EMF Exposure During Travel

Now that summer’s right around the corner and we are *hopefully* out of the pandemic, a lot of us may have exciting plans to finally travel. Anything from road trips to taking flights or even a cruise. Now as we know, we’re exposed to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) on a daily basis from the radiation from the devices we’re glued to constantly. And we know that the effects of this elongated exposure are less than ideal too. But we’re not only in contact with EMFs when we’re bored and scrolling, or working on a laptop, or watching TV – different forms of transportation also emit radiation that can affect us while traveling. 

For example, while flying, we’re actually at a higher risk of exposure. With more than 45,000 flights everyday and 2.9 million people in the sky, being aware of this radiation is vital. Before takeoff, we’re first exposed to EMFs through airport security scanners. This type of radiation was thought to have benign effects before, but there has been evidence that even this low level of radiation can contribute to negative biological changes. In addition, the higher a plane gets in the atmosphere, one is more exposed to cosmic radiation. The effects are worsened because while on ground, the Earth’s magnetic fields act as a shield against this type of radiation, but the higher up you travel into the atmosphere, this shield thins out, leaving you more vulnerable.

We can even explore the plane itself – the entire machine can be an EMF radiation melting pot with its jet engines, cockpit, electrical sensors, wifi, and the number of devices that other passengers use simultaneously. As we’ve mentioned before, the Faraday Cage Effect amplifies the radiation intensity since it boxes it all in. Where does the cage effect come in? Well planes actually have a mesh built in to fend out lightning strikes, and that traps EMFs inside and outside the plane. Coupled with the number of devices in the plane (even the TVs for inflight entertainment), it actually becomes essential for us to take precautions for protection. 

Now what about cars? If you think about it, a lot of people actually spend a lot of time in automobiles, whether it be for commuting, or getting to places or road trips for travel/vacations. What most of us actually don’t know is that the driver and passenger seat (in the front) is where most of the EMFs are concentrated – due to the electronic parts being located behind the dashboard. The level of EMFs exponentially increases at night when driving with headlights on. And smart cars nowadays are all strapped with electronic devices that add to the amount of radiation we’re exposed to. Similar to the planes, there are also a number of mobile devices we’re using for entertainment during long drives, and that EMF exposure really becomes excessive. 

Interestingly, electric cars, such as those from Tesla, which are undoubtedly better for the environment, actually produce the highest amount of EMFs. Why? The biggest thing are the massive batteries but also there are more electronic devices here, such as an inbuilt TV. The main reason why these batteries are so damaging is because they run off alternating current instead of direct current (like normal devices) which can result in spikes in electricity and radiation. Finally, the faraday cage effect applies here too, since you’re essentially sitting in a box trapping in all the radiation! 

Lastly – trains? Although they are an extremely scenic option to take, they still expose us to large levels of radiation too. For instance, trains are powered by engines or electricity – and ones powered by electricity emit far more radiation. The power lines along the rails also maintain that exposure during the longer journeys. This is much more than we experience on a daily basis at home or at work. So not only are you experiencing the radiation within the trains, you’re also likely to feel the effects from the train station with all the other devices everyone else is using. Now think about it – when you’re commuting or transiting to work, you’re more likely than not cramped in because of rush hour, and the proximity to the devices becomes even more damaging! 

Now it’s evident that EMF exposure is inevitable wherever you go, but there are still some ways to stay as protected as possible! Here are some of our best tips: 

• Turn off LCD screens 
• Avoid using GPS & mobile phones while traveling if possible 
• Disconnect from wifi + bluetooth when not required 
• Use radiation protection devices on your mobile phones/laptops

Be sure to check out our blog on other ways to prioritize your health and wellbeing while traveling!

Stay Safe & Happy Travels!