Electricity was originally intended as a “clean” and safe source of power for homes and businesses through standard usage of the steady electrical frequency of 60 oscillations per second, or 60 Hertz (Hz).
Modern energy efficient devices, electronics, and other reasons such as earth currents can cause significant deviance from the 60 Hz frequency, however, and this pulsed exposure to spiking and unsafe frequencies of electromagnetic radiation (EMFs) on overloaded wires is what has become known as “dirty electricity”.
Exposure to dirty electricity has the potential to cause and exacerbate existing health problems in some people. It is not something that can be smelled, touched, seen, or felt and yet it is very real and very problematic for those who experience it on a daily basis.
The health effects of dirty electricity were first identified as early as the 1950′s in rural areas when the behavior and feeding patterns of animals were negatively affected by stray voltage caused by poor grounding and lack of utility infrastructure.
In humans, symptoms of exposure to dirty electricity can include:
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Body aches and pains
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Worsening of symptoms from multiple sclerosis or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
In Sweden, sensitivity to dirty electricity is a recognized disability affecting approximately 3% of the population. In Switzerland, a survey of doctors concluded that 5% of symptoms in patients could be traced to dirty electricity exposure.
Ways To Reduce Your Exposure Today
While the concept of dirty electricity is a complex one that practically requires a degree in Physics to fully understand, ways to reduce your exposure are simple and easy to implement.
- Get rid of all the fluorescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs, as they are known, have a very large EMF field compared with simple incandescent light bulbs. CFLs also produce a lot of dirty electricity. Getting rid of them and all sources of fluorescent lighting in your home and business will reduce your exposure to dirty electricity immediately.
- Replace all dimmer switches with simple on/off switches. Dimmer switches produce a lot of dirty electricity! Replace them with simple on/off switches or if that is not in the budget, just leave them off all the time.
- Turn off your wireless router at night. While getting rid of exposure to all wireless communications is futile in this day and age when it is literally everywhere, you can at least give your body a rest at night while you sleep by turning them off in your home.
- Make sure your home does not use a Smart Meter. Power companies all over the United States are installing smart meters to simplify the meter reading process. Call your local power company and find out if you have already gotten one and if so, make sure to opt out and go back to the analog meters.
I initially thought our home had a Smart Meter, but after investigating, discovered to my great relief that the automated meters in our area were not Smart Meters and were one way communication devices which allowed meter readers to drive down our street and pick up a weak radio signal and thereby read the meter without entering a person’s property. They were not two-way Smart Meters constantly pulsing and sending information to the power company about our electrical usage.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine recently adopted a resolution which formally opposes the installation of Smart Meters in homes and schools “based on a scientific assessment of the current medical literature. Chronic exposure to wireless radiofrequency radiation is a preventable environmental hazard that is sufficiently well documented to warrant immediate preventative public health action.“
More Ways to Protect Youself From Dirty Electricity
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sources: Wise Traditions 2011 Conference, Dirty Electricity, Jules Klapper
What Causes Dirty Electricity?
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{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
I always thought I was crazy when I could hear fluorescent bulbs sometimes, but lately it’s come to make sense…fluorescent bulbs do transmit a vast EMF spectrum and sometimes you can physically hear it.
Another thing to think about – if you don’t believe that dimmer switches are a problem, let me regale you with this story. My old church had dimmer switches for the lights. If the lights weren’t in the full on or full off position, the speakers for the sound system would buzz. The dimmer switch’s stray voltage was being picked up by a poorly-insulated wire in the sound system. That voltage is all over for everything to be felt by!
Also, Smart Meters were recently linked to pacemakers failing. Just a thought!
Exposure to dirty electricity has the potential to cause and exacerbate existing health problems in some people http://t.co/EqHTI7vO
Orgonite. This will turn the DOR into POR (Deadly Orgone Energy into Positive Orgone Energy); DOR is created by just about everything that runs on electricity thus producing EMF) Dr. Wilhelm Reich was where it all started. You can make it yourself or purchase it already made. My plants LOVE the POR, and I have a small piece of Orgone on top of my WIFI router, one in the living room by the TV, Computer, ect…I have read that one every 15 feet is sufficient. They can also be placed onto the Smart Meters to deter the effect, and should be placed onto the neighbor’s Smart Meter as well if it is facing your home. There are small pendants as well, which can protect someone 24/7 from the harmful effects of EMF. Also, a book called Blinded by Science talks in great deal about dimmer switches, EMF, ect – I highly recommend it (for what that’s worth…lol)
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Joe – I love to know more about this. I’m going to google it today. Thanks! PS – can you provide any links that would be helpful?
hi Tin – sure – check out these sites:
http://harrisorgone.com/what-is-orgonite/how-to-use-orgonite/
http://www.orgonite.info/
http://www.whale.to/b/orgonite.html
http://www.uboslav.com/orgone-effects-on-animals-plants-and-water/
and this site i love for the effects on plants: http://orgone-art.all4orgone.com/anglais/visibleeffectgarden2.htm
if you have any questions feel free to ask away. i started reading about the stuff a year or so ago and making the stuff about 6 months ago. i have made 2 batches since and will be making another one this weekend. also, i am not sure if it is the same for everyone, but i experience a HUGE increase in my own personal energy when i’m making Orgone – the energy buzz usually lasts 1 -2 days as well.
We put a lock on our analog meter, sent a certified formal “denial of consent” letter to our power provider to refuse a smart meter, and taped a laminated copy of that letter to the meter. In response to our efforts, the company cut our lock off and installed the smart meter anyway. Sitting in our living room places us anywhere from 4 to 10 feet from the meter. I’ve called the company and the Public Utilities Commission, all to no avail. They said if we want to purchase electricity in Texas, we HAVE to use their smart meter. I’ve had ringing/throbbing in my ears since it was installed, and it’s interfering with my sleep. I don’t know what else to do! I have 3 kids, also (ages 8, 6, and 4), and we homeschool, so we are home almost all the time compared to other families.
You need to call your US Representative or the local media and get some attention onto this. Your ability to opt out cannot be denied from what I’ve learned about this very troubling situation across the country. Please keep me posted on your progress.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: Reducing Exposure to Dirty Electricity
We were told that the public’s opportunity to protest it was back in 2008 — BEFORE any smart meters were installed and people realized how bad they were. How convenient. They told us that if we attempt to change our meter, they will cut off our electricity.
I’m wondering if an Earthing mat during the day and Earthing sheet at night would help you Angela?
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: Reducing Exposure to Dirty Electricity
I’m not familiar with “earthing”, but I’ll look into it. Another solution might be painting the living room wall with an emf-blocking paint, which I’ve read about recently. We’ll see. It’s not only the health effects of these meters I worry about. As I understand it, these meters will allow the powers that be to turn off your power remotely, even specific appliances. How “big brother” is that?!
Yes, we all need to do more to speak up and influence policy change. Perhaps knowledgeable readers could comment on effective steps to take to bring this to the attention of legislators and media. I think sharing copies of the letter (referenced in the post above) from the American Academy of Environment Medicine and other sources listed is a great idea, along with your own personal reasons for change.
Thanks for posting this, Sarah! : )
Er, make that Environmental Medicine.
Whether you have success in opting out or not, you might want to look into Earthing. I read a book review on another WAPF blog last week about it and took some more time to read and research the topic. I think the American website is http://www.earthing.com (I am Canadian). Earthing is basically utilizing the earth’s abundance of negative electrons to counteract all of the positive charge that “dirty” electricity gives off and then collects in our own electrical field, thus neutralizing all of the effects of EMF’s.
Clint Ober, the man who discovered this, has created some technologies that can make it so that we can experience the earth’s energies even when indoors. I decided to try some of them out and they arrived last week. I can’t praise my experience enough thus far with using them (I feel so much better and have so much more energy!). I can’t decided which I like better, earthing or fermented cod liver oil…
Good luck with it all.
Anisa, I’m in Canada too. Where did you order your earthing products from?
I ordered them from Earthing Canada (www.earthingcanada.ca) in Calgary. It seems to be a one person business–Kurt was the man I spoke with. He was great, really helpful and was ready to answer all of my questions and very flexible when I needed to make a change to my order. My package came much faster than I expected and it was all super easy.
Have you considered making a “Faraday cage” for your meter? Here’s a link about it: (Look near the bottom of the page). The idea is to wrap the meter with aluminum foil or metal screen and “ground” the foil/screen with a wire to the ground (or to a pipe that goes into the ground). This blocks the radio waves. But I’m not sure whether it would be a good solution for you because it would probably prevent the Smart Meter from communicating with the electric company altogether.
I don’t know if this is a solution but many companies are selling solar systems. We are considering that in a year or so. You can buy it right out or pay monthly service charges which are said to be much lower than electric companies. I don’t know if they allow you to “remove” your smart meter when you have solar. Worth looking into.
Keep in mind that solar panels are not environmentally beneficial. The manufacturing process produces way more toxic waste than what you save over the life of the panel.
I figured there was a catch with solar panels…
It’s true. My husband has a friend who works in a company which manufactures solar panels. They have a rule whereby you need a minimum of 3 persons to enter the manufacturing line. The reason is, in case one, or two persons fainted due to accidental inhalation of toxic fumes, you got the 3rd as a backup.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for this Sarah. I was wondering when you were going to talk electricity actually.
I have just deactivated our wifi and bought these plugs where the internet passes through our electricity circuit instead and is accessible by plugging in a special plug. Of course it isn’t as practical but I thought I should do it for my kids too.
Does anyone have any info on this? Is it better than wifi? Are we honestly being less “blasted”?
Thanks a lot if anyone does have some knowledge on the matter.
Helen
I have never heard of this. Could you give some more info about it and maybe some links.
Helen – can you put up links for what you’re using? thank you.
Sarah: How about static electricity? Do you know any safer ways to reduce it? I do notice when I wear certain clothes/fabrics I’m prone to get more shocks. Any advice?
Thanks for writing about this important topic. As a Swede I grew up hearing about several people that were “allergic” to electricity and had to move out in the middle of nowhere and be off the grid. I think there is a case going on back home about a local government cutting the cell phone reception in a small village due to one person being sick. Unfortunately the neighbors have no understanding so it is a struggle about it now..
Reducing Exposure to Dirty Electricity http://t.co/2RCz8Rf9 http://t.co/d2Dk0xOz
I’ve heard about the problem of dirt electricity (EMF radiation) before, but didn’t really know what to make of it or if it was true at all. Afterall, like you said it practically takes a physics degree to figure out how this dirt electricity works and affects us. But the dangers are real still.
Thanks for writing this! I began to think Dr Mercola was a little off his rocker on the electricity thing…but this makes sense. Also, you list practical ways to reduce exposure, whereas Mercola’s seem, in my opinion, a lot less convenient.
I have been wanting to avoid CFL’s just because I’ve read that they also off-gas.
I’m curious…how will you avoid CFL’s once the incandescent bulbs are phased out in the next few years?
I have stash of incandescents that should last quite awhile
I suggest you stock up now.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist\’s last post: Reducing Exposure to Dirty Electricity
Stephanie, I was wondering the same thing about when incandescents are phased out. I don’t know how anyone can store enough (not all of us can). I’ve read that LED lighting is an option to think about. Not too thrilled thinking about if one of those suckers (CFLs) break and mercury dust is dispersed :/
Fascinating. During a Pedestrian Safety meeting with city representatives last year, I brought up the noise I hear from “energy efficient” street lights – I was laughed at because I complained about the noise they let off. And, I can hear the same sound from CF bulbs indoors.
Anyway, I appreciate this article, and wish I knew more about how to reduce the”dirty” electricity in our home. We have some “salt” lamps which use only a small night light bulb, which my Mom bought for us to supposedly reduce the negative energy of electronics…any insight on those?
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This is so important. Smart Meters in California have resulted in thousands of complaints of all kind of illnesses. Currently, Pacific Gas @Electric Company, after forcing the installation of millions of these meters, now has a proposal before the Utilities Commission that would allow people to return to the use of Analog meters., but they would charge a lot of money for changing back. The commission is dragging it s feet on taking any action, The chairman of the commission is a former CEO for a power company.
Smart meters should be avoided when ever possible. In addition to the health hazards, the ultimate purpose of Smart Meters appears to be giving the power company the ability to turn off any electronic device in your home, remotely, whether you consent or not., It will take more than just Smart Meters, but Smart Meters are the first step.
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We have one of those anti pest things that plug into an outlet and are supposed to turn your wiring into a subsonic system to keep bugs and rodents away. I sleep terribly and have most of the symptoms you list. Do you think that device is causing an increase in the emf fields?
We had one for about four hours once. In our basement, which is mouse heaven for some reason. But our (then) nine-year old son was frantic. He could hear a high-pitched buzzy whine the whole time and it gave him a terrible headache. So we use the traditional old-fashioned mouse traps and gave up on anything making noise or using electricity! You might find you sleep better… our son certainly was thrilled when we removed it. (We did it when he wasn’t aware and he noticed immediately that it was gone.)
Thanks for the input! It’s plugged in in our bedroom, so it will be gone tonight and we’ll see what happens.
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Just an update, not only am I sleeping better now that we have taken the pest thing out of the wall, I have noticed that our kitties are getting along much much better! They are loving up to each other and curling up and washing each other like they used to and not getting into fights all the time any more.
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Reducing Exposure to Dirty Electricity http://t.co/Cyq8Iedu
Pure-N-Simple Soaps can even clean Dirty Electricity- Kidding!!!!!!!!!!! But this is an interesting read. http://t.co/2fwuhmLt
Reducing Exposure to Dirty Electricity — The Healthy Home Economist
http://t.co/3O9524xj
Wow, I have never heard of this before. But this makes total sense to me. I cannot go to certain stores, they make me dizzy, nauseous, and give me headaches. Our local mall, I dread going, by the time I am done I feel so sleepy, I don’t feel able to drive, and that is if I only stay 30-40 minutes. I always wondered why this happens, but I would say there was this humm, noone else could hear it. This explains a lot, and if our local power company goes to smart meters, I just dread the thought of feeling that way all the time.
That’s great advice for home but does nothing to protect my child when he’s in school 6 hours a day. I’m going to look into things I can do to lessen the negatives of exposure; eating clay or having a ball of clay on oneself is where I’m going to start. I do think our nation needs to figure out ways to use less electricity but not in such a way that it damages our bodies.
And try and do my part to cut down on electricity. I keep the house cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I use drying racks instead of the dryer. I use cold water to wash my clothes. I use the natural sunlight to light my house when I can.
I would just add a fifth step as an additional way that will help reduce EMF radiation, and that is use of some EMF radiation protection device (i.e. http://personalbioprotector.com/ ). It adapts man made EMF radiation field to Earth natural EMF frequency (Schuman Resonance).
Sarah – are you on Tampa Electric? I called to ask what meter I was on. They told me smart meters are being phased in and I have no “opt-out” option. Have you gotten a different response? Thanks!
Lynda, good luck and hold your ground (er, sorry for the pun). Give your power company a copy of the letter from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (link above) and other sources above. Bring the issue to your state legislators – just look up on the FL state gov website to find the rep and senator for your neighborhood/district, and share your concern (and give them copies of the info above).
They installed our smart meter yesterday. We do not have the option of opting out AND they are charging me a mandatory surcharge of $3.05 per month for the stupid thing. Ridiculous!!! I am sending the power company a letter today. i am furious!!!
So I will remove all the dimmers and CFLs from my house. Now, can I use LED bulbs or are incandescent the only ones which are safe?
http://www.startleddisbelief.com/2010/09/dirty-electricity-poor-journalism-is.html
http://emfandhealth.com/
http://www.skepdic.com/emf.html
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cfl.html
http://www.emfrelief.com/capacitive-filters.html