Low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF's)
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), environmental exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF’s) has been increasing since the 20th century due to growing electricity demand, advancing technologies and changes in social behaviours resulting in more and more artificial sources.
Modern lifestyles mean we are all exposed to a combination of weak electrical and magnetic fields in our homes and work environments. These range from, electrical appliances in our homes and in workplaces, as well as television and radio frequencies.
The exposure on the body of tiny electrical currents are not new, and in fact, they are found in our body due to chemical reactions that occur as part of the normal body functions. For example, nerves relay signals by transmitting electric impulses and most biochemical reactions from heartbeat regulation, digestion to brain activities are due to the rearrangement of charged particles.
Low frequency electric fields influence the body by inducing circulating currents within the human body, and if there are strong enough external magnetic fields, these currents can cause stimulation of nerves and muscles or affect other biological processes.
Heating is the main biological effect of EMF’s, for example, a microwave. The heating effects of radio waves are what the current guidelines are based upon, however, the amount of EMF’s required for heating is far lower than what humans are exposed to. Research is being conducted on the long-term effect of exposure to long-term EMF’s well below the heating range could have, with no adverse effects being confirmed thus far.
The main focus for the harmful effects of EMF exposure has focused on whether the exposure to low-level electromagnetic field radiation exposure can lead to biological changes that effect our well-being, and has concentrated on common sources we find ourselves exposed to daily, from power lines, microwaves, computers, television screens, and mobile phones.
the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist and need further research.
The WHO and other organizations have determined that environmental EMF exposure is not a risk to pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes. EMF’s have not been found to play a significant clinical role in eye damage, cancers (a small risk exists only), aches and pains, headaches, anxiety, depression, lethargy, nausea, fatigue, sleeping disorders, loss of libido. and even convulsions and epileptic seizures. And, whilst research into EMF’s and cancer, as well as adverse effects of mobile phone use, is waning in the past few decades, research is ongoing.
Due to the increased use of equipment radiating EMF’s, coupled with the incomplete research on the long-term effects of EMF exposure, it is advised to follow the guidelines for using these items, particularly when it comes to sleep hygiene. Afterall, we spend a third of our life asleep.
Sleep allows our mind and body to rest. Sleep is regulated by the central nervous system and is required for proper cognitive, physiological and immune system function. There are three phases of sleep, light, deep and REM sleep. It is the REM phase where we dream.
Each phase of sleep has its’ own brain wave activity, with disturbances in sleep quality have increased consistently in the previous decades and many disturbances are also attributed to EMF’s.
Poor sleep quality has been associated with increased tension, irritability, depression, confusion and generally lower life satisfaction. Whether due to EMF’s, blue light or increased brain activity, it is not recommended you use a mobile phone in the bedroom, because a bad night’s sleep can influence our performance the following day, as well as our well-being in general.
It is recommended that if you use your mobile phone as an alarm clock that you set it to airplane mode at night and have it no closer than 2 metres from the bed. I have since removed my mobile phone from the bedroom, immediately noticing a more restful sleep. I am not sure if it is due to a reduced blue light exposure and brain stimulation, but I was shocked to notice that I was immediately reaching for it once I hopped into bed in order to scroll through the internet to research. Once I settled into the routine of reading my book before bed only, I noticed I had a more refreshing sleep and was better able to remain present in conversations and interactions throughout the day.
I have since expanded my sleep hygiene practice to include not having my mobile phone handy while watching television, sharing a meal, or otherwise interacting with others. Once I thought about the purpose of a mobile phone in context with the action of keeping a mobile phone handy at all times, I soon realised the incongruencies. It is rare that you will need to be contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is unreasonable to put yourself in a position of being on-call 24/7, we all need a break and a balance between being “switched on” and “off-line” is key.
Kind regards,
Penelope Espinoza Hallett, Naturopath
BHsc (C.M.) AdvDip. Nat/N.D, Dip. Aroma, Dip. C.H., Cert. R.M., Cert. R.M., Cert. SBM, mNHAA