EMF Exposure and Health Risks: Your Complete EMF Survival Guide

What we put in and on our bodies has a significant effect on our health. But what about what’s around our bodies? You’re probably aware that industrial chemicals, cigarettes, certain metals, and environmental pollutants can cause oxidative stress, disease, and long-term damage. But what about electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which are all around us at all times, indoors and outdoors? 

Remember when you were a little kid, and you’d be eagerly standing in front of the microwave watching your Hot Pocket spin round and round as Pavlov’s Law took hold of your salivary glands? Then all of a sudden, one of your parents or caretakers would shout, “stop staring at the microwave!”

Did you ever wonder why you weren’t supposed to cozy up with your Hot Pocket cooker? You might have been told it had something to do with radiation, or the more general parental response, “because I told you so.”

The truth, though, in short, is that microwaves, along with a whole slew of common household appliances and devices of modern convenience and communication, generate electromagnetic fields, which as you’re about to learn, have a sinister side. 

In order to “survive” in our EMF-saturated society or survive anything for that matter, you must first become educated on the threat. To mitigate symptoms and disease, you must understand the source. Remember, our bodies are equipped to self-heal and function at their optimal capacity, but in order to do so, it is our responsibility to realize the solutions.

So, here’s your complete lesson on EMFs, followed by tips, tools, and resources to round out this complete and highly handy survival guide so that you can thrive in today’s EMF world.

What Exactly Are Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)?

Since the dawn of our planet, the sun has beamed down waves of energy that create electromagnetic fields, also known as electromagnetic radiation. The Earth’s magnetic core also radiates an electromagnetic field, as do thunderstorms and our bodies. These invisible energy waves are natural and have been a part of our daily life since the day we were born. Human-made electromagnetic fields, however, aren’t quite as deep-rooted in our history, and in turn, haven’t been studied comprehensively enough to conclusively state they are entirely safe. 

Electric power lines and indoor lighting took the world by storm at the turn of the 20th century. Since the first flip of the switch, we’ve only increased our dependence on electricity.

Eighty-seven percent of the world’s population has access to electricity and uses electrical appliances.”

– World Bank

Everything that we use that requires a power source (i.e., our cellphone, Wi-Fi router, microwave) generates an electromagnetic field.

The Different Types of EMFs

(Ionizing, Non-ionizing, Natural, Polarized)

There are two main types of EMFs: high-frequency ionizing EMFs (from an MRI device, radar, satellite station, gamma rays, and ultraviolet light) and low to mid-frequency non-ionizing EMFs, which also includes radiofrequency radiation. All of our electronic devices and appliances emit non-ionizing EMFs.

One of the main differences between natural EMFs and artificial (human-made) EMFs is that the kind our technology makes is polarized. According to Forbes contributor Jayshree Pandya, “polarized EMFs can have increased biological activity, possibly due to their ability to generate constructive interference forces, which magnify their concentrations at many places…As a result, there is a growing concern that the biologically active human-made EMFs may be at the root of some mounting health concerns for humans.” 

Like air pollution, electromagnetic pollution is a real threat now that our use of technology has skyrocketed into a seemingly limitless sky. So, while many will claim that EMFs are not dangerous, this claim is quite questionable when you consider how many things we continuously interact with generating EMFs. 

Most of the studies conducted on EMFs, even those used to decide what “safe levels” are, only focused on the thermal effects; the way in which EMFs can heat our tissues. As more research is being conducted, though, it is becoming more apparent that it is actually the non-thermal effects that affect us the most. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves yet!

What Are Everyday Sources of EMFs?

Electromagnetic fields, interchangeable with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) are everywhere, especially now that we are attached at the hip to technology! Before computers, cellphones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, smart TVs, Fitbit, iWatch, Alexa, and electric cars, our exposure to EMFs was relatively low. 

Sure, our microwaves, convection ovens, and other household appliances have always generated EMFs. But when we are done preparing a meal, our close interaction with those appliances is over—and most know better than just to sit and stare at the microwave. The same goes for talking on the phone before cell phones—when a conversation was over, we’d hang up the phone and walk away from it. Now, some of us leave our Bluetooth earbuds in all day, and our cellphones are always touching some part of our bodies. 

The problem now is that we never really have a break from EMFs, and our indoor and outdoor space is only becoming denser with overlapping EMFs from our collective love affair with technology and convenience. As our population continues to grow and the demand for smarter, faster, and more integrated technology increases, our proximity to power sources and wireless transmitters will continue to rise exponentially. Don’t even get me started on 5G—at least not quite yet!

How Are EMFs Measured?

The unit of measurement for EMFs is volts per meter (V/m). The higher the volt, the stronger the EMF. Electromagnetic fields can also be measured based on their frequency in hertz (Hz). The International Commission of Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Guidelines (ICNIRP), public utilities, and governments are responsible for setting the maximum safe exposure levels. If your house is stocked with reputable appliance brands, their EMFs are in the “safe” realm as set by the ICNIRP. 

However, there are no official guidelines in place that take into consideration long-term exposure now that our relationship with technology has become far more intimate; we even sleep with our cell phones!

Low-frequency, Long-term EMF Exposure

Like the sun and the earth, our bodies generate their own electromagnetic fields. We are made up of neutrons, electrons, and protons, all with their own charge. Simply put, we generate our own electricity. Everything we do voluntarily and every involuntary function is controlled and enabled by electrical signals coursing through our body. We are a highly attuned, unfathomably advanced, and surprisingly sensitive organism that is greatly affected by environmental influences, such as artificial frequencies from EMFs.  

Since we’re electrical in nature and we now know our brains respond to fields of energy—we can make the connection between how human-made EMFs might possibly be messing with our bodies by interfering with our natural bio-electromagnetic functions.”

– Tech Wellness

While we depend on our own electrical energy to function, we also depend on the EMFs generated by the sun, the atmosphere, and the earth—all living organisms do, for that matter. This is why we feel an almost immediate sense of wellbeing when we are surrounded by nature. It is also why earthing (the practice of walking barefoot on the natural ground) is so beneficial to your physical and emotional wellbeing; this practice provides a direct link between you and the valuable EMFs generated by our planet’s core.

On the flip side, we can also feel overwhelmed in urban environments where artificial EMFs bombard us, and the natural ones are blocked out by the concrete jungle we’ve created. 

Now that most spaces we occupy are inundated with radiofrequency radiation, which is an EMF generated by wireless technology, there is a growing concern, backed by thousands of published reports, that EMFs can “damage the DNA of any biological species and lead to cancer; cause oxidative damage that can cause premature aging; disrupt cell metabolism; and potentially lead to other diseases through the generation of stress proteins.”

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What Are the Symptoms of EMF Toxicity?

Like toxic heavy metals, parasites, bacteria, mycotoxins, and agrochemicals that find their way into our food and water, EMFs are an invisible-to-the-naked eye public enemy, stealthily operating under the disguise of the provider of instant technological gratification and modern convenience. But too much exposure, which most of us are at risk of, comes at a cost: EMF toxicity. 

The most common symptoms of EMF toxicity are as follows:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea 
• Heart palpitations
• Anxiety
• Loss of motivation
• Unexplained physical pain 
• Ringing in the ears
• Tingling in the body
• Muscle spasms

You may be thinking to yourself, “these are the symptoms of so many maladies.” However, if you are feeling this way regularly with no other obvious explanation, it might be time to accept that your dependent relationship with your cell phone, tablet, laptop, television, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth in your car and ear might not be as friendly as you always believed your beloved Siri and Alexa to be.

What is EMF Sensitivity?

Electromagnetic fields can’t be seen, smelled, tasted, or touched. For this reason, and the fact that EMF exposure is relatively new in the span of our human history, their dangers have not been taken very seriously, even if research suggests otherwise. It is understandably difficult to blindly accept that invisible artificial EMFs, a force field that is so deeply woven into our daily life could pose such a threat to our wellbeing.

But it’s no coincidence that many of us experience chronic symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, headaches, and lack of concentration. If you could hear the EMFs around you, it would be deafening. 

Whether we accept it or not, we are all sensitive to EMFs. This collective sensitivity to EMFs is similar to our collective exposure to all sorts of other toxins in that different people have different reactions and outcomes.

However, some people, both those with compromised immune systems and affected by disease and those who would describe themselves as healthy, can experience symptoms of EMF exposure and toxicity more noticeable than others. 

Electromagnetic sensitivity, also called electromagnetic hypersensitivity, can be especially strong when the sensitive individual is close to an EMF source, such as a smart meter, Wi-Fi router, powerline, or television. Immediate reactions can include a burning or tingling sensation, as well as confusion and heart irregularities. Some are so sensitive that they can’t sleep with the Wi-Fi turned on in the house.

What Are the Effects of Prolonged EMF Exposure?

If you read anything mainstream about EMF safety, you will find that most sources, including the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute, ensure that regulated non-ionizing EMFs are perfectly safe. A one-time or very sporadic exposure to low-frequency EMFs might indeed not pose any long-lasting threat.

However, prolonged exposure to low and mid-frequency EMFs is an entirely different story. The effect of second-hand smoke is an excellent example of the difference between one-time exposure and prolonged exposure, as well as close exposure versus exposure at a distance. 

Regular and prolonged exposure to EMFs has been linked to neurological, psychological, immunological, and physiological disorders and conditions. This includes but is not limited to insomnia, depression, anxiety, thyroid malfunction, cancer, and fertility complications. The cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems aren’t immune to disruptions by artificial EMFs either.

Cellular and biorhythm disruption, brainwave changes (as detectable by an EEG test), endocrine imbalance, and immune system compromise can also be caused by constantly being blasted by human-made electromagnetic fields. 

You’re probably thinking, “well, that about covers my entire body, inside and out,” and you’re right! As electrical beings, any and all additional electrical fields forced upon us can potentially disrupt our own natural and intricate internal electrical communication network. 

How Does 5G Fit in with the Big EMF Picture?

The term 5G is nothing short of controversial! It’s been linked to conspiracy theories; it has been highly anticipated with eager excitement by some, and protested against with unwavering conviction that 5G is a violation of our collective wellbeing by others. 

I cannot welcome such technology if the radiation standards which must protect the citizens are not respected.” She further expressed that the people of Brussels are not “guinea pigs whose health can be sold at a profit.”

– Celine Fermoa, Belgian Environmental Minster

And let’s not forget the 190,000 people in 204 countries who called on the UN and the governments of all nations to halt the further expansion of 5G networks. To top it all off, over 180 scientists and doctors from almost 40 countries have explicitly warned about the health risks of 5G.

But what exactly is it, and why should you be concerned?

What Is 5G?

Fifth-generation (5G) technology is the newest iteration of cellular data technology. If you thought 4G was fast, 5G is reported to knock your socks off—but at a cost, of course. For the roll-out of 5G to work, hundreds of thousands of “small cells,” backpack-sized antennae, will need to be installed on top of the utility poles, lamp posts, and even in trees just outside of our homes since 5G signals have a significantly shorter transmission range than 4G.

To put this into perspective, for the US to provide 4G signal, around 70,000 cell phone towers are in use. According to Holistic Primary Care, for 5G to work, 10,000 small cell antennas would need to be installed in New York City alone. Tens of thousands of satellites will also need to be put into orbit to feed our insatiable need for speed and instant gratification. 

To put this into perspective, for the US to provide 4G signal, around 70,000 cell phone towers are in use. According to Holistic Primary Care, for 5G to work, 10,000 small cell antennas would need to be installed in New York City alone. Tens of thousands of satellites will also need to be put into orbit to feed our insatiable need for speed and instant gratification. 

Like most modern advances, both technological and otherwise, there is usually a tipping point from good and beneficial to excessive and detrimental—we are truly teetering.

Why is 5G So Different from 4G?  

For the first time in cellular history, 5G will employ millimeter waves instead of microwaves, which 4G and earlier iterations have used. Given the short reach of these waves, antennas will need to be installed every 100 to 200 meters (an estimated 800,000 units or more in the US) for 5G to function at ten times the speed of 4G, as purported. 

Short-term exposure [to millimeter waves] 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 a health risk to the skin (e.g., melanoma), the eyes (e.g., ocular melanoma), and the testes (e.g., sterility).” 

– Scientific American

As we’ve learned above, all artificial EMFs can have undesirable health repercussions, and the EMFs that 5G produces, although still non-ionizing, are a higher frequency and actually concentrates radiation into narrow, high-intensity beams called beamforming. 

What’s more, 5G will not replace 4G, but instead, accompany it. So now we are looking at simultaneous exposure to two different radiofrequency radiation types just so we can connect a few milliseconds faster to our internet-dependent desires. Despite advocates arguing that like 4G, 5G emits low-frequency non-ionizing radiation, and is therefore safe, many scientists see it quite differently. 

As quoted in Scientific American, “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 humans’ general wellbeing. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.”

The claim isn’t necessarily that 4G is entirely safe, and 5G is not—as noted above, all artificial EMFs have a dark side. Instead, it’s important to look at the big picture, which includes our proximity and interaction with EMFs increasing exponentially with the roll-out of 5G.

How Will 5G Increase Our Exposure to EMFs?

While we should certainly be concerned about the barely studied, higher-frequency, radiation-concentrating beams that 5G will radiate around the clock from right outside our bedroom windows, the biggest threat to our health is going to be our close proximity to this EMF source and everything connected to it. When our internet connectivity receives a major boost, do you think we are all of a sudden going to put down our smartphones? No, of course not, the opposite is more likely to be true. 

A study on how much Americans use their cell phones reported that the average American spends 5.4 hours on their mobile device. The report also found that the top 10% of heavy phone users have an average of 5,427 touches on their mobile phones daily.

Then throw in everything else we own and use every day that is connected to the internet, and we are basically wired to the source. With this massive upgrade, accelerated growth of technological advancements will follow, and only further “connect” us. 

Whether you are a heavy internet user or not, when almost a million 5G transmitters are installed in our neighborhoods and places of work and leisure, there will be no getting away from the EMFs that are particularly harmful when you’re exposed to them in a continuous capacity—this is one of the reasons so many are already opposed to 5G.

What Does 5G Mean for the Environment? 

As is already very apparent with record high temperatures, rising sea levels, dying coral reefs, rampant wildfires, and more violent hurricanes and typhoons, our planet’s health is plummeting fast. What we actually need more of is less—less waste, less resource extraction, less electricity use. 

The worldwide installation of 5G will only add more to what we need less of. Thousands of new satellites, millions of small-cell antennae, billions of 5G compatible devices, and a significant increase in electricity use (mainly to power the increase of internet-dependent devices as both the world population grows and connectivity increases with 5G) will accompany this massive technological “advancement.” 

Artificial electromagnetic fields aren’t only harmful to humans; they are detrimental to all living beings. And isn’t it about time we also start thinking about non-human life when large-scale decisions are made? We mustn’t forget that what’s bad for the earth is bad for us, and that includes bringing harm to wildlife and wild places. 

How Can You Shield Yourself from 5G and EMFs?

Companies like YouMatrix and Somavedic are at the forefront of EMF protection. The same way that you wear a heavy smock when you get your teeth x-rayed at the dentist to protect you against ionizing radiation from the x-ray machine, EMF shields, adapters, sleeves, and cases help protect you and your loved ones from a constant bombardment of artificial EMFs. To fully grasp the gravity of how many EMFs are circulating around your home environment, EMT testing meters and monitors can provide that shocking data. 

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While there are several different designs (i.e., lightweight phone case, thin laptop sleeve, adhesive adapters), the general idea is the same; to render EMFs harmless to the human body. As artificial EMFs are only on the rise, one of the best options you have to protect yourself is to mitigate the negative effects.

How Can You Reduce Your Exposure to EMFs?

Reducing our exposure to artificial EMFs is key to mitigating the malicious consequences of prolonged exposure, especially as the future of 5G is upon us. The number one way to reduce your exposure is simply to distance yourself from the source.

9 Ways to Distance Yourself from EMFs

1. Don’t sleep with your cell phone next to your head 
2. Turn off the Wi-Fi in your house at night 
3. Unplug electronics when not in use 
4. Don’t use Bluetooth earbuds 
5. Don’t rest your laptop on your lap 
6. Sit as far back from your computer as is comfortable 
7. Don’t use electric blankets 
8. Don’t allow smart meters to be installed in your house
9. Don’t stare at the microwave (but you already knew that!)

Negate Some of the Effects of EMFs with Negative Ions

Ions are invisible molecules that are either negatively or positively charged. The cells in our body tend to carry a negative charge. However, external factors such as most forms of pollution, toxic chemicals, mold, pesticides, acid rain, and food additives contain positive ions, which can wreak havoc on our health. And guess what else produces positive ions?

Yup, you guessed it, electromagnetic fields! 

Negative ions can be found in abundance in nature. Simply walking on the earth barefoot, swimming in the ocean, standing in the presence of a waterfall, hiking in the woods, and stepping outside after a storm will bathe you in beneficial negative ions. Burning beeswax candles, caring for indoor houseplants, and keeping a Himalayan salt lamp in your home also generate negative ions that your body can absorb and use to heal and rebalance. 

Negative ions have been shown to help rebalance the nervous system, support gastrointestinal function, promote restorative sleep, maintain serotonin levels, and bring about a feeling of wellbeing.

EMF-related Podcasts and Live Talks to Complete Your Survival Guide

What the EMF? The Story of YouMatrix with Patrick Marzin

Story Behind 5G and Your Health with Dr. Mindy Beck

The Role of Energy in Nature and Our Body

Daniel Debaun—Understanding EMFs & How to Protect Yourself 

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs): Noxious or Nocebo

EMFs 101: The Invisible Truth with Mitch Marchand 

The Bottomline

As Dr. Thomas K. Szulc, MD so perfectly puts, “In my experience as a medical doctor in both conventional and alternative medicine, I have witnessed first hand the epidemic of toxic patients that are struggling with their health and the diseases and conditions that come as a result of their toxicity. When I speak of a patient’s toxicity, I not only refer to the exogenous (chemicals, solvents, additives, heavy metals, etc.) and endogenous (uric acid, homocysteine, polyglutamine, dopamine-derived neurotoxins, etc.), but electromagnetic radiation and toxic thoughts, or toxic energies. This combination of multiple types of toxicity, both seen and unseen, is quite possibly the leading determinant of disease.” 

The short and sweet is that your health is the product of your internal and external environment, and if you are reading this article from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, your external environment is buzzing with electromagnetic fields.

Artificial electromagnetic fields are here to stay—at least so long as we depend on our modern devices and appliances, which seem to only be getting more technologically advanced and internet-dependent. Soon EMF-emitting electric cars will become 5G-connected self-driving cars. But all is not lost! 

By educating yourself and understanding what EMFs are, where they come from, how they can affect you, and more importantly, how you can protect and distance yourself from them in our EMF-inundated world, your health is still in your hands—you hold the solutions to create and sustain a healthy personal environment. It is in your hands to not just survive, but thrive!