Reducing Your Exposure To
Electromagnetic Frequency May Improve Your Health
In September 2007, the EU's European Environment
Agency (EEA) and the country of Germany both issued warnings to
their citizens advising them to avoid the use of WiFi and cell
phones until further long term studies are conducted, citing fears
that the ubiquitous use of wireless technology has the potential
to become the next public health disaster on the level of tobacco
smoking, asbestos, and lead in automobile gas (as reported by
The BioInitiative Working Group). Israel's Knesset recently banned
the placement of cellular antennas on residential buildings. According
to Canadian Underwriter, Lloyd's of London is already "preparing
for the next big liability action -- for personal injury damages
based on the use of cell phone technology."
Referred to as "electro-smog" by some, the danger of magnetic,
electric, radio (microwave),
ground current, and high frequency radiation is that it is mostly
invisible until great damage is done - like the increased risk
of some brain tumors in long term cell phone users. Added to the
worry are the unknown effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs)
on the more vulnerable: children, infants, the elderly, and the
infirm; all of whom are equally blanketed by the invisible electro-storm
of today's Blackberrys, cell
phones, Game Boys, cordless phones, and WiFis (not to mention
refrigerators, air conditioners, electric heaters, dishwashers,
microwaves, and other large appliances found in almost every home).
There are currently over 210,000 cell towers, providing 81% wireless
penetration in America alone7, and one would be hard-pressed
to find an inhabitable place on Earth that is not within range
of cell frequency transmissions.
Ask those who have become "electrically sensitive" (ES), people
who now experience a wide range of symptoms upon exposure to even
low levels of EMF radiation and have a most difficult time finding
a place to live safely in our wireless age. Symptoms can range
from the uncomfortable (headaches, burning sensations, tingling)
and debilitating (severe "brain fog," heart arrhythmias, migraines,
severe depression, chronic insomnia) to even life threatening
(seizures, heart attacks). Many of today's ES started out as healthy
working citizens and through chronic and acute exposures to electric
radiation (some worked directly with electronics and computers,
others worked in standard school and business/office settings),
they became electrically sensitive with little warning. Their
message: it could be you next.
Hayley Robinson*, a 41-year-old "type A personality" who spent
15 years of her working life in New York City offices warns "Keep
cell and cordless phone use to a bare minimum and take care of
your general health: eat organic, sleep 8 hours a day, drink lots
of purified water, exercise regularly and spend time in nature
regularly. We are exposed to an increasing amount of invisible
toxins in our lives - from chemicals and heavy metals to electro-smog.
We've become unwilling, and unwitting, guinea pigs in the biggest
experiment of all time. Take notice before it's too late for you
and your family." Hayley spent many years in front of a computer
and is now so electrically sensitive she cannot be around microwaves,
air conditioners, cell phones, or airports without experiencing
distressful cardiac and neurological symptoms. *pseudonym
Not only do EMFs impact your own health and that of your children
and pets, but also the Earth as a whole, as our overuse of electricity
contributes greatly to pollution from coal-fired electricity plants.
Those who are wise will heed the warnings of the electrically
sensitive and reduce the EMF radiation in their homes through
good design and reduction of dependence on electric appliances.
Below is an excellent start: an abbreviated list of construction
and lifestyle tips based on a survey I took of those with severe
electrical sensitivity.
15 Ways to Reduce EMF Radiation in Your Home and Life Right
Now
1. Rise with the sun and go to bed early to make maximum use of
daylight and avoid using artificial lighting whenever possible.
2. Do things manually if there's a way - don't use electricity
as a matter of convenience or to save time. For example, use a
manual juicer, a "bike blender," or a broom/mop instead of a vacuum
cleaner - all great ways to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle
and stay fit, without needing a gym membership or having to leave
your home!
3. Keep your immune system strengthened with a nutrient-rich organic
diet, 8 hours of sleep, moderate exercise, and plenty of fresh
air and sun.
4. Practice a chemical-free lifestyle to reduce your total body
burden of toxins: replace all personal care and home-cleaning
products with chemical free versions, wear organic clothing, use
organic bedding, etc.
5. Wear shoes with a sole made from natural materials (like undyed
leather), walk barefoot on the beach or earth, or hug a tree -
these all may help you release excess EMFs into the earth and
ground your body.
6. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.
7. Keep your bedroom free of electrical appliances, especially
near your head while you sleep - use a battery-operated alarm
clock rather than electric; unplug lamps.
8. Remember that walls, floors, and ceilings do not block EMFs
when arranging your furniture.
9. Replace dimmer switches with regular switches to eliminate
high-frequency radiation, or "dirty electricity," that can be
hidden in your home's electrical wiring.
10. Avoid low-voltage halogen and fluorescent lighting (including
the currently popular energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting).
Fluorescent lighting has been shown to cause migraines and contains
mercury, which is a hazardous material that can create huge health
and environmental problems.
11. Avoid the use of appliances with variable speed drives, such
as fans, heaters, front-loading washing machines and some furnaces.
12. Avoid the use of microwave ovens, hair dryers, electric toothbrushes,
electric blankets, heating pads, baby monitors, and other electric
products.
13. Do not buy cordless DECT phones, which emit a constant electromagnetic
signal even when not in use. Save cell phones for emergencies
and use land lines whenever possible. Make sure cell phones are
turned off when not in use, and avoid using them inside a car.
When you do use cell phones, use appropriate air tubes and shielding
devices: see RFSafe.com and LessEMF.com for available products.
Keep cell phone chargers unplugged when not in use.
14. Use LCD computers and TV screens and avoid plasma TVs. Keep
computer use to a minimum; keep unplugged when not in use.
15. Avoid areas with wireless networking (WiFi) - internet cafes,
airports, etc.
If you are currently buying or building your own home, make sure
you choose a home at least 5 miles from the nearest microwave
or cell phone tower, high tension power line, or other radio and
TV transmitters. Check for future cell tower sites as well as
existing ones. Design with as much natural lighting as possible
so that you are less dependent on artificial lighting. For added
protection against radio and cell phone waves, use low-e coatings
on windows.
Locate the electrical power panel, solar inverters (if you are
using active solar), clothes dryer, hot water heater, and any
other large electric appliance at least 20 feet from living/sleeping
areas. The routing of any dedicated circuits for computer and
other electronics should be kept away from critical areas like
the bedroom. Provide a dedicated circuit for the refrigerator
so that you can turn off other breakers at night if desired, except
for the fridge8.
Good sources for EMF related products include LessEMF.com, RFSafe.com,
and CutCat.com.
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