US state issues guidelines for reducing exposure
The US state of Maryland has published guidance for the public and government agencies aimed at reducing children’s exposure to electromagnetic fields.
The ‘Guidelines to Reduce Electromagnetic Field Radiation’ were developed by the state’s Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council (CEHPAC), whose aim is to identify environmental hazards that may affect children's health and recommend solutions for them.
According to the Council, it’s important to reduce children’s exposure because, ‘while the science is still evolving, there are broad concerns about exposure to RF radiation.’ It refers to research showing that exposure is linked to brain cancers, tumours of the acoustic nerve and salivary glands, sperm damage, headaches, and problems with learning, memory, hearing, behaviour and sleep.
The Guidelines also point out that ‘children may be at greater risk than adults from exposure to RF energy.’ This is because the developing brain is more vulnerable, they have thinner skulls and smaller heads and the potential for more years of exposure than adults.
The Council’s Guidelines recommend three basic strategies for reducing overall exposure to electromagnetic fields:
- increasing the distance from the source
- minimising the amount of time spent using wireless devices
- and choosing safer (non-wireless) technologies instead.
The Guidelines also offer recommendations to reduce exposure to radiation from mobile phones and other wireless devices. They include:
- not using cordless phones
- keeping mobile phones away from the head and body, minimising time spent on mobile phone calls and texting rather than calling
- using wired, rather than wireless devices and connections
- keeping wireless devices away from the body
- keeping devices in airplane mode
- not using mobile phones in low-signal areas, including vehicles and lifts
- keeping wireless devices out of bedrooms
- using battery-operated alarms, rather than mobile phone alarms
- taking special precautions to reduce exposure when pregnant.
Information on environmental hazards that CEHPAC produces, such as these Guidelines, is used to inform and educate the public, professionals, State agencies, the General Assembly and the Governor.
Maryland Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, ‘Guidelines to Reduce Electromagnetic Field Radiation’, December 2022.
What can you do?
- Keep in mind that airplane mode doesn’t work in many wireless devices.
- Measure your exposure to radiofrequency radiation with our wireless meters.
- Learn how to make your home radiation free with our online course, Your electromagnetic-safe Home.
What else can you do?