I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase at least once in your life – “you shouldn’t carry your phone in your pocket.” Perhaps you brushed it off as nothing significant. But hear me out: there is truth to that warning.
When you carry your phone in your pocket, you’re exposing sensitive parts of your body, particularly the reproductive system, to significant electromagnetic fieldIn the context of electromagnetic fields (EMF), the term "field" refers to a region in space where electric and magnetic forces are exerted. An electromagnetic field is generated by electrically... More (EMF) emissions.
Studies say that this exposure can lead to a range of problems, including decreased sperm count and quality, reduced testosterone levels, damage to sperm DNA, and fertility issues, among others.
You can learn more about this in my post, “Do Cell Phones & WiFi Cause Infertility? EMF and Male Fertility.”
But I don’t want to take that convenience away from you. See, my aim is not to scare you, but to simply offer alternatives to carrying your phone in your pocket.
This way, you can continue to enjoy the convenience of your phone but in a safer, healthier way.
Want to Slash Your EMF Health Risks?
Want to Slash Your EMF Health Risks?
Good! Learn the one small change you should make right now.
So, let’s begin.
How Much EMF Does a Cell Phone Emit?
Let’s break it down. Cell phones aren’t just about calls anymore.
Think about this. At first, cell phones were just for calls. Then came data and texting. Then they added WiFi and BluetoothFrom the perspective of someone concerned about the health effects of electromagnetic radiation, understanding Bluetooth radiation is crucial, especially in our increasingly wireless world. Bluetooth technology, ubiquitous in our daily... More.
And to support features like Apple Pay, they added NFC (or near-field communication). And the latest one is wireless charging.
So, the innocent-looking device in your hand is actually emitting EMF from half a dozen sources, all at once.
And even when you’re not making calls, if your phone is on and not in airplane mode, it’s actively transmitting these EMFs.
Now, while we can’t put an exact number on it (because that number fluctuates all the time, and because cell phone manufacturers often lie about how much these devices emit), one thing we can say for sure is that it’s a lot.
Even the Manufacturers Say It’s Not Safe
When you read something like this, it’s natural to second-guess the science. After all, why would these huge companies tell you that their phones are safe if they aren’t? Why would they risk it?
To answer this, I’ll have to direct your attention to the fine print in your cell phone’s manual.
A lot of people don’t even realize that cell phone manufacturers warn you not to keep your cell phone in your shirt, pants, skirt, or trouser pocket.
They give you this warning because if you do carry your phone in your pocket, your exposure level can exceed the FCC guidelines.
As just one example, the Apple iPhone 7 manual warns users to “carry iPhone at least 5mm away from your body to ensure exposure levels remain at or below the as-tested levels.”
So, as you can see, they’re covered. From a cell phone manufacturer’s viewpoint, if you carry your phone in your pocket and the radiation"Radiation" in the context of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) refers to the process by which energy is emitted and transmitted through space or a material medium in the form of electromagnetic... More level you’re receiving exceeds the FCC guidelines, it’s your fault.
SAR Isn’t Trustworthy
Now, one might argue that since all phones must be lawfully manufactured under the SAR limit, that makes them safe.
If you’re unfamiliar with SAR or Specific Absorption Rate, it’s a test that determines how much EMF your body is absorbing from a certain device.
But there’s a problem with this test, which I’ve covered in depth in my post, “What is SAR and How is Cell Phone Radiation (Not) Regulated?” So, give it a read.
In a nutshell, SAR is easier to fake because cell phone companies can test the SAR value of their phones themselves. Check “The Phone Gate scandal” for example. And second, experts believe that this test is inherently flawed.
FCC Cell Phone Regulations
But what still doesn’t make sense is that there are bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforcing strict regulations on such matters. How can cell phone companies still get by?
Well, here’s a fact for you. The FCC doesn’t think that you carry your phone in your pocket.
According to their guidelines, the “body-worn configuration should be done with the device in a belt clip or holster.”
So, the FCC tells manufacturers to test their EMF emissions based on the assumption that people will not carry their phones in their pockets.
Tell me, how long ago did that stop being fashionable? 20 years? But I have to agree that it was way safer than carrying your phone in your pocket.
Here’s the reality – we carry our phones in our pockets. But at the same time, the risks of carrying our phones in our pockets are also very real.
So, what’s the solution? Stop carrying your phone?
No. As I already said, my goal isn’t to take your phone away. Instead, I want to focus on making some minor changes in your habits so it’s at least a bit safer to carry your phone around.
Have a look.
Stop Carrying Your Phone in Your Pocket
The California Department of Public Health warns consumers not to carry their phones in their pockets.
So, if not in your pocket, where would you carry your cell phone? The answer is – as far away from your body as possible.
Even placing your phone in a belt holster or a backpack – just a few millimeters away from your body – is a major improvement.
I know it’s a bit old-fashioned, but this is one of the best things you can do to protect your body from EMF-induced problems.
“When cell phones are on, connected to a wireless network, and placed in a pocket, the radiation is two to seven times higher than if it were placed in a purse or holster,” says Dr. Lily Friedman of Comprehensive Wellness Institute in South Florida.
The reason behind this is that the power of EMF diminishes exponentially with distance. This is why “maximizing your distance from EMF sources” is one of the two key rules for living life with less EMF exposure.
So, remember, every inch, or even a few millimeters, matters.
Use Airplane Mode
Of course, many of us find it difficult (if not impossible) not to carry our phones in our pockets. After all, it’s too much of a hassle to carry a holster or a purse in certain situations.
There’s another simple solution for those who need or want to continue carrying their phone directly against their body: turn on airplane mode.
When your phone is in airplane mode, it isn’t transmitting harmful EMF radiation anymore. As long as your phone is in airplane mode, it’s safe to put it in your pocket.
Use Parts of Airplane Mode
The downside of using airplane mode is, of course, that you can’t receive any calls or texts. And for some of us, that isn’t feasible – perhaps you need to be reachable for work or your family.
While putting your phone in airplane mode is the best protection when carrying your phone, you can still reduce your phone’s radiation emissions and receive calls.
That’s because airplane mode isn’t all-or-nothing.
Pro tip: there are airplane mode options.
For instance, let’s say you need to receive a call, but that’s it. You can disable WiFi, Bluetooth, and cell data. You’ve cut a bunch of your phone’s EMF emissions.
It’s not as effective as disabling all wireless emissions with airplane mode, but it certainly makes a difference.
Use SYB EMF Radiation Protection Products
While keeping your phone at a safe distance and using airplane mode are the best ways to protect yourself from your phone’s EMF emissions when you carry it, we understand that these steps might not always be practical.
But we still recommend following these guidelines whenever possible.
And for times when it’s just not feasible, our EMF protection products are here to help.
They provide a protective barrier against your phone’s EMF emissions, keeping you safer while you carry your phone.
The SYB Phone Pouch
The SYB Phone Pouch is the perfect solution for those who can’t put their phones on airplane mode all day, or carry a bag or a purse just for the phone.
On its face, our SYB Phone Pouch looks much like a mild-mannered phone case – the kind that people use every single day to protect and carry their phones. Of course, ours is more comfortable.
But the really powerful secret of our Phone Pouch is that it deflects up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation away from your body.
And to top it off, the SYB Phone Pouch provides this powerful protection without interfering with your reception or draining your battery.
The pouch is designed to sit comfortably on your hip and is made from a soft neoprene material that is sturdy enough to carry the largest smartphones yet soft enough to provide cushioning.
It has an open section at the top so you can easily slide your phone in and out as needed while also enabling a connection to battery packs or wired headphones.
That’s the ergonomic overview. The premium feature is the one you can’t see. The radiation blocking.
How Our Cell Phone Radiation Protection Works
There’s an inside layer on each pouch that sits between you and your smartphone. It’s constructed from a layer of fine fabric, interwoven with ultra-thin metallic threads that physically repel incident radiation away from its surface.
These thread fibers are thinner than human hair. But when we weave them into this pouch, they form a shield that effectively blocks up to 99% of the radio frequency (RF) and microwave EMF radiation that your phone uses to communicate wirelessly.
After extensive practical testing, we crafted a shield that permits only a fraction of one percent of radiation to pass through, making it significantly safer to carry your phone in your pocket.
Why Shield Only on One Side?
One common question we get is, why don’t you put a shield on the other side to double the protection?
The reason is that our pouches are designed to shield your body from harmful cell phone radiation without interfering with your phone’s reception or battery life. If we surrounded your phone, it wouldn’t be able to transmit or receive any data at all.
It would protect you, for sure. But also turn your phone into an overpriced rock!
And we don’t want that to happen.
The Very Stylish SYB Pouch Deluxe
While the SYB Phone Pouch is great for carrying your phone in your pocket, if you have more than one phone or want to carry other small electronic items, it might not be enough.
This is why we designed the SYB Pouch Deluxe – with all the benefits of the SYB Phone Pouch and more.
Made With SaferBody™
Like the SYB Phone Pouch, the SYB Pouch Deluxe is also made with SaferBody™ technology. We have tested it in independent laboratories to ensure effective shielding of EMFs operating on frequencies ranging from a few MHz all the way up to 20 GHz.
This means the SYB Pouch Deluxe can effectively shield EMFs from 5G"5G" refers to the fifth generation of wireless communication technology, a step up from the previous 4G, 3G, and 2G networks. It's designed to provide faster internet speeds, more reliable... More sources as well.
Just put your phone and other small electronic gadgets in the Pouch Deluxe, and it will deflect 99% of EMFs away from your body.
Convenient & Stylish
The SYB Pouch Deluxe includes three ways to carry:
- Removable shoulder strap to use as a cross-body bag
- Hoop for carrying on your belt (with convenient Velcro for easy use)
- Removable carabiner for carrying on belt hoop
And it features:
- Two separate compartments, each with a zipper closure
- Top flap with magnet closure
- A pen holder
At 7.5” tall x 5.3” wide x 1.6” deep, the SYB Pouch Deluxe comes in a convenient size that fits literally any phone – and more.
There’s room enough for your keys, wallet, lip balm – whatever else you want to carry. And the classic black color makes it suitable for everyone – men and women, adults and kids.
Final Thoughts
While carrying your cell phone in your pocket is a huge source of EMF radiation exposure for many people, it’s definitely not the only one.
So, you need to take a holistic approach when it comes to EMF mitigation. Check out the SYB Healthy Living Tips page for more information.
But EMF is just one facet of the challenges posed by our tech-centric lifestyle. Nowadays, we rely on internet-connected devices for almost everything – shopping, socializing, entertainment, education, and more.
This pervasive digital integration brings a host of physical, mental, and emotional considerations.
This is why you need to build a healthier relationship with technology.
Learn how on The Healthier Tech Podcast, where experts from different industries share tips on making technology safer for you and your loved ones.
