by Lloyd Burrell

Do you remember your first day in school? Probably not! Nonetheless your child’s first school day can be a gruesome experience for both parent and child alike, as the mutual bonds of dependency are severed, and the first lesson in “Independence 101″ is imposed on your child. It is the pride and first priority of every parent to provide and protect their family and that’s why we find it hard sometimes to let go and entrust someone else.

Any parent will go out of their way to ensure that their children live a socially, emotionally and productively balanced life.  However, the hard earned progress of a balanced healthy life for our children is being threatened by a ubiquitous lurking danger: Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs). How much do you know about the dangers of EMFs? A little? Or next to nothing?

Despite the widespread lack of knowledge about this issue, the dangers are real and potentially very harmful. These invisible elements can silently take away years of life from your children, way before they learn their lesson in independence.

EMFs are present wherever electricity flows. Because of the advent of wireless they can be found in classrooms, playgrounds, homes, and even streets.  TVs, lights, computers, overhead electric cables, cellphone base stations, wireless and mobile phones, wireless networks, Bluetooth devices, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, etc are all sources of EMFs. They are everywhere. Isn’t it ironic that the 21^st century’s technology revolution that promises lifesaving security and safety could be responsible for nibbling away years of your own, and your children’s, lives?

We provide our children with mobile connectivity to enhance communication and security and use Google extensively to read up on just about anything. This would be just about impossible to give up. But know this; we are increasingly exposing our children to EMFs and directly endangering their health and life, most of the time without realizing. Studies on EMF are quite categorical: They affect human health and could possibly cause cancer.

How do EMFs affect children?

In a new report published this week, John Wargo, Ph.D. professor of Environmental Risk and Policy at Yale University, lead author of the report said, “The scientific evidence is sufficiently robust showing that cellular devices pose significant health risks to children and pregnant women.”

Studies show that the developing organs of a child, lower bone density of the skull, lower body weight, and a less effective blood brain barrier make  children particularly vulnerable to the effects of cell phone radiation (de Salles 2006; Gandhi 1996; Kang 2002; Wang 2003; Wiart 2008). Other studies show there is also the risk of a longer lifetime of exposure compounding the effects.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) came to the conclusion that EMF’s could be possibly carcinogenic, which was then adopted as a World Health Organization recommendation. There is also a risk of induction and progression of cancer in children who are exposed to carcinogenic agents.  A 2008 study in Denmark revealed that 54% of children born of mothers who were cell phone users had behavioral issues. If the children grew up to be frequent cell phone users, that percentage rose to 80%.

How can you protect your children?

EMFs cannot be eliminated but exposures can be minimized.  Here are some practical tips to get you started:

1. Discourage unnecessary use of cell phones

Use of mobile phones exposes the tissue adjacent to the antenna to levels of EMF much higher than you would normally encounter even at a base station. Discourage your kids from using mobile phones unless it is absolutely necessary. Explain to them so that they can fully understand the dangers. Encourage them to use a hardwired phone connection whilst in the house and to prefer texting when out of the house.

2. Make their bedroom a low EMF zone

Night time is especially important for children because their cells regenerate and repair. EMFs are particularly harmful at night because they affect this necessary function. Switch off all electronic equipment and unplug them from the sockets. Keep all cell phones off and out of kids’ bedrooms during the night. Assess your kid’s room; an inexpensive gaussmeter can be useful for this. If an electronic gadgets can can be used outside the bedroom, move it to another room.

3. Beware of the dangers in your kitchen

Although the exposure is short-term in most cases, the kitchen is a high EMF area due to the number of devices. The worst culprit is invariably the microwave oven. Avoid using your microwave when your kids are nearby. Electric cookers, dishwashers and mixers can also give off fairly high levels of EMFs.

4. Prefer low EMF lighting

Generally throughout the home, but particularly in your children’s bedroom, replace compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) with light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs do not emit dangerous UV light and are less dangerous because they do not contain mercury.

5. Avoid Wireless Video Games

Wireless video games like the Nintendo Wii and the Sony Playstation operate using Bluetooth emit radiation. Choose wired versions where possible.

The basic principle of healthy living is to create a safe environment. Make sure you include exposure to EMFs when determining what is safe. As parents, you owe your children the right of protection. This includes protection from EMFs. Ignorance is not bliss. Our homes can be healthy in an EMF way, and that choice belongs to us parents. You have your chance: Make it count!

Lloyd Burrell became electrically sensitive in 2002. He now uses his knowledge to bring awareness to this issue by writing about it on his EMF awareness website and by writing on other blogs. He gives advice on  electromagnetic protection, shielding and tips on healthy living with EMFs. You can follow him on Twitter.