EMFs & Airplanes - How to Protect Yourself While Traveling
It’s summertime and that means millions of men, women, and children are traveling all around the country and the world. Getting some much needed time away is excellent for your physical, emotional, and mental health. However, the WaveBlock® team wants to remind you that there is Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation everywhere we go. Whether it’s your microwave at home, the x-ray machine at your doctor’s office, or the WiFi hotspots you are around daily, human exposure to non-ionizing radiation has increased immensely with the several advances in our technological world.
Airplanes and airports are no exception to the rule. EMFs can affect us while we are walking the Earth and while we are in the sky. In fact, we are actually at greater risk for radiation exposure as we get closer to the atmosphere. With an estimated 2.7 million people on flights a day, it’s worth understanding the risks and what you can do to help yourself.
As a refresher (there are several blogs on the WaveBlock® website about the ins and outs of EMFs), EMF radiation is a low form of energy that comes off of our electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops, in order for them to work properly. WaveBlock® makes several lab-tested and patented stickers to help protect you from this exposure. Even though tech companies don’t want you to know it, there is growing research to prove that consistent exposure to EMF radiation can have several health risks.
Airplanes and airports have all of the typical EMF exposures that the WaveBlock team constantly warns consumers about — think WiFi, Bluetooth devices, etc. However, flyers are also exposed to something called cosmic radiation. In fact, the CDC considers members of airline crews to be “radiation workers.”
In this article, we will tell you about the radiation exposure risks and how you can better protect yourself.
What EMF/Radiation Exposure Do You Get at Airports or on Planes?
As we mentioned, the reality is that we are exposed to EMF radiation practically all day. Thankfully, distance from that radiation, protection devices like WaveBlockTM, and lowering your exposure can help protect you.
When you travel, there are ways to get exposed to radiation from start to finish. We aren’t trying to tell you not to travel. The good news is that most of it is inconsistent exposure or coming from devices that are low on the electromagnetic spectrum. Let’s discuss them.
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Airport Scanners: We’ve all been in the dreaded TSA lines. The process may be annoying, but it’s obviously meant to keep people safe. Most TSA departments use body scanners to check passengers. These scanners use millimeter-wave technology, which produces non-ionizing radiation. This technology refers to electromagnetic waves with a wavelength between 10 mm and 1 mm and a frequency between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. Non-ionizing radiation is far less dangerous than ionizing radiation. Plus, you are exposed to those scanners for such a short time. However, if you are someone who is EMF sensitive, you may want to consider asking the TSA for a manual body inspection to skip the x-ray scans.
- Airport WiFi & Hot Spots: The WaveBlock® blog has several articles that detail the dangers of exposure to WiFi routers and hot spots. In order for these connections to work, they must emit some level of radiation. The more power it needs, the more radiation exposure you get. With how busy airports are these days, think about how crowded each terminal is and how many people are there trying to get work done or watch shows while waiting in the airport. All of these devices and connections expose you to EMFs.
- Electronics on Board: Once you get on the plane, practically everyone is using their phone or laptop in some capacity. We all know that airplane seats are getting smaller and smaller so your exposure to the EMFs coming off of others’ electronic devices is more intense because you don’t have much space between you and the devices. Thankfully, you don’t have to sit in the cockpit with the pilots. All of the communications and technology in that area can really expose you to serious radiation.
- WiFi on Board: As our cell phones and personal devices get more advanced, so do airplanes. Practically every plane offers some form of WiFi connection, whether it be for purchase or not. As we now know, accessing this connection requires EMFs.
- “Faraday Cage Effect”: Obviously, we are surrounded by people using their phones or computers every day. However, when you are on a flight, your exposure is increased, due to something called the Faraday Cage Effect. A Faraday cage is a metal cage surrounding an object that protects the object from electrostatic and electromagnetic interference. Planes have metal mesh built into the walls in order to protect everyone on board from potential lightning strikes. If a plane is struck, the strike hits the exterior, discharges, and then strikes the ground without harming any people or tech on board. Planes aren’t foolproof Faraday cages, though, because communication antennas and windows create small holes in the “cage.” What’s important to know is that just as these cages keep electromagnetic activity out of the plane, they also keep EMFs inside. There is no fresh air or space to get away from the EMF radiation onboard. While windows allow for some EMF exposure to get out, the overall environment intensifies the radiation.
- Cosmic Radiation: Most commercial flights fly around six to seven miles above ground. The higher the plane goes, the thinner the atmosphere is. Thinner atmosphere results in less air resistance, allowing the plane to fly faster. The higher up you are, the more you are exposed to cosmic radiation, which is radiation produced by stars and the sun that enters the atmosphere. In other words, it’s radiation that comes from outer space. A very small amount of this reaches the Earth, because we are so far away. However, being in the sky increases exposure.
How You Can Protect Yourself from Radiation While Traveling
Now that you know the facts, what can you do? It’s important to note that there’s only so much you can do. You can’t prevent cosmic radiation while in the air. However, the WaveBlock® team has some tips to keep yourself safe while at the airport and in the sky.
- Opt for the pat-down instead of the x-ray machine during TSA security inspection.
- Don’t rush onto the plane. Unless you have a need to get onto the plane quickly, try and stay off. The less exposure, the better.
- Shield yourself. You can’t control other people’s electronics, but you can control your own. Get yourself WaveBlock® stickers to protect yourself from EMF radiation coming off of your cell phone, laptop, and wireless earbuds. You can also buy EMF shielding blankets to protect yourself from those around you.
- Use Airplane Mode. First of all, you have to! You don’t get service in the air, so listen to those flight attendants and get in Airplane Mode. This also lowers the amount of radiation you are exposed to from your own device, both on and off the plane.
- Avoid Bluetooth without protection; Bluetooth headphones and earbuds are very popular. However, they do expose your brain and skull to EMF radiation. We highly recommend using WaveBlock® stickers if you want to use wireless earbuds. If not, try sticking to wired headphones or earbuds.
- Don’t connect to WiFi. Unless you really need it, try to avoid connecting to the plane or airport’s WiFi. These days, you can pre-download shows, movies, music, podcasts, and so much more, so that you don’t even need WiFi to access your favorite things. Not using WiFi also lowers your EMF exposure.
- Hydrate. This may sound silly, but a hydrated body helps flush out toxins more easily. If you’re going to be exposed, help your body get rid of toxins faster.
We all deserve time off from work, school, and life! Our team encourages you to travel and just wants you to do so as safely as possible. If you have any questions about EMF exposure, our in-depth research, or any of our products, please contact us. Safe travels.
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