Do Cell Phones Give Off EMF?

Yes, cell phones do give off EMF. They emit both extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation from the device itself and radiofrequency (RF) radiation from the cellular network and possibly Wifi and Bluetooth as well. 

Cell phones are a double EMF producer and since people are most likely to use them very close to their bodies, are a major concern for scientists.

Make sure you have read our articles on What is EMF? – EMF Explained and What Does EMF Radiation Mean? as well to prepare you for this article on cell phone EMF.

Further Reading:

• How Do I Block EMF In My House?
• Are EMF Waves Harmful?
• What Material Can Block EMF?
• How Do You Get Rid of EMF Radiation?

Cell Phone EMF

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Radiation and Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation

ELF radiation comes from currents flowing in an electronic device. It is the lowest frequency of radiation but all devices emit it. Anything that gets power from an outlet or a battery. 

Since most sources are used briefly and from a safe distance they aren’t as damaging in the long run. 

Smart devices like cell phones emit both ELF and RF radiation. 

RF radiation is emitted when the smart device connects to Wifi, uses the cellular network, 5G, uses Bluetooth, etc. 

RF radiation travels. 

Bluetooth signals travel up to 30 feet. 

Wifi travels up to hundreds of feet. 

Cell phone signals travel several miles. 

The closer you are to the source of radiation the more you are receiving. 

Direct skin contact like against your head or body are the most harmful because of the short distance. 

Short distance in addition to the long amount of time with these devices are what makes us most vulnerable to them. 

The health effects from even low levels of EMF exposure can damage the nervous system and have negative effects on behavior, memory and learning. EMFs may have negative reproductive effects and have been classified as a “possible carcinogen” by the World Health Organization. Studies have shown DNA and RNA damage from both ELF and RF radiation.  See References section.

Is it harmful to sleep next to your phone?

It is harmful to sleep next to your phone as it relates to EMF radiation. Close distance to the ELF EMF in addition to the RF radiation induced by the phone are harmful.

One of the recommendations in my article How do I block EMF in my house? is to move electronics away from your bed. 

The simplest solution is to either turn it off completely or move your cell phone out of your room while you sleep. 

If you have no choice but to have the cell phone next to your bed or near you when you sleep, consider a Cell Phone Case (DefenderShield). This will help attenuate those EMFs while you’re sleeping. 

Does turning off your phone reduce radiation?

Yes turning off your phone reduces, even eliminates, the ELF and RF radiation from the phone. 

When the phone is off it eliminates the ELF EMF by not being powered and having electric current create electromagnetic radiation.

However, remember that although the RF radiation from the cell tower or Bluetooth is removed by turning off the phone, if you have Wifi in your home, those waves are still being transmitted. 

You might want to turn off your wifi when it’s not in use or when you’re sleeping. 

How far away should you hold your cell phone?

Each cell phone manufacturer has different standards. For example, Apple iPhone tests SAR limits at 5mm separation, Samsung Galaxy S6 at least 1.5 cm (about 0.6 inches) and a Google Pixel 1 cm (about 0.4 inches) away.

And this is just to meet the federal regulation SAR requirements. So you should hold your phone no closer to your body than what the manufacturers have to test the SAR values at the meet regulations and to be on the safe side create even more distance. 

You can use a wired headset to make calls or an airtube headphones (DefenderShield)

Does WIFI cause radiation?

Yes, Wifi produced radiofrequency (RF) waves on the electromagnetic spectrum in the low frequency, non-ionizing radiation part of the spectrum.

How can I reduce my phone radiation?

You can reduce phone radiation in a number of ways:

– Use headphones, airtube headphones, or speakerphone possible to create distance between your phone and head.

– Send text messages instead of making calls 

– Avoid using your phone in areas with weak signal 

– Keep your phone away from your body when not in use

– Turn off your phone when you’re not using it

– Use an EMF blocking Cell Phone Case (DefenderShield)

– Don’t sleep with or near your phone

– Turn off Wifi and Bluetooth when you can to reduce the amount of RF radiation

– Choose the lowest radiation cell phone you can

– Put your phone in Airplane mode when you can

Does Airplane mode stop radiation?

Airplane mode will stop the RF radiation since it disables cellular, wifi, and Bluetooth capability. However, airplane mode will not stop the ELF radiation as long as the device is on. The electronic device itself emits ELF EMFs. 

Also, you can setup Airplane model on some cell phones to only disable cellular. If wifi and Bluetooth remain on, it is still emitting RF radiation as well.

When does your phone emit the most radiation?

Researchers at the California Department of Health found that using cell phones in areas with weak reception can result in microwave radiation emissions that are 10,000 times higher than in areas with strong reception. 

The study (21) found that when there is a weak signal, the cell phone will put out an increased amount of radiation in an attempt to connect to a cell tower. 

Do laptops emit radiation?

Yes, laptops emit both ELF and RF radiation like cell phones. Laptops also emit thermal radiation, or heat. 

The amount of radiation they emit varies by manufacturers and use of the laptop. 

Read this article on How Much Radiation a Laptop Emits for full details. 

What is a normal EMF level?

There is no definitive answer to this question as EMF levels can vary greatly depending on the source and proximity to the source. However, in general, EMF levels that are considered safe are typically below 4 milligauss.

References:

1. World Health Organization – Radiation: Electromagnetic Fields
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Ionizing Radiation
3. Physicians for Safe Technology – Behavior, Memory and Learning: https://mdsafetech.org/science/behavior/
4. Cabré-Riera et al. Association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields dose and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2021 Jan;231:113659. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113659. Epub 2020 Nov 19. PMID: 33221634.
5. Hutton JS, Dudley J, Horowitz-Kraus T, DeWitt T, Holland SK. Associations Between Screen-Based Media Use and Brain White Matter Integrity in Preschool-Aged Children. JAMA Pediatr. 2020;174(1)
6. Broom KA, Findlay R, Addison DS, Goiceanu C, Sienkiewicz Z. Early-Life Exposure to Pulsed LTE Radiofrequency Fields Causes Persistent Changes in Activity and Behavior in C57BL/6 J Mice. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40(7):498-511. doi:10.1002/bem.22217
7. Cabré-Riera et al. Association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields dose and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2021 Jan;231:113659. 
8. Sharma S, Shukla S. Effect of electromagnetic radiation on redox status, acetylcholine esterase activity and cellular damage contributing to the diminution of the brain working memory in rats. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy. 2020 Jul;106:101784
9. Alkis ME, Bilgin HM, Akpolat V, Dasdag S, Yegin K, Yavas MC, Akdag MZ. Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain. Electromagn Biol Med. 2019;38(1):32-47. 
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