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Wellness

The Dangerous Levels of Radiation in Modern Technology

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at GCU chapter.

They are killing us. More specifically, cell phone towers, microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, and even hair dryers are saturating our bodies with radiation and altering our DNA. 5G towers and Wi-Fi routers are the worst conductors of these radioactive frequencies and signals. It is all a money game, and we have to speak up before our health is completely sabotaged. It is no coincidence that (liver) cancer death rates have increased by 43% since the year 2000, an estimated 38.4% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, and cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, with numbers exploding around 2012. 

On the electromagnetic spectrum, the highest level of electromagnetic field radiation waves exist in the form of gamma rays. Gamma rays can destroy cells upon impact. Low energy electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation waves are emitted by power lines, radio and cell phones, microwaves, and infrared. Unfortunately, every electronic device emits some level of EMF radiation. Constantly carrying cell phones around can be extremely harmful—over time—if we do not take the right cautionary steps. 

phone with social media displayed on screen
Erik Lucatero | Unsplash

Cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are all forms of radio frequency radiation. When connecting to a cell tower, our phones can receive radio signals from a distance of up to 3 miles. Our phones also emit radio waves when they are trying to connect to a Wi-Fi signal. These signals can travel up to hundreds of feet in length. Bluetooth also emits radio waves up to 30 feet away from a connecting device, even when they are not paired. A very effective way to cut down EMF exposure from cell phones is to put them on Airplane Mode whenever you get the opportunity. When you sleep, have an important meeting, or watch a movie, it is worth it to switch your phone to airplane mode. All unreceived texts, emails, and social media notifications will come in as soon as you turn your phone back on. Take it from an Airplane Mode junkie. 

Wi-Fi routers are almost as harmful as 5G towers when it comes to emitting EMF radiation. Like 5G towers, they emit full power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Wi-Fi router is a Netgear 5 gigahertz router that emits radioactive signals along both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies, similar to the frequencies that a 5G tower uses. The best way to protect yourself is to buy a Wi-Fi Router Guard (there are some affordable and efficient ones on Amazon), which blocks anywhere from 90 – 95% of the EMF radiation waves emitted by your mini 5G tower. 

Almost 67% of the world population currently uses cell phones. Unaddressed health hazards regarding these devices will have dire consequences echoing across the globe. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) was strongly correlated to male infertility in a 2017 scientific study. Mutation of sperm cells and testicular cancer were also reported. However, children and women are more likely to be impacted by EMF and EMR radiation than men, since children’s quickly-dividing cells are more likely to be damaged, and—according to another study—disproportionate harm to females was largely visible in their decision-making. 

There is incredible bias regarding the effects of technology and its harm towards the population, since the telecommunications industry claims that long-term effect studies of EMF or EMR radiation are inconclusive. Studies—conducted by scientists in the technology industry—regarding the correlation of brain cancer and cell phones showed a positive association only 33% of the time. However, non-industry scientific studies revealed an 82% association.

It is important to do our own research and only trust sources from authors who do not have conflicts of interest. Otherwise, we will blindly believe that technology is God and the government/telecommunications industry would never do anything to hurt us. We need to take measures to ensure our own safety and protect the vulnerable. It is time to rethink technology.

Morganne plans to become an investigative journalist. In addition to HerCampus GCU, Morganne writes for the GCU Odyssey Online Platform, Scottsdale Health magazine, and AZ's Uptown magazine. She will graduate from GCU in spring of 2021 with her bachelor's degree in Professional Writing. Her passion for writing centers around the world of holistic health and fitness, her faith, and politics. She loves sports, hiking, singing, being involved with her local church, and spending time with her family.