Understanding the electromagnetic spectrum and its impact on health

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, varying in energy, wavelength, and frequency. It ranges from very high-energy gamma rays and X-rays to lower-energy radio waves. These frequencies are categorized into ionizing and non-ionizing radiation based on their ability to ionize atoms and molecules in the body. As we move to the right on this diagram below, the wavelength decreases and the energy measured in Hertz (Hz) increases.

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation includes gamma rays, X-rays, and some high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light. These forms of radiation have enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions. This process can damage DNA and lead to mutations, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems. X-rays used in medical imaging and gamma rays in cancer treatment are examples of ionizing radiation that can have benefits when carefully controlled but excessive exposure is very damaging.

Non-ionizing radiation, on the other hand, has less energy and cannot ionize atoms. This category includes visible light, infrared (IR), microwave, radio waves, and extremely low-frequency (ELF) radiation. Although non-ionizing radiation is generally considered safer than ionizing radiation, it can still have biological effects. Non-ionizing radiation can cause oxidative stress and the production of free radicals that have unpaired electrons, that, in high amounts, can be as damaging to cells and molecules over time. Considering that many people are exposed to WiFi, Bluetooth, cell phone signals, 5G towers, and dirty electricity every day at home, work, and school. Depending on the proximity and duration of exposure, significant detrimental health effects can occur.

Health Benefits of Red, Infrared, and Blue Light

There are frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum that have important health benefits. Red light therapy (RLT) and near-infrared (NIR) light therapy have gained attention for their health benefits, primarily through their ability to penetrate deeper into tissues and positively affect cellular function. These light therapies are often used to

promote tissue repair
reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
enhance mitochondrial function, therefore increasing energy production

Red Light (620-750 nm): Red light is thought to stimulate the production of ATP (the cell’s energy currency), promoting healing and reducing inflammation in tissues. It’s commonly used in skin treatments, muscle recovery, and wound healing.
Near-Infrared Light (700-1,000 nm): Near-infrared light penetrates even deeper into the body than red light and is often used in therapeutic settings to improve circulation, enhance cellular energy production, and reduce inflammation.
Blue Light (400-495 nm): While excessive exposure to blue light, especially from screens, has been associated with eye strain and disruption of the circadian rhythm. Blue light exposure during the day from sunlight is very beneficial for stimulating alertness, improving attention, and reducing fatigue. Therapeutic applications of blue light have also been explored. For instance, it can help treat acne by killing bacteria on the skin, and short-wavelength blue light has been shown to have antidepressant effects when used in light therapy for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) when there are fewer daylight hours during the winter.

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is a subset of non-ionizing radiation and includes various bands that are used for modern telecommunications.

Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. These frequencies are widely used for wireless internet, and while Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, there is ongoing research into its potential biological effects.
Bluetooth generally operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. Bluetooth technology, used for short-range wireless communication, is less powerful than Wi-Fi but still part of the RF spectrum.
5G (Fifth Generation) wireless technology uses frequencies from 600 MHz to over 24 GHz. The higher frequencies in the millimeter-wave range (>24 GHz) enable faster data transmission and greater bandwidth, although many researchers are finding significant health concerns with frequent or long duration exposure to these frequencies.

Other RF bands used in telecommunications include:

AM Radio: 535 kHz to 1.7 MHz.
FM Radio: 88 MHz to 108 MHz.
Microwaves: 300 MHz to 300 GHz, with frequencies like 2.45 GHz used in household microwave ovens. Notice how close the microwave oven frequency is to the WiFi frequency.

Health Effects of RF Radiation

While definitive conclusions have not been widely agreed upon, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) emphasize the need for continued research.

Some of the most common symptoms of long-term exposure to Radio frequencies, as well as high levels of dirty electricity include (mechanism explained in my next article):

Neurological Symptoms

Headaches and Migraines: Persistent or frequent headaches that may become chronic.
Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty concentrating, brain fog, and memory problems.
Insomnia and Poor Sleep Quality: Difficulty falling asleep or disrupted sleep patterns due to overstimulation of the nervous system.
Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in the ears, often reported by those sensitive to EMFs.
Dizziness and Vertigo: Feeling lightheaded or experiencing a sensation of spinning.

Fatigue and Low Energy

Chronic Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest.
Daytime Sleepiness: Feeling drowsy or fatigued throughout the day.

Mood and Emotional Symptoms

Anxiety and Restlessness: Heightened feelings of unease or agitation.
Depression: Low mood and a sense of hopelessness that can develop over time.
Irritability: Increased irritability and emotional sensitivity.

Cardiovascular Symptoms

Heart Palpitations: Irregular heartbeat or a sensation of fluttering in the chest.
Increased Heart Rate: Tachycardia or an elevated heart rate without exertion.
Blood Pressure Fluctuations: Potential changes in blood pressure, either high or low.

Immune System Effects

Frequent Illnesses: Increased susceptibility to colds, infections, and overall lowered immunity.
Chronic Inflammation: Persistent low-level inflammation, which can contribute to various chronic health issues.

Dermatological Symptoms

Skin Sensitivity: Itching, burning, or tingling sensations on the skin.
Rashes or Redness: Unexplained skin irritation or rash.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Muscle Weakness and Pain: General muscle discomfort or tension.
Joint Pain: Aching or stiffness in joints without a clear cause.

Endocrine and Hormonal Effects

Thyroid Dysfunction: Potential impact on thyroid health due to chronic oxidative stress.
Hormonal Imbalances: Disruption of hormone regulation, possibly affecting metabolism and reproductive health.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Nausea: A sensation of queasiness or stomach discomfort.
Digestive Issues: Changes in bowel movements, such as constipation or diarrhea, and leaky gut that contributes to food sensitivities and increased inflammation.

Ocular Symptoms

Eye Strain: Fatigue in the eyes, especially in individuals who work near EMF sources and screens.
Dry Eyes: Reduced tear production leading to eye discomfort.

Oxidative Stress and Related Long-Term Risks

Oxidative Damage: Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to cellular damage.
Chronic Diseases: Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to the development of diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), cancers, and cardiovascular issues.

How can we measure Electromagnetic Frequencies in our home?

The TriField meter is the most commonly used for measuring household levels of EMF.

Here are the frequencies it can measure:

Magnetic – 40 Hz – 100 kHz – measures in milligauss

AC Electric – 40 Hz – 100 kHz – measures in V/m

Radio frequency (RF) – 20 MHz – 6 GHz – measures in mW/m²

Note that 5G signals above 6 GHz cannot be measured with this device. Also, dirty electricity in the low frequencies (10kHz – 10 MHz) are better measured using an EMI (electromagnetic interference) meter, also sold by TriField.

Also note that solar system inverters can make large amounts of dirty electricity (DE) at higher frequencies in the MHz range because they are converting direct current (DC) energy into alternating current (AC) energy used by our appliances and devices we plug into 110V wall outlets. Sometimes the Trifield will measure higher frequencies of DE in the RF setting. Different appliances or devices such as solar system inverters, induction cooktops, refrigerators, multispeed fans, LED lights, electric heaters, water pumps, etc can create DE at different frequencies and can be anywhere in the range 4kHz to 20MHz. Solar system inverters create DE frequencies in the 100s of kHz – MHz range and this is why the Trifield reader can detect DE in the RF setting. Just note that if you are testing your home, readings in the RF setting may not be only your WIFi and Bluetooth and cellular signals.

What are Safe levels of exposure?

Interesting to note that it is called SAR – Specific Absorption Rate, which is a measure of the rate at which electromagnetic energy is absorbed in the body. Note also that the Canadian government safety guidelines are for 6 minutes of exposure, not long term daily constant exposure. The Building Biology Institute has determined significantly lower levels for long term exposure, see the following chart.

What are some typical measurements in a house using grid power, using WiFi, cell phones, regular appliances, stove, fridge, microwave, lights, fans, TV, computers, furnace, smart meter etc.

Here is typical house. You can see the reading of the TriField in the picture and the safe level below the picture for each setting.

You can see that except the magnetic energy, readings coming from a simple outlet show high levels of electric, RF and DE. You can measure appliances and computer and cell phones, fans, lights, etc as well and you will start to get an idea of things that produce more or less EMF and you can make areas you spend more time in such as your work space, children’s play areas, and sleep areas cleaner. You will also note that readings will fluctuate over time and depends on the number and type of appliances and devices running.

How can we reduce our exposure?

Turn devices like laptops and ipads off when not in use
Keep your phone off of your body, use speaker phone instead of holding it against your head
Don’t spend hours scrolling
Use an ethernet wire instead of WiFi – then make sure to go to settings on your laptop and turn off WiFi and bluetooth
Use air buds instead of Bluetooth ear buds
Turn WiFi off at night when sleeping
If you have a solar system, turn the inverter off at night when sleeping
Spend time outside away from all technology
Grounding – barefoot on the grass/ dirt/ sand, or dig in garden soil with your hands
Get natural sunlight, especially beneficial during sunrise and sunset
You can use grounding sheets – if your house has high DE, you may want to plug grounding sheet into its own ground system – grounding wire connected to a grounding plate outside approx. 2.5 feet deep. It is also good if the grounding plate stays damp, water helps to move electrons more efficiently
Reduce or eliminate anything the is wireless (printers, keyboard, mouse, speakers) and used hard wired instead
Can use shielding around smart meters to keep frequencies directed away from your house
Make sure you are not sleeping near devices, plugs, or fixtures (like multispeed fans or lights with dimmer switches)
Put your cell phone in airplane mode if you have to carry it on your body
If doing renos or updating wiring, you can use shielded wiring
Make sure your house has a proper grounding system
Reduce or get rid of anything “smart” (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) – Tvs, Alexas/ Amazon Echo, thermostats, appliances, speakers, anything Bluetooth and voice activated, cameras, fitness wearables, surveillance systems, baby monitors, and off course smart phones. All “smart” devices emit radiofrequencies.
Electric vehicles and hybrids produce high amounts of EMF, newer vehicles are more likely to have EMF-emitting technology such as GPS, cameras, tracking devices, tire sensors, etc.
Opt out of a smart meter if possible
You can also ask your internet provider to turn off the 5G component of your internet so that you run only on 4G
You can turn off 5G on your phone, go to settings and find “Network mode” and choose LTE instead of 5G

Although there are significant benefits for digital technology that make communication and work productivity significantly faster, easier, and more convenient, we must consider that in the 200,000 years of the existence of homo sapiens, we have only been exposed to high levels of various electromagnet frequencies in the last ~100 years, with a very significant increase in only the last 20 years. Humans have not had time to evolve to adapt to this rapid change in our environment and we must consider ways to mitigate our exposure and the effects of electromagnetic fields. Details of how EMF exposure affects our cells at the molecular level in next article.