News & Notes 793:Creating EMF Awareness
(EMF stands for Electro Magnetic Fields)
The radiation caused by our wireless devices is becoming a growing concern for our health. This information is conveniently kept from us by the media, politicians and the mobile phone industry, but much independent research indicates that there is a serious reason for concern. The public has the right to know, to be able to make a choice. The risk is greater for those more vulnerable: children, sick and elderly. We believe it is better to be safe than sorry.
We are a group of Aurovilians who are affected or concerned by these developments, and want to create more awareness about EMF within Auroville. We would also like to offer solutions from our own experience and from other experts in the field globally, to reduce the effect of EMFs wherever possible.
How to reduce EMF exposure from Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology using radio waves to provide internet and networking connections, which has become common everywhere around us. However, this development is relatively new, and health concerns about radiation from Wi-Fi are neglected. Although the levels of power output maybe relatively low, routers (modems) are often switched on 24/7. In spaces where many people use Wi-Fi simultaneously, especially in schools, the radiation levels accumulate.
The best solution in avoiding Wi-Fi is simply to not use it, and to choose a wired internet connection which is not only safer but also faster. However, for many it seems to have become almost impossible to live without Wi-Fi. Here is some advice for those concerned or sensitive about this kind of radiation, and still believe there is no other solution:
Show respect with your close neighbours or if you share a wall with them, by informing them about the router, discuss its location and when it will be turned on and off.
Choosing a router
- When buying a router check if the power output can be reduced, when desired, by a switch.
- In case the router is also suitable for wired connections, make sure there is a separate button to switch off the Wi-Fi.
- A good alternative is to buy a jrseco router. They reduce the power output up to 90% without loss of connectivity. (Not yet available in India), https://www.jrseco.com/pcat/lowradiation-wifi-routers-jrs-eco-wifi/
Location of the Wi-Fi router
- Place the router as far away as possible from your workplace, every meter distance reduces the radiation exponentially.
- In residential houses, place it as far away as possible from sleeping and resting areas.
- In public spaces the best is to place it high in a corner. Visitors should be informed about the location of the router.
Usage
- Only switch the Wi-Fi on when you need it, switch it off the rest of the time, especially at night when sleeping.
- Switch off your Wi-Fi on your devices (laptop, tablet, smartphone...), and only on when needed. Many laptops automatically switch on the Wi-Fi at start up, in these cases Wi-Fi has to be switched off manually every time you start-up the laptop.
- Be aware of other computer ancillary devises, like printers: they come often with a built in Wi-Fi facility.
- Use a wired connection whenever possible, also tablets and smartphones are often possible to connect to a wired Ethernet cable. Your device needs to be OTG enabled, then you can connect a USB-Ethernet adapter, in which you can plug in your Ethernet cable.
Suggested experiment
Sleep with a Wi-Fi router and smartphone on within one to two meters of your sleeping place for a week, then sleep a week with your smartphone and Wi-Fi router switched off, notice the difference.
Hopefully these tips will lead to a more conscious use of wireless internet within Auroville.
Most people may not feel any health issues at first, but problems can take many years, decades or even generations to appear. There are experts in Auroville who scientifically measure these fields with instruments, and evaluate them according Building Biology (Baubiologie) Standards for human beings. These standards are based on scientific studies and experience over the last 30 years.
From the Author::EMF Awareness group: Fiona (Fertile Forest), Iris (Surya Nivas), Isha (Swayam), Lisbeth (Madhuca), Martin (Maitreya), Mona (Yantra), Shanti, Tatiana (Citadines), René (Sacred Groves)}