Is WIFI and Mobile Device use bad for you?
These days it is impossible for you not to be exposed to either mobile devices or Wi-Fi spots. We carry our phones with us all day. We use tablets too. And we’re never far from a Wi-Fi spot. They’re at home, in the office, cafes, restaurants, almost every place we hang out. And they seem to be on buses and trains too!
Other than the anti-social aspects of Wi-Fi and mobile phone use, are they actually doing us harm?
Mobile phones, cell towers, Wi-Fi, smart meters, DECT phones, cordless phones, baby monitors and other wireless devices all emit non ionizing radio frequencies, which the World Health Organization (WHO) define as Class 2b which means ‘possibly’ carcinogenic.
There is plenty of evidence that exposure to EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) MAY cause a lot of health issues including cancer, brain tumours, depression, heart disease, infertility, suicide, miscarriage, breast cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
These problems are compounded by several factors:
- Just like wireless signals, EMFs can pass through walls and can travel up to 50ft. You are not only exposed to EMFs from your own router, but also your neighbour’s and the one from the business down the street? All of them emit EMFs.
- Also causing issue is the 24/7 nature of our mobile phone and Wi-Fi use. Our phones are almost never turned off, and when was the last time you turned off your router (other than to reboot it to fix a problem)?
- Our generation in society isn’t helping either; kids as young as 6 have a phone these days. You can easily see how all of this adds up to a major problem.
However, there is another side to the argument. There is some research that suggests that there is NO DEFINITIVE PROOF that mobile-phone/WiFi radiation harms human health, BUT also unable to completely clear it of any potential risk.
In my humble opinion I’d rather not take the risk since there are so many studies that suggest there may be a risk and even phone companies have fine print warnings on radiation.
All wireless devices come with FCC warnings that they are NOT safe to use if held directly on the body because the radio frequency emissions can exceed government limits; up to 9 times US FCC limits according to reports of the French government after testing hundreds of cell phones.
What Are The Benefits To Protecting Yourself From WiFi?
People report these immediate benefits to eliminating/significantly reducing the wireless exposures in their environment:
- improved sleep
- having more energy
- head feels better/clearer
- room feels cooler
- feeling more relaxed
Radiation Protection Tips
When using your phone, tablet or laptop:
- Keep it away from your head and body – as much as possible. Instead you could try texting or video-calling when possible, using the speakerphone on your device or wired headset
- Carrying your phone in a bag – instead of storing it in your pocket (particularly men as phones near our genitals can reduce fertility)
- Airplane Mode – When you go to bed, consider storing your phone away from where you sleep or switch it to airplane mode.
WiFi and other EMF Tips:
1. Keep your distance
- WiFi radiation exposures drop off significantly with distance. Make sure you put as much distance between you and your wireless router as you can without diminishing the efficiency of your connection. Remember: walls don’t stop wireless radiation, never situate a wireless router behind a bedroom wall.
2. Switch off at Night (Buy the following!)
- You can install a simple mechanical electrical timer on the socket where you plug your router in. Then just set it to turn the power off during sleep time.
- I also recommend combining the mechanical timer with a multi-outlet power strip. First you plug all your computer devices, Wifi router, laptop/desktop, printer, monitor into your power strip. Then you plug the power strip into your mechanical timer which you then plug into the wall. I recommend something like this strip which has surge protection which will also ensure your equipment is protected from over-voltages (i.e. lightening strikes) and that it’s grounded.
- This means that when you set your timer to switch off from Midnight to 6 am, for instance, that it switches EVERYTHING off that’s plugged into your power strip. You also save money on your electricity bill + you also eliminate any EMF emissions that these appliances are producing.
Taking these few steps means that you are reducing your risk of health problems. You’re also reducing the effects on your mental health. And switching off from time to time also has social benefits when you’re spending time with friends and family.
PS I have a bunch of references for this but didn’t want to go overkill with the blog length.
