Laptop radiation – Myths and facts you need to know.

Laptops are big convenience in today’s busy and on-the-go world, but if you are one of countless people who use portable computers for many hours a day – laptop radiation may be the greatest source of radiation you are exposed to without even realizing it. Here are some myths and facts to help you get better insight about what you are exposing yourself to each time you put your portable pc on your lap:

A fact - Laptops emit radiation

Like any other electrical device, they emit electromagnetic radiation. It’s a type of low radio waves, coming from electronics inside the device, from its screen and WiFi technology.

A myth - Laptops are less dangerous than cellphones

Laptops emit lower electromagnetic field than cell phones do, however, they are often greater sources of EM waves than cellphones due to amount of time we spend working on them while keeping them right next to our bodies - on our laps. Studies confirmed that electromagnetic fields emitting from laptop can damage DNA in our cells.

A myth - Electromagnetic radiation from laptop is too low to affect human health

It’s commonly recommended that EMF radiation under 2.5 miliGauss is safe and will not harm our health. However, portable computers often emit EM field way above safety limit, up to 150 mG. Sometimes you can read in manual how much electro-magnetic waves certain model emits, but the only way to be sure if your machine is under safety limit after several hours of constant work is to measure it with gauss meter/EMF detector.

Debate on laptop radiation is ongoing, but recent studies on exposure to electromagnetic field from laptops showed these EMFs induce currents in human body that are considerably higher than those recommended by latest guidelines on computer electro-magnetic field emissions. This becomes a problem when we consider how much time we spend working or having fun on lap computers; how many hours a day (at work and at home), how many days a months, months a year and year after year…
EM waves are invisible and odorless, but this doesn’t make them any less dangerous. The only way to make this health hazard more “visible” is to raise our awareness of it. Each time we use or computers to work or for fun, we also, without exception, absorb EMFs with it.

A fact - Laptop radiation is harmful

Studies have connected it to many health problems such as fatigue, headaches, or insomnia. If laptop is placed directly on our body without any protection, its heat raises temperature of our cells. This disturbs cell’s natural biochemistry. Long-term, it can cause skin irritation and rashes, but more dangerously these overheated cells become less immune, weak, and degrade faster.

A fact - Laptop radiation affects human fertility

Dr. Mark Perloe, medical director at Georgia Reproductive Specialist says that sperm activity of healthy adult man drops for more than 40% if temperature inside testicles raises one degree for more than 20 minutes. According to tests, keeping computer directly on a lap can raise temperature inside testicles for up to five degrees. Laptop radiation has been linked both with male and female fertility. EMFs from laptop can fragment and damage DNA structure and prevent damaged cells from their natural ability to repair themselves. Pregnant women should avoid keeping them close to their bodies to prevent potential problems.

Laptop radiation protection

Ironically, many product manuals instruct us not to place laptops directly on our laps, but most people either don’t read it or they disregard this warning. Electro-magnetic field decreases with distance, so whenever possible - place the device on a table or some other surface rather than on your body. Using any of the specialized laptop radiation protection pads is another way to enjoy comforts of portability the safe way. Harapad, (product we recommend) is a good choice but any other will do. They are all made from special materials that minimize EMF dangers and keep the heat away from your body