Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has potential dangers, and likely, your house has several electrical devices and electronic gadgets, which are emitting the invisible and dangerous EMF radiation.
For most of us, we need to interact with devices that are powered by electricity or be within the vicinity of electromagnetic fields throughout the day. Devices such as computers, televisions, electric coffee makers, microwaves, smartphones, water heaters and even fluorescent lighting are just some of the electrical appliances many of us use on a daily basis, yet they expose us to various electromagnetic radiation dangers.
This article will cover the dangers associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields, and what levels of EMF radiation are considered to be safe. Please keep reading.
EMF Health Effects: What You Need To Know
Contents
It is now recognised that there are a number of health issues, which are associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields. If you have any of these EMF radiation symptoms then it may be either caused by or exacerbated by electromagnetic radiation that you are being exposed to in your home or at work.
Cell Phone Tower Radiation
Cell phone towers are known to emit microwaves or high-frequency radio waves, which can be transmitted as far as 45 miles depending on the terrain. So, this means that risk tends to increase with proximity. Other sources of cell tower exposures are radio masts, mobile towers and cell towers and the microwaves they emit.
There are various side effects associated with microwaves emitted by cell phone towers, which include; headaches, cardiovascular stress, cancer, birth defects, cognitive impairment, infertility in men, among others.
See also: More tips to protect yourself from EMF radiation
Cell phone radiation
When your phone is turned on, it tends to produce harmful electromagnetic radiation or EMFs. Placing your phone th your ear while making a call can expose you to anything between 10% to 80% radiation, depending on the type of phone you use and the strength of the signal.
The radiation can affect your brain, and the effects are often worse in children. In addition, holding a cell phone close to the head has also been shown to cause brain wave changes.
Other side effects of cell phone radiation include sleep disturbances, reduced melatonin, eye problems, fatigue, cardiovascular stress, headaches, memory loss, cardiovascular problems, and genetic damage, among others.
Unfortunately, using a wired or Bluetooth headset does not solve the problem and will still direct the electromagnetic radiation into your head. However, using a radiation-free headset that delivers sound into your ear via an air tube will eliminate the radiation from being funnelled directly into your ear.
Another alternative is to use the loudspeaker on your mobile phone so the device will not be right up against your ear.
Computers and Laptops
Computers and monitors are a health hazard because of the EMFs they emit. In fact, using your computer or laptop at close proximity is known to increase your exposure to harmful electromagnetic fields.
Placing your laptop on your lap can expose you to 20 mG, the majority of which will be going directly into the groin and abdominal area. The side effects include fertility issues, fatigue, cancer and immune suppression, just to mention, but a few.
Wi-Fi Router
Wi-Fi is convenient but it also comes at a price. This is because wireless routers, Bluetooth and other wireless systems tend to emit electromagnetic radiation. They emit a low-gigahertz frequency, which is considered to be highly dangerous.
may Your neighbour’s router also be exposing you to EMFs if their router is within close proximity to your house. The fact that most people never switch off your Wi-Fi makes it worse. The side effects of Wi-Fi EMFs include headaches, tumours, inability to sleep and irritability among others.
EMFs from Motor Vehicles
Trains, cars and motorcycles all produce electromagnetic radiation as a result of the different electrical processes. In fact, hybrid cars expose one to very high levels of electromagnetic radiation.
The suspected long-term and short-term effects of this kind of exposure to motor vehicle radiation include anxiety, mood disorders, childhood cancers, muscle pain, male and female infertility, cardiovascular stress, among others.
EMF from Air Travel
Airports are another source of radiation due to the body scanners, moving sidewalks, and metal detectors. Magnetic fields in the aircraft also expose you significantly and they often come from cockpit computers, the aeroplane’s engine, communications equipment, electrical wiring in the cabin, as well as from static electricity from the fuselage.
Side effects include jet lag, dizziness, headache, cancer, sterility, and even gene mutation.
See also: Dirty electricity and how you can protect yourself
EMFs from smart meters
The two antennas on smart meters are known to emit radio-frequency microwave radiation, which is equivalent to those produced by cell towers. The radiation emitted from a smart meter will, of course, be much lower than that of a cell tower. However, the smart meter will be at a considerably closer proximity to yourself and your family than that of a cell tower.
The health risks of smart meter EMF radiation include sleep disturbances, headaches, tinnitus, cognitive impairment, chest pain, heart palpitations, irritability, anxiety, stress, arthritis, among others.
EMFs from power lines
Power lines emit electromagnetic radiation, also known as Extremely Low Frequency (ELF), which can have adverse effects on your health.
When the EMFs scramble, they can interfere with the natural EMF of your body, which can lead to insomnia, stress, DNA damage, anxiety, brain tumors, decreased libido, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, childhood and adult leukemia, neurodegenerative diseases, birth defects, reproductive problems, and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), among others.
EMFs in the home
Electrical devices and appliances emit harmful electromagnetic fields. These EMFs create a toxic layer of radiation because they tend to layer upon each other.
The suspected side effects of EMF from microwaves and other appliances in the house include cataracts, increased cholesterol levels, decrease in haemoglobin, birth defects, anxiety, headaches, cancer, just to mention, but a few.
Underground Pipes and EMFs
The metal water lines in your home also expose you to electromagnetic radiation because they are conductive, which means that they create high levels of EMFs. In addition, when power lines are grounded poorly, they tend to produce ground current, which is also referred to as current flowing along underground metallic water pipes.
Risks associated with EMFs from underground pipes are said to be minor, but they include headaches, cancer, and fatigue, among others.
Safe and Dangerous Levels of EMF Radiation
EMFs are measured in Milligauss (mG). The safety level of EMF exposure often depends on frequency, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is recommended that you limit your exposure to 0.5 MilliGauss to 2.5 MilliGauss.
Magnetic Fields
The safety levels of magnetic fields are 0.5mG. 1.0mG has been shown to cause cancer. In addition, increased levels of 2.0mG have been associated with increased cases of leukaemia among children.
Final Thoughts
The above are just some of the health dangers associated with EMF exposure. It is important that you protect yourself from these dangers by making use of dirty electricity filters such as Graham-Stetzer Filters and Greenwave Filters.
