Like smog created by air pollution, electrosmog is created by electromagnetic field radiation from cell phones, wireless computers and networks, and new utility technologies like Smart Grids, Smart Meters, and Smart Appliances. Electrosmog envelopes us 24-7: in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, even hotels and no one really knows the long-term effects on our health, or on our DNA.
The ever-expanding electrosmog is comprised of several EMF or electromagnetic radiation fields of different intensity: from ELFs (extremely low frequency fields) to “dirty electricity” — a frequency that gets on wiring in our walls from electronics that contain transformers; from compact fluorescent light bulbs and dimmer switches to RFs (radio frequencies), and a subset of RF called microwave radiation emitted by cell phones, wireless networks and portable phones.
“All these radiation fields disrupt the regulation of the nervous system in our bodies,” said Camilla Rees, during a recent interview on my radio show “Your Super Natural Life.” Camilla, founder of ElectromagneticHealth.org, is one of the foremost advocates for safer cell phone and wireless technologies, and exposes the link between electromagnetic pollution and our health. “We are electromagetic beings,” she said, “and are especially vulnerable to unnatural electromagetic fields.”
Many people are becoming “electrosensitive” due, in part, to being exposed to more and more wireless devices like computers, printers and routers, cell phones, or from living near cell phone towers or antennas. According to Camilla, electrosensitivity can show up as acute symptoms like excessive fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, irritability, visual problems, memory loss, difficulty in concentrating, dizziness and cardiovascular disruptions. Long-term symptoms include conditions like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes. “Even though you might not be experiencing symptoms now, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future due to increased exposure,” added Camilla.
Magda Havas, Ph.D., co-author with Camilla of “Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution,” says that it can take just a small amount over a long period of time to be affected. “Symptoms of electrohypersensitivity have been demonstrated at exposures that are a fraction (0.04%) of U.S. exposure guidelines, in part because the guidelines themselves only take into consideration a 30-minute exposure, not chronic exposures.” Magda is also author of the new BRAG Antenna Ranking of Schools Report,which ranks U.S. schools and shows parents and teachers how to gauge the risk of radiation exposure from neighborhood antennas.
What sets people up for greater sensitivity to EMFs?
Here are some factors that are known or suspected:
- Excessive EMF exposure, as well as long-term exposure.
- Any metal in the body, like metal dental fillings, implants, braces, metal prostheses and pacemakers, and deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s.
- Conditions like MS and Lyme Disease.
- Excess levels of heavy metals in the body as well as genetic factors influencing detoxification.
- Chronic infection in the body, including often hidden dental infections.
Ten Ways to Avoid Electrosmog Hazards
- Eliminate as much wireless technology in your home as possible. Rewire the most basic connections, like the computer to the printer and the computer to the Internet, for example. Turn off wireless at night so your body can rest and repair.
- Don’t sleep with electric blankets, electric heating pads or with electric clock radios or telephone answering machines near your head.
- Don’t let your teenager sleep with a cell phone under his/her pillow.
- Use a corded landline telephone instead of a cordless one.
- Don’t use your laptop computer in your lap, and while using a laptop turn the wireless Internet connection off in the software, except while you need it.
- If you’re pregnant, stay far away from things like smartphones, which emit very high magnetic radiation fields while in use that might cause miscarriage.
- If you live close to a cell tower, block radiation coming into your home by using special paints, film and fabric to cover your windows.
- Learn how to measure the various fields in your home by using meters and detection equipment that measure specific frequencies.
- Keep your immune system healthy by avoiding contact with toxic chemicals in your home and detoxing your body from time to time. Camilla says there seems to be a synergistic effect between the toxic chemicals we encounter that are accumulating in our bodies, and EMFs. She points to research showing higher body burden of chemicals in people who are electrosensitive.
- Be aware of metal in your life because metal reflects EMFs and can create hotspots. This would include, metal coils in mattresses, metal furniture, metal eyeglasses, metals in your mouth and metal underwire bras.
