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how-to-reduce-the-effects-of-wifi
  • Health

Is WiFi Safe? Simple Steps to Reduce The Negative Effects

Katie WellsOct 28, 2016Updated: May 9, 2020
Dr Scott Sorries Medical Advisor Wellness Mama
Medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD
Reading Time: 6 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Is WiFi Safe? Simple Steps to Reduce The Negative Effects
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Is WiFi Safe?+−
    • Understand the Effects of WiFi
  • How to Reduce WiFi Exposure+−
    • Turn off WiFi Before Going to Bed (Good)
    • Turn On WiFi Router Only When in Use (Better)
    • Give Up Wireless and Hardwire All Your Connections (Best)
    • Hold Up on Adding Gadgets or Upgrading to Smart Homes, Offices, and Cars
    • Turn Devices on Airplane Mode
  • How to Mitigate the Harmful Effects of WiFi Exposure+−
    • Use a Dirty Electricity Filter to Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation
    • Earthing
    • Adding Negative Ions

Technology has allowed us to go wireless and avoid the hassle of cables. We can now remotely turn the TVs on, start a coffee machine, and monitor babies using wireless technology. At the same time, we are exposed to unprecedented levels of electromagnetic radiation from wireless signals 24/7.

Have you wondered “Is WiFi Safe?” at these levels?

Is WiFi Safe?

Hang on tight… this may get controversial. There seem to be two rather extreme opinions when it comes to WiFi. One side says that it is completely safe and likes the idea of “smart” houses with everything run off Wifi. The other side is ready to build a Faraday Cage around themselves at all time.

The truth is likely somewhere in the middle.

Understand the Effects of WiFi

WiFi does not immediately cause diagnosable illness. For this reason, many of us choose to ignore that it can have any affect at all. However, it can interfere with our bodily functions which may eventually progresses into diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases after long term exposure.

Because these are complex diseases that develop over decades, it is difficult to conclusively show that the increase in wireless signal exposures directly cause the diseases. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers wireless radiation as a class 2B possible carcinogen due to limited evidence. These small number of studies are leaning towards showing that electromagnetic radiations, including WiFi, are not safe.

In the Lancet article outlining their considerations, that IARC states that epidemiological studies that follow humans who use WiFi and cell phones for a few years are not conclusive. However, rodent studies that follow the animals throughout their lifetime find that wireless radiation does cause cancer or worsen cancer prognosis. The same animal studies also observed other changes in the brain and blood brain barrier in animals that are exposed to the radiation.

The limited evidences in humans may be why regulators are claiming that this type of radiation is safe. However, some anecdotal evidences, such as how Canadian families in Ontario are noticing headaches and brain fogs in their children, suggest that WiFi may not be healthy, so it is probably better to err on the side of caution.

It is even more important to protect children and developing fetuses from radiation as their small and growing bodies are more vulnerable to radiation than adults. Many products on the market aim to help protect babies in utero from WiFi radiation (like this belly armor blanket and even this belly-shielding band for pregnant moms).

How to Reduce WiFi Exposure

is-wifi-safe-simple-steps-to-reduce-the-negative-effectsFirst, it is important to reduce use as much as possible, especially until we know more about the long-term effects of WiFi. The pro-WiFi crowd may scoff at the idea that anything could be potentially harmful about it, but we once thought smoking was perfectly fine too!

While it may not be possible to get the entire family on board, there are many options to reduce exposure while keeping everyone happy, including:

Turn off WiFi Before Going to Bed (Good)

Everyone should be sleeping at bed time, and WiFi signal may interferes with the brain during sleep, so it is a good idea to turn it off before going to bed. This allows the body to rest more deeply. By turning it off at night, you are effectively cutting down exposure by 33%. (Aside from the WiFi reduction, many security experts also recommend turning off your internet when not using it).

In addition, because many people browse the internet mindlessly at night, some may also find that having a WiFi curfew improves their marriage because they become more present with their spouse.

Many router models will have features that make it possible to automatically shut off WiFi connection and turn it back on at the same time every day, which will be useful for this purpose. You can also use an inexpensive timer to do this for you.

Turn On WiFi Router Only When in Use (Better)

If you and your family members are up for giving up WiFi for the most part, but still insist on connecting some devices from time to time, then having an option to switch on the router when in use is a better option as this reduces WiFi exposure only to a few hours a day.

Give Up Wireless and Hardwire All Your Connections (Best)

Giving up WiFi altogether is the healthiest option. It may sound daunting but it is possible and may mitigate several health issues down the line. In addition, you will enjoy more consistent and faster internet when directly hardwired in. It is certainly more work and not doable for everyone, but something we are (slowly) attempting.

You’ll need to pick up some affordable tools, including:

  • Ethernet hub – if the one you have doesn’t have enough ports for every device and everyone to use. They can be plugged into an existing hub that you already have in order to expand the number of ports.
  • Long ethernet cables – to allow everyone to connect from anywhere in your home.
  • Ethernet adaptors – makes it possible to connect devices that don’t have ethernet ports, including tablets, smart phones, and some computers.

It is also a good idea to use wired peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headphones instead of wireless ones to reduce exposures to electromagnetic radiation.

If that all seems complicated to set up, I’d recommend asking someone to help. My tech-savvy brother was the lucky recipient of my questions.

Hold Up on Adding Gadgets or Upgrading to Smart Homes, Offices, and Cars

With new wireless technology, wireless-enabled devices with bells and whistles are on sale every single day. Smart home thermostats, bluetooth-controlled cookers, wireless baby monitoring system, and smart beds might make life easier, but they may not be as safe as we think.

Such technologies are still very new. These devices use many forms of wireless technologies, for which we don’t fully understand the long term health consequences. For these, less is more.

Turn Devices on Airplane Mode

Cell phones and tablets emit electromagnetic frequency when the receivers are turned on. Because we typically use these devices very close to our bodies for extended periods of time, exposure levels can be very high. Therefore, important to keep them on airplane mode, especially when they are around children.

Remember to also teach children and caregivers to turn these devices on airplane mode to reduce WiFi and electromagnetic exposures.

How to Mitigate the Harmful Effects of WiFi Exposure

It may be difficult to completely eliminate exposure, especially if you live or work in an urban area. In addition to taking the steps above to reduce WiFi exposures, there are many ways to mitigate the harmful effects of WiFi signals, including:

Use a Dirty Electricity Filter to Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation

Dirty electricity occurs when electronic devices need to manipulate the electric currents into the format and voltage that the devices need. This can create electrical surges throughout the wiring system.

Electronic devices, including WiFi Routers, phone chargers, and computers all produce dirty electricity, which can be a significant source of harmful electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) in the building.

In order to mitigate this effect, consider installing dirty electricity filters on outlets throughout the home and work environment.

Earthing

Wireless devices emit unhealthy positive ions and also interfere with the waves in our own bodies, such as our brain waves and the electrical system that runs our cells. By earthing, the positive ions in our bodies can be equalized with negative ions from earth, which can mitigate the harmful effects of EMFs.

In addition, earthing allows our bodies to synch with the Schumann resonance (7.83 Hz), which is earth’s own electromagnetic frequency that we are naturally built to be exposed to. A Japanese study in 2005 showed that the Schumann resonance can reduce blood pressure and produce some positive health outcomes. By synching with earth’s natural frequency, we reduce the risks of WiFi waves interfering with our bodily functions.

You can earth simply by standing barefoot on the ground for 20 minutes daily. Alternatively, you can also use a grounding shoes with an earthing metal piece, or bed sheets that connects to the grounding port of your home electrical outlets.

Adding Negative Ions

Exposure to WiFi can result in a buildup of positive ions in your body, which can promote inflammation. Therefore, if you are regularly exposed to WiFi and EMFs, it is even more important to regularly expose yourself to negative ions to to neutralize the positive ions.

You can find naturally occurring negative ions near moving water, such as at the beach or moving streams of water.

In addition, you can use a Himalayan salt lamp or negative ion generator in your home to increase your exposure to healthful negative ions and mitigate the negative effects from WiFi exposure.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Are you concerned about WiFi exposure and new wireless technologies? Weigh below!

Category: HealthReviewer: Dr. Scott Soerries, MD

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (80 Comments)

  1. Nicolette

    November 2, 2016 at 2:39 PM

    Dear Katie, I have been a huge fan of your blog for the longest time, I refer to it whenever anyone gets sick or whenever I am curious. Recently, I was very excited to read your lastest inserts, only when I went to Wellnesmama’s page, I was bombarded by a mirage of adverts. So many adverts in fact that it was impossible to read a blog post without having to pause at least 5 times because of advert interruptions. Even worse, most of these adverts on your blog are for fast food!! What is going on? Hoping this is an odd glitch. Thanks and always looking forward to more posts.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      November 7, 2016 at 4:19 PM

      Thanks for the feedback Nicolette. I’ve never run ads before but am experimenting with it as a way to hopefully be able to work a little less. We are still working on adjusting them and testing them out. There definitely won’t be that many going forward and I’m really sorry for the inconvenience during the growing process. Thanks for letting me know that you are seeing this many so we can address it.

      Reply
  2. Amanda

    November 1, 2016 at 7:25 AM

    Thank you very much for this article! I used to worry more about EMFs but got distracted by other things in life. Reading this article has reminded me why I was concerned. I have also learned some new things. Thank you for your articles and research. I look forward to reading them every time.

    Reply
  3. Olga

    November 1, 2016 at 2:07 AM

    I’m curious if this applies to Wifi exposure from neighbors? We don’t have wifi at home but we do see that our neighbors signal reaches our house. Any one have any advice on this?

    Reply
  4. Jenn

    October 31, 2016 at 4:01 PM

    Thank you for raising awareness of this critical public health issue. Your post was helpful in that it provided simple solutions to drastically reduce Wi-Fi exposure. Please note that that iPads and iPhones can be connected via the Ethernet. Video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFXp3RN2dqg&feature=youtu.be)

    We need to continue to educate our schools, friends, family on this important issue for all our children.
    Teach our children and be an example of how to use wireless devices responsibly and safely ( Airplane mode On, Wifi/Cell bluetooth antennas OFF, wired via an Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi routers OFF.)

    For more information, the Environmental Health Trust https://ehtrust.org/ is a great resource.

    Thank you again for the post!

    Reply
  5. Florence Gans

    October 30, 2016 at 7:51 PM

    THANK YOU for the awesome article! I am thrilled you are educating your readership on this important issue. I have been using Earthing and Grounding products for about 5 years. I sleep better when I sleep with a grounding sheet. When I use my PC, I use a grounding wrist band to help with the EMF.

    The Earthing/Grounding decreases inflammation in your body, which can alleviate symptoms. When I first found out about Grounding I bought a half dozen grounding mats and lent them to my clients with pain. The mats significantly reduced their pain levels. The Earthing Institute has interesting studies and anecdotal information concerning symptoms which can be reduced with earthing/grounding.

    Two companies that I know of (and I know there are more out there) that can help you figure out what to do for your EMF situation are flutterbusters.com and raleighes.info. Tragically, Flutter Busters lost a child to EMF. Andrew McAfee of Raleigh ES had health issues he was able to resolve after he figured out how to protect himself and his home. Both now use their wisdom to help other families.

    I personally only use wires for connecting my PC and devices. I will not buy any device that does not have the ability to disable the Wi-Fi. I have a flip cell phone with is OFF 99% of the time.

    Sincerely, Florence Gans

    Reply
  6. Tara Whitmore

    October 30, 2016 at 6:12 PM

    Wondering about Bluetooth devices such as Fitbit, Jawbone and Apple Watch, etc. The feedback is helpful, but is it worth the exposure?

    Reply
  7. Chris Condon

    October 30, 2016 at 5:23 PM

    The best solution if at all possible is to get rid of both cellphones and wifi, As far as I’m concerned, the whole wireless revolution is a mistake.

    Reply
  8. Tierney

    October 30, 2016 at 3:34 PM

    I’ve really become interested in EMFs in the past few months! We recently vacationed in Cancun and I was probably the only person who cared that the cell phone “towers” were placed directly on the rooftop of our hotel and those of surrounding hotels. I had to keep telling myself it was just for a short period of time that we’d be there with all that exposure! Thanks for the tips and I’m looking forward to more advice in this area!

    Reply
  9. Elle

    October 30, 2016 at 2:35 PM

    My children’s Steiner (Waldorf) school was one of the first schools in Australia to recently get rid of their wireless internet. The Ethics Teacher put together a study on the dangerous effects in particular to children and all staff decided wireless was not worth the risk. At home we have a timer on our internet and put our phones on aeroplane mode. Although we live in the suburbs and I imagine the internet like a big spider web and feel it’s really hard to avoid with such close neighbours! I wish others would take steps to reduce exposure too and my biggest concern is mothers feeding babies while using phones/computers. Will find our schools research article and post the link….,

    Reply
  10. Joel Bruce Wallach

    October 30, 2016 at 1:14 PM

    It’s vital to choose the best option, to remove wifi from the home. You may need to call up the internet service provider and have them switch the wife entirely off, otherwise it may still be pumping out toxic energies.

    Longer ethernet cables winding around the house may seem bothersome, but feeling anxious and sick is an even worse bother. When you become used to the smoother peaceful feeling of a non-wifi house, you’ll really notice when you’re in a toxic environment by comparison.

    For those who still repeat the old belief that wifi is supposedly safe because it is non-ionizing radiation, this has been disproved, because non-ionizing radiation does in fact harm the mitochondria in the cells. The people claiming that they are getting headaches, heart pains, and feeling anxiety around wifi are actually feeling these effects.

    Reply
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