Why is my phone on airplane mode and why yours should be too?

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Yes, most of the time I keep my cell phone on airplane mode. One of the reasons being it helps me focus at tasks without getting distracted.

Although, another more important reason for me to keep it in airplane mode (especially while carrying it in my pocket) is the Electromagnetic Frequencies emitted by it. The following knowledge has helped me to understand the harmful effects chronic EMF exposure and take steps to reduce the damage. I have truly felt a difference in my thinking and how my body feels after taking action on the steps mentioned at the end of this article.

I hope this knowledge helps you become more aware about the effects of chronic EMF exposure and how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from it. Let us start with understanding what are EMFs.

What are EMFs?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, EMFs (Electromagnetic frequencies) are “invisible areas of energy, often referred to as radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power.” 

EMFs are of two types: ionizing and nonionizing radiation.

Most people are aware of dangers of Ionizing radiation, such as getting sunburned if bare skin is overexposed to the sun’s powerful UV rays, which is a form of ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is generally believed to have enough energy to break the covalent bonds in DNA but actually most of the damage is due to the oxidative stress resulting in excessive free radicals. 

The type of EMF generated by cell phones is in the microwave 2- to 5-gigahertz range. In addition to cell phones, electronics such as baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, smart thermostats, and Wi-Fi routers consistently emit microwave radiation at levels that may damage our mitochondria. 

How can EMFs damage us?

There are multiple studies showing how EMF exposure can damage our bodies. Let’s take a high level view at some of them.

• IARC CLASSIFIES RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AS POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS (2011): The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer , associated with wireless phone use.
  (A carcinogen is a substance that can cause you to have cancer.)
  
• Research from the National Toxicology Program (NTP): This study in 2018 showed that EMF radiations generated by Cell Phones is likely is actually a class I carcinogen just like X-rays.  
  
  Note: The study was done on mice, and their entire bodies were exposed to the radiation. However, the radiation sources were 2G and 3G, not the 4G we are using currently and the 5G which is taking over the world.

• Nerve Cell Damage in Mammalian Brain after Exposure to Microwaves from GSM Mobile Phones: Previously have shown that weak pulsed microwaves leads to leakage of albumin through blood-brain barrier, the researchers in this showed that further this leads to neuronal damage in the cortex, hippocampus, and basal ganglia in the brains of exposed rats. 

In addition to above studies there are multiple known side effects of chronic EMF exposure, such as:

• Blood cells shape distortion resulting in clumps
• Production of stress proteins by cells
• Reduction in hormonal production (especially melatonin and serotonin)
• Reduced quantity and mobility of Sperm cells
• Reduced effective of DNA repair in cells

How to protect yourself and your loved ones?

Knowing the harmful effects of EMF exposure, how can we limit the damage without going on a spree of taking out all the Cell towers and our Neighbor’s WiFi routers?

Luckily, the negative effects of EMF reduce as the distance between our body and the source increases. And most of the time our immediate surroundings are under our control (to some extent) such as our own home.

Based on that there are multiple ways to shield yourself from this harmful radiation, as below:

• Keep your phone away from the body when not using it. If not possible to keep it away, at least turn on Airplane Mode to reduce the exposure (yes that WiFi and Bluetooth need to be turned off to)
• Use speaker or earphones to talk, so you do not need to hold the radiation emitting device next to your brain.
• You can also use VoIP software phones while connected to the internet via a wired connection instead of using WiFi.
• Leave your phone in another room at night. If possible, leave all electronic items out of the bedroom before sleeping.
• Turn off your WiFi router before going to bed at night.
• Don’t carry your phone in a pocket or your bra. 
• Take a short technology free vacation once in a while and go in nature.
• If you still use a microwave oven, consider replacing it with a steam convection oven
• Avoid using “smart” appliances and thermostats that depend on wireless signaling. This would include all new “smart” TVs. They are called smart because they emit a Wi-Fi signal and, unlike your computer, you are unable to shut the Wi-Fi signal off. Consider using a large computer monitor as your TV as they don’t emit Wi-Fi.
• Consider moving your baby’s bed into your room instead of using a baby monitor, or use a hard-wired monitor. In any case, avoid any baby monitor that is wireless. There are some wired options available.
• Replace CFL bulbs with incandescent bulbs. Ideally, remove all fluorescent lights from your house. Not only do they emit unhealthy light but, more importantly, they will actually transfer current to your body just being close to the bulbs.

Most importantly, understand that Children Are at Greater Risk Than Adults From EMFs. The chances for great mitochondrial damage over time is exponentially greater for children than it is for adults. It is the responsibility of us adults to educate them.For more information and a deep dive into effects and how to limit damage from EMFs, checkout Dr. Joseph Mercola’s book “EMF*D: 5G, Wi-Fi & Cell Phones: Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself”.

References

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10728347_Nerve_Cell_Damage_in_Mammalian_Brain_after_Exposure_to_Microwaves_from_GSM_Mobile_Phones
2. https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-risks-of-cellphone-radiation-for-children-and-how-to-protect-them-2_2223846.html
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074720/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26300312
5. https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/lifestyle-articles/emf/
6. https://daveasprey.com/dangers-electronic-devices-emfs-dr-joseph-mercola-424/
7. https://emfempowerment.com/emf-radiation-studies/
8. https://wellnessmama.com/129645/emf-exposure/