17+ Simple Ways to Reduce Home EMF Exposure -- Easy DIY

In our digital, tech-savvy world, electromagnetic frequency (EMF) are the fastest growing environmental toxin. Due to the exponential increase in the use of wireless personal communication devices (eg, mobile or cordless phones and WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled devices) as well as the infrastructure built around us to accommodate it.

We know that lead, air pollution, and other toxic chemicals can damage our health and, while it is gaining momentum, more people are realising the harm EMFs can do. Studies show that wireless and EMF radiation can synergistically increase the effect of these daily toxic exposures because of the ways in which wireless radiation alters the body’s natural functioning.1

What Are EMFs?

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are energy fields that surround electrically charged objects and are generated by various sources, such as power lines, electronics, and wireless devices. Exposure to EMFs has been associated with potential health issues such as cancer and reproductive problems. With mobile technology in every aspect of life, including in-school learning, we’re are bombarded by EMFs on a daily basis.

Are you feeling EMF sensitivity? Click here to read about the different types of EMFs and how you may be exposed to them.

How to Minimize Home EMF Exposure (17+ suggestions)

If you’re wondering where to start in this process, below is my personal list of EMF minimizing strategies to consider. I started developing this list with my first child and am constantly adding to it as I find new and fast ways to do the lifestyle hack.

1. Always turn WIFI off at night — you can use an auto-timer.  Keep it away from bedrooms and anywhere near where you spend time in. This is a simple way to reduce your exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) for the crucial hours of rest while you sleep. Better yet, switch back to wired connections.  Before you think you need to open up walls to do this, check out my guide.

2. Deactivate Bluetooth & AirDrop on ALL your devices to decrease the continuous transmission of wireless signals. Many other devices, even air purifiers and refrigerators, that connect to the “Internet of things” and can be wirelessly operated. You don’t need to be in a “surround sound” of wireless radiation all day.

3. Toss the microwave. Avoid using it.

4. Use an electric stove and avoid induction ovens, which emit a large EMF field. The metal cookware itself becomes magnetized, a small amount of current passes from the cookware into your body when you touch the pan.

5. Check if you are using Smart Appliances - TVs, Washing Machines, Air Filters, Fridges, etc. Opt for brands that allow you to disable WiFi.   

6. Replace all dimmer switches in your home with simple on/off switches. Dimmer switches are notorious for producing dirty electricity! This includes ceiling fans. Use the manual switches or chains to adjust the speed level, not dimmer switches.

7. Replace all LED and fluorescent light bulbs (including CFLs) in your home. These types of bulbs emit a large EMF field compared with simple incandescent light bulbs that have none. Go for traditional bulbs such as halogen or incandescent bulbs. If you use a few battery backup LED bulbs around your home for power outages, minimize them as much as possible.

8. Never sleep your phone near your bed, and especially near your head. If you must use it as an alarm clock, put it on airplane mode and place it 5 feet or more from the mattress before turning in.

9. Never use an electric blanket while you sleep. Avoid using an electric heating pad for pain too if at all possible. Use a hot water bottle instead.

10. Choose only wired baby monitors, if you use them. Not many low-EMF versions out there.  Minimize use if at all.  Keep monitors a safe distance away from babies and mothers. Test with with an EMF meter to determine this.

11. Put a barrier between your body and your laptop.

    Keep your laptop away from your lap to reduce direct body contact and exposure to EMFs. If you must, use an EMF blocking pad underneath.

12. Do not carry a cell phone in a pocket of your clothing (this means it’s right against your body) or even your handbag while it is turned on. Did you know that every cellphone comes with a warning about keeping the phone too close to your body? (The iPhone 5 manual says users should keep the phone 10 millimeters away from your ear!) Use an EMF blocking phone case or privacy pouch instead. These KRIA pouches are both beautiful and effective.

13. Reduce hair dryer use.

    Did you know that a hair dryer can emit roughly 40 milligauss to 20,000 milligauss in EMFs? To put this in context, a microwave emits 100-500 milligauss, so using them less frequently can greatly decrease your overall exposure.

14. Avoid Smart Meters.

    Make sure your home does not use a Smart Meter or Smart Water Meter. Call your local power and water company and find out if you have already gotten one and if so, make sure to opt-out and go back to the analog meters. It costs a bit more per month, but it is worth it. If you do not have an option to get rid of your Smart Meter, make or buy an EMF blocking cover for it. Locate beds at least 10 feet away from Smart Meters. 

15. Create a safe sanctuary spot.

    Pick one spot or area in your home that you want to make a total sanctuary, and make sure it checks all the tips on this list. The bedroom is important. It could be where you breastfeed your baby or where you spend much time at work. The single most important space we need to make into an EMF sanctuary is our bedroom - the space where we spend at least a third of our lives.

16. Avoid having any metal in your mouth and body.

    This includes metal braces, permanent wire retainers, titanium implants and silver fillings. Any type of metal in your mouth concentrates EMFs toward your head essentially making it an antenna.

17. Place plugs 6-8 feet away from your bed.

    This is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Try unplugging as many things as you can at night. Power strips can be great for this.

18. Invest in an EMF meter — an affordable consumer meter is a proactive way to measure and monitor EMFs in your environment.

    You can quantify the levels of EMFs emitted by appliances, electronics, or power lines that you may be unawares of. Even if they’re not 100% (variability depends on the sensitivity of the meter). they can help you identify areas with higher EMF concentrations and take steps to reduce potential health risks.

Are you sensitive to EMFs? Do you do anything to reduce your and your family’s EMF exposure?

Even as awareness is growing, 5G is getting rolled out quickly in urban areas. Protecting yourself from this technology takes a bit of planning. Get in touch to find out more about how you can protect yourself at home.

How to Ground Yourself: 10+ Techniques and Methods to Connect to Earth's Healing Energies

Grounding, also known as earthing, is a practice of establishing a connection with the Earth's energy.

In another article, I wrote an in-depth guide to explore the science and benefits of grounding and earthing, detailing how it helped my baby’s eczema, and including how to ground yourself using a wide range of effective methods.

When I started learning about EMFs and making life changes, grounding wasn’t top on my list. However, I felt the power of earthing and focused on simply going outdoors to get my dose of re-connecting to earth.

After a almost a decade of motherhood as well as practicing mindful body awareness techniques, I began to observe specific sensations in my body when I am earthing (outdoors) and when I am getting grounded (indoors). This intrigued me to include grounding at home as part of my daily routine.

How to ground, everyday

It is hard to quantify exactly how much positive benefit can come from grounding, but evidence show that just 20 minutes a day is a good benchmark for full effect. One interesting study is how just 1-week of camping lowered stress hormones, including cortisol, for months after the trip.

Time can be a premium for those of us in urban environments, so try to stack in these habits to your daily lifestyle. Do them with your child — and soon he or she will get into the habit of getting into direct contact with Nature too.

Conscious earthing

The key to any of these methods is to pay attention to how you feel both during and after using the technique. By paying attention and noticing positive results, you help anchor the experience.

1. Walk barefoot.

   Whether it is the grass, sand, or dirt, the important thing is to touch your skin to the natural ground. The feet are extremely sensitive with more nerve receptors so the longer, the better and direct is best. One foot alone on the Earth will ground you, but two feet on the ground provides a stronger grounding effect.

   If you know there are buried electrical lines. choose another area like a park or forest preserve instead.

2. Many alternatives exist. If you cannot go barefoot, you can also wear earthing shoes.

3. Seek water.

   Go for a swim in the sea, standing in a riverbed, taking a dip in a hot spring, or wading in a lake or a pond would also work. Wet sand is the best conductor of energy from the earth. There’s limited formal research on bathtubs and showers.

4. Take a cold shower.

   Cold showers are incredibly invigorating and grounding experience. Especially target the cold water on the back of your neck and the top of your head. If you’re not used to cold showers, start slow with half a minute, and then build up to a couple of minutes.

5. Have a favourite sitting spot outdoors. This simple practice frees up time and trouble — just head to your spot and slake the calm of being plugged in and recharged.

6. Watch your breath.

   Another easy grounding exercise is to concentrate on your breathing. An easy routine: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and slowly inhale through your nose for three seconds, and then exhale for three seconds. The idea to “follow the breath” with focus. It sounds easy, but it can be a surprising challenge.

7. Roll around on the floor like a laughing baby.

   Have you seen how toddlers and small children love to just plop themselves onto the floor, and just lie there? Animals do this too, especially in the morning — it is how they discharge negative energy. Doing it on a hard surface (as opposed to a soft mushy bed) helps you stimulate proprioceptive nerves in the joints where muscles attach.

   It gives you the sensory input the body may need to regulate itself.

8. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku

   Literally means taking in the forest atmosphere. This paper assesses the available research on the ancient practice, documenting its effects including: remarkably improving cardiovascular function, neuroendocrine metabolism, immunity and inflammatory indexes, antioxidant indexes, and electrophysiological indexes; significantly enhancing people’s emotional state, attitude, and feelings towards things, physical and psychological recovery, and adaptive behaviours; and obvious alleviation of anxiety and depression.

9. Use a grounding mat.

   Earthing mats can go under your feet while you sit or stand or on your desk so it touches your hands and arms as you work. The products are connected to the natural energy of the Earth through the ground port of your outlet, not to the electric ports that operate your lights and appliances. Many people sit and meditate on the grounding mats. Many on the Tour de France, supposedly including Lance Armstrong used an earthing recovery bag to speed recovery and increase sleep quality while on this endurance race.

10. Create an “earthed” space in your home

    When you are indoors, ceramic tile and concrete flooring can ground you if you walk barefoot. (Carpet, vinyl, and wood flooring are not conductive and do not ground you.) You can get:

    • Earthing bed sheets

    • Pillow covers

    • Grounding mats for your desk

    • Chair mats

    • Patches

    • Earthing shoes

11. Sound therapy with Tibetan ound bowls

    The sound waves emitted by the bowls interact with our brainwaves, leading to a state of entrainment. These vibrational and sound properties, can help foster grounding by calming the mind and releasing tension, by clearing blocked energy channels throughout the body.

    You can also choose a crystal bowl's clear, high-frequency ring (as opposed to a Tibetan bowl's deep, grounding drone).

12. Sound therapy with specific frequency devices

    Have you heard of devices that can mimic fundamental frequencies along with multiple harmonic overtones?

    These frequencies carefully tuned to specific notes that correspond to different energy centers or chakras in the body. For instance, a bowl tuned to the note ‘A’ might resonate with the third eye chakra, promoting intuition and clarity of thought.

    One such device is Digital Mandalas by Subtle Energy Sciences. Using quantum resonance technology, Eric engineered a method of encoding digital images and sound files with specific energy signatures. His work combines beautiful digital art with layers of various energy-related sound technology.

    If you’re open to exploring new technologies, check out Earth Pulse.

You can test whether you are actually grounding with a continuity tester instead of a voltmeter, which can be purchased here. Be aware that just as you may not want to lie in a spot with buried cables, be aware that you are also in contact with other artificial frequencies if you head out to, say, an urban city.

How do you get grounded?

Earthing: Why Connecting with the Earth is Essential

During my seminars at the Building Biology Institute, being acutely aware of my brain fog, I spent many breaks outside, trying to get on the grass as much as I could. Grounding every chance we had helped us through brutal jet-lag and lack of sleep, when this little one was still nursing. You can read about my journey here.

One of the most powerful thing you can do to imporve your health now is to ground yourself to Earth.

Imagine the Earth as a gigantic battery that contains a natural, subtle electrical charge.

It vibrates at a frequency that balances our energies and helps us to maintain our health.

All living things on our planet are connected to the ground’s electric energy, except for most of us urbanites who walk in rubber shoes and live in high-rise and insulated homes that dis-connect to the earth’s field.

The power of connecting to the Earth

When we literally get in touch with the Earth, our body gets into electrically conductive contact with the surface of the Earth.

Hence the term grounding or earthing.

We are taking in the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth, which scientists are noticing to produce intriguing effects on physiology and health.

Earthing can reduce stress levels and uplift the spirit. It has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, healing and improvement in circulation, chronic pain, and better sleep. To connect with the energies of our planet, simply walk barefoot on bare ground - make sure you're doing it without your devices.

Let’s go into what grounding is, what the benefits are, and ways you (and your kids) can recharge and reap the benefits of mother nature.

Earthing vs Grounding

Both ‘earthing’ and ‘grounding’ have become popular as more and more aspects of our lifestyles have divorced us from Nature and its intrinsic rhythms.

‘Grounding’ tends to be used as a mental health strategy to calm anxiety, stress, and pain. For example, when we say someone is “grounded”, we tend to attribute these qualities: centered, solid, strong, balanced, Less tense or stressed. The act of grounding is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth.

Earthing is another term commonly used to describe this, though it technically refers to using the earth’s natural charge to realign your own body’s electrical charge.

You can see the nuance in the difference of the two terms, as the latter, ‘earthing’, relates specifically to the electromagnetic exchange between the Earth and other objects, including humans.

I use the two terms interchangeably because both are about the process of putting your body into contact with the electrical impulses of the Earth’s surface.

Why we need to earth

We are bioelectrical beings living on an electrical planet. Your body operates electrically. All of your cells transmit multiple frequencies that run, for example, your heart, immune system, muscles, and nervous system.

In our daily modern lives, many of these functions are interrupted by the larger artificial EMF soup that we live in. Your body is unable to perform its cellular processes optimally leading to pain, poor sleep, illness and/or disease.

Healing Benefits of Grounding

• Reducing inflammation

• Improved blood circulation

• Reducing chronic pain

• Improving sleep

• Increasing energy

• Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones

• Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm

• Normalizing blood pressure and blood flow

• Relieving muscle tension and headache

• Improving menstrual and female hormone symptoms

• Speeds healing

• Reducing jet lag

• Protecting the body from effects of EMFs

• Shortening recovery time from injury or athletic activity

• Helping support adrenal health

How does grounding and earthing “work”?

The Earth's negative potential creates a stable bioelectrical environment for the function of all biological beings (including humans).

The natural rhythms of Earth's potential may be important for setting the biological clocks regulating diurnal body rhythms, such as cortisol secretion [3]

It is also well established that electrons from antioxidant molecules neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS, or in popular terms, free radicals) involved in the body's immune and inflammatory responses.

How to physically earth and how to consciously earth

This can be done by touching the Earth’s surface directly (soil, sand, grass) or by coming into contact with a surface that can conduct the Earth’s electricity (water, concrete).

conductive surfaces: grass, soil, natural bodies of water, concrete

non-conductive surfaces: asphalt, vinyl, wood

Consciously earthing

As I explored different ways to earth, I found there;s a big difference if I make it a conscious habit versus just hopping out onto the grass for second or two.

Consciously being aware of the flow of energy within my body and in exchange with the earth, or “earthing”, allows you to connect to energy while getting rid of any idea of it being a chore, or “woo-woo (WTH am I doing?)” that could affect the ability to entrain in the flow of energy. To borrow an analogy, it’s the difference between being distracted doom-scrolling your phone during a massage and relaxing into the tactile and sensory relaxation of the experience.

By becoming more mindful of your own feelings and state of mind, you can gain greater joy in the process of earthing.

• Sitting outside in the morning while drinking your morning tea or having breakfast

• Going to your neighborhood park and walking or sitting in the grass

• Walking on the beach and letting the waves lap your feet and legs

• Swimming in the ocean or a lake

Why earthing works

Grounding works by providing a path for unwanted positive or negative charges to flow into the electrically neutral (that is, zero-voltage) Earth.

Our bodies build up a positive charge that is dispelled when we touch the earth. Earth itself has negatively charged electrons that balance the positive charge we accumulate when we’re disconnected, which happens because we are almost always electrically insulated from the surface of the planet. This paper describes the possible mechanisms for this electrical exchange with earth. Over time, this positive charge builds up, depletes our energy, and promotes inflammation and disease.

Formal research is limited. But we know we are electrically charged beings and the earth has its own electromagnetic field. The ground we walk on is full of ions that are negatively charged just waiting to realign your electrical energy.

My children definitely sleep sounder and longer on the days they play outdoors in the gardens, and better yet, barefoot in the dirt. They are definitely less “wired” and calmer after a good day outdoors (strolling down the shopping belt does not really count). If you’ve ever craved a good shower or bath, loved dipping your feet at the beach or pool, you are experiencing the power of earthing — a primordial exchange of energy between you and the earth.

The other side benefits of earthing, in particular, improves your body’s systems. Getting in contact with our natural environment and being exposed to dirt exposes us to a variety of bacteria and microorganisms/ This trains our immune system and reduces allergies.

Healing nature deficit disorders

The way we live is increasingly separated from this flow of Earth's electrons. For example, since the 1960s, we have increasingly worn insulating rubber or plastic soled shoes, instead of the traditional leather fashioned from hides.

Especially post-World War II, the rise in the use of insulating materials in shoes has separated us from the Earth's energy field. Obviously, we no longer sleep on the ground as we did in times past.

The science of Building Biology addresses this widening gap between our biological needs and manmade homes we have been building in the last century.

Richard Louv coined the term in 2005 with the publication of “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” Aside from alienation from the natural environment, Louv shows the expanding body of scientific evidence suggests that nature-deficit disorder contributes to “a diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses”.

Can earthing heal eczema?

My second baby had a bad eczema flare in his first several weeks of life. (Later I found out the crock pot used to make my daily drinks was flaking enamel. Read more about heavy metals here.) It coincided with my own gastrointestinal flares and I figured I knew the diet triggers. But surely there was more to it: why did my/his body become overloaded so quickly, when it seemed I was doing everything right?

After sorting out the diet and sleep, I realised one thing I was doing abnormally — this was the time of the pandemic lockdowns and where I lived, the rules were so strict we could not leave the house! I was indoors all day, increasingly stressed in an already deprived state.

We know that prolonged anxiety — no matter if it's physical, mental, psychological, lifestyle-related or environmental—triggers some level of stress response. As well as contributing to inflammation throughout the body, stress hampers the skin's ability to repair.

Was this the main factor for my baby? I don’t know, but a few weeks after I began incorporating daily earthing while holding my baby, his eczema faded and never came back.

Is grounding effective?

Grounding does not always seem effective for everyone, or at least, not as dramatically as “earthing” can be,

If you are experiencing this, there are at least two factors to consider:

1. Is your space void of other harmful electromagnetic fields that may be conducted to you via grounding?

2. Is your body electromagnetically charged enough to reap grounding’s benefit?

This is as grounding is a magnetic effect and you can only capture this if you have enough electrons in your body from seafood and sunlight (which is another topic to discuss).

How to ground, everyday

It is difficult to do formal studies on exactly how much positive benefit can come from grounding. But evidence show that just 20 minutes a day is a good benchmark for full effect. One interesting study is how just 1-week of camping lowered stress hormones, including cortisol, for months after the trip.

Time can be a premium for those of us in urban environments, so try to stack in these habits to your daily lifestyle. Do them with your child — and soon he or she will get into the habit of getting into direct contact with Nature too.

Walk barefoot.

Whether it is the grass, sand, or dirt, the important thing is to touch your skin to the natural ground. The feet are extremely sensitive with more nerve receptors so the longer, the better and direct is best. If you know there are buried electrical lines. choose another area like a park or forest preserve instead.

Go for a swim.

In the sea, standing in a riverbed, taking a dip in a hot spring, or wading in a lake or a pond woulwork. Wet sand is the best conductor of energy from the earth. There’s limited formal research on bathtubs and showers.

Have a favourite sitting spot outdoors.

This simple practice frees up time and trouble — just head to your spot and slake the calm of being plugged in and recharged.

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku

Literally means taking in the forest atmosphere. This paper assesses the available research on the ancient practice, documenting its effects including: remarkably improving cardiovascular function, neuroendocrine metabolism, immunity and inflammatory indexes, antioxidant indexes, and electrophysiological indexes; significantly enhancing people’s emotional state, attitude, and feelings towards things, physical and psychological recovery, and adaptive behaviours; and obvious alleviation of anxiety and depression.

Many alternatives exist, including grounding mats, shoes, socks, and patches. Be aware that just as you may not want to lie in a spot with buried cables, be aware that you are also in contact with other artificial frequencies if you head out to, say, an urban city.

I’m sure in time, earthing will return to the mainstream as an essential wellness practice for its simplicity and its broad impacts.

References & Suggested Further Reading

1. Grounding after moderate eccentric contractions reduces muscle damage.
   Brown R, Chevalier G, Hill M.
   Open Access J Sports Med. 2015 Sep 21;6:305-17. doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S87970.

2. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
   Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.J Inflamm Res. 2015 Mar 24;8:83-96. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S69656.

3. Oschman JL. Perspective: assume a spherical cow: the role of free or mobile electrons in bodywork, energetic and movement therapies. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2008;12(1):40–57. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

4. The effect of grounding the human body on mood. Chevalier G.Psychol Rep. 2015 Apr;116(2):534-42. doi: 10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5.

5. Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM.J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Feb;19(2):102-10. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0820.

6. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons. Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P.J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:291541. doi: 10.1155/2012/291541. Review.

7. Where the Wild Things Should Be: Healing Nature Deficit Disorder through the Schoolyard. GEAGHAN-BREINER C. https://digfir-published.macmillanusa.com/everythingsanargument7e/everythingsanargument7e_ch17_4.html

8. The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. Ghaly M, Teplitz D.J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Oct;10(5):767-76.

9. Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res. 2015 Mar 24;8:83-96. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S69656. PMID: 25848315; PMCID: PMC4378297.

10. Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:291541. doi: 10.1155/2012/291541. Epub 2012 Jan 12. PMID: 22291721; PMCID: PMC3265077.

Do you ground? Get in touch for an EMF assessment and evaluation of your space

Want to assess your indoor EMF environment?

You can also ask questions at the Building Biology Asia Facebook and Instagram.

EMF Exposure Limits and Regulations Around the World

In the digital era of the 21st century, we are not exposed to one Wi-Fi transmitter antenna. One typical school classroom might have dozens of radiation streams from dozens of transmitting antennas: 30 laptops, 30 cell phones, a wireless printer, a wireless security system, an overhead internet access point and a cell tower located in line of sight outside the window.

As of 2011, radiofrequency (RF) radiation is classified as a Group 2B Possible Human Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at the WHO.

There is a large number of studies establishing a concern that exposure to even low level electromagnetic fields causes adverse health effects. Studies showing possible health effects, that are corroborated as more research is done.

What are the Existing Standards on Wireless Digital Technology (Radiofrequency Radiation)?

There Are No Safety Standards. Currently there are no national or international “standards” for safe levels of the radiation emitted by wireless or microwave devices. It is important to know that different countries have different standards and approaches to the current thermal (heat) RF exposure standards. The biologically toxic (oxidative/membrane) RF exposure levels, shown to produce harm at non-thermal levels.

This is an alarming concern as many countries rush towards 5G (i.e., device to device in the Internet of Things).[2]

Let’s repeat that again:

The telecommunications industry and the Big Tech sector, related industry associations, regulators on both sides of the Atlantic, and standards bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), focus exclusively on providing safety standards for the thermal effects of RFR. Any non-thermal effects are either ignored or denied.

Different Countries Have Different Exposure Standards

During the last 20 years, more than 20 position papers and resolutions regarding EMF and health have been adopted by EMF researchers and physicians. These include the Vienna EMF Resolution, Austria, 1998; Stewart Report, UK, 2000; Salzburg Resolution, Austria, 2000; Freiburg Appeal, Germany, 2002; Catania Resolution, Italy, 2002; Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association Statement, Ireland, 2005; Helsinki Appeal, Finland, 2005; Benevento Resolution, Italy, 2006; Venice Resolution, Italy, 2008; Porto Alegre Resolution, Brazil, 2009; Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Resolution, Russia, 2001; International Doctors’ Appeal, Europe, 2012; and the Report of the Standing Committee on Health, Canada, 2015.[2]

Building Biology Standards

Standards for EMF exposure in Building Biology is based on the precautionary principle and lowest biological harm for sleeping areas. It is informed by reports by the BioInitiative Working Group. In August 2007 and December 2012, the BioInitiative Working Group, an international group of 29 experts with different competences, published two groundbreaking reports “BioInitiative 2007/resp. 2012 – A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF)” edited by Cindy Sage and David O. Carpenter, calling for preventive measures against EMF exposure based on the available scientific evidence.

The BioInitiative report 2012 includes sections on the evidence for effects on: gene and protein expression, 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 neonatal disorders, autism.

Austria

has one of the strictest standards. Since 2007 the Highest Health Council of the Ministry of Health in Austria has recommended to take preventive action by reducing exposure levels from RF devices which may lead to long-term human exposure of at least a factor of 100 below the guideline levels of the European Commission and by issuing rules on how to reduce one’s individual exposure to RF radiation from mobile phones

Singapore

The Singapore National Environment Agency, the national authority for radiation protection, to ensure that radio frequency radiation safety requirements from mobile phone base stations are met.[x] It follows the WHO standards.

South Korea

In Korea, many websites for public and nonpublic institutions provide information aiming to improve public awareness and EMF knowledge [19-22]. This information includes large amounts of data on human limitation levels, EMF measurements of electronic products, base station information, general safety guidelines, and false beliefs.

*Europe: The ICNIRP recommendations were adopted by the EU in its Council Recommendation of 1999. However, this does not consider long-term non-thermal effects. It also does not consider non-thermal bio effects.

France

On July 8, 2015, a court in Toulouse, France, ruled in favor of a woman with the diagnosis “syndrome of hypersensitivity to electromagnetic radiation” and determined her disability to be 85% with substantial and lasting restrictions on access to employment.[9]

The first low-EMF zone has been established at Drôme, France in July 2009.[10]

Italy

The Italian Supreme Court confirmed a previous decision by the Civil Court of Appeals of Brescia (no. 614 of 10 December 2009) that ruled that the National Institute for Workmen’s Compensation (INAIL) must compensate a worker who had developed a tumor in the head due to long-term, heavy use of mobile phones while on the job.[11]

Taiwan

Russia

Russia set strict standards and has not loosened these. In contrast to the ICNIRP guidelines, the Russian safety standards, are based on non-thermal RF effects, which were obtained by several research institutes in the former Soviet Union during decades of studies on chronic exposures to RF. It is interesting to find that Russian researchers  looked at RFR exposures and immune dysfunction over 2 decades ago and because of these robust studies which were replicated in 2006-2009 they set their upper limit of RFR at 10 μW/cm2.

Canada

EMF Exposure Guidelines in Canada are under the jurisdiction of Health Canada who has not independently established guidelines for magnetic field or electric field exposure. When pressed, they will state that Canada follows the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection “ICNIRP” guidelines of 830 mG or 83,000 nT (Magnetic Field) or 5000 V/m (Electric Field) for a 24-hr period. Since these guidelines are based on short-term acute exposure we still do not have guidelines that protect the public from long-term low level exposure.

The Canadian Teachers' Federation (which represents over 200,000 teachers across Canada (2013)) recommends “prudent use of Wi-Fi” whenever possible including the recommendation to limit consistent exposure in schools by turning off wireless access points when not in use.

The Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario - over 76,000 teachers (2013) adopted resolutions:
 "That ETFO study the impact of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, including the possible implications for schools and members, with a report with recommendations.

The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (41,000 public school teachers (2013) adopted resolution to protect teachers' health: "The BCTF supports members who are suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity by ensuring that their medical needs are accommodated in the workplace."

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association - 37,000 teachers (2012) recommends pulling plug on Wi-Fi in schools, schools should practice “prudent avoidance of exposure” given the mounting evidence against WiFi exposure especially on children.

May of 2012: To accommodate children with EHS and to provide choice for parents who want to heed health warnings to reduce exposure for children who are most vulnerable, the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) called for a moratorium on Wi-Fi in schools, and for a minimum of one school in each district at each level to be free of Wi-Fi.

United States of America

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to evaluate the effect of emissions exposure on human health. Its exposure limit was adopted by the FCC in 1996. However, based substantially on the IEEE C95.1-1991 but officially ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992 which is identical  as the U.S. government’s exposure limit regulation. This means that effectively the standards adopted in 1996 are really from 1991. EHT scientific advisor Lloyd Morgan took a look at the history of the development of the standards and has detailed the key statements in the documents so that you can understand how the guidelines developed. Read it here. 

The FCC recognised the safety problems with WiFi and recommended that such devices are not operated less than 20 cm from the human body for 30 minutes.

It is interesting that in 1976, the US Naval Medical Research Institute published a bibliography of 3,700 scientific papers on the thermal and non-thermal biological effects! If you are interested in the history of US government reports on wireless, click here.

Some states recognise the risks and are taking action. For example, the state of Oregon passed SB 283 in June 2019. This is a “bill relating to exposure to radiation in schools in this state; and declaring an emergency.” The weight of scientific evidence prompted Oregon’s politicians to vote 50-8 for the measure. Inter alia, the Bill obliges “the Oregon Department of Education to develop recommendations to schools in this state for practices and alternative technologies that reduce students’ exposure to microwave radiation that Oregon Health Authority report identifies as harmful.”

For a full list of EMR exposure guidelines go here

References

• 1. http://www.safeinschool.org/

• 5G: Great risk for EU, U.S. and International Health! Compelling Evidence for Eight Distinct Types of Great Harm Caused by Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Exposures and the Mechanism that Causes Them. (2018) Martin L. Pall, PhD. Discusses SCENIHR and ICNIRP (International Commission on Non Ionising Radiation Protection – ICNIRP, Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) Guidelines for RFR and robust scientific literature on adverse health effects which are both considered and not considered in their deliberations.   https://einarflydal.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/pall-to-eu-on-5g-harm-march-2018.pdf

• 2. Oberfeld G. Precaution in Action – Global Public Health Advice Following BioInitiative 2007. In Sage C, Carpenter DO, editors. BioInitiative Report 2012: A Rationale for a Biologically based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF), 2012. Available at: http://www.bioinitiative.org.

• 3. Havas M. International expert’s Perspective on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and ElectromagneticRadiation (EMR) [Internet]. Peterborough, ON, (CD): 2011 June

• 11 (updated 2014 July). Available at: http://www.magdahavas.com/international-experts-perspective-on-the-health-effects-ofelectromagnetic-fields-emf-and-electromagnetic-radiation-emr/.

• x. https://ehtrust.org/singapore-policy-recommendations-cell-phones-wireless-radiation-health/; https://www.imda.gov.sg/user-and-set-up-guides/mobile-and-broadband/mobile-phone-base-stations-and-radiofrequency-radiation

• [9] Première reconnaissance d’un handicap dû à l’électrosensibilité en France. Le Monde fr avec AFP | 25.08.2015. Available at: http://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2015/08/25/premiere-reconnaissance-en-justice-d-unhandicap-u-a-l-electrosensibilite_4736299_3244.html.

• 10. Abelous D. France has its first radiation-free refuge in the Drome [Internet]. EURRE/Drome (FR): Agence France Presse (AFP), 2009 Oct 9. Available at: http://www.next-up.org/pdf/AFP_France_has_its_first_radiation_free_refuge_in_the_Drome_09_10_2009.pdf.

• 19. Seoul (Korea): EMF; c2005. Electromagnetic field (EMF) [Internet] [cited 2019 Oct 5]. Available from: http://www.emf.or.kr/ [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

• Naju (Korea): Korea Electric Power Corporation; c2019. Korea Electric Power Corporation [Internet] [cited 2019 Oct 10]. Available from: http://home.kepco.co.kr/kepco/KO/D/A/KODAPP001.do?menuCd=FN050401/ [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

What is Building Biology? Your Health is The Priority

What is Building Biology 

Building Biology is a holistic approach to creating healthy built environments, including homes and workplaces. In Building Biology, “Nature is the gold standard”, and decisions regarding our built environment are made based not only on the health of the occupants but the health of the planet. It draws from interdisciplinary sciences of how buildings impact the health of the people inside them.

Building Biology (or Bau Biologie), originated in Germany out of the post WW2 reconstruction boom, when they realised that new post-industrial building materials that were being used to rebuild Germany were actually making people sick.

Your Home is Your Third Skin 

In Building Biology, we say your home is your "third skin," after your clothes and your actual skin. 

If your clothes (your second skin) are wet, or aren't warm enough, you might catch a cold. 

If your house is designed and built with toxic materials and introduces pollutants inadvertently, the space you live in, its materials, its design, has an effect on your well being. At worst, it can cause and contribute to myriad health symptoms. This is also called “sick building syndrome”.

Do you notice that you feel better or more energetic when you’re away from home? If you do, there could be something in your home that is affecting you.

Your Health is The Priority 

Taking care of your health is taking care of the environment too. This is based on the understanding that our own human biology is not separate from the biology of the built environment around us.

As stresses and lifestyle challenges increase, it becomes more and more crucial that our homes are made with our health as priority. 

Building Biology Principles Takes Nature as The Gold Standard 

Nature is the gold standard in Building Biology. We try to emulate the conditions that exist in nature to enhance life. Fundamental to biology is the symbiosis of processes that function on electromagnetism. Access to fresh air, sunshine, and nature, are basic in implementation of good planning principles. 

Your Bedroom is Your Sleep Sanctuary

The bedroom has a special place in Building Biology because it is the most important place in your home, and in your life, to support your good health.

Sleep at night is your time for your body to repair, rejuvenate, and keep your immune system strong. These keep your many bodily functions in balance for you to live a healthy active life. It is essential to get the key elements of Building Biology right in your bedrooms to ensure a good night’s sleep.

When is Building Biology Helpful? 

Anytime you are considering the design and layout in your home, your health, body, mind and senses, and the selection of healthy materials, finishes, and furnishings...

Any time you are ready for a change—a better home and/or a better you, using Building Biology principles can help you:

• when building new;

• when renovating or decorating;

• review your home as it is currently.

A Building Biology Practitioner can help you navigate the massive project you’re taking on, especially when they are certified to assess, identify, and/or mitigate indoor environmental hazards to human health. Building Biologists examine your environment holistically and outline the steps you need to take so that you know that your home is supporting your health.

Get in touch for a free discovery call to find out how you can create your home sanctuary.

Tox-Free Home: How to Make Natural Laundry Detergent

Laundry is an essential and never ending chore. Supermarket shelves are lined with colourful brands that promise to banish stains and clean away soil and dirt, but toxic chemicals and fragrances are common.

If you are looking to eliminate a common source of toxins (and frustration), mixing your own laundry detergent with just a few basic products can make a huge impact on your body burden.

Why make your own laundry detergent?

Making from scratch ensures your detergent is free of any harmful toxins or chemicals usually found in store-bought detergent.

You can control the amount of fragrance you add and there are no dyes that can often irritate sensitive skin.

Homemade laundry detergent can be used safely in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines because of its low-sudsing formula.

What Can I Use To Make My Own Laundry Detergent?

You only need four ingredients, which can be found on the laundry aisle in many grocery stores.

(These instructions are for making powdered laundry detergent.)

• Washing soda (sodium carbonate), A naturally occurring mineral, it is an natural cleaner and water softener, and is very effective at deep cleaning clothes and removing grease and tough stains. It is used in many commercial laundry detergents to treat hard water and remove stubborn stains.

• Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a natural softener.

It is used to neutralize odor-causing acids and is a stain remover. It also helps soften the water to help the detergent work more effectively.

In fact, baking soda is one of the top two best products (along with distilled white vinegar) for making your laundry brighter and reduce dependence on harsh chemicals.

Optional: Bar soap – a natural, toxic-free bar soap is the only type that should be used for this recipe. Lavender Pure Castile Soap is an excellent option, as is Homestead Laundry Bar Soap.

• Optional: Borax is an excellent laundry aid and booster. It is gentle, cleans, deodorizes, helps remove stains, and boosts the cleaning ability of mild detergents.

• Optional: Sea salt, to soften the clothes.

• Optional: Epsom salt. This will clean and fresh your clothes.

• Optional: Essential Oils

  If you want your clothes to have a scent, you can add 20 to 25 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Explore essential oils that are excellent at deodorizing and are antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial. They add a great all-natural scent without the worry of harsh toxic chemicals.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

For a basic detergent, use equal parts washing soda and baking soda. Add a third of that of salt and Epsom salt.

For example: I usually mix 1.5 cups each of washing soda and baking soda. Then I add 0.5 cups each of salt and Epsom salt.

Pour the ingredients into a medium-sized container and mix them well.

You can store it in a glass jar.

Here is another recipe that includes borax and soap. Step-by-step instructions for making homemade laundry detergent:

Grate the Bar Soap – Grate the soap bar using a cheese grater. Add the grated soap to an airtight container.

Mix the Ingredients – Add washing soda, baking soda, and borax in a container. If using essential oils, add 2-30 drops.

Shake – Place the lid on the container and shake the ingredients to mix thoroughly.

Store – Store the homemade laundry soap in an airtight container.

Tip – If you have a food processor, add the grated bar soap, washing soda, baking soda, and borax and grind into a fine powder. Add the mixture to an airtight container.

How to Use Homemade Laundry Detergent

Use 2-3 level tablespoons of homemade laundry soap per load of laundry. Use one tablespoon if you have a high-efficiency washing machine.

Start by using the recommended amount of detergent based on this recipe.

Observe the cleanliness and freshness of your laundry after each wash. Hereon, it is only a matter of troubleshooting to assess your true needs for your very own bundle(s) of laundry!

FAQ / Common laundry issues

If your clothes are not getting clean enough, you can increase the detergent slightly and see if it makes a difference.

If you notice residue or a soapy buildup on your clothes, you may be using too much detergent, and you can decrease the amount accordingly.

By making small adjustments, you’ll be able to find the perfect amount of laundry powder that suits your water quality and washing machine capacity.

Commercial detergents contain anti-caking ingredients to keep ingredients from hardening or clumping. Make small batches to prevent clumping and keep it in an airtight container!

Otherwise, the detergent becomes hard or develops clumps due to moisture. Discard it. It will not dissolve well in the washer and can leave soap residue on your clothes.

Especially if you choose to add soap flakes... Add the detergent directly to the washer drum before loading the dirty laundry. Do not use it in an automatic dispenser because the soap flakes may cause clumping that clogs the dispenser.

For heavy odor problems like underarm perspiration stains or environmental odors like cigarette smoke, use baking soda and water as a pre-soak.

If your clothes feels stiff, more baking soda helps to regulate the pH level in the washer's rinse water by keeping it from being too acidic or alkaline. Try 1/2 cup of baking soda to each rinse cycle as a balance to suspend detergent or mineral deposits in the water and keep them from redepositing on clothes, which can make clothing feel stiff.