Using your computers

In most houses and work places in the modern world today you can find at least one personal computer (PC). In some cases it is a desktop and in some cases a laptop. Many people put a lot of effort in trying to select the right model to buy, most people don't spend enough time or effort on the placement of the computer and about the way they use it. Correct arrangement of the working station and using the right technologies may have a very big effect on the user's health and the ability to work on the PC for long periods of time. 

A desktop PC station

Computers emit electromagnetic radiation:

All computers emit low frequency electromagnetic radiation (ELF EMR) from all the electric and electronic parts. In addition, if you use a wireless communication method, the computer will emit also RF EMR. In order to limit your exposure to EMR from your computer you need to keep a safe distance from its parts and use the wireless connectivity as least as possible and to turn it off completely when not using it.

ELF EMR from PC	ELF EMR from Laptop

RF EMR from router	RF EMR from laptop

Related videos:

• ELF from destop PC
• ELF from Laptop
• RF EMR from wireless laptop

Space and Placement

In some cases people don’t have enough space for all the PC’s parts so they try to squeeze all the parts together into a small space. This can result in unnecessary exposure to Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from all the parts of the PC when they are all squeezed together and located very close to the user. It is very important to arrange your PC work station in such a way that will be comfortable for you to work in and will also reduce your exposure to EMR.

Bad - Squeezed desktop station	Bad - Squeezed station with lots of electronics, 2 desktops, 2 CRT screens, one printer and a wireless DECT phone.

Bad - Squeezed station, old CRT screen and the desktop case, all very closed to the user.	Good - Safe station at work. The laptop and desktop are not close to the user. Wired internet cable is connected. Wired set of keyboard and mouse is being used.

Using a desktop PC

A desktop PC is composed of several parts: The case (with the motherboard, processors, hard disc, memory and power supply), monitor (either CRT or LCD), keyboard and mouse.  All these parts and devices are usually located in the PC work station very close to the user.   In some cases people add the (wireless router) and a printer to the system. Desk top PCs are cheaper than laptops and if used correctly can last for many years. Ergonomically speaking it is easier and cheaper to create a good working environment with a desktop than with a laptop. But it is still very easy to make mistakes in the placement of the desktop parts and to create a bad working environment, both from the ergonomic and electromagnetic point of view.

Desktop work station

When arranging the Desktop's work stations try to put the case (that includes the mother board, memory, processors, power supply and hard discs), printer, router and modem as far away as possible (at least half a meter) from the user. Try not to use the wireless network inside the house and turn OFF the WiFi wireless network option on the router and the wireless network cards in order to reduce the exposure of the PC users, and people around in the house to RF EMR. In front of the user place only the keyboard, mouse and screen. It is better to us a wired keyboard and mouse since the wireless keyboard and mouse also emit RF EMR. It is recommended to use a LCD screen that will emit only low levels of ELF EMR compared to that of a CRT screen.

Good  - only a LCD monitor and a set of wired keyboard and mouse.	Bad - squeezed PC station, all the parts are very close to the user including the WiFi router.

Using a laptop

A Laptop is a compact portable PC that can be taken from place to place and that has an internal power source (batteries).  Laptops usually have all the parts that desktop PCs have but they are manufactured together into a small portable package. In addition all laptops have several wireless connectivity devices like a WIFI network card, Bluetooth device, or cellular network modem. Laptops are smaller and lighter than desktop PCs, and people usually use them in more diverse and less comfortable and orderly working environments than desktops.

Laptop's front side	Laptop's back side ( ELF hot spot)

Laptop work station

Many people put their laptop on their lap and start to work. This is suggested from the "laptop" generic name. The laptop emits ELF EMR from the processors, motherboard and hard disc all the time it is working. Putting it on your lap will result in exposing your lap to ELF radiation. If the Wireless network or cellular modem is enabled (not recommended) then you will be exposed also to high levels of RF EMR. If you simply put your laptop on a table you will reduce your unnecessary exposure from ELF EMR to very low levels. If you want to be on the safe side and you want to reduce you exposure to none, or if you are an Electro-hypersensitive (EHS) person, I would also recommend using a wired keyboard and mouse; this way your hands will not be exposed to the ELF EMR which originates beneath the laptop keyboard.

Bad - a laptop On the lap.

Better - using a laptop on the desk (hands are exposed to ELF).

Good - Laptop with wired keyboard+mouse.

Using wireless keyboard and mouse

• RF radiation from a wireless mouse 

Using the wireless network

It is highly recommended to install a wired network in the house and workplace for all the PCs and to turn OFF the wireless options of the computers and routers. Some people prefer to use the wireless network over the wired network, for their laptops and sometime even for their stationary desktops. This will expose the user to RF EMR which is unnecessary. When all the home network activity, downloading, file transfers and browsing is done using the wireless network, the user and all persons/pets in the house are being exposed to some constant levels of RF EMR.

All Wifi, Bluetooth and cellular communication devices emit RF EMR all the time, even when there is no data being transferred. When a computer is downloading or streaming data, movies, files or  music, the RF levels emitted by the wireless network card and the wireless router increase dramatically. If the wireless router or the wireless computer is located in a bedroom, the RF EMR emission, that will continue all night long, may interfere with the sleep of people sleeping near the PCs and routers. Again using the wireless network is not recommended!

Wireless router

A Laptop with the wireless WIFI option turned on.

A Desktop with a wireless network card

Related videos:

Placing the Wi-Fi router

WiFi wireless routers emit both some levels of low frequency (ELF) EMR, and high levels of Radio frequency (RF) EMR. We recommend to install a wired network in your house and work and to use the WiFi option only when there is a real need.

For example: Going in the yard with the laptop to read some emails.

When you are not using the WIFI option turn it off ASAP.  If the WiFi wireless option on the router is turned ON the router should be placed as far as possible from the user, at least 2 meters away from any person at all times. If the WiFi wireless option is turned OFF (the wired network is still operating) you can put the router near the user, but not too close, 0.5 meter should be OK.

RF router	RF EMR from a Wi-Fi router very close to the user

Related videos:

Placing wireless PCs

If the wireless network card is operating the user should keep at least one meter distance away from it or from the antennas at all times. In desktops the antenna is usually located in the wireless network card. In some wireless network cards there is a wire connecting the antenna to the card. If possible use a long wire in order to place more distance between you and the antenna. In laptops the antennas are usually placed in the corners of the screen, therefore it will be more difficult to keep a safe distance from it since the screen needs to be in front of your eyes. It’s possible to use an external screen together with a wired set of keyboard and mouse and to place the laptop a little bit farther away from the user in a way that will expose the user to smaller levels of RF EMR.

Emission of RF radiaiton from a USB wireless network card on idle mode.	Wireless PC with remote antenna

Using a Cellular modem (net-stick)

Cellular modems emit high levels of RF EMR all the time. The levels or RF EMR that are emitted from a cellular modem or router are higher than the levels emitted from a WIFI wireless router or network card. The levels of RF EMR will increase as the data transferred over the cellular network will increase. It is not recommended to use cellular modems, but if you must, try to shorter the time of use and try placing as much distance as possible between you and the cellular modem. Some cellular modems are connected to the PC via a USB connection. If possible use an extension USB cord to place the cellular modem as far as possible from yourself and others. Using a laptop embedded with a cellular modem inside it is the worst thing you can do, especially if you put the laptop on your lap.