I've been learning a lot more about the research on radiation exposure and put together a list of a list of what we can do to protect children at home. Every family's exposure is different and depending on what you do, you can cut your exposure by up to 95%. I'll attach the list as a document too, so you can print if you want.
Aside from microwave ovens, there are 3-4 major sources of radiation in most homes: cell phones, Wi-Fi, cordless phones and wireless baby monitors. If it sends information through the air, it is likely using microwave radiation. Here’s how to reduce your exposure:
Cell phones:
Cell phones emit radiation when they are on, but not when they are turned off. They emit most radiation when they are struggling to pick up a signal. Different cell phones have different SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) levels.
To minimize your exposure:
1) Do not allow children to use a cell phone except in an emergency.
2) Keep the cell phone as far away from your body as possible. Consider using an Air Tube headset.
3) Keep your phone turned off whenever possible.
4) Keep your phone away from your body, not in a pocket or tucked into a belt or bra or baby sling. Even one inch makes a significant difference.
5) Choose a phone with a low SAR. See the Environmental Working Group ratings online:
6) Poor reception requires the phone to work harder to communicate; this means higher radiation levels.
Cordless phones and baby monitors:
These are actually the highest sources of radiation in most homes, and studies from Sweden showed the same increased cancer risks from cordless phones as cell phones. The highest emission cordless phones are called DECT phones. These constantly emit radiation into the room, all the time, not just when the phone is in use. They emit up to 15x the radiation of cell phones. Getting rid of this technology is the single most effective way to reduce your radiation exposure.
1) Purchase a corded telephone (they do still make them, even with answering machines).
2) If you really want to keep a cordless phone, buy an ECO DECT phone from Siemens, or use the older, 2.4 Ghz models, although these may or may not constantly radiate.
3) Avoid wireless baby monitors. Used a wired intercom system.
4) If you must use a DECT phone, it should be in a room away from living and sleeping quarters. These phones should not be next to a bed or in a main living space.
Wireless Internet:
Wireless radiation levels are highest next to the router and drop off as you move away, picking up and becoming very high again in the vicinity of a laptop using wireless. The more data that is being communicated (eg. streaming video), the higher the levels will be. The simple solution is just to plug in using a network connection: this eliminates the radiation. If you must use wireless, you can buy a computer with a relatively low SAR rate.
To eliminate wireless internet:
1) Plug in to the network using a network connection cord.
2) Call Fairpoint and ask them to turn off the wireless transmitters in the modem and computer.
3) Make sure that the wireless light on the installed hardware is off.
Aside from microwave ovens, there are 3-4 major sources of radiation in most homes: cell phones, Wi-Fi, cordless phones and wireless baby monitors. If it sends information through the air, it is likely using microwave radiation. Here’s how to reduce your exposure:
Cell phones:
Cell phones emit radiation when they are on, but not when they are turned off. They emit most radiation when they are struggling to pick up a signal. Different cell phones have different SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) levels.
To minimize your exposure:
1) Do not allow children to use a cell phone except in an emergency.
2) Keep the cell phone as far away from your body as possible. Consider using an Air Tube headset.
3) Keep your phone turned off whenever possible.
4) Keep your phone away from your body, not in a pocket or tucked into a belt or bra or baby sling. Even one inch makes a significant difference.
5) Choose a phone with a low SAR. See the Environmental Working Group ratings online:
6) Poor reception requires the phone to work harder to communicate; this means higher radiation levels.
Cordless phones and baby monitors:
These are actually the highest sources of radiation in most homes, and studies from Sweden showed the same increased cancer risks from cordless phones as cell phones. The highest emission cordless phones are called DECT phones. These constantly emit radiation into the room, all the time, not just when the phone is in use. They emit up to 15x the radiation of cell phones. Getting rid of this technology is the single most effective way to reduce your radiation exposure.
1) Purchase a corded telephone (they do still make them, even with answering machines).
2) If you really want to keep a cordless phone, buy an ECO DECT phone from Siemens, or use the older, 2.4 Ghz models, although these may or may not constantly radiate.
3) Avoid wireless baby monitors. Used a wired intercom system.
4) If you must use a DECT phone, it should be in a room away from living and sleeping quarters. These phones should not be next to a bed or in a main living space.
Wireless Internet:
Wireless radiation levels are highest next to the router and drop off as you move away, picking up and becoming very high again in the vicinity of a laptop using wireless. The more data that is being communicated (eg. streaming video), the higher the levels will be. The simple solution is just to plug in using a network connection: this eliminates the radiation. If you must use wireless, you can buy a computer with a relatively low SAR rate.
To eliminate wireless internet:
1) Plug in to the network using a network connection cord.
2) Call Fairpoint and ask them to turn off the wireless transmitters in the modem and computer.
3) Make sure that the wireless light on the installed hardware is off.
To keep wireless internet but minimize radiation:
1) Turn off the modem/router when not in use.
2) Locate your router away from living and sleeping quarters.
3) Turn off your wireless button when you don’t need it.
4) Buy a computer with a low SAR.
See Woden's book, Capture the Flag: A Political History of American Patriotism
1) Turn off the modem/router when not in use.
2) Locate your router away from living and sleeping quarters.
3) Turn off your wireless button when you don’t need it.
4) Buy a computer with a low SAR.
See Woden's book, Capture the Flag: A Political History of American Patriotism
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