Three Immediate Ways to Lower Nursery EMFs Tonight (Without Buying Anything)

I spent a long time learning about EMFs before I got my own home in shape. Along the way, I learnt about EMFs sources inside the house vs. external threats, and more EMF products than I ever thought could exist in a fringe market.

But here’s the truth: The market is fringe no more. EMFs is a number one threat facing our future generations.

And you don’t have to break the bank to protect baby.

1. Apply the Rule of Distance

The Problem: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) drop off significantly with distance. For example, doubling the distance reduces the field strength to about 25% of its original value.

A wireless baby monitor or smart device sitting right next to the crib exposes a newborn's thin skull to peak radiation levels.

The Free Fix: Stand further away from appliances when you are using them. Move all appliances such as electrical cords, baby monitors, white noise machines and cameras at least 6 to 10 feet away from the crib.

You still get the video and audio feeds, but the radiation intensity drops with distance before reaching your baby's body.

2. Hardwire What You Can (And Turn Off the Rest)

The Problem: Wi-Fi routers and connected smart appliances constantly ping signals back and forth, 24 hours a day, filling the entire room with invisible cellular stress.

The Free Fix: Go into your phone settings and turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on any devices inside the room when they aren't actively needed. If your router is near the nursery, manually turn it completely off at the wall plug right before you go to sleep.

3. Clear the Wall "Hot Zones"The Problem: EMF radiation passes directly through standard drywall.

Even across concrete walls, EMFs can still pass through them. If the nursery crib is pushed up against a wall, and a major appliance, television or smart meter is plugged into the exact opposite side of that wall in the next room, your baby is sleeping in a magnetic field hot zone.

The Free Fix: Look at what is positioned on the other side of the nursery walls. If there is a TV, computer desk, or refrigerator back-to-back with the crib, simply rearrange the nursery layout. Move the crib to an internal wall that has nothing plugged into either side of it.

Ready for the next step?

A nursery is your baby’s safe space. If you want to completely audit your home, map hidden EMF sources and clear out toxic pollutio, let's work together.

I can help you build the ultimate low-tox sanctuary through:

The Building Biology Home Blueprint Course ($300): A complete, self-paced video guide to prepping a certified non-toxic home.

A Personalised Home Assessment: Book a 1:1 strategy session with me tailored exactly to your space.

This is what you can do immediately. To eliminate sources of EMFs in your nursery, read this.

Common Sources of EMFs in Your Children’s Room (Free Guide for Parents)

“What if the safest place in your home for your child is the most harmful?”

In this guide, you will find common sources of EMFs in children’s rooms and nurseries.

I write not only what these sources are, but why some might be more harmful than others. I also share the actions you can take to reduce your children’s exposure to these man-made EMFs.

As a mother and building biologist, my aim is to remove and eliminate toxic sources completely to reduce the body burden on our children, especially during critical developmental phases.

These are changes you can make immediately. For a peace of mind and true health for your child and yourself.

To your space.

Common Sources of EMFs

You probably already know about wireless devices and that power line and cell antenna down the road.

But artificial electromagnetic fields are everywhere within your own home. These devices in the bedroom emit electromagnetic fields that could affect your child.

Your child’s optimal development depends on critical growth stages. Your child’s bedroom deserves the lowest possible EMF levels.

1.Wireless baby monitors

Baby monitors are marketed as a mama’s must-haves. These fancy gadgets let you check on your baby on your smartphone, from anywhere.

Some include features like night vision, alerts, temperature monitoring, and two-way talk. Baby monitors can be Wi-Fi, radio (no internet), audio, and app-based.

But they send audio, and sometimes video, from a transmitter near your baby to a receiver using radio signals (typically 2.4 GHz). Your baby or child is in these near radio frequency fields for 10-12 hours a day, while they are sleeping, if not longer.

Baby monitors promise “connectedness”, but you’re relying on wireless radiation to make the connection, adding to EMF pollution in your child’s room.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Hardwire your baby monitor instead.

2. Wireless security cameras

Like baby monitors, these emit RF fields around your children while they sleep.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Hardwire any security cameras.

3. Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi routers emit EMFs constantly, even if no one is using the internet.

Removing Wi-Fi in the bedroom is fundamental to creating calm and safe environment for a night’s sleep. Eliminating Wi-Fi during the day, too, is a great way to reduce your newborn’s EMF exposure.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Hardwire Wi-Fi. Remove the router from your bedroom.

4. Fans

The motors in the fans put out sizeable magnetic fields as well as electric fields.

Magnetic fields are how fans work. The electric current flows through the motor's coils, generating a magnetic field interacting with another magnetic field, creating a force that causes the motor's shaft to rotate. This pulls the rotor around via magnetic attraction.

Magnetic fields do drop off with increasing distance, so make sure to put as much distane as possible between the fan and where your child is sleeping.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Use a meter such as a Trifield that has both a gaussmeter (for magnetic fields) and an electric field meter.

5. Adjustable tables

Adjustable tables are powered by pretty strong electrical motors. They rely on a transformer in order to convert the power.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: If you must use an adjustable table, one workaround is to cut the power to the table when you are not using it.

6. Dimmer switches

You want to control the level of lighting in your child’s room, but dimmer switches emit 10 to 50 times more EMF than regular on/off switches due to their electronic components.

By design, dimmer switches interrupt electrical current by “chopping” the electrical waveform to lower light intensity.

Some turn the light bulb circuit on and off as many as 120 times a second. This puts out high-frequency voltage transients into your home wiring that radiate into the room as well as other rooms!

Dimmer switches have been measured to put out dirty electricity even when they turned “fully on”.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Replace dimmer switches with standard on/off switches to eliminate a direct source of EMF pollution in your home. Avoid smart switches.

7. Bedside Clocks

Often emit low-frequency EMFs. Many clocks produce measurable magnetic or electric field radiation, as well as circadian-disrupting blue light. These are up to 20 times above recommended “safe” levels at the bed.

Some even have Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth functions built in.

Battery-powered models put out far less EMFs than plug-in digital clocks. But 100% EMF-free alarm clocks use no electricity or batteries. Only mechanical wind-up clocks are EMF-free.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Choose analog alarm clocks or even mechanical wind-up clocks.

8. Electrical wiring

Currents along wiring emit low-frequency EMFs, even when devices are turned off. So long as you’re in a house, to the extent of the wiring, you are likely surrounded by such EMFs.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Use a meter such as a Trifield that has both a gaussmeter (for magnetic fields) and an electric field meter.

9. Smart toys

You can find RF chips in all sorts of things these days, including in toys. The idea is that you can these toys with phones and also communicate with other smart toys in the product line.

Children should not be playing with phones. You don’t want smart toys next to children, especially when they sleeping, as the toys may be accidentally turned on.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: The safest (and easiest) thing to do is to remove these toys. How do you know if you have a smart toy? Batteries are a giveaway, because RF chipped toys need them to operate.

10. Baby rockers

Like baby monitrs, these devices can come with smart features, multiple motions, and parent-friendly designs—anything to promise your child’s sweet sleep.

However, the rocking mechanism and elevated electric fields from the wiring create high levels of EMFs.

11. Cell phones

Wireless mobile devices emit high levels of EMF whether you are using them or having them plugged in and charging near baby areas.

12. Smart home devices

Do you have these? Smart appliances such as humidifiers, sound machines, night lights, voice assistants, smart thermostats, and connected baby products…

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Hardwire devices, if you must use them in the room.

13. Laptops

Work-from-home has become normal. You might keep your laptop in the bedroom.

I only use mine with I will only use it with an ethernet cable. But even with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth turned off, I’ve measured other high EMFs.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Hardwire devices, if you must use them in the room.

14. Spring mattresses

Technically, spring mattresses are not emitting EMFs by themselves. However, they attract ambient magnetic fields and electric fields where you’re sleeping.

They’re especially a concern if you are very sensitive. Or if you are a child more vulnterable to the effects of EMF radiation. It is hard to quantify or have an exact number on how much radiation spring mattress can emit, due to the fluctuations in the environment. Suffice to say, given how much time we spend on a mattress, you want to take this into consideration.

15. Ethernet cables

Ethernet cables enable us to use the Internet without exposure to Wi-Fi. But even shielded cables can measure high in electric fields.

Eliminate artificial EMFs in your child’s bedroom: Keep them at least 1 or 2 feet away from your body.

More about EMFs

Congratulations on going through the list.

You can see how you do not need major renovations or expensive tools to reduce EMFs in your child’s bedroom.

By now you are becoming aware of the major types of EMFs. Here is an introduction to EMF radiation.

Measuring EMF Levels in Your Child’s Bedroom

If you want to go a step further, a Building Biologist will assess your whole space. The key areas include:

1. Crib measurements. Measure every area of the crib at mattress level. Pay attention to the head area where your baby’s head will lie. Take multiple readings throughout the day.

2. Changing area assessment. Measure EMF levels at your changing station, especially if it is near electrical outlets or wireless devices.

3. Feeding locations. Where do you sit and feed for hours? Check your primary feeding areas, whether it is a nursing chair or where you sit and breastfeed, prepare milk, and/or pump breastmilk.

4. Play area evaluation. Babies grow so fast, and they’re usually rolling and crawling by six months. I measure EMF levels to help you identity optimal areas for tummy time and play activities.

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Do you want to know more? I expand on these in my ebook “The Building Biology Home: Guide to a Calm and Safe Bedroom”. You’ll learn:

• Why building EMF-awareness habits is crucial for your children’s health

• The science on EMFs, optimal development, and children’s critical growth stages

• The daily routines to start now to protect against EMFs

• Pro tips for maximum effectiveness, including EMF protection products

• Frequently asked questions about EMFs and children

• How-To-Guide: Use an EMF meter to measure electric fields, magnetic fields, and radiofrequency radiation in your nursery

This is your essential EMF protection guide for mothers and fathers seeking to create a safe and optimal space for their children. I’m a mother and I understand your concerns. You will not find fear-mongering or a sales pitch for gadgets.

Every tip is something you can understand and implement today. Every strategy effectively reduces exposure while helping you become a better parent during these precious early years.

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Eight Ways You Are Adding Hidden Toxins in Your Food

You already know that a surprising number of foods contain microplastics. Seafood is contaminated with microplastics for one.

But how you prepare, and eat your food is more important than the food itself.

Your kitchen is a top priority if you want to eliminate potential toxins and hazards to your health. Many kitchen items that you use every day, every meal, expose you to harmful chemicals.

Studies have shown that your daily intake of microplastics from food and drink is estimated to be anywhere from zero to 1.5 million microplastic particles per day.

1—You use tea bags

Those silken pyramid tea bags aren't silk. They're nylon and PET plastic.
When hit with boiling water, they shed billions of invisible plastic shards directly into your drink.

This 2019 Canadian study was the first to test nylon and polyethylene tea bags. The landmark study found that they release 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics directly into your cup of tea!

It depends on the exact material, temperature, brewing duration, and how you stir your tea. But that is too much detail when I just want to relax with my cup of tea.

Remember how foods such as seafood are held up as things to avoid further plastics exposure, but microplastics in so-called “filter feeders”, such as mussels, was just 0.2-0.70 microplastic particles per gram. This is far less than that 11.6 billion microplastics released when brewing a single cup of tea with a plastic tea bag!

2—You use plastic grinders

Herbs and spices come in such convenient plastic grinders, but you are also grinder plastics into your food. This study found how the grinding mechanisms made from plastic can wear down over time, releasing microplastics into ground spices.

This also sets up your pantry to always have handy herbs on hand.

3—You chew gum

Do you chew gum to freshen your breath or to reduce post-meal acid reflux?

A single gram of chewing gum can release up to 637 microplastic particles. Chewing gum is made from a gum base (plastics and rubber), to which sweeteners and flavourings are added. As you chew, the gum base releases microplastics.

Even natural gums made with plant polymers release a similar number of microplastics as the synthetic gum. This suggests that microplastics aren’t only coming from the gum base but from microplastics introduced during the production or packaging process.

4—You microwave food using plastic containers

Companies such as Rubbermaid and Tupperware make plastic storage containers without bisphenol A (BPA), well-researched for their toxic effects. But it’s hard to know exactly what chemicals are in all plastic storage containers.

Takeout containers are not usually designed for multiple uses, so definitely do not reuse them in the microwave.

Microwave-safe plastic containers might not melt, but that doesn’t mean they’re stable under heat.

Choose safe containers that have a microwave-safe symbol (usually a symbol of a microwave with a few wavy lines above it).

However, microwaves also emit EMFs, another toxin known to affect your health. Swap out your microwave for more healthful appliances.

5—You store food in plastic containers

As a mother, I understand—plastic containers are light, easy to use, and they don’t break and create (more) mess.

Plastics labeled 3 (PVC/vinyl), 6 (Polystyrene/styrofoam), and 7 (“miscellaneous plastics”, including BPA) are considered most risky. But the thing is, chemical compounds that make up plastic like to bind to fat molecules.

Choose inert materials such as glass, stainless steel and other safe metals, or porcelain and safe clay.

6—You prepare food with latex gloves

Commercial kitchens depend on latex gloves to ensure a level of hygiene and food safety, but people are starting to use at the home too?

Plastic gloves food (like the type used by service workers) worn during food handling has been found to transfer microplastics to the food too. When these disposable gloves end up in the trash, they also contribute to plastic waste and break down into more microplastics in the environment.

If you are preparing food at home for yourself, keep your hands actually clean. You’ll be cutting down a frequent use of plastic and your food might taste better, like how your mama did it.

7—You use nonstick cookware

Nonstick cookware can release PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), which are also known as forever chemicals if heated above 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don’t depend on the coating to stay perfect for long. They can get scratched, chipped, or worn down. Depending on the tools you use or how hard you go at scraping and cleaning the pan, nonstick layers will degrade.

They even emit toxic fumes that can cause polymer fume fever—causing flu-like symptoms.

Opt for ceramic pans, stainless steel or cast iron.

8—Your tools

Cooking utensils, especially those made from aluminum, copper, and lower-quality metal alloys, can leach toxic metals into food, posing serious health risks.

Cooking acidic foods, in particular, causes a heavier load of heavy metals like lead, nickel, cadmium, and chromium to leach into your food.

The Building Biology Perspective

The kitchen is central to how you feed and nourish yourself at home. Whether you are a chef who loves experimenting in the kitchen or you need to be quick and efficient in your daily eating habits, how you work in your kitchen is a big factor in whether you add or reduce common toxins to your body.

Many plastic containers and modern appliances of convenience come with specific usage and maintenance instructions, as they can otherwise leach toxic chemicals into your food. Always check the manufacturer’s directions for information if the container is safe how you use it.

If you are unsure or want to be safe, choose biologically safe materials.

Are you planning a new kitchen? Work with me to create your building biology kitchen.

Check out my guide to a tox-free kitchen with over 100 more ways to avoid hidden toxins in your food. It is free!

Your Last-Minute Holiday Gift Checklist (Tox-Free!)

Running a little behind this year? But you do not want to be gifting things that inadvertently burdens your loved ones with toxins.

After some years of hunting for presents and tackling different needs, I’ve learnt some things about the materials or ingredients that go into products.

I've compiled some of my favorite last-minute gift ideas here. This list will be short and sweet to inspire you as you will likely be brimming with your own ideas after reading it.

Keeping in mind the tox-free factor also works for those on your list who “have it all”. I bet it will end up being the best gift they ever received! You can bet it will end up being one of the most thoughtful gifts that they ever received.

I try to refer to brands that are committed to toxin-free products and/or ecological lifestyles. . As always, do your own research and happy shopping!

Beeswax Candles

Candles as a holiday gift is a cosy classic that can work for anyone. Make it beeswax and phthalate-free fragrance oils and premium essential oils, so your loved one can claim the benefits of its natural air-cleaning properties, zero chemicals. These candles will not trigger allergies or irritate airways.

Beeswax candles in particular conjures up notions of craftsmanship, quality materials, and sustainable practices that are kind to our earth.

What you want:

✔ no hardeners or stabilisers

✔ beeswax

✔ phthalate-free fragrance oils

✔ premium essential oils

These items are usually very easy to find in stores, so they're great last minute gifts. Just try to stick with neutral colors to up your chances of them actually being well-loved.

These 100% beeswax candles are smokeless: Decorative Beeswax Smokeless & Unscented Candle

Bath salts

Emotional Detox Bath Soak. I received this as a gift last Christmas, and there is something truly magical about it! $35.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

One of the earliest presents I started getting for my family were these bottles from Klean Kanteen (Stainless Steel Water Bottle). It’s clean, it’s safe, the water is only touching stainless. This is what my whole family drinks from on the go!

What you want:

✔ no exposed lead fasteners / seals

✔ food-grade quality stainless steel

✔ water only touching steel; no plastics

Cleaning supplies

Swedish Dishcloths

Reuseable, washable, and biodegradable, these make simple and fun gifts. Get them in cute patterns that your little ones will enjoy helping out in the kitchen with.

Bees Wrap– Plastic and Silicone free, reuseable beeswax food wraps. Always a great gift!

Silk night cap

For those with luscious locks, 100% organic silk goes a long way in maintaining tangle-free shiniest hair, and prevent breakage. 100% natural, unadulterated and organic. You don't have to settle for substandard materials or synthetics. The price is higher for silk; but with the right care, your silk pillowcase will last for years without losing quality.

https://masa.organic/

What you want:

✔ natural and organic, certified if possible

✔ OEKO-TEX® Certified (Standard 100) to be free of chemicals

✔ no synthetic materials

Kitchen Appliances in tox-free materials

Sometimes accidents happen and we need a new blender/kettle/crock… For example, this retro tea kettle is handcrafted of pure ceramic, our tea kettle is safe, non-toxic, and never made with metals or other harmful chemicals.

HEPA Air Filters

We spend about 90% of our time indoors, where the air is up to 5 times more polluted than outdoors. HEPA Vacuum– A high quality HEPA filter vacuum can be pricey; however it goes a long way for breathing sweet clean air if you are living in an area of pollution. Choose one that can filter pollutants that are 2.5 microns or less in size, that is about 30 times smaller than that of a human hair. Common types are smoke, pet dander, bacteria and viruses. It should trap Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are gases and chemicals released from paint, furniture, and the use of cleaning products.

If your loved one doesn’t have one already, this is a great gift to help them suck up dust that may have accumulated toxins.

You can find high quality air filter from Blueair.

What you want:

✔ high CADR — how well the filter can clean amounts of air

✔ low noise and high energy efficiency

✔ filter pollutants that are 2.5 microns or less in size.

I hope this low toxic gift guide has been a help, whether picking something out for a friend or as a gift to yourself. Follow along here, on Instagram. Did you find any toxin-free gifts for your loved ones?

Early to Bed - the One Thing That Calms Your Cortisol, Pain, and Stress Levels

Are you stressed, overweight, and health issues creeping up faster than you thought it would?

You’ve tried a hundred diets and supplement pills. You’ve tried to increase exercise. You turn to pills and drugs to keep energy up, the weight off, and anything to help you get a handle on life again. You don’t know what else to do, and the chronic daily stress weighing you down mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

Your stress levels is high because you’re permanently on a cortisol high.

When you’ve slept well, it is easier to deal anything when you wake up. Stress and unpleasant situations can wear you down even harder if you’re still fatigued after a poor night’s sleep. 

But it’s not just the quality and duration of sleep that affect cortisol levels. What time you go to bed and wake up also plays a role. Research shows that people who work night shifts and sleep during the day are more likely to have elevated cortisol levels.

Shift work under the age of 40 is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) and higher cortisol levels.

 Cortisol Is More than a Stress Hormone

Cortisol is known as a hormone released in response to stress. But it plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle, having to work in tandem with other hormones like melatonin. It also regulates metabolism, reducing inflammation, and controlling blood sugar levels.

Cortisol can be elevated due to lack of sleep, especially in the evening after a lack of sleep. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system is responsible for producing cortisol. 

When a threat to the body appears, the hypothalamus, a part of your brain, synthesizes special substances that are sent to the pituitary epididymis. That in turns turn, sends a signal to the adrenal glands. In response, the adrenal cortex releases cortisol, some of which again enters the brain, affecting the thinking process. This relationship between the brain and the kidneys is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or the HPA for short.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is also responsible for regulating sleep cycles. Stress, illness, or poor nutrition can activate the axis. Subsequently, this can worsen your sleep and increase cortisol.

If You’re Sleeping Late, You’re Living a like a Shift-Worker

The thing is, you’re living like a shift-worker even if you think leading a normal day-night lifestyle. You’re ruining your HPA response just by staying up late, and creating a wired-up stress response for yourself the next day.

If you keep the night owl life, you’re creating a higher stress level than you actually could have.

How can you change your nighttime habits to actually get to sleep earlier?

Sleep hygiene is one of the deciding factors in its quality. Try to create an environment in which the amount of noise and light is minimal. This will help blackout curtains, eye masks, earplugs.

Tips to Help You Fall Asleep Earlier if You Want to Calm Your Cortisol Levels:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time.

  Keep consistent. You’re trying to reset hormones and keep a more productive, calm balance of hormones, rather than live in hormonal hell.

• Sleep hygiene is one of the deciding factors in its quality.

  Create an environment in which the amount of noise and light is minimal. This will help blackout curtains, eye masks, earplugs.

• Wash bedding and sleepwear regularly.

  Fresh clean laundry helps the body to relax. Anything that helps you relax is a friend. Keep it non-toxic.

• Put away devices that emit blue light (TV, phone, tablet) 2-3 hours before bed.

  Blue light jacks up cortisol.

• Avoid caffeinated drinks in the afternoon.

  Caffeine’s half-life, is anywhere from 2 to 12 hours, depending on your body.

• Avoid excessive strength and cardio activities two hours before bed.

  Avoid anything overly mentalling stimulating before bed. This means cutting out most news because they’re primed to grab attention and proke a reaction.

• Try a grounding sheet.

  In this study, researchers found grounding the human body to earth (“earthing”) during sleep reduced cortisol levels at night and even re-synced cortisol levels with the natural 24-hour circadian rhythm profile.

Biological Implications of Circadian Disruption By Dr. Laura Fonken (Book)

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If you know anyone working shift work or living erratic schedules, you need to read this book.

Dr Laura Fonken has been studying the impact of circadian rhythms on health for over a decade now. She wrote her PhD on how circadian rhythms can make you gain weight, increase inflammation, develop diabetes.

She even showed how artificial light environments such as in a hospital environment hindered healing after surgery. published over sixty academic papers and reviews, twenty of which are focused on circadian regulation of physiology and behavior. You can cheeck out some of them on this blog.

She's published her research thus far in a book. This is an epic read into how our lives have dramatically shifted since the 19th century and the advent of artificial light.

You'll learn how shift workers and others exposed to high levels of light at night are at increased risk of health problems, including metabolic syndrome, depression, sleep disorders, dementia, heart disease, and cancer.

All life on earth evolved under a consistent cycle of light and darkness caused by the earth's rotation around its axis. It's given us our 24-hour circadian system in organisms, ranging all the way from fungi to humans. With the advent of electric light in the 19th century, cycles of light and darkness have drastically changed.

Check out the book here: Fonken, L.K. and Nelson, R.J. (2023). Biological Implications of Circadian Disruption: A Modern Health Challenge. 9781009076685. Cambridge University Press.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014488624000517