EMF Exposure and Your Health: Why an Entire Country Banned the Use of 5G Technology

by Dr. David Minkoff November 05, 2020 5 min read

Athletic woman running up rock stairs on a mountain side surrounded by green plants with yellow flowers.

Since the advent of cellphones, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether electromagnetic fields (EMF) and radiation from consumer electronics, especially those with wireless connections, are harmful to human health.

This debate has raged for decades and has gotten more intense with the release of 5G technology. Belgium, for example, banned the use of 5G in the country until further research was completed and proved the system safe. A top Belgian politician who spearheaded the litigation to block 5G stated:

“I cannot welcome such technology if the radiation standards, which must protect the citizen, are not respected, 5G or not. The people of Brussels are not guinea pigs whose health I can sell at a profit. We cannot leave anything to doubt” - Celine Fremault

Today we’re going to help you understand exactly what is EMF exposure, why should we be concerned, how it affects YOU, and some simple steps you can take to limit your exposure and protect your health.

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Your Body’s Electrical Field

When you think of the connection between your body and electricity, what comes to mind may be getting zapped by an outlet or the jolt of static electricity. The facts are far more interesting.

In addition to being a biological carbon-energy machine, the human body is operated in no small part by a constant electrical flow, as well as an electrical field that surrounds the body. While this may sound implausible, it is an established medical fact. EKG machines (also known as electrocardiograph machines), for example, measure the electrical impulses of your heart. These systems are vital diagnostic tools used by medical professionals in every country on earth. When a heart stops or goes into a fluttering rhythm, how do doctors restart it? With an AED machine that sends pulses of electricity into the heart muscle – not unlike jumpstarting a car.

According to WHO and modern medical science, the human body functions with a multitude of tiny electrical impulses, and these impulses are an integral factor in our internal biological processes. Electrolytes, for example, are minerals that help conduct electrical currents your body needs for a wide range of internal biological and physiological functions.

And just like anything that has an electrical current, your body also maintains a very faint but active electromagnetic field surrounding it. So, yes, the electromagnetic fields and radiation from common electronics and cellphones can have a direct impact on your body, despite being touted as “harmless.”

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What are EMFs?

So, what is EMF exposure? According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are defined as:

“Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. EMFs are typically grouped into one of two categories by their frequency:

Non-ionizing: low-level radiation which is generally perceived as harmless to humans
Ionizing: high-level radiation which has the potential for cellular and DNA damage”

You can see an example of various types of EMFs in the below graphic that was published with this definition:

What is EMF exposure, and how non-ionizing vs ionizing devices effect your health | BodyHealth.com

Our bodies have been exposed to various forms of radiation since the dawn of time, including light, the heat of fires, cosmic rays that hit the planet, and countless other sources. The two categories of radiation we are considering today are ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, and how they relate to electromagnetic fields a high-tech world.

How “Safe” Levels of EMF Exposure can Affect Your Health

While non-ionizing EMF exposure in small doses is generally considered harmless, continuous exposure to EMF has been linked to several adverse side effects and illnesses. The International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified many forms of EMF as “possibly carcinogenic” due to the link between heavy cellphone use and an increased incidence of malignant brain cancer.

Additional studies from the National Toxicology Program in 2018 further identified 2G and 3G cellphone radiation as a class I carcinogen after strong links were observed in animal studies.

Furthermore, a review of many studies performed over the years showed a wide range of serious side effects associated with continuous EMF exposure, including:

Sleep trouble and insomnia
Impaired nerve function
Miscarriages
Low libido and reduced sperm count
Brain, bone, and lymphatic cancers
Asthma
Headaches
Depression
Fatigue
Inability to concentrate
Brain fog
Irritability
Changes in appetite and weight loss
Anxiety
Nausea and digestive disturbances
Changes in brain activity
Increased free-radical activity and risk of oxidative stress

Studies performed on large numbers of human subjects have identified a higher incidence of these symptoms in men and women who are continuously exposed to EMF in their homes, at work, and on their persons. While the exact causal methods that create these effects are not fully known, there is no question that they do occur.

Now, if these symptoms and carcinogenic properties were associated with 2G and 3G cellphone technology, what about 4G and 5G? Each generation of cellphone transmission technology comes with stronger, more powerful, and more harmful level of radiation – bringing on worse symptoms and an increased potential health risk. For more information on 5G, there is an excellent podcast with Ben Greenfield and Dr. Joseph Mercola that covers this subject in detail.

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How to Reduce EMF Exposure: Risks and Effects

In today’s world, it is impossible to avoid EMFs entirely. As a civilization, we are becoming more and more reliant upon technology. But we can be smart about how we live and limit our exposure within reason, as well as maintain our health with nutrition that has been shown to counteract many of the adverse effects of EMFs.

Here are some real-world, helpful tips you can apply in your own home and life:

Tips for reducing exposure:

Use a hands-free set (a wired set is best) when on your cellphone instead of having it up against your head – this greatly reduces the direct radiation into your head. While this was important a decade ago, it is even more important with today’s technology. If you must use Bluetooth, it’s best to find an option with the transmitter that is as far from your head as possible. There are many versions that hang around your neck and have wired earbuds attached.
Turn off your cellphone (or at least put it in airplane mode) before you go to sleep.
Schedule your WiFi router to turn off at a certain time of night to limit your exposure as you rest or buy a power outlet remote switch, so you can turn off and on at your leisure.
Avoid wireless connections wherever possible. Hard-wired connections are safer. For example, it’s best to hardwire your TV, desktop computers, and other devices that are used in only one place in the home or office.
Turn off your Smart TV and any other wirelessly connected devices when not in use.
Stop using any electronic devices at least an hour before going to sleep. This can help improve your body’s natural circadian rhythm and improve quality of sleep.

So, is EMF exposure really a big deal? The bottom line is that you should take steps to limit your EMF exposure and actions that will proof your body against environmental damage – whether from EMF, the toxins in the air, or any other source.

Remember, this is not science fiction – the risks are real, and it is well worth doing all you can to maintain an optimum level of health and enjoy a happy, full life!

References:

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.