his Q&A blog is open for all to participate. Feel free to ask your own questions and answer questions posted by others. I know all of you have a wealth of information and experience on healthy living and you are welcome to share it here. 
Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)
computer radiation
I saw an article about a product that reduces cell radiation. Is there any such thing for computers out there? I have a MAC that has the hard drive in the monitor so I can't locate it away from where I am working. I remember long ago seeing acrylic radiation shields to place over the monitor but do not see such a thing advertised anymore. Any ideas?
I think you may not be seeing those protective screens any more because they originally were used with the old cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. The new flat-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) technology has much less radiation.
Check your Mac with a gaussmeter. I also have that type of Mac and checked mine. There wasn't sufficient radition being emitted to be concerned about.
Also, any emfs reduce exponentially with distance. I sit two feet away from my large screen.
Laptop computers and EMFs
Hi, I use my laptop on my lap (and find it very difficult to change!). Is there anything I can do to lessen the EMF exposure? (I prefer a PC to a Mac). In looking at new laptop displays, some are described as "LED Backlit" and some aren't (I'm assuming they're just the regular LCD). Do you know if one is safer than the other? And would a smaller screen emit fewer EMFs than a larger one? Also, have you heard of this product: http://store.harapad.com/
Also, When using the laptop on my lap, do you think putting it on a regular cushion so it's raised a few inches away my body would help at all?
Thanks so much, Debra -- your information has guided me in many purchasing decisions!
I am not an EMF expert, but I know some of my readers are, so let's see what they have to say.
It looks like you've found your solution on harapad. But I have no experience with it, nor have I heard anything about it.
I think putting your laptop on a regular cushion will do NOTHING to block EMFs.
Here's a great page from MCS America with lots of links to information about EMFs, including how to block them: http://mcs-america.org/December2009pg2627.pdf
EMF from disconnected satellite dish
I live in a home in which the previous owners used dish satellite for their cable. The satellite dish is still on the side of the house (next to a bedroom) but is no longer in use. Is it still a potential source of EMF exposure if not in use, or can we just leave it on our house?
Does anyone have an answer for this?
Adding latex to mattress / EMFs concern
Actually I have two question here...
I bought my 2 1/2 year old son a Shepherds Dream mattress and topper after reading that you had one as well (I research your site before I buy everything now). I am contemplating buying the latex strips for the wood slats to make the bed softer. However, the latex is 60% synthetic, 40% natural. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of buying an all natural, non-toxic bed? It doesn't make sense to me to get the synthetic latex. They do offer 100%. Natural latex, but it does not last as long and is not as durable. I am wondering what you have and what you recommend.
Secondly, his bed is against a wall and there is an electrical outlet right over/next to his mattress. There isn't anything plugged into it, but is this still a bad thing? Is there any EMF concern even though nothing is plugged in? Should I try to move his bed? Unfortunately, it's the best place for his bed, I just wish the outlet wasn't there...
Thanks, Debra!
First let me address the question about defeating the purpose to use synthetic latex on a natural bed.
The goal is as few toxic exposures as possible. The reality is that in today's world, we will not ever reach 100% zero toxic exposure. But what we can to is greatly lessen our exposure—enough to improve our health. And then we can also support our bodies to have the ability to process and eliminate those toxic chemicals we are still exposed to.
I have the synthetic blend strips on my bed because that's all that were available at the time. I would probably buy the natural latex now.
I can tell you that I've had my strips for I think six years (less than nine years for sure) and they are disintegrating. So the natural latex strips would disintegrate even sooner. They smell like natural latex, not synthetic latex.
As for EMF from an electric plug, I'm sure one of my readers who is an EMF expert will write in and answer that one.
WHO: Cell phones and other wireless devices can increase cancer risk
The World Health Organization/ International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has now classified non-ionizing readiogrequency radiation as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B click here to see the list - click on "list of classifications sorted by group and scroll down to "2B"). This is the same classification for lead, DDT, and EMF's from power lines.
This applies to cell phones, smart meters, cell towers, cordless phones, baby monitors, and all other wireless devices.
Read more from CNN on cell phones...
Read more from the EMF Safety Network...
What to do about high magnetic field readings
I just bought a TriField meter with the intent of measuring the EMFs in my condo so I could arrange furniture and such in a way to minimize my family's exposure. When testing for magnetic fields I found no area in my home that had a reading below 4 milligauss and some areas were much higher than that. The back of the meter says that biological effects may begin to occur near 3 milligauss, so I'm concerned. I can't afford to move right now, so what can I do to reduce my exposure.
I am not an EMF expert (my area of expertise is toxic chemicals), but I know EMF experts read and respond to questions on this blog. I'm posting this question so they can answer.
Pong Radiation Reducing Technology for iPhone
I'm concerned about EMFs from cell phones. I don't use my phone that much, but have been considering getting an iPhone and have read that those are especially bad when it comes to EMFs. Does anyone know if this product actually reduces exposure as it claims? "iPhone 4 Bounce Case - with Pong Radiation Reducing Technology" Any tips on selecting a phone or accessory with the least EMF exposure? Thank you! Cindy
I asked my Toxic Free Nutrition business partner Dr Steven Lund to take a look at this technology and here's what he has to say...
EMF & other health issues in all metal travel trailer
I am considering an all metal travel trailer, such as an Airstream, or other for their aerodynamic shape, and all aluminum construction that should not leak or rot. No mold, and they hold their value. Also the egg shape are largely unaffected by wind gusts.
My concern, as I check everything for EMF's, is the all metal construction. Will this in any way be detrimental to my health? I know a little about the Faraday cage effect, (very little). My concerns are of course, leaks, weight, aerodynamic, safe & easy to tow. fairly lightweight. I have seen to many stick built trailers rot. So, one of the reasons for considering the all metal Airstreams or its silver cousins.
Any thoughts on the safety of these units as far as health, and EMF's. There should be no outgassing, as it would not be a new unit. Any one have any thoughts on this, I should would like to hear them, before I make another poor choice! Thanks in advance for any comments!! Betty L
Readers? Any thoughts or experience?
gaussmeters and radiofrequency detection
I am confused about Gaussmeters and their ability to detect radiofrequency radiation. There is a radio broadcast tower about a third of a mile from my apartment so I used a gaussmeter to check EMF levels around my house. I was reassured that the levels read about 0.1-0.4 milligauss in almost all areas of my home other than my kitchen (which read about 1.6 milligauss with all appliances turned off). However, now I am under the impression that I may not have tested what I was truly looking for - potentially high radiofrequency radiation. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
I'm going to let Richard Conrad answer this one.
internet cable under my bed
Hi Debra and readers, I don't use wifi, but I do have an internet cable that runs under my bed to my computer on the other side of the room from the cable/internet connection. Therefore, it is probably about 2-3 feet from my head when I sleep. I was wondering if you think this would be of any concern and if I should run the cable around the other side of my bedroom instead? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you!
I would run the cable as far from your bed as possible.
I don't have a computer in my bedroom at all.
