EMF'S - The Invisible Danger
What is an EMF?
Without getting too technical, an electromagnetic field (EMF) is a space of electricity produced by accelerated electrical charges. An electrical charge that is stationary or in one place will produce an electromagnetic field within that surrounding area, but a moving charge can also produce a magnetic force alongside its electromagnetic field.
These fields are everywhere in our environment, more so in built-up urban areas where there are demands and developments in technologies and online systems. Most of these man-made fields are invisible to the naked eye, unlike some natural sources of electromagnetic fields that can be seen. As an example: The sun and its rays can be seen, but WiFi waves cannot.
Now you may be wondering why I started our wellness blog with physics this week, but I can assure you, especially since we have all had an overload of online stimulus throughout the last year, it is definitely something to take into consideration when we are looking at our overall health and wellbeing.
Here is a basic overview of the two types of electromagnetic fields we can encounter:
Natural sources of EMF’S
Electric fields are produced by the local build-up of electric charges in the atmosphere which is associated with thunderstorms. The earth's magnetic field causes a compass needle to orient in a North-South direction and is used by birds and fish for navigation.
(Picture by Raychel Sanner)
Man-made sources of EMF’S
Besides the natural sources of electromagnetic fields, they also can be generated by human-made sources. For example, X-rays are employed to diagnose a broken limb after a sports accident, power sockets have low-frequency electromagnetic fields and various kinds of higher frequency radio waves are used to transmit information – whether via TV antennas, radio stations or mobile phone base stations.
(Resources taken from The World Health Organisation:)
(Picture by Firmbee.com)
Why high-level EMF’S can be dangerous
There are low and high-frequency EMF’s but both are caused by electromagnetic radiation. Low-level non ionised radiation EMF’s are said to be harmless to people, yet there have been mixed views on this. High level ionised radiation EMF’s are found in X-rays, gamma rays (mainly medical screening equipment) and ultraviolet lights (sunbeds and the sun). These high -level ionised radiation EMF’S have been proven to cause damage to cells within humans and cause harm.
Below is a general overview of high and low EMF exposure from the most common forms of electromagnetic fields:
· Mobile Phones – low
· Mobile phone base stations - high
· TV and Radios - low
· Laptops and other computer screens - low
· Electric trains and trams - high
· Mains power lines - high
· Security Systems – tag systems for anti-theft in shops and books scan procedure in libraries, airport security and metal detectors - high
· Radars for weather, road and navigation systems - high
· Microwave ovens and electric ovens - low
· Refrigerators - low
· Vacuum cleaners - low
· Coffee machines and other household gadgets like blenders, toasters, hairdryers, shavers - low
· X-rays and CT scans – high
The current safe exposure of EMF’S is 100 microtesla’s (µT) at one time. You can get an idea of some EMF’s levels within common household items below:
Hairdryer
6 – 2000 (µT)
Electric shaver
15 – 1500 (µT)
Vacuum cleaner
200 – 800 (µT)
Fluorescent light
40 – 400 (µT)
Microwave oven
73 – 200 (µT)
Portable radio
16 – 56 (µT)
Electric oven
1 – 50 (µT)
Washing machine
0.8 – 50 (µT)
Iron
8 – 30 (µT)
Dishwasher
3.5 – 20 (µT)
Computer
0.5 – 30 (µT)
Refrigerator
0.5 – 1.7 (µT)
Colour TV
2.5 – 50 (µT)
So what do high-level EMF’s do to our bodies?
According to some scientists, EMFs affect the function of the body’s nervous system and cause damage to cells. High-level EMF exposure has been known to disrupt human nerve function causing neurological and physiological problems. The way this is done is just like the way a microwave cooks food – high levels of EMF exposure in one burst, overheat and burn cells/tissue which causes cell damage, nerve stimulation and changes the electric current in the body (which is also what happens to the food we put in a microwave) This influences the bodies metabolic processes and creates biological deuteriation and disturbances, which puts extreme stress and disorder on the nervous system.
(Picture by Serge van Neck)
(If you’re not convinced that we have an electrical current running through us all, an electrocardiogram in western medicine is used to measure the hearts electrical current)
Symptoms of EMF exposure as shared by The Healthline can include:
sleep disturbances, including insomnia
headache
depression and depressive symptoms
tiredness and fatigue
dysesthesia (a painful, often itchy sensation)
lack of concentration
changes in memory
dizziness
irritability
loss of appetite and weight loss
restlessness and anxiety
nausea
skin burning and tingling
changes in an electroencephalogram (which measures electrical activity in the brain)
As a note, although high-level frequency EMF’S have been stated to cause significant damage to one's health, it is not yet known if continuous low-level frequency EMF’s is as damaging. The advice, therefore, is to be conscious of and lower your exposure to EMF’s until further research has been concluded.
How to protect yourself from EMF’s
1. Keep your distance
EMF intensity decreases as you increase your distance from the object that’s sending out the EMF waves. See below a basic table showcasing distanced and exposure, from The World Health Organisation:
Electric appliance
3 cm distance (µT)
30 cm distance (µT)
1 m distance (µT)
Hairdryer
6 – 2000
0.01 – 7
0.01 – 0.03
Electric shaver
15 – 1500
0.08 – 9
0.01 – 0.03
Vacuum cleaner
200 – 800
2 – 20
0.13 – 2
Fluorescent light
40 – 400
0.5 – 2
0.02 – 0.25
Microwave oven
73 – 200
4 – 8
0.25 – 0.6
Portable radio
16 – 56
1
< 0.01
Electric oven
1 – 50
0.15 – 0.5
0.01 – 0.04
Washing machine
0.8 – 50
0.15 – 3
0.01 – 0.15
Iron
8 – 30
0.12 – 0.3
0.01 – 0.03
Dishwasher
3.5 – 20
0.6 – 3
0.07 – 0.3
Computer
0.5 – 30
< 0.01
Refrigerator
0.5 – 1.7
0.01 – 0.25
<0.01
Colour TV
2.5 - 50
0.04 – 2
0.01 – 0.15
A reminder: The current safe exposure of EMF’S is 100 microtesla’s (µT) at one time.
1. Wear and use Shungite
The Shungite stone is a natural EMF protector and has also been known to also reduce inflammation, enhance mood and works as an excellent tool for grounding and calming the nervous system. It is made up of 99% carbon and has a natural ability to neutralise radiation frequencies by absorbing them. The only place in the world where Shungite has been found is in Karelia, Russia, so when purchasing this stone it is important you check its origins, and make sure it is the real thing!
(Picture by https://karelianheritage.com/)
You can buy large Shungite stones for the home, to sit by your WIFI router, your laptop, your electrical devices and you can even buy decorative jewellery made from Shungite to protect yourself from EMF’s, where ever you go.
Have a look at these links to browse Shungite stones and designs:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/russian_shungite
https://shungit-store.com/shungite-brick-polished-20x10x5-cm
2. Limit your technology use
People consider a social media detox healthy, but what’s even more healthy for your nervous system is a technology detox. Although it may be difficult to completely stop your technology use in your working week, on the weekend or during your next holiday you could consider leaving your phone and laptop off for a day or two, or only check your phone in the morning/at the end of the day.
For the working week, you could consider having a cut off time in the day for laptop or/and mobile phone use. You can put an alarm on to help you stick to the plan.
For a sound night’s sleep put your phone on flight mode or completely off at night and out of your bedroom if possible, (if you have a landline why do you need your mobile on?)
“When I went to Indonesia for two months in 2018, I only used my phone at night to check in with friends and family and had no laptop use whatsoever, as I didn’t take it away with me! I cannot tell you how much more time I had in the day for other things like reading a book, socialising, going to events, taking trips. You start to realise you don’t need technology as much as you think you do, it’s just another habit! I felt more grounded, less anxious (even though I was in a foreign land) and slept very soundly even, though I was always in unfamiliar accommodation which is normally an anxiety trigger for me! “ (Me, Crystal Skinner)
3. Get out in nature
Go for a walk, barefoot in the grass if you can! Or swim in the sea. Nature holds the biggest source of natural healing properties for our energetic system. The earth is grounding and restoring and water is cleansing and refreshing. Try and find a place in nature to indulge in, away from urban areas, at least twice a week. This can be in a green park, forest, beach, mountains, by a lake. You will surely feel naturally rebalanced and recharged.
(Picture by Barbara Gonzalez )
4. Take a class to calm your nervous system
· Yin yoga is great for calming the nervous system. The slow mindful sequences of movements work with the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system) This system is one of three nervous systems in our body and as it conserves energy it slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes the sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. (quoted from Science Daily)
· Relaxing meditation techniques can rewire positive electrical charges into your body.
· Qigong works on the flow and balance of our energetic system.
All classes can be booked here: https://brightonnaturalhealthcentre.org.uk/timetable/
For more information and scientific evidence on EMF’s levels and exposure, go to: The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)