tester. But zero indicates pretty low. High readings, especially above the alarm trigger for your tester (mine dpturns the display red), probably means you should mitigate the problem. And since we don’t yet know exactly how much exposure affects our health, we probably don’t need to go for the tin foil hat, yet.
Some people are distraught about the risks of the new 5G phone systems, which use frequencies a little higher than my tester can detect. But we should consider that these are at best more of the same onslaught of EMF we’re already exposed to, and possibly a game changer for risk, despite the reassurances of government and operators. We are surrounded with EMF sources. It all adds up.
There are a lot of resources online for those who are curious. Some of them are trying to sell related products, so watch out for possible overselling. But learning what the related health problems are might help us decide if it warrants closer investigation. If you’re still healthy, it’s reasonable to be aware of what emitters might be a problem and to take steps to reduce our exposure. But if you have some of the indicated conditions, it might be worth more investigation.
We can’t eliminate the risk short of moving far off the grid, and even then we’re flooded with radiation from overhead satellites. But small offenders probably cause small problems, so limiting the worst of them is probably good enough.
Please let us know if you gain new insights. This is pretty new science, and we’re all learning together.
Very useful, thank you.
Part of the issue is that many people's vitamin D levels are way too low. D provides protection against sun radiation so should do the same for EMF. D also speeds up healing after damage.
D for defense of course.
I suspect also there will be issue with people's body chemistry. We act like aerials to signals, think old analogue radios you can touch the aerial to improve signal which passes through your body. This can result in 'hearing voices and probably could be why people are acting funny/not listening to the truth, although the visual media does that too.
Thank you David for the update on the mysterious hot spots. All intriguing information. This post has certainly opened my eyes to the multiple sources of EMF and the need for a "best practices" approach. So many things are *safe* until proven otherwise.