Is Your Smart Phone Safe?

Whenever your cell phone is turned on, it is emitting electromagnetic fields (EMF’S).  Did you know that when you hold your phone up to your ear, 10% to 80% of the radiation from your phone can penetrate up to 2 inches into your brain?  In fact, studies have displayed brain wave changes in 70% of people, when they had their cell phones held up to their ears.  

The weaker the signal, the more powerful the radiation.  While no one can say for sure that cell phone use causes disease, scientists have found cell phone use to influence changes which are associated with disease.  It is well documented that the human body can convert radiation into thermal energy; this is mainly because we are 70% water. The influence of thermal energy production is particularly concerning when it comes to our bodies more sensitive organs that are heat-sensitive, such as the brain.  For instance, a change of 1 degree C is enough to cause irreversible damage to the brain. The male testicles are another area of concern. Cell phones are often carried in pockets, near this part of the body, which is sensitive as it is slow to emanate heat.  

Cell phone radiation has been studied since the 80’s.  A new study found that some Apple and Samsung smartphones emit more powerful electromagnetic fields than permitted by US standards.  The Chicago Tribune discovered this when it commissioned a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) laboratory study. In the study, experts measured SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), which measures the human body’s absorption of exposed radiation.  The Chicago Tribune focused their study on popular smartphones of the past few years: iPhone (7,8, 8 Plus, X), Samsung (Galaxy S8, S9, J3), Motorola (e5, e5 Play, g6 Play) and Vivo 5 Mini. Results showed that most of the devices exceeded the US SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of body.  The smartphones with the highest SAR included: the Galaxy S8 with the highest SAR (8 W/kg), the iPhone 7 had an SAR of 7.15 W/kg, Motorola e5 Pay (6.67 W/kg), and Galaxy J3 (6.55 W/kg). All, but two smartphones (Vivo 5 Mini and iPhone 8 Plus), exceeded the US standard limit of 1.6 W/kg.  

So, you may be wondering: How did these phones even make it to market in the first place?  While companies will sell thousands of phones, only a single phone needs to undergo testing to receive the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) certificate needed to go to market.  Companies are also allowed to determine the lab at which they would like it tested. They are also allowed to measure SAR at a distance of up to 25mm; this is due to test standards adopted in 1996, when phone user behaviors were very different (nowadays people carry phones much closer to their person, directly in their pockets, as opposed to in thick leather cases, as was common in the past).  

The reality is that our exposure to EMF’S is higher today than ever before.  We are exposed to EMF’S through cell phones, Wi-Fi, radios, television… While more studies, which focus on exposure over time, need to be done to determine the consequences of this exposure, the science does show that EMF’S can influence changes associated with disease.  

Here are some things to keep in mind to limit your exposure:  

• Keep your phone away from your body, when possible, don’t carry it directly in your pocket.  

• Put your phone on airplane mode at night and keep it away from your bed.

• When talking on the phone, use headphones or the speaker to keep the phone at a greater distance from your head. 

• Limit phone use, when you are in areas with weak signal; remember, the weaker the signal, the stronger the EMF’S.

Edye’s Naturals strives to support you in living a wholistic life. You can read past newsletters at https://www.edyesnaturals.com/skin-blog.