The symptoms that people experience varies greatly in both type and intensity.  Some people report no symptoms at all while for others EMF can be quite debilitating.   It may be helpful to assess your overall exposure by looking at the number of wireless devices you use and that are around you, the time that you spend on devices that emit EMF and your home and work environments.

The following guidelines follow a precautionary approach.  For specific recommendations, talk to your naturopath/naturopathic doctor or other medically trained health professional.

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Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers: Developing and immature cells can be more sensitive to EMF exposure.  There is a growing concern that EMF may contribute to infertility and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, especially early on in pregnancy.  

 

We recommend:

 

• Avoid placing any wireless device on your abdomen.

• Limit your use of cellphones to only emergency situations.

• Limit your exposure and close contact to wireless devices and to appliances with relatively high EMR (i.e., heating pads, microwaves).

• No wireless devices in the bedroom

• Avoid baby monitors.

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Children and Adolescents: EMR is believed to have a greater impact on children and adolescents especially if they have direct or constant exposure.

 

We recommend:

 

• Young children are best not to use cellphones or wireless devices.

• If a child is using a wireless device, like an iPad, keep the device in airplane mode or use an ethernet connection.

• If your child appears to be sensitive, consider choosing a school that does not use wireless technology.

• If your child has any of the following symptoms it may indicate that they are sensitive to EMF:  disruption in memory, decline in attention, diminished learning, increased risk of ADD and ADHD, disruptions in sleep, irritability and other behavioural problems.  In severe cases, EMR is associated with epileptic seizures and increased risk of cancer.

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Where you sleep: Decreasing your exposure to wireless and wired devices in the bedroom is very important.

 

We recommend:

 

• Ideally remove all wireless devices and electrical devices from the bedroom.

• Place all clocks, cell phones, cordless phones and other electrical devices at least 6 feet from where you sleep. 

• If you are using your cell phone as an alarm clock, ensuring that it is set to “airplane” or “flight” mode when you sleep will decrease your EMF exposure.

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Cell phone use:  Keep in mind, distance is your friend.  

 

• Limit your duration of exposure and the proximity of the device to the body.

• Keep the cell phone off the body.  For women, do not hold your cell phone in your bra.  For men, avoid placing your cell phone on your lap or in your front pocket.

• Avoid cell phone use when the signal is weak.

• When talking on the phone, use speakerphone or wired air tube headset to reduce exposure to the head.

• Avoid Bluetooth and other wireless headsets.

• Avoid cell phone use when in a metal device or vehicle such as a car, bus, train, airplane or when in an elevator, as the EMF exposure is much higher while the phone attempts to connect to different network antennas and the metal intensifies the effect.

• Texting is better, but remember to hold the phone away from the body when pressing ‘send’.

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Home exposure: Limit your exposure in your home to all wireless and electrical appliances.  New appliances generally are safer and emit less EMF radiation.  Some general recommendations include:

 

• Choose wired phones versus hands-free phones as much as possible.

• Limit your exposure to EMF-emitting devices.

• Use your computer in airplane mode or use an ethernet connection.

• Avoid smart meters and Bluetooth devices.