JGeropoulas
The Living Force
Here's another example of the dangers of wireless technology recently written about in Natural Awakenings magazine:
Laptop Use By Men Causes DNA Fragmentation In Sperm
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mcb
The Living Force
Yes, I often use a LapDesk, but it doesn't shield EMF as well as I would like. It does reduce it, and it's great for keeping heat away.
I am not worried about the particular issue that this article talks about, but there are other things worth protecting. Lots of things.
When I worked at Intel they told us to call them "notebooks," not "laptops," and not to place them directly on our laps.
I am not worried about the particular issue that this article talks about, but there are other things worth protecting. Lots of things.
When I worked at Intel they told us to call them "notebooks," not "laptops," and not to place them directly on our laps.
I will tell my eldest about this article. My youngest son and I catch him using his notebook in his lap on a regular basis. I think I am going to tell him he should use his desktop computer more. We already got rid of the Wifi.
This is some scary information. :(
So, Megan, if I understand correctly, it is better not to use a notebook at all, due to EMF?
This is some scary information. :(
So, Megan, if I understand correctly, it is better not to use a notebook at all, due to EMF?
I would say it is better not to use any computer close to your body, period.
Of course, most laptops have WiFi and bluetooth, both of which have multi-gigahertz transceivers (microwave frequency). So, the first best thing to do would be to stop using WiFi, and use a wired connection. It's really not that painful to set up.
Still, all computers do radiate when they are on. The extent of the radiation will vary depending on model, but if you want to be sure, just don't use it on your lap even with the WiFi and bluetooth off.
If the computer is OFF (not sleeping, or suspended, but OFF), there are very few circuits that remain powered, and certainly not the processor, WiFi, bluetooth, or other gigahertz components... Unless you have things like Wake-on-LAN enabled (computer will wake up if data comes in on the ethernet port). Even then, you will have to know how to configure this option in the BIOS/EFI, and most laptops I have seen do not even have this feature, much less have it turned on by default.
Then again, there is also the idea that even EMI from power lines is bad for us, and that's pretty hard to avoid unless you walk around in a Faraday cage. So, I'd say cut out the WiFi, cut out the bluetooth, don't use a laptop in your lap, and you will have at least minimized your exposure dramatically.
Also, consider that most cordless phones are now running at gigahertz frequencies, so get rid of cordless phones.
Finally, if you (or especially your children!) have a cell phone, be aware of the "specific absorption rate" for that particular make and model.
Some figures for popular models (lower is better):
Blackberry Curve: 1.39 W/kg
LG Optimus L3: 1.10 W/kg
iPhone 4S: 0.988 W/kg
iPhone 4: 0.93 W/kg
iPhone 5: 0.90 W/kg
Samsung Galaxy S2: 0.36 W/kg
Samsung Galaxy S3: 0.34 W/kg
Interestingly enough, I have seen iPhone models reported as higher (like 1.1 to 1.2) until just recently, and now suddenly they are all being reported as 0.9. Obviously, these ratings are not 100% reliable, but hopefully it can give you a general idea as to what phones you may wish to avoid. Many low-end (i.e. cheaper) models have very poor (high absorption) ratings. Still, best not to use a cell phone a lot if you don't have to!
On the plus side, all those fancy executives with Blackberries are irradiating themselves quite nicely!
Anyway, at the end of the day, you will go mad if you try to eliminate absolutely everything. It's simply not possible. That's the world we live in, I'm afraid. But, you CAN minimize your exposure quite a bit, protect yourself with a good diet, higher quality foods, and so on.
Of course, most laptops have WiFi and bluetooth, both of which have multi-gigahertz transceivers (microwave frequency). So, the first best thing to do would be to stop using WiFi, and use a wired connection. It's really not that painful to set up.
Still, all computers do radiate when they are on. The extent of the radiation will vary depending on model, but if you want to be sure, just don't use it on your lap even with the WiFi and bluetooth off.
If the computer is OFF (not sleeping, or suspended, but OFF), there are very few circuits that remain powered, and certainly not the processor, WiFi, bluetooth, or other gigahertz components... Unless you have things like Wake-on-LAN enabled (computer will wake up if data comes in on the ethernet port). Even then, you will have to know how to configure this option in the BIOS/EFI, and most laptops I have seen do not even have this feature, much less have it turned on by default.
Then again, there is also the idea that even EMI from power lines is bad for us, and that's pretty hard to avoid unless you walk around in a Faraday cage. So, I'd say cut out the WiFi, cut out the bluetooth, don't use a laptop in your lap, and you will have at least minimized your exposure dramatically.
Also, consider that most cordless phones are now running at gigahertz frequencies, so get rid of cordless phones.
Finally, if you (or especially your children!) have a cell phone, be aware of the "specific absorption rate" for that particular make and model.
Some figures for popular models (lower is better):
Blackberry Curve: 1.39 W/kg
LG Optimus L3: 1.10 W/kg
iPhone 4S: 0.988 W/kg
iPhone 4: 0.93 W/kg
iPhone 5: 0.90 W/kg
Samsung Galaxy S2: 0.36 W/kg
Samsung Galaxy S3: 0.34 W/kg
Interestingly enough, I have seen iPhone models reported as higher (like 1.1 to 1.2) until just recently, and now suddenly they are all being reported as 0.9. Obviously, these ratings are not 100% reliable, but hopefully it can give you a general idea as to what phones you may wish to avoid. Many low-end (i.e. cheaper) models have very poor (high absorption) ratings. Still, best not to use a cell phone a lot if you don't have to!
On the plus side, all those fancy executives with Blackberries are irradiating themselves quite nicely!
Anyway, at the end of the day, you will go mad if you try to eliminate absolutely everything. It's simply not possible. That's the world we live in, I'm afraid. But, you CAN minimize your exposure quite a bit, protect yourself with a good diet, higher quality foods, and so on.
Yup! Best to turn off both WiFi and Bluetooth if not utilized directly. Internet USB Keys can be plugged with a 2 meters or + wire.
Then there's another critical rule about not using your notebook on your lap.. they fry! Especially in Summer time and hot rooms, and especially the newer ones with more plastic and cheap materials in it. A raise in temperature of only 5 - 10 deg. C. may compromise a lot of internal components in time, they usually get covered with dust in about a year and the air can't flow in there, inside those already super compressed elements.
In a way, a Laptop is more fitted for a desktop than a Desktop :)
Then there's another critical rule about not using your notebook on your lap.. they fry! Especially in Summer time and hot rooms, and especially the newer ones with more plastic and cheap materials in it. A raise in temperature of only 5 - 10 deg. C. may compromise a lot of internal components in time, they usually get covered with dust in about a year and the air can't flow in there, inside those already super compressed elements.
In a way, a Laptop is more fitted for a desktop than a Desktop :)
mcb
The Living Force
Mariama said:
That is a good question, and one that I am still thinking a lot about, since I make my living using my MacBook Pro.
You are going to have a significant amount of EMF exposure no matter what you do, but the exposure levels fall off rapidly as the source moves away from the body. Falling exposure levels, however, do not necessarily imply proportionate decreases in risk. The is much we don't know because of industry efforts to discourage, discredit, and defund research. So I try to eliminate unnecessary exposure while continuing to earn an income.
The laptop exposure problem is near the top of the list due to the proximity involved and the hours of use. The obvious thing to do is to not use it on your lap, and you will be better off. I am not quite there yet, however, and that is largely because of my physical problems which make it harder to sit at a desk.
I do the larger part of my paid work at a desk, but I do nearly all of my forum reading and posting from a recliner, reclining with the notebook on my lap. I do use a LapDesk, but I am not at all confident that it does a good job of shielding EMF. I know for sure that audio-range signals do come through it because I was able to test for that. I keep Wi-Fi and BlueTooth turned off, and I don't have hypersensitive reproductive organs situated directly under the CPU the way a male would.
In your son's case, I think it would be better never to place a notebook computer on his lap. You need (and he needs) to think about lifetime exposure. I first used a computer when I was 18, 20 years before the IBM PC came out. I was about 50 when I received my first notebook computer at work (and put in Wi-Fi at home), and 53 when I bought my first personal notebook. The picture is completely different today.
The more critical issue with males, however, is cell phones, which have also been shown to cause infertility among other things. Wherever you place them on your body, you may eventually have problems there, although it will vary according to individual build, susceptibility to metabolic disruption, hours of use, and where you use it. (Typically, a microwave emitter in a metal box is what we would call a microwave oven. There are other emitters, however, and other metal boxes. Think of cell phones used in cars, buses, and commuter trains.)
The same goes for other microwave sources, including cordless phones and computers. It just takes longer. Maybe. Some sources such as DECT cordless phones may cause more harm for a given level of power output. It depends on the mix of pulses in the signal, and computers are notoriously "dirty" in that respect.
Have you seen the EMF topic?
mcb
The Living Force
dantem said:
Using a LapDesk resolves the thermal problems, but not the other issues. Using a notebook computer on your lap also heats your internal components. For men, this is really not a good idea.
Are you suggesting a connection between higher internal temperatures and dust accumulation?
Megan said:
Actually, just getting the laptop an extra inch or two above your lap/body greatly reduces exposure to the AC mag field since it drops off so fast with distance. A thin sheet of foil/metal between you and the laptop will kill the electric field. You can verify this with a cheap gauss and electric field meters.
Thanks for all the information. :)
I just had a talk with my eldest son and told him to use his desktop computer. A couple of hours a day he can use his notebook, but not on his lap! He hasn't had it for long, about 9 months. My youngest son and I use a desktop.
I got rid of my DECT phone a few years ago, after reading some articles on Mercola.com about EMF. And I now use a phone with cord. We do not use a mobile phone. We got rid of the Wifi (25% strength) last month or so. My son was also sitting pretty close to the router (?). Before that we used wires for a long time.
I did read some parts of the EMF thread. But I will have a look at it again. It is such an important topic.
As far as I know dust heats the internal components. My son opened someone's notebook once and cleared out the dust and the heat problem was gone afterwards.
It is always a good idea to keep your electronic equipment dustfree, OSIT.
Now I will have to look into my computer, because it still doesn't say that my wireless connection is disabled. I think we will just have to remove the component.
I just had a talk with my eldest son and told him to use his desktop computer. A couple of hours a day he can use his notebook, but not on his lap! He hasn't had it for long, about 9 months. My youngest son and I use a desktop.
I got rid of my DECT phone a few years ago, after reading some articles on Mercola.com about EMF. And I now use a phone with cord. We do not use a mobile phone. We got rid of the Wifi (25% strength) last month or so. My son was also sitting pretty close to the router (?). Before that we used wires for a long time.
I did read some parts of the EMF thread. But I will have a look at it again. It is such an important topic.
As far as I know dust heats the internal components. My son opened someone's notebook once and cleared out the dust and the heat problem was gone afterwards.
It is always a good idea to keep your electronic equipment dustfree, OSIT.
Now I will have to look into my computer, because it still doesn't say that my wireless connection is disabled. I think we will just have to remove the component.
durabone
Jedi Council Member
Thanks for all the info everybody, and for those details Scott. Here are some more links:
The 2010 story was that it was heat:
_http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500165_162-7044716.html
_http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/healthy_men/14171/laptops_may_threaten_male_fertility/557717
This story from the examiner discusses both heat damage and cancer risk and couples it to problems with old style heating pads:
_http://www.examiner.com/article/new-cancer-warning-about-laptop-computers
If heat is the problem, might I suggest using the case as an insulator. I do. Place case on lap, place laptop on case. But now the story changes that there are radiation effects as well.
In 2011, we start seeing talk of WiFi damage:
_http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/laptop-wifi-sperm-damage-electromagnetic-radiation_n_1118726.html
Even 'Fair and Balanced' had something to say:
_http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/29/how-does-laptop-wi-fi-affect-male-fertility/
Wow I wonder what using a 3G iPad on your lap does?
The 2010 story was that it was heat:
_http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500165_162-7044716.html
_http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/healthy_men/14171/laptops_may_threaten_male_fertility/557717
This story from the examiner discusses both heat damage and cancer risk and couples it to problems with old style heating pads:
_http://www.examiner.com/article/new-cancer-warning-about-laptop-computers
If heat is the problem, might I suggest using the case as an insulator. I do. Place case on lap, place laptop on case. But now the story changes that there are radiation effects as well.
In 2011, we start seeing talk of WiFi damage:
_http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/laptop-wifi-sperm-damage-electromagnetic-radiation_n_1118726.html
Even 'Fair and Balanced' had something to say:
_http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/29/how-does-laptop-wi-fi-affect-male-fertility/
Wow I wonder what using a 3G iPad on your lap does?
Potamus said:
Yes, the confusion around EMF in general seems almost constructed on purpose (if not so in reality). The media is a big part of the problem. So many claims are made that most folks don't know what to do with them all other than assume that they are all fear-based - and proceed to ignore them without doing any due diligence of their own.
