EMFS IN CARS: FINDING A LOW-EMF CAR AND REDUCING EMF EXPOSURE

April 6, 2023|EMFs/ EHS, Truth & Misc.

This post addresses exposure to nnEMFs in cars, including a comparison of electric vehicles and gas vehicles, exposure to radio frequencies (RFs), ways to reduce your exposure regardless of vehicle, and recommendations when seeking to purchase a vehicle that is a low in nnEMFs as possible. Recommendations are for those with EHS and those seeking to protect their family’s health in general.

Recently one of our consultation clients reported that a tree fell on her vehicle, potentially totaling it! Like so many with environmental illness, a safe vehicle is an essential escape in this case. In fact, safe vehicles are so important to many in this community that it is not uncommon for EI canaries to live in their vehicle as they can’t tolerate modern, toxic housing.

As we’ve shared in our free weekly-or-less newsletter, we recently completed our saga of replacing our truck, and we’ve learned a great deal along the way. This post should help you in your quest for a low EMF vehicle and aid you in reducing exposure in your current vehicle.

This post may contain affiliate links, and at no cost to you we may receive a little commission if you make a purchase. We put a lot of time and energy into providing our information to help you for free, so thank you for supporting our efforts!

As always, this is not medical information or advice. Consult your doctor about everything because the FDA says to do so.

First Things First

Before assessing a vehicle for EMF emissions, you’ll need to have EMF meters on hand. If the meters linked to in my article are not your cup of tea, we trust Less EMF for their EMF-related products.

Please know that most EMF-related products on the market are outright scams! As we share, there are free and inexpensive methods to reduce your EMF exposure. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Are Older Cars Lower in EMFs?

Based on firsthand comparisons and a preponderance of anecdotal and empirical data, the newer the vehicle, the higher the exposure to EMFs in the car. While one might presume this is limited to radio frequencies emitted by Bluetooth, WiFi devices, GPS and the like, that’s not necessarily always the case.

For example, hybrid cars, which use both electric power and a gasoline combustion option for power, were popularly unveiled in 1999 in the form of the Toyota Prius. While the Prius may boast improved gas mileage, hybrid cars in general are not recommended as the more complex the engine (switching between fuel sources increased complexity), the more computer chips and technology required.

More computer chips and technology equate to higher levels of EMF exposure, both magnetic and electrical.

The first computer chips in cars were introduced in 1968 by Volkswagon in their D-Jetronic module, which electronically controlled the fuel injection system.

ECUs (engine control units- essentially, mini-computers) became necessary in the EU in the late 1970s to meet emission standards. Between 1976 and 1981, General Motors phased in Motorola custom microcomputers into all of their vehicles.

Vehicles manufactured prior to these years would be ideal from an EMF exposure. However, these are few and far between, pricey, and most have an extremely rusted chassis making them unfit for the road. Furthermore, we are seeing a parts shortage, making it advisable to focus your search on a vehicle with viable parts that can be sourced from a junkyard.

In 2008, vehicles across the board were “upgraded” with more computer chips. Often this translated to the addition of the in-dash monitor, but not always. We focused our search exclusively to vehicles produced before 2008.

Overall, older is better when it comes to nnEMFs. However, there are always exceptions. The 1987 Buick Century has remarkably high magnetic fields, despite being a large, older vehicle.

Are Electric and Hybrid Cars Low EMF?

Electric cars in particular emit high levels of dirty electricity, thus electric cars and hybrid cars would be prudent to avoid. While some may declare that Tesla cars are shielded and emit lower magnetic fields, those with EHS tend to feel particularly terrible in electric vehicles. I trust the human body over man’s instruments any day of the week! If you are sensitive to EMFs, I would steer clear of hybrid or electric cars. Some with EHS can feel an electric vehicle driving by their house as the fields are so strong.

This article from Dr. Joel M. Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley, confirms what I have been teaching regarding the state of “science” today in our How to Research Everything series:

Unfortunately, much of the research conducted on this issue has been industry-funded by companies with vested interests on one side of the issue or the other which makes it difficult to know which studies are trustworthy.  

Simply search for the word “science” on our website and your mind will be blown at the shenanigans, such as one cancer researcher who faked over 60 studies and is still eligible to receive funding from the US government for his research!

Do Gas or Diesel Engines Emit EMFs?

Both gas and diesel engines emit detectable magnetic fields. Very significant magnetic fields are emitted by the alternator and other parts of a combustion engine of any age. These fields vary by model of vehicle.

As the location of the alternator varies between vehicles, this might be something to research at home to rule out models. The farther the alternator is from the driver’s seat, the better.

Additionally, the more power an engine boasts, the higher the potential EMF exposure. 

How Can I Measure for EMFs in My Vehicle?

Examine the fields at the feet, arms, pelvis, and head areas for a comparison between vehicles. I suggest writing your findings down.

Take magnetic, electrical, and potentially dirty electricity (more labor intensive and requires more gadgets) readings while the vehicle is running stationary, in neutral, in movement, and with various components turned on and off, such as the a/c, radio, etc.

Examine your meters with everything shut off, focusing on RFs while the vehicle is shut off.

Also, I would suggest taking readings while opening the doors. This may sound odd, but one truck with an aftermarket modification emitted extremely high RFs while doors were being opened and shut.

When taking your readings, try to find a pristine area without any RFs or background readings of electrical or magnetic fields. It is critical to do these tests off of the car lot and in a low-EMF environment.

Power seats often create a magnetic field that is nearly constant when the vehicle is turned on.

Can You Shield EMFs in the Vehicle?

While this is something I could research, this is simply not my area of expertise. Those who do offer their (often cost-prohibitive) applied knowledge in this area report that it is very tricky and generally doesn’t work well.

With that said, Less EMF does offer some advice in their shielding FAQs section under the headline “How Can I Shield Magnetic Fields in My Car?” This is free information, from a source I personally trust.

If you’re new here, I trust almost no one with something so precious as my health!

Other non-EMF Considerations

We live in the rust belt of the United States, with metal-degrading salt spread every winter on the roads. Initially we attempted to locate a vehicle in our area, but our attempts were futile. Ultimately we settled on a 2004 Ford F-150 that had been in Texas and Georgia for it’s “life.”

Used car dealerships used to have a bad reputation. I assure you, it is worse than it used to be based on our nightmarish experience. In order to make a purchase, we required an extensive inspection from our choice of a third-party mechanic and body shop local to the dealership. Most scoffed, insisting that their mechanics are the best. Reviews told us otherwise.

We did offer to pay for the time of a valet to transport a vehicle.

During our research we uncovered (and caught one dealership red-handed) a very concerning practice: painting over or coating rust on the vehicle body to hide it from buyers. Appearances can, indeed, be very deceiving.

Before taking the step of a mechanic and body shop, we requested photos of the undercarriage. Often this ruled out vehicles. We marvel at how many vehicles must be on the road that are structurally unsound!

With that said, a little surface rust on the undercarriage was remediable via a Line-X underbody coat. We are very pleased with this and it also helps protect the undercarriage. After all, if you have no frame, you have no car!

Radio Frequencies (and More) in Cars

As we will continue to discuss, there are multiple sources of RFs from vehicles today. In fact, I’ve been unable to leave our usually safe 6-acre-woods since June 2019 due to the unbearably high level of RFs in the world today.

While many are focused on 5G, how many are examining their home and car for sources of exposure to radiation?

The above image is from a presentation by Dr. Theodore Metsis, a Greek mechanical, electrical and environmental engineer, in 2017. Here is an except from a letter he wrote:  

Modern cars namely 2018 models have high low-frequency radiation arising from many wireless sensors incorporated in today’s automotive technology

Attached is a drawing with most of these sensors you find in modern vehicles.

Depending on the wiring architecture inside the car, EMFs are more pronounced depending also on fuse box location, battery and alternator position and currents flowing close to the cabin.

EMFs in a car in motion with brakes applied + ABS activation may well exceed 100 mG. Adding RF radiation from blue tooth, Wi Fi, the cell phones of the passengers, the 4G antennas laid out all along the major roads plus the radars of cars  already equipped with, located behind, left or right of a vehicle, the  total EMF and EMR fields will exceed any limits humans can tolerate over a long period of time.

EHS people are nowadays searching for pre 2000 models otherwise they cannot drive them and low frequency EMF is very difficult to shield.

In Sweden with more that 200000 EHS citizens there are special Navigation maps showing the roads these people have to follow avoiding cell phone base stations.

With the 5G application and V2V and V2I connectivity, the conditions inside the car will be appalling and this is why we will have autonomous vehicles because driving under these conditions cannot be sustained over a long period.

Cars in effect will be micro-wave ovens on wheels!

How Can I Reduce EMFs in My Car?

There are are some simple steps you can take to reduce exposure to EMFs in your car.

– First, disable Bluetooth and WiFi on all devices, including any in-dash radio. While this helps, please don’t be duped into believing that this halts the transmission of RFs. On the contrary, anything that has a Bluetooth connection or the capability to connect to the Internet of Things/ Bodies will continue to emit RFs when disabled. However, there is a substantial decrease.

Please note that WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth can only be disabled on some makes and models of vehicles.

– Secondly, do not use your cell phone, laptop, GPS, or other device that connects to WiFi in your vehicle, if possible. The radio frequencies bounce around as the car is a partial Faraday cage. I strongly recommend placing your device in a Faraday bag while in the car, or wrapping it in foil. Devices can be remotely turned on- and it happens. It sounds like something out of a Sci-Fi movie, and I was skeptical until it happened to us with multiple phones! Putting your phone on airplane mode does help but it still emits RFs.

– Thirdly, sit as far back from the engine as you can safely. Safety first!

– Many vehicles have a LoJack or other GPS tracking system. Some are from the factory while others are installed by dealerships. Have a trusted mechanic look and see if there is one and remove it if one is present. This will reduce RF exposure a little and it only takes a few minutes. It’s a very inexpensive way to reduce your exposure a little!

– Afterparty car alarms and keyless entries emit substantially higher levels of RFs based on my testing (and symptoms!). I suggest removing or disabling these systems. Car alarms and keyless entries that were original to vehicle may or may not be tolerable if you are sensitive.

– If the vehicle was built prior to 2008, I suggest replacing an aftermarket computer display radio with a fully analog radio. Replacements may be purchased on eBay, but be diligent to ensure that they do not have Bluetooth or WiFi capability. Most new radios on the market at least have Bluetooth, including the cheap $25 radios. Swapping the radio is quick and many people do it themselves. Please note that this is not an option for newer vehicles as removal of the dashboard computer can completely disrupt the function of the vehicle in entirety.

– Power door locks and power windows do emit magnetic and electric fields, but I find them negligible myself. (I did not test for dirty electricity in that regard, so consider that if relevant.) Some may need to avoid these features or have the system swapped to manual door locks and manual windows.

Are Pickups Lower EMF?

The inverse square law tells us that the farther we can get from EMF sources, the better. Pickups allow for driver and passengers to sit farther away from the engine compartment.

Based on my experience and that of many with EHS, along with basic logic, pickups are likely the best type of vehicle to reduce exposure to EMFs. However, pickups are in extremely high demand as there is quite the shortage.

In most cases, the longer the vehicle, the more space there will be between people and emitting engine devices. But again, there are always exceptions.

What Is the Best Low EMF Car?

Based on my personal experience, older Ford trucks are optimal. Others do well with Toyotas or a diesel Mercedes car from 1981 to 1985. Diesel vehicles, however, are often less tolerable for those who are chemically sensitive. Diesel exhaust wrecks me, personally, and were not an option for my husband as diesel exhaust anywhere on our property ends my day.

There simply is no one-size-fits-all solution, but the fewer features, bells, and whistles, the more your body will breathe a sigh of relief rather than lapse into fight-or-flight mode at the assault of toxic nnEMFs on your cells!

Simple is better. Go back to the basics!

Original Source Link: https://non-toxic-home.org/f/emfs-in-cars-finding-a-low-emf-car-and-reducing-emf-exposure?fbclid=IwAR1ap0j3InHxR7QsoBMfhmbWtetOCvzuqxT0GxE7Vfe7KDjY8EWPZs_shu4