Sources of EMFs Around You & How To Neutralize Their Health Risks

Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it has been known to manifest without symptoms. But there’s another stealthy health threat that for some people results in debilitating headaches, anxiety, and fatigue, among others: electromagnetic frequencies or EMFs for short.

In natural wellness circles, EMFs are sometimes considered a threat to human health. But the truth about EMFs is complicated. You see, long before the advent of power lines, electrical appliances, Wifi, smartphones and laptops, humans were designed (or created depending on your viewpoint) to coexist, and even thrive with exposure to EMFs. Consider ultraviolet light from the sun. Even the Earth itself pulsates with electric fields.

However, for some people with compromised immune systems (such as those with chronic Lyme Disease or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), the ubiquity of EMFs from wireless devices, transformers, transmitters and many household electrical appliances and devices can negatively impact health.

How Do EMFs Adversely Impact Human Health?

EMFs may negatively impact human health in several ways. For instance, research studies, such as this one published in Reviews on Environmental Health, suggest that EMFs may overstimulate the nervous system. In particular, EMFs are thought to upregulate the sympathetic nervous branch of the autonomic nervous system. That’s the “fight, flight or freeze” part of your nervous system, and the more it is activated, the more likely anxiety or depression are likely to occur.

In addition, EMFs may also downregulate the parasympathetic branch, which is the “rest and digest” branch of the nervous system. When you meditate, for example, your parasympathetic nervous system is activated. By decreasing parasympathetic nervous activity, EMFs make it harder for the body to revitalize itself. In fact, several studies (like this one) suggest that electromagnetic fields may prevent restful sleep by disrupting levels of melatonin, the so-called sleep hormone.

According to The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS; a subagency of the National Institutes of Health), EMF research conducted during the 1990s, focused on extremely-low frequency exposure from power lines and home appliances. A weak link was shown between power lines with high EMF field strength and an increased risk for childhood Leukemia. However, since then, the number of wireless electronic devices has skyrocketed, leading the agency to declare, “NIEHS acknowledges additional research is needed and recommends continued education on practical ways to reduce exposures to EMFs.”

Do EMFs Cause Cancer?

More seriously, EMF radiation may be a carcinogen. This study suggests an association between long-term exposure to low-level sources of EMF (cell phones, microwave ovens, hair dryers, etc.) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Another study published in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine suggests that EMFs may block the effectiveness of a drug that’s used to treat glioma, a type of brain cancer.

The scientific evidence as to whether cell phones, one common EMF source, cause cancer is up for debate. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies cell phones as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” But the agency’s finding was based on limited evidence.

Do 5G networks pose a greater health risk? According to the American Cancer Society, 5G networks do in fact operate on higher frequency wavelengths than 4G and older networks. On one hand, 5G signals are considered low-level radiation, which is generally regarded as harmless to humans. But as mentioned earlier, long-term exposure to low-level sources of radiation has been associated with health risks such as AML.

Sources of EMFs Around You

Common sources of EMFs include electrical appliances and household appliances such as:

• Hair dryers
• Computers and laptops
• Smart meters
• Routers and Wifi
• Cellphones
• Tablets
• Microwave ovens
• Bluetooth devices

Now, let’s take a look at some sources of EMFs that may come as a surprise:

• Electrical wiring
• Dimmer switches
• Granite countertops (which contain uranium, an element that contains radiation)
• Infrared Devices (remote controls)

Are Power Lines A High Frequency Source of EMFs?

What if you live near a high-voltage power line? Should you worry about the electric current coursing through the conducting wires? According to NIEHS, there is little reason to worry. The agency says that the strength of a magnetic field decreases dramatically with increasing distance from the source. This means that the strength of the field reaching a house or structure will be significantly weaker than it was at its point of origin.

But if you’re very concerned about power lines, cellphone towers and other sources of EMFs, anti-radiation-shielding devices such as copper jewelry may help mitigate field levels of EMFs. However, there is limited evidence that these devices work. Nonetheless, the placebo effect can sometimes be just as effective.

How To Reduce Exposure To EMFs Around You

In light of these surprising sources of EMFs, should you live in a log cabin, off-the-grid? Unfortunately, that’s not a reality for most people. But you should consider your lifestyle habits. For instance, when you’re watching TV on the couch, do you hold the remote control for a long time? Is your cell phone Wifi-enabled and placed in close proximity to your head on the nightstand? Do you work with your laptop placed in close proximity to your genital area?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at a higher risk of developing health problems due to EMF exposure. You can also reduce EMF levels in your home by unplugging electrical devices when they are not being used (plus you’ll save money on your utility bill). Keep your Wifi router out of your bedroom, and disconnect it when it’s not being used.

If you can’t be without your cell phone all day, use the speaker function or corded headphones while on a call. And if you’re glued to your laptop during the workweek, EMF-neutralizing devices like the YouMatrix5G may reduce your exposure.

At the end of the day, you don’t need frequent exposure to high-level radiation (X-rays, sunlight) in order to experience DNA damage from EMFs. Sources of low-level EMFs are all around you.

Conclusion

It’s impossible to live in an EMF-free world. Even natural sources of EMFs are all around us. But it is possible to limit your exposure levels to EMFs. Although not everybody experiences noticeable negative health outcomes from them, EMFs are, without a doubt, an environmental toxin that may cause premature aging by damaging our DNA. Research also suggests that EMFs are particularly concerning when it comes to fertility.

Thus, avoid keeping your phone in your pocket. In addition, place your cell phone and other Wifi-enabled devices outside the bedroom while sleeping. And to be extra cautious, stand well away from electrical appliances like microwave ovens when they are in use.

If possible, take an EMF-detox a few days a year at least. Go camping somewhere where you can’t stream your favorite show at night. And finally, spend more time in natural settings that are rich in negative ions (waterfalls, rivers, streams, oceans, forests). These beautiful settings help to neutralize potentially-harmful EMF exposure.