Welfare concerns over electronic wave emissions are often featured in the news and many people have voiced complaints about the development of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS).
More recently, we have seen articles on Apple iPhone 12 sales being stopped in France over fears they are emitting high radiation levels.
While a number of studies do exist, like the ones recently published by the Belgian BioElectro Magnetics Group (BBEMG), there has been no conclusive cause and effect evidence documented.
The World Health Organization has even stated EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to exposure to electromagnetic waves. It has said EHS is not a medical diagnosis and it is not clear that it represents a single medical problem.
However, there are a number of ways we can protect against exposure to electromagnetic waves:
- 1. Digital Detox
This could include scheduling time away from screens throughout the day, taking periodic technology breaks, adjusting the phone to limit apps and schedule downtime, turning off your phone or placing it on do not disturb at certain times and creating no phone areas in the home.
- 2. Digital Minimalism
This is a strategy that helps people optimize their use of technology to keep from being overwhelmed by it. This can be employed both at home and at work. We are all increasingly encouraged to accept more and more online interaction – emails, banking and shopping are all available in quick to access apps. Notifications arrive and messages pop up frequently throughout the day which can be demanding, distracting, and diverting. By focusing time on a small quantity of optimized activities we can approach technology with a set intention for using it. This can have beneficial effects on digital well-being with regards to using these tools in a healthy, manageable way, by reducing anxiety, stress, and burnout.
- 3. Digital Silence and Digital De-Connectivity
There is also the option of considering ways to embrace digital silence where we take a break completely. Or we can digital de-connect regularly as we check in with how we are feeling in our connected worlds.
These all sound like great ideas and with the best of intentions we may be able to introduce some elements of them into our daily professional and personal lives. But in today’s heavily connected world, when the average time we spend online is estimated to be 6.35 hours, that is a big ask.
It is also true to say that every aspect of our society is impacted by digitalisation and over connectivity. And, with regards to ongoing IoT developments, the landscape is not likely to change much. In fact, the number of internet-connected devices is projected to reach almost 55.7 billion by 2025.
One answer is the Digital Deter.
This is where we can shield our environment from undesirable radio frequency signals and microwave radiation for various frequency ranges and application types. This helps reduce and minimise their impact.
How?
One solution is WAVETRAP, a transparent glass product from WAVE by AGC that prevents the transmission of unwanted electromagnetic radiation to indoor environments. Invisible to the eye and featuring high coating technology, it delivers superior shielding performance preventing electromagnetic radiation from entering a building. It can also be used indoors to provide shielding between separate spaces. Our customisable solution enables clients to choose which type of signal they want to protect against the most. It can help with best cyber security practices by serving as a physical barrier that prevents digital eavesdropping while also ensuring compatibility with sensitive and even critical electronic systems. It also blocks waves without losing light and does not affect the insulating or thermal performance of glazing.
Connectivity is part of our everyday lives and can be used to make things quicker simpler and easier. The good news is that there are numerous ways we can look after ourselves and actions that can be taken to improve our protection, with tailor-made versatile solutions that are adapted to our environment such as WAVETRAP. For more information, visit https://wavebyagc.com/en/wavetrap/
Contact us for more information