EMFs and Babies: Why You Need to Protect Your Child

Babies born today are exposed to EMFs from cellphones from the moment they’re conceived probably until the day they die.

Whether children are vulnerable to RF has been debated for the last 20 years, when children were widely exposed to mobile phones. And in everyday life, children are increasingly exposed to indoor and outdoor EMF.

As parents, we know interference with a child’s development at a fragile stage is probably unwise. We have the power to be responsible for our children’s health.

My personal opinion is to not let wireless devices around children, especially if they are below five years of age.

Given its detrimental effects on a child’s developing nervous system, some go as far as to say Mobile phones, tablets, and computer screens should be banned for children under six. Behavioural signs are clear; they make kids 'more irritable' and 'worsen their concentration and memory skills'.

But what about the biological and health impacts that begin long before any observable symptoms are seen?

In this article, we focus on the wireless radiation emitted by such devices and examine why they are so harmful to children.

What are artificial EMFs?

In modern societies that run on electricity, although we cannot totally escape the presence of artificial EMFs, or nnEMFs, we can take steps and adopt habits that will greatly reduce our exposure.

Artificial EMFs is known by different names:

• Electro-smog

• Electro-pollution

• nnEMF (non native EMF)

• Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

• Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

There are different types of artificial EMFs, which can be broadly categorised into two types: EMF exposure is divided into two categories: extremely low frequencies (ELFs; 3–3,000 Hz), involving high-voltage transmission lines and in-house wiring; and radio frequencies (RFs; 30 kHz to 300 GHz), involving mobile phones, smart devices, base stations, WiFi, and 5G technologies.

The latter, Radio Frequency (RF) (RF-EMF), can also be called:

• Wireless/WiFi/Bluetooth Radiation

• Microwave Radiation

How much is too much?

There have been no pre-market studies, No long-term studies, No opportunity for an individual to opt-out of this technology, and It's everywhere.

We know children are most vulnerable to its effects.

Wireless radiation and 5G

The increased use of radiofrequency (RF) fields above 6 GHz, particularly for the 5 G mobile phone network, has given rise to public concern about any possible adverse effects to human health

Notably, wireless radiation, or pulsed EMFs, is increasing at an exponential rate as many countries speed towards 5G adoption for an Internet of Things-type society.

Such wireless radiation, are, in most cases, more active than are non-pulsed EMFs.

Artificial EMFs interfere with brain development

90% of the brain development happens in the first five years of a child’s life. Until the age of two, myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds neurons, is produced at an incredible pace . After age two, production slows but continues into adulthood. The uncompleted myelin sheaths, as well as the unprotected axons, can be easily damaged by RF-EMF. This can lead to axonal degeneration and decreased action potential speeds.

Most of the studies are animal studies on prenatal RF exposure. Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz resulted in substantial loss of granule cells [9] or a significant reduction in pyramidal neurons [10]. Mice exposed to in utero RF from cellular telephones were hyperactive and demonstrated memory impairment after birth [11]. EMFs from mobile phones changed the blood-brain barrier’s permeability and damaged neurons in the brains of exposed rats [12-14].

If you expose them to wireless pulsed nnEMF even before their brain has fully formed, this could reduce their cognitive potential. The more RF-EMF that is absorbed by the brain in a child, the more exposed the neurons

can become as demyelination progresses.

Image from: Moon JH. Health effects of electromagnetic fields on children. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020 Nov;63(11):422-428. doi: 10.3345/cep.2019.01494. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 32683815; PMCID: PMC7642138.

Children are more vulnerable to EMFs

The nervous systems of children are more vulnerable to the effects of electromagnetic waves than adults. The developing nervous system is more conductive and absorbs more electromagnetic energies than those of adults [4].

The younger the brain is, the more damage from the nnEMF. Children do not have a fully developed myelin sheath—a layer of fat that protects the brain.

The conductivity of children is higher due to higher moisture and ionic content than adults

Their bodies are more likely to become an antenna for these wireless EMFs.

Children have thinner skulls

The skull thickness of adults is approximately 2 mm. However, the skull thickness of a 5-year-old child is approximately 0.5 mm and 1 mm in 10 years [39]. Therefore, radiation penetration is larger in children than in adults [39,40].

As a child’s head diameter is smaller, the energy-absorbing “hot spots,” the most sensitive parts of RF, are more pronounced [41]. Your child brain absorbs more radio frequencies than yours, whether from Bluetooth, WiFi, Cellphone, Dish TV, Smart meters...

Children will likely have a higher cumulative exposure

EMF effects are often cumulative; and EMFs may impact young people more than adults.[3]

In 2000, the “Stewart report” by the UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones declared that children may be more vulnerable to EMF than any other age groups [4,36]. They stated that “children are exposed to electromagnetic waves over a longer life time than adults and their nervous systems are in the process of development. As the conductivity of the children is higher due to higher moisture and ionic content than adults, and more than adults, children’s head absorbs a lot of RF energy” (Fig 3) [4].

Exposed in utero

In today’s world, most children are exposed to various manmade electromagnetic fields. Not only so in the womb, babies are born into environments swimming in electrosmog.

Common home sources are: extremely low-frequency EMFs are generated by electricity, various home appliances, in-house wiring, and outside high-voltage lines. Radio frequency EMFs waves are generated by mobile phones, smart devices, WiFi, base stations, and other devices.

Did you know? More EMFs are absorbed with the use of appliances that are close to the body (e.g., hair dryers, bidets, massagers, and electric blankets). The general recommendation is that electrical appliances should be used at least 30 cm away from the body.

A recognised carcinogen

The WHO maintains that “more evidence” is required to assess if children were more vulnerable to EMF because very few studies assessed this topic [29]. At the same time, the WHO recommends general measures such as reducing personal EMF exposure. They also recommend minimizing EMF exposure in schools, kindergartens, and any locations where children remain for a substantial part of the day.

Use the cautionary principle for our children

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of electromagnetic waves than those of adults.

While debate continues around the effects of EMFs on children’s health, precautionary principles should be followed for children and the exposure to EMFs among children should be minimized.

resources & references

[3] Pall ML. Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health. Environ Res. 2018 Jul;164:405-416. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.035. Epub 2018 Mar 21. PMID: 29573716. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573716/

4. Stewart W. Mobile phones and health, report of independent expert group on mobile phones. Chilton (UK): IEGMP Secretariat; 2000. [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

Jin-Hwa Moon. Health effects of electromagnetic fields on children. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7642138/#b39-cep-2019-01494

39. Warille AA, Onger ME, Turkmen AP, Deniz ÖG, Altun G, Yurt KK, et al. Controversies on electromagnetic field exposure and the nervous systems of children. Histol Histopathol. 2016;31:461–8.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

40. Wiart J, Hadjem A, Gadi N, Bloch I, Wong MF, Pradier A, et al. Modeling of RF head exposure in children. Bioelectromagnetics. 2005;Suppl 7:S19–30.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

39. Warille AA, Onger ME, Turkmen AP, Deniz ÖG, Altun G, Yurt KK, et al. Controversies on electromagnetic field exposure and the nervous systems of children. Histol Histopathol. 2016;31:461–8.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

40. Wiart J, Hadjem A, Gadi N, Bloch I, Wong MF, Pradier A, et al. Modeling of RF head exposure in children. Bioelectromagnetics. 2005;Suppl 7:S19–30.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

41. Kritikos HN, Schwan HP. Hot spots generated in conducting spheres by electromagnetic waves and biological implications. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1972;19:53–8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

FAQs about EMF Assessments

Most of the questions are about how and why EMFs (electro-magnetic fields) occur, what their dangers may be, and how a Building Biology assessment can reduce your exposure to man-made EMFs.

Here are some of the more common questions asked about EMFs. Four man-made ones, in particular.

Many of the world’s top functional doctors recognise that “EMF removal is essential for proper healing”, including Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, Dr. Zach Bush, Dr. Dan Pompa, Dr. Ben Lynch, and Dr. Tom O’Bryan.

What is a Building Biologist?

As a certified Building Biologist, I help you plan and create better spaces that support your biological health.

I also draw on over 15 years’ experience in research and publishing to provide you with scientific knowledge, support, and the necessary tools for you to make informed-based decisions for your own home or work space.

What is an emf consultation or an assessment?

An assessment for a space can identify EMF sources and your EMF sensitivity. It provide solutions to reduce exposure.

In my consultations with you, I add a strong base of EMF knowledge as an essential toolkit that you can take with you in terms of healing recommendations, programs or protocols.

Why does an assessment take X hours?

An assessment is based on your priorities and needs, and a comprehensive EMF assessment paints a picture of the invisible electro-pollution in your space.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum is broad, and in a Building Biology assessment for a space, we are concerned with at least 4 types of EMFs and the health effects.

These are AC magnetic fields (cable lines, currents drawn by device, appliance, or motor, electrical wiring errors, stray electrical current on water pipes, cable tv lines, phone lines and other utility installations);

Radio frequency fields (wireless radiation from mobile / Bluetooth devices, wifi, cell phone towers, smart devices, 5G);

AC electric fields (circuits, power lines);

Dirty electricity (any manipulation of the electrical current by devices, appliances and lighting in your home, incl dimmer switches, televisions, laptops…)

As you can see, that is a lot to assess in any modern space!

EMFs are not really that harmful, are they? EMFs levels by devices are at “safe levels”. We’ve lived with mobile phones for so long. Etc.

The 1996 EMF safety standards that are supposed to protect people are based on the false premise that the only way that EMFs can hurt our biology is by causing overheating.

This myth is unscientific, considering the fact that publicly-available research published by the NASA in 1970,[1]the US Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) in 1971,[2]the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 1976[3] and countless others show that EMFs can and do cause damage through non-thermal mechanisms.

In other words, our current safety standards are based on a false premise, and therefore do not protect anyone against the harm caused by microwave radiation.

Thousands of studies in just the last decade is proving this. This includes the $25 US NTP study has published their conclusions after running one of the most important and costly studies around cell phones and cancer ever conceived. Their initial goal: proving without the shadow of a doubt that cell phones are safe.

What they found: the opposite; rats and mice exposed to cellphone radiation have shown “Clear Evidence” of an increase in multiple tumor types— read this blog for more detail.

It is up to you to measure for and reduce the man-made EMFs in your life.

My children are already grown up and no longer babies. Is an EMF consultation or assessment still beneficial?

Children are being conceived and born exposed to artificial EMFs. Children are at greater risk from exposure to carcinogens than adults, and this risk remains well into adolescence as they develop.

One effect is on their emotional processing, executive attention, decision making, and cognitive control—these are fundamental skills required for success and emotional well-being.

There are many things we can do as parents to mitigate any harm and plan a path forward for children to learn how to live well in a digitised society.

Not least, creating a good space can help unplug our children, limit their screen time, and give them some digital detox.

What other services do you offer?

Interior design support and sourcing; Birth space / Postpartum recovery planning; Childrens’ space planning.

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS): Why Is It So Common & What Can You Do About It?

Updated 4 August 2024.

Electro-sensitivity symptoms are becoming commonplace—reflecting the increasing digitisation of our lifestyles and digital infrastructure with 5G and the IoT. What’s causing this? Learn more, plus find out how to advocate for yourself.

First, what is Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity (EHS)?

EHS is also called Electromagnetic Sensitivity, electro-hypersensitivity, electro-sensitivity, electrical sensitivity (ES) and “Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)”.

EMF is an "electrostatic" field or electromagnetic field that comes off any electronic device that emits energy, frequencies, radiation, or field of energy of any type.

Back in the 1970s, EHS was known as “microwave syndrome", clinically characterised by the a wide spectrum of symptoms affecting various organs, typically including central nervous system symptoms. The vast majority of electrohypersensitive (EHS) patients complain about headaches on contact with an electromagnetic source.

A report from the former Soviet Union described it as “microwave syndrome”[r]. The Soviet military recognised early on the possible side-effects from radar and radio radiation. Medical diagnoses frequently noted various symptoms typically including central nervous system symptoms, that occur following the patient's acute or chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Statements on EHS by health organisation

Austria is the only country with a written suggestion to guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems. Apart from this, EHS is not recognised as a specific diagnosis in the rest of the world.

However, institutions such as the WHO, the European Environment Agency (official advisory body to the European Union), and many research and scientific organisations have proposed and advocated for recommendations around EMFs.

This includes the groundbreaking Bioinitiative Report was published by scientists, public health and public policy experts to document the scientific evidence on electromagnetic fields. It has since been updated over the years 2014-2019. (Download the Bioinitiative Report 2014-2019 updated edition.)

In 2015, the Fifth Paris Appeal Colloquium showed a focus on electromagnetic fields and EHS. You can watch Dr Lennart Hardell’s presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JehrGVPTUos

What are the Symptoms of EHS?

Patients can have neurologic, neuro-hormonal and neuro-psychiatric symptoms [1] following exposure to EMF as a consequence of neural damage and over-sensitised neural responses, including: headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms.

Studies conducted in 2001 and 2002 revealed that people reported symptoms most frequently due to exposure to cell phone base stations (74%), cell phones (36%), cordless (DECT) phones (29%) and power lines (27%) visual displays and fluorescent lighting (1.9%), electrical factors and also chemicals or smells (2.4%).

Symptoms, their duration, and their impact on the person’s quality of life and ability to function in daily life. Mild EHS may manifest with mild symptoms such as prickling or burning sensations that disappear within seconds or minutes after EMF exposure (e.g. using a cell- phone) has stopped. With moderate EHS the severity, frequency and duration of the symptoms increase. For example, a headache may persist for several hours after using the cell-phone. With severe EHS the problem becomes chronic and persistent.

A study, mandated by the Swiss Federal Government and performed by the University of Bern in 2004, Swiss doctors working with complementary diagnostic and therapeutic tools reported that 71% of their consultations related to EMF.

This facts are jarring, but what’s even more worrying is that the majority of these symptoms are accepted as nothing out of the ordinary or a matter of lifestyle fatigue, and is thus usually ignored.

Often electromagnetic hypersensitivity exacerbates any systemic health issues that you already have, including heavy metals and mercury toxicity, Candida yeast infection (moulds and fungi), bacterial or viral infections, bio-toxins or parasites [4].

Learn more about wireless harms and the symptoms at the advocacy group. This page highlights studies that establish wireless technology radiation can create cognitive effects such as ADHD and other behavioral disorders. https://wearetheevidence.org/wireless-harms/ I also share important research about fertility and children’s health here.

Who is most vulnerable? What are the signs in Children?

Studies show that children are especially vulnerable to developing chronic health conditions from EHS, like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease—all things that can disrupt their mental and emotional growth and development.

One case report detailed how two 15-year-old male students and one 47-year-old female teacher who expericienced health effects like headaches, difficulties concentrating, tachycardia, poor memory, or dizziness when exposed to Wi-Fi in school [3]. This study highlighted the potential health impacts from increasing RF exposure of students and teachers by Wi-Fi.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified EMFs as a "possible human carcinogen” after consistent epidemiologic evidence of an association between childhood leukemia and exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields [2].The first study between the link was in 1979! The evidence has grown to cover associations with other childhood cancers.

What is behind the treatment disparities?

While there are many factors that affect how EHS is seen and addressed, whether by the individual him/herself or in medical field, it is clear there is rising recognition and evidence in the biological harm of EMFs.

The WHO recommendations are based on based on currents induced in the body (ELF) and thermal effects (RF). It does not consider long-term non-thermal effects.

The BioInitiative reports are global groundbreaking milestones comprehensive review of biological effects and health effects of low-intensity electromagnetic radiation, including thousands of published studies on: gene and protein expres- sion, DNA, immune function, neurology and behavior, blood-brain barrier, brain tumors and acoustic neuromas, childhood leukemia, melatonin, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, fertility and reproduction, fetal and neo- natal disorders, and autism.

The European Environment Agency compared the risks of non-ionising radiation (EMF) to other environmental hazards such as asbestos, benzene, and tobacco, urgently recommending to implement a precautionary approach regarding EMF.

Many countries have taken their own initiative to reduce EMF exposure, especially to their most people.

For example, Belgium has banned the advertising of mobile phones for children under seven. France banned Wi-Fi in nurseries for children under the age of 3 and to enable Wi-Fi at primary schools with children under the age of 11 only when used specifically for lessons. Public places offering Wi-Fi must clearly advertise this fact on a sign.

References & Resources

1. The microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity: historical background. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26556835/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32289567/

3. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/b16968-13/childhood-leukemia-extremely-low-frequency-magnetic-fields-critical-evaluation-epidemiologic-evidence-using-hill-framework-leeka-kheifets-john-swanson

4. http://www.stralskyddsstiftelsen.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/hedendahl_hardell_2015.pdf

5. See what happens when micro-organisms are exposed to harmful energy and what causes electromagnetic hypersensitivity: https://youtu.be/qMAV-pZMlZs

6. Greco F, Garnier O, Macioce V, Picot MC. Prevalence of Migraine Disease in Electrohypersensitive Patients. J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 16;12(12):4092. doi: 10.3390/jcm12124092. PMID: 37373785; PMCID: PMC10299347. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37373785/

High Electromagnetic Field Exposure in Kindergarten Children: Study in South Korea

Sensitive areas like schools, kindergartens, hospital, and other public facilities have been of great concerns of various studies on Electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

This study includes 24 kindergartens across Busan, South Korea (12 kindergartens located near UGTL and 12 kindergartens without UGTL).

Research conclusions

The maximum mean value of the EMF emission level was 13.5 mG around the kindergartens and 17.7 mG from the point of UGTL to kindergartens. EMF emission level around the kindergartens was significantly associated with the location of the UGTL (t = −7.35, P < 0.001).

• These estimates are not trivial, as long-term exposure to EMF among kindergarten children can lead to different health problems.

• Routine monitoring of EMF emission levels is recommended including the awareness of EMF exposure to public citizens.

• It is not appropriate to ignore the fact that EMFs are potentially carcinogenic to children. Proper installation solutions should be implemented for the minimization of the EMF level around the public sensitive areas with routine monitoring.

LINK: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.694407/full#B1

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