EMF Radiation and Cordless Phones

Out of the homes that still have a landline, many have opted to use cordless phones. They are convenient and inexpensive, making them a popular choice. And while it’s becoming more and more common knowledge that cell phones emit radiation, you don’t hear much about cordless phones. In fact, cordless phones emit a great deal of EMF radiation.

Read on to learn more.

Cordless phones and EMF

The headset of a cordless phone is constantly transmitting information to and from the base station. Whenever you receive a call or even talk on the phone, all of that has to go through the base station first. This communication between the base station and receiver is what causes the greatest amount of EMF radiation from your cordless phone. And when the phone is in use, those radio frequencies are being transmitted close to your head, potentially directly through your brain.

Risks of exposure

There are many risks of exposure to EMF radiation from cordless phones. Glioma, the most common form of brain cancer, has been linked to EMF radiation by several studies. One Swedish study, for example, found that long-term cell phone use was linked to an increased risk of developing Glioma or other brain cancers. While that study dealt with cell phones, cordless phones emit similarly high levels of EMF and are also held close to the head while in use.

In addition to the increased risk of brain cancer, cordless phones add to your home’s overall EMF level. When the EMF level is high, those who are sensitive may begin to experience seemingly random symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, nausea, itchiness, and depression. Prolonged exposure to high levels has potential ties to leukemia in adults and children. And high levels of exposure may also cause motility and potency issues in sperm, leading to fertility problems for couples who are trying to conceive.

Tips for reducing exposure from cordless phones

Your best bet is to ditch the cordless phone in favor of one with a cord. If that is not realistic or feasible, there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself from EMF radiation.

One thing you can do is unplug your phone when it’s not in use. This is problematic for receiving incoming calls, so you may want to only try this at night. However, any time spent with the base station unplugged will cut down on your home’s overall EMF exposure.

Another thing to try is getting a wired headset that you can connect to the phone. This still allows for portability, and it also creates some distance between your head and the phone. Just remember to get a wired headset, not Bluetooth. A Bluetooth headset gives off EMF radiation of its own.

Better alternatives

There are a couple cordless phones on the market that allow you to reduce the amount of EMF radiation emitted. Gigaset cordless phones, for example, produce minimal amounts of EMF radiation when in standby mode. You’re still exposed while you’re on the phone, but the use of a wired headset would help cut down on that.

The EMF radiation emitted by cordless phones is something worth being aware of. Corded phones are a much safer bet. If you simply must have a cordless phone, or you work in an office that requires it, do what you can to minimize your exposure.