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In this article, we’ll dive into Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs). While some EMFs are natural and essential for life on Earth, like sunlight and the Earth's magnetic field, there's mounting evidence that the artificial EMFs we've surrounded ourselves with may impact our health in ways we're just beginning to understand.
EMFs are a complex topic, but today, we'll keep it practical: we'll briefly explain what they are, examine the evidence of their health impacts, and share simple ways to reduce your exposure.
Let’s start by breaking down the three types of EMFs you need to know about:
Today, we’re diving into radiofrequency radiation. We’ll cover the other types of EMFs in future articles..
The media and general public often claim that Radiofrequency Fields (and AC Electric Fields and AC Magnetic Fields) are completely safe, but research tells a different story.
For instance, Dr. Henry Lai from the University of Washington reviewed approximately 2,000 studies on radiofrequency radiation conducted between 1990 and 2024. His analysis revealed that 70-95% of these studies reported significant effects across multiple areas, including oxidative stress, genetic damage, neurological impact, and reproductive/developmental issues.
After seeing this research and much more, it’s difficult to conclude that EMFs are harmless.
While the field is significantly understudied, we believe the current scientific evidence linking EMF exposure to serious health concerns is enough to take precautionary measures.
The good news is that there are a bunch of simple, low-effort changes you can make that will significantly reduce your exposure. Let’s get into them.
Fundamentally, the best way to reduce EMF exposure is by increasing the distance from the source. EMF strength decreases significantly as distance increases, following the inverse square law. For example, moving a source from just 1 inch to 10 inches away reduces your exposure by a factor of 100. So, even a small increase in distance can lead to a substantial reduction in exposure levels.
Your phone is likely one of the most significant sources of EMF exposure in your daily life, simply because it's always with you. The good news is that a few simple changes can dramatically reduce your exposure:
If you use a laptop, always place it on a desk or table — never directly on your lap. We know it's called a "laptop," but keeping that distance makes a real difference in your exposure levels. Also, opt for wired peripherals like wired keyboards and mice.
The ideal setup is switching from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection, but we know this isn't practical for everyone. If you're keeping Wi-Fi (like most people), here's what we recommend:
When it comes to smart home technology, sometimes the "dumb" version is actually the smarter choice for your health. Consider non-smart, wired alternatives when possible.
Baby monitors, in particular, are often a significant source of EMFs and are more dangerous because they’re placed right next to sleeping infants. We recommend using a hard-wired camera instead (we'll write a full guide in a future article).
One important note: Avoid EMF shielding products like protective clothing and laptop shields. While they can block radiation in one direction, they often just redirect it elsewhere, potentially increasing exposure to other parts of your body. For example, a laptop shield might protect your lap but reflect more radiation toward your hands and face.
Our home assessments measure a full spectrum of electromagnetic fields, including AC magnetic fields, AC electric fields, radiofrequency radiation, and dirty electricity (EMI), and evaluate them in the context of potential biological impact.
Our proprietary analysis incorporates room usage patterns to create personalized exposure profiles for each resident.
These are categorized using the six-tier Lightwork Exposure Index (which we developed in partnership with Lightwork Home Health).
In our other home tests we found a variety of issues, including:
The changes above will address the majority of harmful radiofrequency radiation in most homes.
In future articles, we'll explore electric and magnetic fields, which are typically harder to address.
Our goal is to keep providing practical, science-backed advice to make changes as simple and straightforward as possible.
Have questions? Feel free to email us hello@universehealth.co.uk
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Indoor air quality is the primary route of exposure to pollutants from both indoor and outdoor sources, as people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and inhalation exposure is continuous.
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