EMFs could be causing cancer, fertility problems and more, says Dr Leigh Erin Connealy. Here’s what you need to know about this pervasive pollutant and how to protect yourself
Smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, electrical power lines, 5G towers, smart meters, microwaves . . . what do they all have in common? These modern conveniences—ubiquitous in our everyday lives—all pose an invisible threat: constant exposure to electromagnetic fields. In our hyperconnected world, they certainly make our lives easier, but at what cost?
Emerging research links EMFs to a multitude of health concerns, ranging from transient inconveniences like headaches to serious illnesses such as cancer. So, can we coexist safely with these ever-evolving innovations and still protect ourselves from the dangers they pose?
As the name suggests, electromagnetic fields are created when electric and magnetic fields are combined. Electric fields are created by voltage and are always “on,” while magnetic fields are typically produced only when a current flows through devices or wires. EMFs produce varying degrees of electromagnetic radiation and can be classified into two basic categories.
High-frequency EMFs are in the ionizing radiation portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Examples include x-rays and gamma rays. They’ve been proven to cause cellular disruption along with DNA alteration and damage.
Low-to-mid-frequency EMFs, sometimes referred to as non-ionizing radiation, are emitted from power lines, appliances, radio waves (used in Wi-Fi), smartphones and tablets, computers, routers, and microwaves, to name a few. They’re everywhere 24/7—in our homes, workplaces, vehicles and schools as well as just about everywhere else you can think of. And though we’re often told it’s harmless, this onslaught of round-the-clock, low-grade exposure is doing more damage than we could have imagined.
Constant exposure to EMFs makes the cells vibrate, rapidly divide and mutate. These cellular disruptions set the stage for serious health problems like cancer.
The late Robert O. Becker, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and researcher often called the “father of electromedicine,” is credited with coining the term electromagnetic pollution. Dr Becker also cautioned decades ago that electromagnetic pollution is the greatest danger to society today. Unfortunately, his predictions were correct.
In a press release from January 2025, the OneName Project announced a new name for the “disease of the digital age”: electromagnetic radiation (EMR) syndrome.1 Previously, symptoms and problems associated with EMF exposure were given confusing and inaccurate names, such as radiation sickness, electrohypersensitivity, microwave syndrome and electromagnetic sensitivity. The One Name Project aimed to end the stigma surrounding this condition and confer clarity.
EMR syndrome is characterized by a variety of health symptoms, from ADHD to tinnitus (see below). But these are just the tip of the iceberg.
As the OneName Project explains, electric and magnetic fields are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, whose frequencies can disrupt human physiology through radiated field effects. The term EMR syndrome includes all EMF-related illness in all biological systems affected by electromagnetic fields and their sources.
So, the potential health issues stemming from EMF exposure are vast and varied. (You can learn more by visiting emr-s.org.)
We know high-frequency EMFs produce ionizing radiation that has been proven to cause DNA and cellular damage. But how does long-term exposure to low-to-mid-frequency EMFs negatively affect us?
Martin Pall, PhD, professor emeritus of biochemistry and basic medical sciences at Washington State University, is a world-renowned expert in EMFs and their detrimental effects. In a 2017 letter to California governor Jerry Brown, Dr Pall explained that EMFs activate channels in plant and animal cell membranes called voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs).2
These channels are like electrically controlled gates that let calcium in and out of our cells. But EMFs exert 7.2 million times greater forces on these gates than the forces on other charged groups in the cells.
When VGCCs are forced to open or stay open abnormally, excess calcium pours into the cells, potentially causing a range of systemic problems:
In a 2022 study, Dr Pall revealed the very likely link between increased intracellular calcium (spurred by EMFs) and the extremely early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. He pointed out that data from thousands of studies provides “powerful evidence” that EMFs cause the disease.3
Studies funded by the tech industry show that EMFs are harmless, but that’s because they look only at how much EMFs heat the body tissues. Technology-caused EMFs can do far more than this, and far more than natural EMFs like those we receive from the earth and sun, because they’re “coherent”—they exert force in a specific direction with a specific frequency, unlike the more chaotic natural EMFs.
A body out of balance is a breeding ground for cancer and other serious disease. And constant, low-grade exposure to EMFs disrupts the homeostasis (balance) of our cellular terrain. Excess calcium in the cells, increased inflammation, more free radical generation—all these adverse effects of EMFs build up over time and may well set the stage for tumor formation.
Children are particularly vulnerable. A 2021 meta-analysis of 33 studies and 186,223 participants looked at the link between extremely low-frequency EMFs and childhood cancer. Its authors concluded there was a connection to childhood leukemia that may have increased with greater EMF exposure.4
Children’s brains are still developing, and they’re exposed to low-grade EMFs at ever younger ages, making them even more susceptible than adults to potential health issues stemming from EMF pollution.
Not surprisingly, EMFs have also been shown to negatively impact the reproductive system. In a landmark 2012 study, researchers found EMFs changed reproductive hormone levels. They also affected ovarian and testicular function, pregnancy and fetal development.5
The researchers expressed concern that humanity’s “reproductive potential” could be compromised if we don’t find a way to lower our EMF exposure. The bottom line is that we must be proactive to protect ourselves from this invisible—yet very real—danger.
While it’s true that EMFs are everywhere all the time, your best defense is to take whatever measures you can to limit your exposure. Earlier this year, my friend August Brice, founder of Tech Wellness, joined us on an episode of Perfectly Healthy (formerly Cancer Conversation; find us on YouTube) to discuss the best ways to protect yourself from the dangers of EMFs. Here are some of her top recommendations.
Hardwire everything. Instead of relying on Wi-Fi, hardwire every device you can with an Ethernet cable. This includes computers, laptops, tablets, baby monitors, smart TVs and anything you can plug into your router. Doing so eliminates the Wi-Fi connection altogether.
Use speakerphone. One of the worst things you can do is hold your smartphone up to your ear while you’re talking. Doing so puts all those damaging EMFs right next to your brain.
Instead, put your phone on speaker mode and distance yourself from your device. Better still, switch off your phone or turn it on airplane mode during times you won’t need to use it.
Ditch wireless earbuds. The same goes for Airpods or wireless earbuds. Inserting these Wi-Fi-emitting devices into your ears right next to your brain is a bad idea.
Instead, opt for air tube headphones, which use hollow tubes instead of wires to transmit sound, stopping EMF radiation from being transmitted to the ears. Several online retailers carry air tube headphones, or you can visit techwellness.com to purchase and learn more.
Keep phones distant. Many people store their phones in their pockets or slip them into their sports bras or exercise belts while working out, which can also create problems. For young men, putting the phone in the front pocket next to the testes could lead to fertility issues. Women who store their phones in their bras could be increasing their risk of breast cancer.
Play it safe and keep your phone as far from your body as possible when you’re not using it. And this includes while you’re sleeping.
Turn off Wi-Fi at night. Since you can’t use Wi-Fi while you’re sleeping, your best bet is to turn it off at night. Proximity is key when it comes to EMF exposure, so rather than walking over to your router to switch it off every evening, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi kill switch.
These remote-control devices allow you to instantly switch off Wi-Fi-powered devices and give you and your family peace of mind. Multiple online retailers sell them.
Say no to smart meters. Many utility companies have installed “smart meters” to reduce staffing hours spent checking meters. You can call your local utility company and ask for an old meter. They may charge you extra for it, but it’s worth it to reduce your EMF exposure.
Purchase an EMF meter. Are you curious about areas in your home, office, school or elsewhere that may be saturated with EMF pollution? You can purchase an EMF meter and see for yourself where these invisible dangers lurk. There are even wearable EMF meter watches you can take with you on the go.
EMF meters allow you to make conscious choices about where you spend your time and can even help with big purchase decisions. My friend August brought her EMF meter with her when test-driving new electric vehicles and chose the car with the lowest EMF output.
Get grounded. Grounding, sometimes called earthing, is a therapeutic way to reconnect with the earth’s natural energy. Directly connecting with the surface of the planet can help balance the body’s electrical charge and promote overall health and well-being. It may also help ward off the adverse effects of EMF exposure.
Because the earth’s surface carries a negative electric charge, physically connecting to it allows our bodies to absorb these electrons, potentially neutralizing harmful free radicals and stabilizing the body’s biological systems. In addition to EMF protection, studies suggest grounding may reduce inflammation,6 improve sleep, decrease stress and enhance mood.7
One of the easiest ways to practice grounding is to walk barefoot on natural surfaces such as grass, sand or soil. Spending time at the beach is particularly effective due to the combination of sand and saltwater, which are both excellent conductors of the earth’s energy.
Other options include lying on the ground, swimming in natural bodies of water or using grounding equipment like conductive mats or sheets indoors. To achieve optimal results, make sure you have direct skin contact with the earth for at least 20–30 minutes each day.
The reality is, we’ve opened Pandora’s box. The convenience and sometimes even necessity of Wi-Fi, 5G, smartphones, electric vehicles and the like is just too difficult for most of us to back away from.
In a world where electromagnetic pollution is at an all-time high, limiting EMF exposure whenever possible and being mindful of the many ways you can protect yourself and your family are crucial. Learning to thrive and stay healthy while coexisting with modern technology may be challenging, but things worth doing are rarely easy.
Now put down that smartphone and take a walk outside. Just make sure to take off your shoes.
Check this at-a-glance list to see which household appliances are likely polluting your home with EMFs.
The good news? You can simply unplug them to reduce exposure. Taking proactive steps to reduce EMF levels in your home is vital for maintaining a healthy environment for you and your family. In this case, getting unplugged is the perfect solution.
Here are a few online retailers selling air tube headphones, Wi-Fi kill switches, EMF meters and and other products to help you minimize your exposure to EMFs. All offer international shipping.
Tech Wellness
techwellness.com
Tech Wellness offers Safertech Airtube Headphones, which are designed in the US and created by the holder of the very first air tube patent. They come with five sets of earbud tips plus a linen storage case and have over 100 five-star reviews. The Safertech Wi-Fi Kill Switch is also available as well as Faraday bags and EMF meters.
Safe Living Technologies
safelivingtechnologies.com
Safe Living Technologies boasts a wide range of EMF meters and testing kits, including its own product line—the Safe and Sound series of radiofrequency (RF) meters and accessories, all tested and backed by scientific research. A Remote Cut Off Switch Kit, EMF-shielding fabrics and Faraday bags are available too.
Conscious Spaces
consciousspaces.com
Conscious Spaces sells the DefenderShield Air Tube Over-Ear Headphones as well as the earbud version, both of which are built with professional-grade stereo-quality speakers. The company also offers a variety of EMF meters to suit different budgets along with protective clothing, textiles, paint, phone accessories and portable devices for home, work or on the move.
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