What Are WiFi, EMF and EMR and Why Should I be Concerned?

— Amy MyersMD.COM

It seems like a vision of a wonderful future — nearly limitless access to information anytime, anywhere. Today, the average adult consumes five times more information each day than people did 50 years ago. That explosion in information, or transfer of data, is only possible because of wireless technology. 

Even just a short time ago — let’s say 20 years — most people used landlines for their telephones, and if they had internet access it was hardwired to a desktop computer. Now, the average adult now spends 11 hours each day in front of a screen. And those screens are taking ever-greater chunks of our day. Ten years ago, the average person spent 90 minutes per day on a cell phone. In just a decade, that time has mushroomed to more than three hours. Yet, many of us are unaware that wireless technology comes with an unexpected price. 

There is significant alarming data regarding this widely accepted technology, showing the hazards it poses to you and your loved ones. Let’s take a look at what WiFi (wireless fidelity), EMFs (electromagnetic fields) and EMR (electromagnetic radiation) are. Then I’ll discuss the actions you can take to mitigate these hazards, and even to influence legislation regarding the expansion of this technology.

What Are WiFi, EMF and EMR and Why Should I be Concerned?

Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), uses radio waves to provide network connectivity. It is literally a wireless Local Area Network. The radio waves it uses are not the same as those used for a radio, cell phone or walkie talkie, which use Kilohertz (Khz) and Megahertz (Mhz). WiFi sends and receives data in Gigahertz (Ghz). 

A hertz is simply a unit of frequency. If you think of data being sent in cycles, one hertz would equate to data being transmitted in one cycle per second. So, for Mhz and Ghz, respectively, data would be sent at a rate of one million and one billion cycles per second through the air. (That’s a lot of data!)  All this data is sent at particular frequencies, and for WiFi, it is 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz. These waves are very similar to those used by a microwave, which uses 2.4 Ghz to heat and cook food.

At this frequency of 2.4 Ghz or 5 Ghz, a connection is established using a wireless adapter to create hotspots. These are areas in the vicinity of a wireless router that are connected to the network and allow users to access internet services.

So, what are Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)? Electric and magnetic fields are areas of energy, or radiation, created by the use of electrical power and different forms of electrical and natural lighting. The intensity of the field depends on the differences in voltage. The higher the voltage, the stronger the resultant field. Magnetic fields are created when an electrical current flows. The greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field. An electric field will exist even when there is no current flowing. If current does flow, the strength of the magnetic field will vary with power consumption but the electric field strength will be constant. EMFs are categorized according to their frequency as “non-ionizing” which emit lower levels of radiation, or “ionizing” which emit higher levels of radiation that cause cellular and DNA damage.

Finally, let’s look at Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), which is radiant energy that emanates from a source of power such as a radio, microwave, lightbulb, X-ray, and even the sun’s UV rays. This energy spreads as it radiates and varies in intensity on a measured spectrum. The lower energy, lower frequency and longer wavelength radiation is at the low end of the spectrum. The higher energy, higher frequency, shorter wavelength radiation is at the higher end. Lower on the spectrum are radio waves and microwaves. Higher on the spectrum of intensity are infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma-rays.

Electromagnetic radiation is a stream of energy-filled, mass-less particles (photons), each traveling in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light. The level of energy in the photons determines the type of radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be expressed in terms of energy, wavelength, or frequency. Frequency is measured in cycles per second (hertz). Wavelength is measured in meters, and energy is measured in electron volts.

So, to clarify, WiFi is the technology of wireless communication, which is facilitated by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and the result is electromagnetic radiation (EMR). 5G is of particular concern, as it emits the most intense radiation. For this article I will refer to these three things interchangeably as “hazardous” as they are connected.

Why Am I Writing About This Now?

I am bringing this topic to the attention of my readers now, because the status quo is quickly changing, and most of us are unaware just what it could mean for our health and our society.  With the implementation of 5G, our electronic environment is vastly different than it was just a few years ago.  

Have studies been done? Yes!

In fact, a “5G Crisis: Awareness and Responsibility” summit took place recently where dozens of speakers ranging from environmental activists such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to physicians to scientists spoke about the detrimental effects of 5G on our health. The consensus was unanimous: It is a health hazard! 

What is most alarming is that many of the effects are found well within the “normal” or acceptable limit of exposure according to the safety guidelines instituted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency radiation (RFR) as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B), and a $30M National Toxicology Program Study showed cell phone radiation is carcinogenic.

Another study conducted in 2016 (the Ramazzini study), exposed 2500 rats to much lower radiation than we’re exposed to and are told is safe. The findings were astounding! The rats presented with heart cancer, which is extremely rare, and brain tumors.

Remember from the information I shared above that the shorter, more intense waves emit more radiation? Well, 5G uses millimeter-wave radiation — a much smaller wave, which does not penetrate through objects well. That means instead of tall towers placed far apart, 5G will require mini towers on lampposts and buildings every 500 feet.

The extent of radiation damage depends on the proximity to the radiation and its intensity. If you’re in a 5G area, you’re going to be in close proximity to a higher intensity and greater frequency electromagnetic field. As a result of 5G, parts of our society are now bombarded, unknowingly, with an invisible toxin: electromagnetic frequency (EMF) which has been shown, irrefutably, to cause cancer. As 5G spreads, so will this invisible electronic toxin. Cancer is only one of the many hazards of this constant exposure to EMF, which also impacts behavioral disorders and reproductive health among other issues.

What’s Next

In my next article, I’ll detail the top five health hazards and the steps you can take in your home and community to protect your health. I believe one of the most important things we can do is to reach out to our local, state, and federal officials and let them know we don’t want this kind of exposure. Below you’ll find some relevant federal officials and their contact information. Please write and let them know your thoughts! I’m including sample language you can use, but feel free to craft your own comments. With enough voices joining together, we can make ourselves heard on this critical issue.

Sample Letter

Dear (title) ____:

I am contacting you because I am concerned about the expansion of the 5G network across our nation.

No studies have been done that show 5G is safe for our communities. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Research shows that it is hazardous to the health of our families. Electromagnetic radiation has been shown to cause cancer, impact reproductive health, and result in cognitive disorders, among other health issues.

I urge you to halt the expansion of this network until reasonable protections are enacted.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible on steps you will take to resolve this problem. 

Sincerely,

(your name)

Who to Contact

Chairman, Federal Communications Commission:

Ajit Pai
ajit.pai@fcc.gov

Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission:

Brendan Carr
brendan.car@fcc.gov

Broadband Advisory Committee
Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet:

You can directly email every senator below by following this link and searching each name. Mailing addresses in their home states and their Washington offices, as well as their telephone numbers, can also be found there.

Republican
Sen. John Thune, South Dakota – Chairman
Sen. Roy Blunt, Missouri
Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas
Sen. Deb Fischer, Nebraska
Sen. Jerry Moran, Kansas
Sen. Dan Sullivan, Alaska
Sen. Cory Gardner, Colorado
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
Sen. Mike Lee, Utah
Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
Sen. Todd Young, Indiana
Sen. Rick Scott, Florida

Democrat
Sen. Brian Schatz, Hawaii – Ranking Member
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
Sen. Edward Markey, Massachusetts
Sen. Tom Udall, New Mexico
Sen. Gary Peters, Michigan
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois
Sen. Jon Tester, Montana
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona
Sen. Jacky Rosen, Nevada