I learned a new word this week. You might have heard about worries that cell phones cause brain cancer or magnetic fields being dangerous, but with the proliferation of electronic devices, maybe we are putting more in the air than just particles and volatile organic compounds.
I’m thinking about all the electronics in my house and how many of them are on right now. The phone, the TV, the videogame console, the laptop, my daughter’s laptop, my husbands laptop, the router that makes it all possible. It’s summer vacation and the middle of the telecommuting workday.
But is all that healthy for my family?
Electrosmog is electromagnetic radiation emitted by wireless technology and electricity. The most common sources of wireless electrosmog are:
- Cell phones
- Baby monitors
- Cell phone towers and transmitters
- Cordless phones
- Wireless networks
Exposure to Electrosmog can lead to health problems and electrosensitivity or electrohypersensitivity, which can cause symptoms such as:
- Behavioral problems in kids
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Headaches
- Interrupted sleep
- Blood pressure fluctuations
- Skin irritation
As with most pollutants, children, seniors and the immune-compromised are most at risk from developing these problems due to electrosmog. In Sweden, you can even claim disability due to electrohypersensitivity.
Although cleaning your ducts will not get rid of Electrosmog, if you have indoor air challenges in your home due to bacteria, contaminants, particles or are in need of maintenance to your ventilation system, we are here to help! Contact AirTek to improve your indoor air quality!
In Part 2, we will examine the evidence of the harms caused by Electrosmog and Part 3 will cover how to prevent it or minimize its dangers to you and your family. Now I’m going to go unplug something.