If you’ve read my other posts, you know that I tried to heal from what I thought was mostly mercury poisoning for the past few years. But symptoms like chronic fatigue and brain fog continued in spite of lifestyle changes, detoxing, chelating, etc.
The elephant in my home is the cell tower placed in 2012 less than 250 feet away.
The RF shielding options I am working with to shield the cell tower Radio Frequency radiation in my apartment are silver, copper, and aluminum.
But if metals are used to shield RF, what happens when those metals in our teeth, connected to our organs through meridians, attract the RF?
From what I understand, “silver” mercury metal dental fillings, aluminum (in porcelain fillings), gold, tin, and copper attract RF like mini-antennas. Is this why I had more mercury flooding into my body as evidenced by my unprovoked heavy metal tests?
Here is a recent study published just this month on RF releasing mercury from amalgams at a higher rate:
Effect of radio frequency radiation from Wi-Fi devices on mercury release from amalgam restorations (Source: Study published on NIH.gov)
Background
Dental amalgam is composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury. Despite concerns over the toxicity of mercury, amalgam is still the most widely used restorative material. Wi-Fi is a rapidly using local area wireless computer networking technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effect of exposure to Wi-Fi signals on mercury release from amalgam restorations.
Results
The mean (±SD) concentration of mercury in the artificial saliva of the Wi-Fi exposed teeth samples was 0.056 ± .025 mg/L, while it was only 0.026 ± .008 mg/L in the non-exposed control samples. This difference was statistically significant (P =0.009).
Conclusion
Exposure of patients with amalgam restorations to radio frequency radiation emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices can increase mercury release from amalgam restorations.
Back in 2013 I was shocked to learn that the “silver” mercury metal fillings in my mouth were toxic. And today I am beside myself to learn that Radio Frequency radiation from cell towers, antennas, cell phones, smart meters, and Wi-Fi not only causes biological damage, but also synergize with the toxic mercury fillings to release more of the heavy metal into our bodies.
When I have found a safer home, I will add more on the topic in my upcoming book. For now you can read the most important posts in my healing protocol, using the index links below.
This is an example of radiation from flying from NY to LA and the Sievert system used to track flight crews. While some planes no longer have individual monitors in the back of the seats next to the head, the new model offer Wi-Fi service for passengers to use with their own personal wireless devices. And when the plane lands, there is always a surge of cell phone activity.
Occasionally, I must travel by plane for weddings, milestone birthdays, etc. Here are a few things I do when I fly to dampen stress and radiation exposure while boosting my immunity:
Schedule: No red-eye flights! I prefer to travel mid-morning or later so I have plenty of time to sleep, eat a good breakfast, pick up food for the plane, and finish packing. On the return trip, I fly after lunch, make sure to pick up or pack dinner for the plane ride, and arrive home ideally before 9pm.
Seat location: On a recent trip I measured three different types of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) on the airplane. The magnetic field (MF) measured higher near the middle of the plane closer to the engines and lower toward the back of the plane. The Radio Frequency (RF) radiation measured consistently high throughout the plane due to the Wi-Fi. And the Electric Fields (EF) were not concerning in the middle or back of the plane. (Note: I did not measure first class through premier seating and it was only one plane).
Opting out: Leave enough time to avoid the screening machine. If it is not safe enough for babies and children to pass through, how can it be safe for anyone? Besides, who doesn’t want the added bonus of a lymphatic massage from a TSA agent?!
I measured the RF radiation from the body scanner while standing in line waiting to go through the metal detector and will posts the results on YouTube. The RF levels were in the red on my Accoustimeter every time a person stepped into the scanner. I can only imagine how high the RF levels were inside the scanner.
These millimeter wave technologies are designed to bombard innocent travelers with high frequency energy particles known as terahertz photons. (1)
“…resonant effects allow THz waves to unzip double-stranded DNA, creating bubbles in the double strand that could significantly interfere with processes such as gene expression and DNA replication.” (See MIT article “How Terahertz Waves Tear Apart DNA“)
Food For Later: Being gluten-free and eating grass-fed / organic meat can make eating on the road challenging. I use two travel coolers by eBags and fill them with seven to eight glass bottles of frozen food (meat dishes if kitchen available to reheat and green smoothies) for two. Frozen food solves two problems: 1) You can’t bring liquids through TSA but if the food is frozen it is not considered liquid 2) The food needs to stay cold on the plane ride.
Airplane Food: Pack organic salads to eat on the plane with utensils & napkins. Grass-fed meat sticks, apples, soaked-dehydrated nuts or trail mix, and sometimes an organic chocolate for a sweet treat.
Drinking Water: Sometimes airlines have spring water and I will drink at least 8 cups if traveling cross-country (flying is dehydrating). Unfortunately, bottled tap water (aka PWS – Public Water Source) that has been purified with reverse osmosis and fortified with magnesium sulfate (epsom salt? does it have heavy metals?), potassium chloride (halide), and salt (not so good) is served. So I always buy an over-priced estrogenic plastic bottle of spring water at the airport to take on the plane with me. (Dehydration > Plastic).
Supplements: Radiation can cause oxidative stress and eat up minerals like magnesium and B & C vitamins. So I take extra supplements before and after the flight like lypo-spheric vitamin C and other micronutrients based on my bio-individual needs.
I used to take activated charcoal supplement for a six-hour plane ride to absorb toxins, but the charcoal also absorbs nutrients. Also took chlorella once based on another recommendation but tested sensitive to it.
Essential Oils: Take a drop of Thieves oil in a cup of water and for aroma therapy to calm my nervous system and boost my immune system.
Clean hands: Never touch my eyes, nose, or mouth with my hands while flying. I bring a pack of Honest Wipes to clean off my hands before eating and after using the W.C. The faucet water on the plane is not clean and the soap has toxic chemicals.
Entertainment: Check out a fun-entertaining-can’t-put-down e-book from the library to read on my EMR-free (airplane-mode) Kindle. Eye mask for when I am not reading and earplugs to block out the cortisol-inducing airplane noise.
Detoxing: Take baking soda and epsom salt baths (using a shower filter and wrench that I bring along) when I land on the other side. If not too late, 30 minutes of earthing on the grass or beach.
What about you? Please leave your tips in the comment section below.
I rarely use a cell phone today. If you told me I would be writing this a few years back, I would not have believed it myself.
I love technology and the convenience, and efficiency that come along with it. But when my body hit its toxic load a few years ago, it could not handle any additional toxic burdens. At the time, I did not know my body had mercury poisoning galvanized by RF radiation from a very powerful cell tower with four antennas placed less than 200 feet from my home.
In this post, I share a few key lessons I learned that helped me understand the complex topic in order to avoid or reduce symptoms like brain fog, headaches, and fatigue caused by every day radiation:
Is Cell Phone Radiation Like Second Hand Smoke?
What Is Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)?
Simple Steps For Avoiding or Eliminating EMR
Is Cell Phone Radiation Like Second Hand Smoke?
Most of us have cell phones. But what most of us do not know is that cell phones may be carcinogenic:
The World Health Organization classified radio-frequency EMF as a Class 2B probable carcinogen in 2011.
And not just to the cell phone user. Six years ago, I read the article quoted below. If you click on the link you will see the photo of a cell phone next to a cigarette pack. Just as non-smokers breath in secondhand smoke and take in nicotine and toxic chemicals, anyone within ~15 feet of a cell phone is radiated. What is more alarming is the potential impact of the cell phone on the user:
Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous to Your Health
Earlier this winter, I met an investment banker who was diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago…. He explained that the tumor was located just behind his right ear and was not immediately fatal—the five-year survival rate is about 70 percent. He was 35 years old at the time of his diagnosis and immediately suspected it was the result of his intense cell-phone usage…When Jim asked his neurosurgeon, who was on the staff of a major medical center in Manhattan, about the possibility of a cell-phone-induced tumor, the doctor responded that in fact he was seeing more and more of such cases—young, relatively healthy businessmen who had long used their phones obsessively…A handful of Jim’s colleagues had already died from brain cancer; the more reports he encountered of young finance guys developing tumors, the more certain he felt that it wasn’t a coincidence. “I knew four or five people just at my firm who got tumors,” (2)
If that’s not enough to give one pause for thought, recently, the NIH study confirmed the connection with cell phone use and brain tumors:
Cell Phone Radiation Boosts Cancer Rates in Animals; $25 Million NTP Study Finds Brain Tumors U.S. Government Expected To Advise Public of Health Risk
So the next question is, what is it about cell phones that makes them a possible cancer-causing toxin? The short answer is that cell phones emit electromagnetic radiation and that radiation damages all living cells.
What Is Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)?
EMR (a.k.a. EMF) is radiant energy released from anything electrical. The radiation can stress or damage DNA in all living cells, including those in humans, animals, and plants. The damage is based upon the radiation’s proximity, power, and frequency.
Here is another way to think about it: Water containing minerals can conduct electrical energy. The human body is approximately 3/4 mineralized water and therefore collects & conducts electrical frequencies. That is why, for example, x-rays and EKG’s (electrocardiograms) are used in hospitals to measure what is happening within the human body.
The problem is that we are now living in a technologically advanced world where it is almost impossible to avoid the damaging electrical frequencies from cell phones, cell towers, and wi-fi. And while most of us are too busy or do not understand how the invisible and silent radiation is harming us, there are plenty of non-industry funded scientific studies that say otherwise. (See the Bioinitiative report for more scientific info.)
For simplicity, there are four types of EMR exposure that were important for me to understand in order to gain back my health:
Radio-frequency (RF) radiation: Radiation emitted from cell towers, wi-fi modems / routers, and wireless devices such as cell phones, computers, tablets, and DECT cordless phones.
AC Magnetic Fields (MF): Electrical sources like high voltage power lines, transformers on the street, cell phones, tablets, laptops, electric blankets, and appliances with transformers like clock radios, laptop plugs, or power cables.
AC Electronic Fields (EF) like wiring in the wall.
Dirty Electricity (EMI) from sources like dimmer switches, CFLs, and solar inverters. All of these types of electro-pollution can damage cells and cause environmental illness (EI).
It took me a while to understand each type of EMR and keep them straight. Learning how to measure EMR with different meters (see below) helps as does trying different ways to shield and avoid radiation. But to be honest, until one is forced to avoid radiation due to symptoms, it might seem untrue, foreign, or not worth the time. All I can say is that I wish I had known that taking a few simple steps could have prevented me from hitting my radiation toxic-load. I share some of those steps here.
Tips For Avoiding or Reducing EMR
Tip #1: Keep cell phone use to a minimum
Keep the cell phone on airplane mode. Cell phones on standby mode still emit strong radiation intermittently.
Turn call forwarding on the cell phone and route calls to a corded land line when at home. (Text messages do not forward so I use Google Voice on my wired desktop.)
For special situations, turn airplane mode off AND then turn bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data off. Phone calls and text messages work with less radiation, but the internet and most apps will not work unless cellular data is turned on.
Use the speaker phone with the phone at a distance or a corded air tube headset instead of wired headsets, wireless headsets, and bluetooth.
Follow safety guidelines when using a cell phone. e.g. Use the cell phone in areas with good reception (aka full bars) and avoid using blue tooth and cell phones in the car, elevator, or metal stairwells. RF can create reflections and bounce around inside the metal enclosures.
Sleeping in an EMR-free environment is one of the most important things I did for healing and recovery. Read how to create a sleep sanctuary here.
If Wi-Fi routers must be used instead of ethernet wires:
Turn the router off when sleeping or not in use
Turn down the transmission
Comcast customers can call and ask them to turn off the Hot Spot
Turn off all wireless devices, bluetooth, and Wi-Fi or put on airplane mode.
Opt out of electric “Smart Meters” and avoid “smart” devices like home thermostats, security systems, TVs, Google Home, Amazon Eco, Sonos, smart watches, fitness watches, etc…
Replace cordless “DECT” phones
Ditch the microwave oven
Use infrared remotes over RF remotes for the tv, shades…
Unplug appliances when not in use
Exception 1: refrigerator — since this cannot be unplugged without effecting food, try not to stand next to it for long and do not have a bed behind it in an adjacent room.
Exception 2: oven — stand at an angle when cooking on an electric stove. And with any stove, keep a safe distance from the control panel and clock if at waist level.
Tip #3: Limit flying, driving and outside exposure
Cell towers / antennas line the freeways and emit high amounts of RF.
Avoid electric cars or measure the EMR to make sure it is not too high.
I have heard hybrid vehicles emit more EMR than non-hybrid vehicles. However, 1) I do not feel EMR discomfort in my hybrid, 2) My certified electrician and EMR specialist drives the same make and model hybrid, and 3) I have yet to find a video or study measuring EMR pollution in a hybrid.
Avoid going to the mall, sitting in coffee-shops, movie theaters, large public gatherings, or other venues with strong Wi-Fi or cell towers, balanced equally with enjoying life.
Appendix
From my research, I found it helpful to know that some governments outside of the U.S. are more advanced in addressing radiation exposure limits. For example, in France, Wi-Fi has been removed from public schools. Several families have sued and won against telecom corporations and their radiating cell towers. In the U.S., the FCC has passed laws (i.e. The 1996 Telecom Act), that make it illegal for anyone to sue Telecom companies on the basis of environmental effects from cell towers. (This has somehow been translated as health effects?) I suggest doing your own research. To help, I’ve listed a few links below as a starting point:
Helpful Meters
1. Radio Frequency ~$346 + S&H: Currently using the Accoustimeter from SLT.co. Will add link.
2. Magnetic Fields ~$299.95 + S&H: Switchable Single Axis And 3-Axis Gaussmeter
3. Electric Fields ~$159.95 + S&H: Line Noise Meter
4. Dirty Electricity: Greenwave (also sold under Alpha Labs). Will add link soon.
Videos Worth Watching
1. TakeBackYourPower.Net
2. Ted X Talk by a Bay Area engineer (only 16 minutes long and a great primer)
3. CBC Marketplace Video “The secret inside your cellphone”. 22 minute investigation on cellphone radiation asking 1. Are cell phones safe and 2. do consumers have enough information on how to use cell phones safely?
Did you eliminate hardwire cables for the convenience and aesthetics of wireless? And did you ditch your home landline when you realized that owning a cell phone made paying for two lines redundant? Like most people, I did too.
However, if you’ve read my other posts on How to Get to Sleep Earlier or Why I No Longer Use a Cell Phone, you know that I have given up Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to reduce radiation exposure and symptoms. In my case, less fatigue, brain fog, and headaches have made the time it took to research, modify my home, and change my habits worth the effort.
For those wanting to get wired, this is where I share products I personally use to reduce radiation in my home office:
I. Hard-wiring the home office
II. Wired telephone service
I. Hard-wiring The Home Office
Obihai VOIP, Surfboard Modem, & Netgear Router
A. Internet Access – typically a modem and router are needed to access the internet. Sometimes these devices come combined in one device. And sometimes only a router is needed, like in modern condos with built-in wiring.
Set up – in my case, I use a separate modem and router (NETGEAR N750)that are compatible with my internet service provider, Comcast, with the following set up:
Plug modem and router into electrical power source with supplied adaptors.
Make sure Wi-Fi, Blue-tooth, and other wireless features are turned off on devices like laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc.
2. Benefits –this routerhas a button on the front right corner to turn off Wi-Fi functionality so no Radio Frequency (RF) radiation is emitted. Here are additional benefits:
Faster internet speed. (Gamers often use ethernet cables for this reason).
Better security.
Reduced long-term expenses: It costs $10/month to rent the modem / router device from my internet provider. After around fifteen months my modem and router were paid off.
Your personal modem & router cannot be used as a “hotspot” for other Comcast users.
However, if you still prefer to rent a combo modem and router from Comcast, ask Comcast to disable your xfinitywifi public hotspot by following the directions below or calling an agent 800-934-6489.
Comcast says the hotspot can be re-enabled if the modem is reset due to a power outage, IP address changes, or system refresh, etc. so it is not possible to permanently opt-out.
I’ve heard that they don’t always disconnect the hotspot when requested. Look at available Wi-Fi connections on your computer or “smart” phone before calling to see what hotspots are available and make sure after calling (they say it can take up to 24 hours) that the specific hotspot is no longer listed.
Another way to check for local Xfinity hotspots can be found on Comcast’s map, however I do not believe all hotspots are listed there.
I have heard that AT&T does not have the option for customers to disconnect their hotspots if using their rented devices.
How to Turn XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot Off – My Account Help
In addition to your private WiFi network, select Comcast-provided wireless gateways broadcast a public hotspot called xfinitywifi that extends the XFINITY WiFi network into your home, allowing any XFINITY Internet subscriber to connect to it there.
We encourage you to keep the XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot feature enabled, as it allows more people to enjoy the benefits of XFINITY WiFi.
This xfinitywifi WiFi signal is completely separate from your private XFINITY WiFi home network and won’t slow down your home broadband connection.
To learn how to enable or disable your XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot, please read the instructions below.
Disable the XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot Feature in My Account
Sign in to your account using your XFINITY username and password.
Click Turn Off to disable your public hotspot. (Note: Your default hotspot status is enabled.) �
Confirm your selection. �
A confirmation message will appear. �
Note: If you are presented with information about XFINITY WiFi but do not see the option to Turn On or Turn Off, you have a device that is not eligible for the feature and is not broadcasting a public hotspot signal. To learn more about the home hotspot feature, to find a hotspot near you, or to download the XFINITY WiFi Hotspots app, visit xfinity.com/wifi.
3. Alternative Solutions – if you cannot replace your existing modem & router, or if Wi-Fi must be on during non-sleep hours
a. turn the router off at night when sleeping with one of the following:
b. turn down the RF transmission to 25%, 50% or 75% if possible (log in to the router’s manufacturer website as you would to initially set the router up).
c. If it’s not possible to turn down the router transmission:
B. Ergonomic Desk With Less EMR – in addition to reducing the radiation from RF, it was important to reduce the radiation exposure from Electric Fields (EF) and Magnetic Fields (MF)
Computer, Keyboard & Mouse – Using an external wired keyboard and wired mouse creates distance from a computer or laptop and prevents EF & MF from flowing directly into the body. For that reason, I never use a laptop on my lap either.
In order to do this, I purchased a desk clamp with an extensionfor the laptop and separate monitor (see photo above) creates more desktop space and makes it possible to add an external wired keyboard.
Move all power-strips, plugs with attached transformers, and the lamp as far from the body, legs and feet as possible.
2. Printer – most printers with Wi-Fi emit radiation when turned on and in standby mode or just simply plugged in and not powered on. (Same for gaming consoles).
An ethernet cable can be used to connect the printer and computer, but Wi-Fi RF radiation may still be emitted. A RF meter can be used to verify.
3. Tablets – it is possible to use an ethernet wire adaptor with a tablet, iPhone, and some newer android phones in airplane mode without Wi-Fi. The devices will still emit EF & MF so it would be best to use a stand in lieu of holding the device while using it.
I personally use a wired computers for 99% of my digital work and do not use a tablet except to play downloaded videos or music from a distance.
I did purchase a 6″ Kindle for reading books. That Kindle is the only model I know of that does not emit measurable amounts of EMF / RF when used in airplane mode.
4. Wired Telephone – my main criteria for the wired telephone was the ability to plug in an external headset, volume control, speaker phone, and no electrical source required (except batteries for the caller ID).
I use a shielded cord plugged in to the telephone jack and either the wall jack or VOIP device (see below).
And a Plantronics headset with adjustable volume control that plugs in to the side of the telephone. (Note: The first headset I purchased did not have volume control and even with the volume control on its lowest setting on the telephone, the volume was too loud) & ear tube headset that works fairly well (link coming soon).
Avoid cordless “Digitally enhanced cordless technology” (DECT) phones as they emit RF radiation — the base station constantly transmits signals, even when no one is talking on the phone.
II. Wired Telephone Services
There are several telephone services I explored when I stopped using my cell phone at home: Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service and traditional copper landline service.
With these options there is no charge for me to forward cell phone calls to my landline phone number. That enables me to turn my cell phone on airplane mode when at home and still receive phone calls.
Text messages cannot be forwarded unless an app is used, so I work around this by texting from my computer using a Google Voice number.
Option 1: Obihai VOIP Device + Google Voice (GV) Number: Obihai OBi202 device for two lines (or an OBi101 with one line) and my existing GV number.
1. Upside
One time cost for VOIP device.
GV can ring to multiple devices at the same time, including my cell phone, land line phone, and desktop computer. 3. Minus the cost of privacy, GV is free to use.
Voicemail and text messages are accessible once logged in to Google.com/Voice on the computer. Both can be forwarded to a google email account as well.
2. Downside
Router must always be on.
No home telephone service if the internet goes down.
EF can travel from the Obihai, through the telephone wire, to the telephone. To address this I connected a USB grounding cable wire from the Obihai to the surge-protected power strip.
Obihai (or Google Voice) drops calls a few times a month and needs to be rebooted by unplugging the power source briefly and plugging it back in.
The first time I tried to port a number from a different google email account, it did not go through correctly and there is no live customer service.
3. Notes
Obihai is well integrated with Google Voice. In 2014 there was concern that GV was dropping Obihai integration. Reviews discussed this issue quite a bit. It did not happen, and if it does in the future, using this option was less expensive than having a copper wired service for two months.
It is easier if you just use a Google Voice number and not a separate cell phone number. However, I did not want to have to give a new phone number out so my immediate circle knows to call, email, or text my Google Voice number since I do not check text messages on my cell phone often.
Update: Google Voice was updated in 02/2017 to allow for group text messaging and photos. Yay!
Google Voice can be used without a VOIP device or corded landline telephone. Just purchase a USB headset and mic for your computer or just use the computer mic. However, the computer must always be on / not on sleep mode to receive incoming calls.
4. Set Up
Shielded cat 7 cable to connect the Obihai device into to a router / broadband connection
USB grounding cable to connect the Obihai to an electrical outlet or surge protector. (Purchased from my local EMF electrician.)
Register with the ObiTALK portal, add OBi device and use the configuration wizard to set-up the OBi with your Gmail username + password, and start making calls! (May need to sign-in to Google Voice – select “Settings” link in the upper right corner of the window and then choose “Voice Settings.” On the “Phones” tab, check the box next to the “Forwards to: Google Chat.”)
*For more detailed information and latest updates, please see Obihai and Google Voice
Option 2: Copper Wire / Fiber-Optics
I also re-activated my home phone number on a copper wire land line telephone with a local service provider. Telephone jacks were previously wired into my apartment so all I had to do was have AT&T send a technician to make sure the wires were still connected in the media room to their external hub. Unfortunately, in newer homes and condos, copper wire options are not always available.
1. Upside
No VOIP device needed.
Do not have to leave the router on to use it.
The phone line works even if the electricity, internet, or cable goes down.
2. Downside
Cost: AT&T in my area ranges from $50-70 / month. To compensate for the expense, I reduced my cell phone data plan by almost the same amount when I used this option.
Activation appointment needed
3. Notes
AT&T has a policy named “2020” that states that they will phase out their copper networks or legacy systems, in 2020
Frontier has submitted an application for the acquisition of Verizon’s landline network that will be voted on by the end of 2015
Sonic – a Bay Area Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) company has been replacing AT&T copper wires with fiber optic wires. Sonic provides internet service using fiber optic cables / copper wires plus free landline telephone service with voicemail. I do not have the option of using Sonic, but I would if I could.
Option 3: Cable VOIP (I did not try this option.)
1. Upside
May be less expensive than a copper wire landline service
Easy to add this service to an existing internet / cable service provider for a monthly fee
The elephant in my home is the cell tower placed in 2012 less than 250 feet away.
