Note that this page focuses solely on remediation of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR), which includes radio waves; and microwaves, which are a subset of radio waves.  Other frequencies of EMR are also biologically harmful, such as the extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields produced by power lines; and anything containing a motor, such as a car, power equipment, or home appliance.  These lower frequencies require different testing equipment and materials to test and shield from them, which are not discussed on this page.

The Building Biology Institute is a good place to start learning how to make one's home a healthier place.  Their mission is "to help create healthy homes, schools, and workplaces free of toxic indoor air, tap-water pollutants, and hazards posed by electromagnetic radiation".  The link below provides many helpful factsheets about electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, baby monitors, smart meters, etc., as well as other information to assist in creating a healthy home.

Below is general advice to create a safer home environment with regard to minimizing RF EMR:

The first and easiest step is to disable the wi-fi and Bluetooth from any devices emitting RF signals, and eliminate every device in one's home that is producing microwave radiation that cannot be disabled.  For example:

1) Stop using a mobile phone.  This is probably going to be the hardest device to let go of for most people, but unless one's home is in close proximity to transmitting antennas, one's cell phone is most likely the number one worst device in the home as far as the intensity of the radiation it emits, especially during use.  Understand that unless the phone has a removable battery that has been removed from the phone, one's cell phone is never truly “off”.  It continues to periodically ping the nearest cell tower and emit radiation.  Instead of a cell phone, use a landline or VoIP for talking.

2)   If one requires a mobile phone when out of the house, consider purchasing a cell phone with a removable battery, even if it is an older, refurbished model.  When one is at home, remove the battery to maintain an EMR-free environment.  This is especially important while the occupants of the home are sleeping, which is when the body repairs itself.

3)   If one must use a mobile phone, the following actions can decrease one's exposure to its EMR: 

a)   Use the phone in speaker mode, keeping it as far away from one's head and body as possible. Maintaining the cell phone 10 inches away from the body, as compared to one-tenth of an inch, results in a 10,000-fold reduction in microwave radiation exposure. 

b)   Unless it's an emergency, only use one's phone if there is good reception (i.e. multiple bars shown on the phone).  When signals are poor, the phone increases the level of radiation emitted.  Avoid using a cell phone in a car, an elevator, basement, or any other place where signals are obstructed, as this will make a cell phone even more dangerous.  If one's cell phone has wi-fi calling, and an active wi-fi router is available, using this feature may actually expose a person to lower levels of radiation than trying to connect to the cellular network.  One can also try shielding the router with mesh to make the router less powerful, but still operational.

c)   Store the phone somewhere other than on one's person, and definitely don’t put it in a breast pocket near one's heart; or one's front pocket by reproductive organs.

d)   When going to bed, turn the phone off (and remove the battery if possible) and put it as far from the bedroom as possible (not in the room underneath one's bed if the bedroom is on the second level of the home).

4)   Don't use a cordless phone.  The base unit for a cordless phone continues to emit radiation 24/7 even when no one is actively using the phone.  While a cordless phone is in use, radiation is emitted from both the phone and the base.  Instead, use a corded phone that is either plugged into one's modem or a phone jack in the wall, depending on how one's service provider supplies landline service to the home.

5)   Disable the wi-fi on one's router/modem combo and use an Ethernet cable to create a hardwired connection to the internet.  Most router/modem combos will allow for disabling the wi-fi, although by default, it will usually be on.  Most likely, there will not be a simple switch to turn the wi-fi off, although some routers are starting to have this feature for the EMR-conscious.  They are called eco routers.  If there is no switch, one may have to go on the internet to change the wi-fi settings on the router, and may have to inquire with the internet service provider what website to visit (it's generally a set of numbers with periods in between).  Once the wi-fi is disabled, use Ethernet cables to connect devices directly to the modem.  If a device doesn't have an Ethernet port, like many tablets, there are USB adapters available.  If there are not enough USB ports to sacrifice one for the Ethernet cable, get a USB hub that will offer more connections.  Note that some computers will continue to emit a wireless beacon signal every minute or so, even with wi-fi turned off in the control panel.  In this case, it is necessary to disable the wireless module in the Bios of the computer, which depending on one's ability, may require some assistance from someone with more technical expertise.

6)   Use a wired mouse and keyboard that connects via USB.

7)   Make sure the wi-fi and Bluetooth is disabled on every device that offers wi-fi and/or Bluetooth connectivity. 

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT DISABLING WI-FI OR BLUETOOTH:  Never trust the menu on the device that indicates the wireless signals are turned off.  The device may still be emitting a periodic beacon signal, or the menu may not be accurate.  To be certain one is not being exposed to radiation, one simply MUST have a RF meter to be sure the device is no longer transmitting any signals.

8)   Avoid gaming consoles that require wi-fi for operation.

9)   Choose Hard Disc Drives (HDD) over Solid State Drives (SSD) when purchasing a desktop or laptop computer.  Although SSDs have many notable advantages over HDDs, such as speed, no moving parts, and better shock resistance, they do use utilize wireless signals for their operation which cannot be disabled.  HDDs do not use wireless signals and are therefore the better option for avoiding EMFs.

10)               Only use "smart" appliances or exercise equipment if their wireless connection can be disabled.  Keep in mind that while some appliances and equipment will still perform their intended functions without emitting wireless radiation, others, such as robotic vacuums or lawnmowers, would not operate without their wireless signals.  So a person who doesn't want to exercise on a treadmill that emits EMR that could give them a heart attack, or be exposed to powerful EMR just to do their laundry or make dinner on the stove, will want to make sure their exercise equipment, washer, dryer, stove, dishwasher, etc. do not have wi-fi enabled and active.

    The best way to avoid RF radiation is not to purchase anything with “smart” capabilities, Bluetooth connections, or Zigbee radios.  However, this is getting harder and harder to do.  In some products, the steps for disabling the Bluetooth, Zigbee radio, or other wireless connectivity transmitter, are not even readily apparent (i.e. there is no menu item to click on), and may require contacting the manufacturer's service department (and probably being transferred around a bit).  Sometimes, it may be a matter of pressing several keys together or a specific order of keys pressed that will bring up a hidden menu option to turn off the wireless signal. Unfortunately, one can’t even trust the indicator lights and menus in devices showing that a wireless connection is off.  In some cases, the transmitting module may have to be physically removed from the appliance or equipment.  Depending on the item, one may be able to find a Youtube video showing how to locate and remove it. 

11)               Avoid wearable wireless medical technology when possible. 

a)   Choose a non-wi-fi hearing aid. 

b)   Use a standard bronchial inhaler instead of a smart (wi-fi) one.

c)   Be aware that medical alert devices, particularly those that also function as a GPS, are emitting EMR, which could actually cause the events one is hoping to quickly summon emergency services for, i.e. losing one's balance, falling down, or having a heart attack (especially if one is wearing the pendant, which is so close to the heart muscle, which operates via electrical signals subject to interference).  There is also a base unit in the home that will emit radiation in order to connect to the wearable pendant. 

12)               Avoid non-necessary wearable wireless technology. 

a)   Find other ways to log one's activity besides a fitness tracker (i.e. watch the time allotted for exercise, use a pedometer, measure the miles walked using Google Earth to trace out the path). 

b)   Don't wear a watch connected to the mobile network. 

c)   Definitely don't do anything that will put one in the position of being required to wear an electronic tether!

13)               Cease or limit use of other wireless devices and choose a wired version instead, when one exists.  Use wires and cables to connect devices. 

a)   Use a wired baby monitor and wired security camera system (avoid wireless doorbells and doorbell cameras).

b)   Use a wired headset; or for even less EMF, an air tube headset. 

c)   Use wired speakers for the stereo or computer.

d)   Use a wired microphone. 

e)   Use a wire/cable to transfer photos to one's computer.  Turn the wi-fi off on one's digital camera.

14)               Disable the Bluetooth in one's vehicle.  Even if one is not using the Bluetooth capability in one's vehicle, it will often be enabled by default, and periodically (often every 10 seconds), it will blast a signal to search for connectible devices.  Disabling it can be as simple as going into a menu and switching it off, or removing all currently connected devices until none are left, or some other method distinctive to the car manufacturer.

15)               Buy older cars without so many sensors and radar.  One can see how many transmitters are on one's vehicle by looking in the back of the owner's manual, where they will be listed with a general description and the FCC ID number for each of the transmitters.  To test the strength of a particular transmitter, do an ID search on the FCC's site and determine the frequency.  If that frequency is in the range of one's RF meter(s), it can be tested with the meter.

16)               Don't subject one's pet to wearable wireless technology or electric fences.  Animals are just as affected by EMR as humans, if not more.  Secure one's pet with a fenced yard and make sure it can't escape, rather than attaching a GPS collar that blasts radiation so close to the pet's brain.  Don't use invisible dog fences.  The "fence" (the wire underground) emits wireless radiation, as does the collar the dog has to wear right by their brain.  Click here to read a Case Study of a Dog Sensitive to RF EMR.

17)               Don't use wireless tracking tags on your personal belongings, and especially don't attach them to your pets or kids.  While these tags may be convenient to stick on items you may frequently lose, they are not worth the radiation exposure.  The tags continually send out pulses.  This Youtube video from "Tech Wellness and SaferTech" demonstrates how Apple Air Tags emit pulses of 25,000 µW/m² approximately every 3 seconds.

18)               Contact one's utility company and have one's utility smart meters changed to opt-out meters (non-transmitting meters).  Unfortunately, because the FCC does not acknowledge the harms of wireless utility meters to public health, opting out of the utility's smart meter program is not free.  It will likely cost an initial installation fee as well as a nominal monthly fee, but it is worth every penny.

    There are different types of smart meters.  Some work by transmitting signals to a base station in the area.  Others, such as those commonly used for water utilities, are "activated" by a person driving by with a radio transmitting device that stores the readings returned by the meters (a vehicle gateway base station).  Many use what is called a mesh network, whereby all the meters in the area communicate with each other, with one meter acting as a collection point for the data from other meters.  The collection meter then transmits the data to another antenna owned by the utility.  It is especially dangerous if you have the collection meter on your home, or if it is on a neighbor's home blasting radiation into your home and yard.  According to the Smart Meter Education Network, an electrical utility worker stated, “We know the person who has a collecting meter on their home is going to have a funeral coming up soon.”  For information about how smart meters operate and the dangers they pose to the brain and body, refer to this page on the Smart Meter Education Network's website:

    https://www.smartmetereducationnetwork.com/smart-meters-what-they-are-and-what-they-do.php

19)               Stop using the microwave oven.  Most people don't realize microwave ovens leak substantial amounts of microwave radiation while in operation.  Microwaves ovens heat food by using a magnetron that generates microwaves with a frequency of 2.4 GHz, the same frequency as Bluetooth, wi-fi routers, baby monitors, security cameras, cordless phones and more.  Microwave ovens are just as harmful to one's health as the rest of the wireless devices mentioned above, and possibly more, depending on the wattage and leakage of the oven.  Besides, food comes out so much better cooked on the stove or in the oven!  It really doesn’t take that much longer to heat a cup of coffee or melt some butter in a small pan on the stove.

20)               Don’t livestream video for social media using one's phone, GoPro, bodycam or other live-streaming capable device.  If one's audience truly enjoys the content, they shouldn’t mind watching a recording of a past activity, rather than seeing the activity in real time.   One can still live broadcast these recordings from their home while safely streaming the data with an ethernet cable instead of wi-fi, enabling the ability to still hold a live chat to interact with one's viewers while they watch the content.  This method would also provide for the Youtuber to give even more attention to the viewers, and more time to chat with them, since the recorded activity is already over and done.

    When livestreaming from a phone, the large amount of data transfer will cause one's phone to emit far more radiation than a simple phone call, and in much more complex of a wave pattern.  The video data will be transferred via highly modulated signals, which are known to be more biologically active.  The authors of this website do not have direct experience with GoPros, but it does appear at least the newer models of GoPros allow wi-fi to be turned off, so one can still record adventures without wi-fi being emitted next to one's brain.

21)               Don't operate drones.  Both the controller device and the drone must emit radiation in order to operate.  The longer the range of the drone, the higher the levels of RF radiation required to keep the controller in contact with the drone.  Commercial drones operate on four frequency bands:  2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 433 MHz and 915 MHz.  Some drones can be controlled from 7 miles away, which would require a very powerful radio signal.  If one must operate a drone, choose one with a tighter range and position oneself closer to the scene one wishes to fly over.

22)               Don't use 2-way radios.  A radio that one uses to listen to music is receiving signals from the air from a big transmitter on a tower somewhere.  If a station comes in clearly, there are radio waves passing right through the air (and one's body), which are picked up by the radio antenna so one can hear the broadcast.  If one can detect stations on the radio, there are radio waves in the environment, but these are the least of one's concern, unless one's home is right near one or more of the transmitting towers.  A radio for listening to AM or FM stations does not transmit RF, so this kind of radio will not cause harm.  However, 2-way radios, that can both receive and send transmissions, can be dangerous depending on their range and associated power level.  Avoid ham radios, CB radios, and walkie-talkies. 

If there aren't any industrial transmitting antennas nearby, generally, the common problems are going to be the radiation from the neighbors' wi-fi and smart meters; cell masts and range extenders and small cell antennae.  Below is a list of items that could also be near one's home, in one's work environment, or in one's community, some of which one may not be able to do anything about.

Other RF sources are common in one's environment outside the home, or may be required for one's job or occupation.  One may not have the immediate choice to avoid exposure in this case.

Refer to the Notes about Correlating Health Symptoms With EMR Exposure Page for more information about some of the devices listed below:

·         RF radiation from sensors on one's own vehicle and others’ vehicles

·         Check-out Registers at a store

·         Automatic doors to enter/exit a store

·         Body-cams

·         Pagers that operate on a paging network

·         Restaurant pagers (to alert restaurant personnel, or to let patrons know when their table is ready)

·         High concentration of people and cell phones in one area or building, especially if the building is not equipped with indoor cellular masts

·         Airport and air traffic radar

·         Drones

·         Company trucks with GPS trackers (i.e. UPS, FedEx, USPS, garbage trucks, Amazon vehicles)

The second step is to purchase an RF meter to measure the amount of microwave radiation that is entering one's home from outside sources, and to make sure that no radiation-producing devices inside one's home were accidentally overlooked. 

Common RF-producing devices and the corresponding sounds heard on RF meter

There are EMR Specialists one can contact who have more specialized equipment than the average person would be able to afford to purchase, and they will test one's whole home for many different issues, including the electromagnetic radiation issues caused by the electrical and magnetic fields in home wiring.  It is estimated that 50% of homes contain wiring errors that cause dangerously high electrical and magnetic fields in the whole house or certain rooms or walls.  A home with wiring errors will not be noticeable in that appliances and other electrical devices will function normally when plugged into an outlet.   Electricians are not trained in seeking out the kind of errors that cause high electromagnetic fields in a home, nor do they do any EMF testing after wiring a home, so it is actually a rather common problem.  While an EMR Specialist should uncover these kind of wiring issues no matter what day/time they come out, keep in mind that RF EMR fluctuates throughout the day.  Sometimes, ambient levels can be more than double the intensity during the workday hours than at night due to more usage of the wireless systems emitting radiation (cell phones using data, data going through wireless routers, etc.).  That is why it is such a great idea to have one's own RF meter(s), so tests can be run whenever one desires.

The Building Biology Institute maintains a list of certified EMR Specialists in the U.S. on the page below:

https://buildingbiologyinstitute.org/find-an-expert/certified-consultants/electromagnetic-radiation-specialists/

If one is interested in detecting radiation from the cellular networks, one needs to research what frequencies are used in one's country.  In the U.S., there are several bands used for mobile phone communication:  Low-band (less than 2 GHz, with frequencies under 1 GHz written in MHz (for example, 700 MHz, rather than 0.7 GHz); Mid-band (with frequencies between 2 - 6 GHz); and High-band (greater than 6 GHz, including mm waves).  Wireless routers operate in the mid-band frequency range, using 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz frequencies.  Some newer routers also use 60 GHz frequencies in addition to one or more of the other 3 frequencies.  There is currently no affordable way to measure the 60 GHz signal strength.  Bluetooth operates at 2.45 GHz.