Today, a computer is used in almost every aspect of life, which means that the amount of time one spends using computers is increasing each day. The many advantages of using a computer have seen the number of people using a computer increase exponentially across the world in recent years.
In fact, most people in developed countries use a computer either at home or at work.
Did you know, however, that excessive exposure to computer radiation poses a serious health risk to an individual? With their many uses, computers are becoming a significant component of modern life. This means that its daily usage is seemingly becoming inevitable.
The excessive use of computers, however, makes the notion of computer radiation a reality. Computers produce electromagnetic fields and frequencies that can pose a serious risk to the health of the user.
Electromagnetic exposure has been linked to a number of serious diseases like heart disease, cancer, hormone imbalance, depression, and Alzheimer’s among others. For instance, a series of studies show that the health risks linked to computer radiation are high if one uses the computer when it is too close to the body – it is not safe to use a laptop from your lap.
In this article, we guide you through electromagnetic radiation basics, highlight how EMF is produced from your computer screen, and tell you how to avoid EMF exposure from your computers.
Electromagnetic Radiation Basics
When it comes to addressing the issues of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), most people often fail to grasp what is important. One thing that concerns most people is the fact that it is nearly impossible to live in a modern society without being exposed to radiation from laptops and computers. With the right knowledge, however, one can stay free from EMR.
An EMR source creates an energy field around it that is referred to as an electromagnetic field (EMF). At the source and close to it, the EMF is very strong. The strength, however, weakens as the field gets further from the source. The easiest way to see how much EMF is radiating is to get an EMF detector and test things around your house.
Most people do not know that low-frequency radiation (even strong but low-frequency EMF) fields get weak very quickly, which means they can’t be measured a foot away from their source. With this in mind, you can avoid them easily, especially from laptops, desktop computers, and other comparable devices.
Of equal importance to note is that radio-frequency radiations become weak at a slow rate such that their EMF extends to a greater distance. This makes it impossible to get away from radio frequency EMF sources. This is the reason why it is recommendable to use wired options over wireless.
EMF From Your Computer Screen
Low-frequency EMF radiations can be generated from a number of components in your computer but the screen is the most common source. Today, computers are equipped with a flat LCD OR LED screen that emits very little EMR compared to the old-fashioned screens and other previous flat screens.
With these types of screens, you can maintain a normal distance of about 2 inches away in order to be out of exposure. You don’t have to worry about getting exposed to computer radiation if you own a computer with a flat-screen that was manufactured after 2010. Even when using many screens, just maintain a 12-inches distance or more from your eyes. If you still own an old CRT screen, however, then maintaining a minimum distance of 18 inches away from the screen is most recommendable.
Before we dive into ways of minimizing EMF exposure from computers, let’s first review some of the signs and symptoms of excessive exposure to EMF.
Symptoms linked to EMF Exposure:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Skin burning, itching, or flushing sensations
- Joint and muscle pains
- Palpitation of the heart
- Memory disorders
These symptoms can also indicate that you are developing electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, a condition that exposed persons frequently experience. This condition can be serious since you could experience severe discomfort and pain even at a level of radiation that is low compared to those deemed safe.
In fact, in severe cases, you may be required to avoid EMFs or any other forms of computer radiation completely.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity is pretty common in modern societies with up to 3 percent of the general population being affected. In fact, the rate of infection seems to be increasing fast. The rapid increase is mainly attributable to the over-exposure from a huge single exposure or cumulative exposure to EMF over a long period.
What’s more is that where wireless connections are involved, the impact of EMF increases significantly. Luckily, you can reduce your exposure to EMF by up to 50 times lower if you follow the tips and guidelines discussed below.
How to Avoid EMF Exposure from Computers
Don’t Use Your Laptop from Your Lap
If you have been using your laptop from your lap, especially when connected to Wi-Fi, it is time you stopped. Certainly, it is very convenient to use your laptop right from your lap, especially when in your car or in public places where there are no tables.
Using your laptop when on your lap, however, is a serious health risk. Experts say that it can lead to low sperm production in men or even infertility in the worst case.
If you must use your laptop from your lap, then it is important to consider using a shield. A shield can be a laptop-sized desk on which you can rest your laptop when using it. This will reduce radiation and heat exposure.
Besides the shield, you can also use a thick blanket or pillow to minimize your exposure to EMF. This is because the blanket or pillow will also reduce the radiation distance as well as heat exposure. Where possible, put off the wireless connections because the radiations increase considerably when using wireless connections.
Keep a Safe Distance Away from Your Computer Monitor
Whether you are using a laptop or a desktop, try to find a safe distance when using your computer. It has been found that when it comes to IMF radiation, even the smallest millimeters away from the laptop can make a big difference.
As such, try to be as far away from your computer screen as possible with about 2-4 feet being the recommended distance. At this distance, set a resolution large enough to allow you to read from the screen comfortably without straining your eyes when reading or typing.
Get rid of the Wi-Fi
Most computers dating back to five years have Wi-Fi built in. Wi-Fi connections emit a radio frequency, which is equally dangerous to human health. If you are using a desktop computer or laptop that uses Wi-Fi, it is crucial that you be careful of it.
To start with, you will require taking care of the Wi-Fi issues of your computer. Almost every laptop comes with built-in Wi-Fi. The best action to take, therefore, is to hardwire the laptop, especially if you consistently use it at your home desk. You can use an Ethernet cable for this purpose, which is not complicated.
Follow the following steps:
- Get a good length Ethernet cable from the stores
- Plug the cable into your router. You will find out that there are at least 4 ethernet cable ports on your routers.
- Plug the other end of the cable into your desktop or laptop
- Once you hardwire your computer to the internet, you will need to disable the Wi-Fi. You can accomplish this by reviewing your computer settings.
- Make Sure Your Laptop is Grounded
When you are using your laptop or desktop, the electric field radiation produced may cause a number of issues that come with similar symptoms as EMF radiation. This will happen when you plug in your laptop without grounding it.
When using a laptop or computer that is not grounded, you will absorb a substantial amount of radiation, especially when resting your wrists on the laptop case. You will also tend to experience symptoms like discomfort, restlessness, tingling, and aches in the wrist and hands. This is common when you type for long periods. When this happens, most individuals will think that they are just tired. Unknown to them, however, such symptoms are mainly a result of extended exposure to the electric field radiation emitted from a laptop that is plugged in but not grounded.
Even though it is difficult to find power cords that are not grounded in 2018, don’t be surprised to get some in the stores and in people’s homes. If you still own an ungrounded power cord, you can effectively ground it by following the following steps:
How to Ground your Laptop or Computer
Making sure that the laptop you are using is grounded is easy. For instance, you could simply use your laptop without necessarily plugging it into the power. As such, grounding won’t be an issue anymore. Additionally, if you are using a power cord that came fitted with a three-pronged plug, you won’t need to ground your laptop because it is already grounded by the third prong.
If your laptop or computer has a two-pronged power cable, however, here are a few things you can do to have it grounded. To begin with, make sure you make a grounding cable that you can use with any electronic device. With one end having three prongs and the other with a small metal clip, you can connect this to your computer or laptop. This tool can work just like any three-pronged power cord.
Another way is to simply take a wire and then attach it to any metal part of your computer or laptop while the other end is attached to the ground terminal of your socket. When doing this, you must be very cautious because it can be very dangerous.
Be cautious of Magnetic Field Contact
When you are using your laptop from your lap or having your computer too close to you, you need to know that you risk being exposed to strong magnetic field radiation from these devices. Experts have shown that even very small amounts of electric magnetic fields can be detrimental to your health.
The magnetic field from your computer is generated from either the transformer or the power cable. You will notice that a laptop’s charging cable has a small box-like thing or a small round tube halfway down the cord. This transformer is crucial because it changes electrical current into the right voltage for your laptop use.
However, if you are using a desktop, you can’t do a lot since the transformer is in-built and so are the magnetic field radiations. If you are using a laptop, therefore, you can do the following in order to eliminate your exposure to electric magnetic radiation.
If you frequently use a laptop, make sure you use a corded keyboard and mouse in order to create some distance between you and the laptop. Moreover, if your power cord is grounded, ensure that the transformer part of the power cord is always as far away from your body as possible.
Keep Away From Your Computer or Laptop
This is obviously a difficult step to take owing to the fact that computers and laptops have become almost basic in your daily life. However, it is important to take a few minutes away from your computer. Make sure to do this as often as possible.
Make sure you don’t stay close to your laptop or computer for more than one hour without taking a short break. This will allow your body to get some relief. Taking a break from your computer ensures that you have minimum exposure to computer radiation in terms of the magnetic and electrical fields mentioned above. Additionally, you will need to take the steps below in order to reduce exposure:
Take regular breaks
At least take a break after every 20 minutes
Don’t use your computer at night
Limit your exposure to other blue light before you go to bed
NOTE: One of the best ways to reduce exposure to computer radiation is to take regular breaks from your computers.
Do Away With Wireless Accessories
When using a desktop or a laptop, it is important to have a wired mouse and keyboard. As we saw above, wireless accessories can also emit some amounts of radio frequency fields that can pose a health risk to you. As a result, it is advisable that you get yourself wired peripherals whenever you can.
Whenever you travel, consider carrying wired accessories like a mouse and keyboard in your laptop case so that you can set your computer a little far from yourself even when in a hotel room or at a friend’s house.
Make Sure You Eat Well
Although it might sound like a joke, eating well is one of the most important steps to take in order to keep your body protected and healthy. Since electromagnetic frequency radiations are almost everywhere nowadays, there is little that you can do to prevent exposure.
However, eating a balanced diet and more antioxidant-rich foods will enable your body to resist and fight computer radiation effectively.
Eating cherries, carrots, apples, tomatoes, and broccoli that contain a high amount of vitamins C and A can also help you form a natural EMF barrier.
Install Himalayan Salt Lamp in Your house
The Himalayan salt lamps are known to give off negative ions in your home. The negative ions work to keep the ionic level in your house balanced. As such, they assist in canceling out the EMF radiation while reducing your exposure.
The capability of these salt lamps to minimize EMF radiation exposure, however, is still under study and hasn’t been proven to work. Nonetheless, getting this lamp in your house is important. This is because lamps have been shown to improve the human immune system as well as improve one’s mood.
Minimize Computer Radiation Exposure by Limiting your Use of a Computer
Certainly, this is the easiest and possibly the best way to minimize your exposure to computer radiation. Most people use computers at work for various tasks as well as at home to stay in touch with friends and family members on social media platforms.
While it is hard for some people to cut short conversations on Facebook or other platforms, it is important to wrap things up within a limited time, switch off the computer, and engage in something else. Although modern devices are becoming even more enticing and addictive by the day, it is imperative to try to be strong enough to let them go for some time – for the sake of your health.
Keep Some Plants in Your Office or House
Some studies reveal that some plants have harmful EMF radiations. As such, you could have plants in your office or home to keep the space healthy and free of radiation. Plants such as:
Cactus have shown to be very efficient when it comes to absorbing EMF radiations. Having some cacti around your desktop in or around your office or at home, therefore, will help reduce your EMF exposure.
Aloe Vera is commonly known for its healing abilities. However, it can also be used to absorb EMF radiation through its succulent leaves. Owing to its drought resistance, you can easily have it around your home or office.
Stone Lotus Flowers are beautiful plants that are small-sized. This makes them ideal to keep around your desktop at your office and at home. Apart from their aesthetic nature, the flowers can also absorb EMF radiations from your computer to reduce your EMF exposure.
Sansevieria is also referred to as a snake plant. It is small but has leaves that significantly absorb EMF radiations from your computers. These plants are convenient to grow in offices and homes because they really do well in indoor environments.
The plants above are just a few among the many plants that have proved to be effective at absorbing EMF radiations from computers. You can get many of the plants above from your local nursery. Just grab a few for your house to be safe from EMF radiations as you use your computer.
Conclusion
EMF radiation can cause serious health problems, especially for people who are constantly exposed to computers or laptops. However, if you follow the tips and guidelines given above diligently, you will most likely be free from computer radiation.