Bedroom EMFs

Ungrounded lamps (which contain the types of plugs with two prongs instead of three) can produce high AC electrical fields. If the lamp is on a bedside table, you or a loved one will be sleeping in this electric field.

These fields can be eliminated by grounding and shielding your cord properly or by replacing the lamp with a battery powered version.

Electric blankets can give you the double whammy of magnetic and electric field exposure. The magnetic fields are from the heating element within the blanket and the electric fields are from the ungrounded plug.

Instead of keeping these plugged in all night, we recommend plugging these in before bedtime and then unplugging them once you enter the bed.

Remember to not just turn them off, but make sure the power supply to the blanket is completely turned off.

Similar to electric blankets, these can have elevated AC electric and magnetic fields when plugged in and functioning. Try to limit your exposure to these when possible

Alarm clocks can produce two or three of the man-made EMFs that we keep an eye out for: AC electric fields, AC magnetic fields and radio frequency fields.

It’s also problematic that the clocks are also often on a nightstand or in close proximity to where people sleep.

Below are some of the types that are commonly found:

Analog Alarm Clocks

Analog clocks can produce surprisingly high magnetic fields from the inner-workings of the clock and electric fields from the ungrounded and unshielded cords. You’ll want distance from both.

Digital Alarm Clocks

While different technology than the analog models, the concerns are similar with regard to magnetic and electric fields.

Alarm Clocks with Wi-Fi

Alarm clocks with wi-fi or bluetooth subject you to radio frequency fields, as well as the previously mentioned magnetic and electric fields.

Any electrified circuit in a home will (unless it has shielded electrical conduit) have some level of AC electric fields radiating from the electrical wiring within the walls.

We go over this more in more detail in our section on AC Electric Fields.

A certified electrician can install a “remote cut-off switch” or “on-demand switch” that will de-energize the electrical circuit in and around a bedroom.

This means that with the push of a button on a remote (a non-wifi, infrared remote) one or more electrical circuits will be de-energized and the electrical field level wills drop or disappear.

This is one of those areas where an EMF specialist can really be of assistance, as the mapping out of the breaker panel is instrumental in determining which electrical circuits to turn off.

Do not attempt this yourself, unless a certified electrician has signed off on the safety of your breaker panel, the breakers and the surrounding electrical system.

Many of the mattresses, boxsprings and bedframes on the market today can actually elevate your man-made EMF exposure.

Below are some commonly found furniture components to be aware of:

Metal Bed Frames

It’s thought that metal bed frames and components might amplify both AC electric fields and radio frequency fields.

Wooden bed frames are common, and often a more attractive, alternative.

This isn’t to say that you can’t have any metal components (drawer slides, etc…), but minimizing these will keep your exposure levels lower.

If you are de-energizing your bedroom circuit with an electrician installed cut-off switch, this exposure will be minimized significantly.  The same goes for the mattresses below.

Traditional Mattresses and Boxsprings That Have Metal Springs

The presence of metal springs in mattresses and boxsprings can possibly accentuate electric fields (and create static magnetic fields) around the people (or pets) sleeping on them.

We recommend switching to models of both that don’t have metal springs.

Here’s an example of an all latex bed that doesn’t have springs.

Adjustable Beds

Many adjustable beds are continually plugged in and made of a lot of metal parts. This will subject the occupants to increased AC electric and AC magnetic fields.

There are many models with wi-fi and bluetooth, as well, that will produce RF fields.

We recommend the use of standard, wooden platform beds without metal springs.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds may lead to increased electric field levels for the occupants due to the conductivity of the water.

Smart Mattresses

There are mattress models on the market now that will track your sleep duration and quality.

One can see the allure of this functionality, but, in order to communicate this information, mattress chip components will produce radio frequency radiation.

This is in addition to any elevated electric and magnetic fields produced by the electronics within the mattresses.

We mention these in the house-wide section, but thought it was worth repeating the importance of these.

Below are some examples of heaters that can produce elevated magnetic fields:

Ceiling and In-Floor Heaters

Ceiling and floor heaters can be especially problematic due to the difficulty of achieving distance from the sources.

As mentioned in the previous section, this is something to be aware of when choosing an apartment or condo structure that utilizes this type of heating.

Radiators & Baseboard Heaters

Place your bed, work desks, children’s playing areas and reading areas away from these, if possible.

Measure with a gaussmeter to ensure proper distance.

Space Heaters

These should be farther away from beds, as there can be fire danger if the bedsheets were to make contact with the space heater. This extra space ensures lower magnetic fields, as well.

Keep these at a safe distance from other frequented areas in the bedroom, too.

Utilize a gaussmeter to measure the field intensity to ensure safe levels.

Fans can produce elevated magnetic fields due to the device’s motor.

Fans can also have elevated electric fields if the cords aren’t grounded and shielded. The two main types of fans are:

Ceiling Fans

These may be far enough away from beds or cribs, but it’s always worth measuring with a guassmeter to verify.

Portable Fans

As mentioned, portable fans can produce elevated magnetic and electric fields.

When using these for cooling and/or white noise, create distance between them and the bed. Measure with a gaussmeter and electric field meter to achieve a comfortable distance.

Air Purifiers, Air Humidifiers & De-humidifiers

Similar to portable fans, these three types of products can be commonly found in bedrooms and children’s rooms and can produce similar electric and magnetic fields.

If possible, create a comfortable distance between these and the sleeping area, but, obviously, don’t change the location of these items if they’re being used for medical necessity, children’s health or other important uses.

Again, if used for a medical condition or at the recommendation of a medical professional, follow their advice on the use and location of these devices.

We mentioned these in a previous section, but these are commonly found in bedrooms and children’s rooms, as well.

As with many of the items on this list, remember to put these a safe distance away from the bed or crib.

For permanently installed units or units placed in windows, this may mean moving the entire bed away from the adjacent area.

We mention this in our Top 20, but it bears repeating. To ensure you and your family have the lowest EMF environment possible, make sure your phone and tablets are in airplane mode.

It’s possible to have the devices in airplane mode, but still have wi-fi and bluetooth on. Double check that these are off, too.

Ungrounded and unshielded cords are effectively extensions of your home electrical circuits when it comes to AC electric fields.

Distance is effective with these, so make sure these plugs are across the room and not directly adjacent or under your bed while you sleep.

Most consumer market sleep monitoring devices utilize or require bluetooth or wireless connectivity.

Before purchasing one of these, write the company and see if you can turn off the wi-fi and/or bluetooth.

If you’re unable to turn this off, this means you’re being subjected to radio frequency radiation during the important sleeping hours.

We mentioned this in an earlier section, but baby monitors communicate with radio frequency waves. Some of the newer monitors are really quite powerful, so be aware of where they’re placed in the nursery and other bedrooms.

Try and hardwire these connections if possible.

You can purchase baby monitors that have ethernet ports and then “hardwire” your baby monitor by either running grounded ethernet through your home or utilizing a powerline adapter kit that connects your router and monitor via your home’s electrical wiring or existing coaxial cable infrastructure.