It's official! Health experts are beginning to take the risk of cellphone radiation seriously, and the WHO's latest report confirms many peoples' suspicions about the risks of wireless technology. With this latest "news" in mind, preventative measures to limit your exposure to potentially harmful cellphone radiation have become all the more salient. So to be sure you don't regret the countless hours you've whiled away on your beloved cellphone, here are our top five ways to mitigate your exposure to cell phone radiation!
1. USE AIRPLANE MODE
Most people don’t know this, but many phones now have a function that allows their cellphones to be used on airplanes. Because airplane mode cuts off all wireless transmissions from your cellular device, it also stops all risk of cellphone radiation too! So if you’re not using your phone for an extended period of time, then either turn it off, or put it on airplane mode. Because the phone uses less energy to operate when wireless transmissions are halted, it also saves battery, which makes your technology use just a tiny bit more efficient.
2. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY JEWELS
Where is the number one place to carry a cellphone? For the ladies, it might be a purse, but for all of us purse-less males and females, our default carrying vessel for phones is most commonly our front pocket. But when you start to consider that your cellphone is essentially a miniature antennae constantly receiving and broadcasting information, then the close proximity of the front pocket to certain… ahem… organs becomes a major concern. The answer? If you’re carrying your phone in your pocket, then either turn it off, or put it on airplane mode. If there are potential health hazards for having a phone near your head, then you can only imagine the risks involved with carrying it right next to your baby maker.
3. SLEEP SOUNDLY
For many people, the cellphone follows us all throughout the day, even into the bedroom. Many people place their cellphone at their bedside table before catching their nightly z’s and think nothing of it. But many experts believe that this not only disturbs sleep, but can worsen some of the potential health risks. If you sleep an average of 6-10 hours a night with your phone within a 6′ radius from your head, then you’re only worsening your exposure. Again, either turn your phone off, or put it on airplane mode and use it as your alarm clock like I do. Similarly, wifi routers should stay out of the bedroom as well, and some sleep experts even recommend removing electronics from the bedroom altogether. You don’t have to go overboard, but begin thinking about creating a space that is ideal for sleeping, and relegate electronics to other parts of the home.
4. REV UP YOUR TEXTING FINGERS!
As obvious as it may seem, sending a text to someone requires a lot less signal power than calling your friends and family. So when it’s appropriate, opt for sending texts instead of spending those extra minutes talking on the phone. Although you might seem like an automatron to older generations, texting is the way to go if you’re aiming to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.
5. USE AN EMF PROOF HEADSET
There are a few of these on the market, and we expect a broader variety of products to appear in the wake of this news. The technology works just like a stethoscope and allows the user to hear their telephone conversations without the use of wires, which conduct potentially harmful cellphone transmissions directly into the user’s ear. One of the most respected products on the market for “radiation free” headsets is called “blue tube” technology. Look around and see which one fits your specific cell phone. If you’re not in a position to invest in a new headset, use speaker mode when talking on the cellphone and place your phone at least 5 feet away from you, but not so far that the person on the other line can’t hear you. Again, the farther the better.
The internet (as always) has a plethora of information surrounding cellphone radiation and EMF (electromagnetic field) exposure. Dr. Mercola in particular has been warning the public about the dangers of cellphone radiation for years, and even began a website devoted entirely to the study of EMF’s. While he’s known to be a bit of a salesman at times, it doesn’t discredit the fact that he has pioneered much of the existing medical advocacy surrounding the potential risks of EMF’s and cellphone radiation. So, educate yourself, be cautious, and most importantly, everything in moderation!