It’s highly ironic, but your laptop is dangerous on your lap. Researchers are warning laptop companies that they need to change the name of the product to protect users’ health.

Like holding a cell phone too close to your head, holding a laptop so close to your body means the radiation flows directly into your body—and into some of your most vital organs. And if you’re pregnant, of course, the dangers are even worse.

If you measure the electromagnetic radiation levels of a laptop on a gauss meter, you’ll find that many have levels higher than 200 milligauss—and safe ranges are less than 0.3.

It’s not like the computer manufacturers don’t warn us. If you take the time to look in your manual (which many of us don’t), you’ll probably find wording something to this effect: “Warning: Do not place on lap.” And actually, these days, you just need to look at the bottom of your laptop and you’ll likely find this kind of warning:  

“Warning: Do not block the outlet of fan grill. Place the machine on hard surface only. Caution: This surface is hot. Avoid body contact and do not place this notebook on your lap while it is operating.”

And if you research the subject, you’ll find that even the FCC report regarding safety from EMFs way back in 1996 states that a laptop needs to be placed at least 20 cm from the body. Read more about thermal dangers of a laptop.

Non-Thermal Dangers

But all this just refers to thermal dangers of radiation—the ionizing kind. The warnings are telling us to be careful so we don’t cook ourselves. Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story when it comes to your laptop being dangerous. Even if you use your laptop on a desk, there are still dangers from the non-ionizing type of radiation it emits.

Research published in the Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health shows a study in which researchers evaluated five commonly used laptops of different brands.

They found that EMF values were within the guidelines created by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP); however, they were “considerably higher than the values recommended by two recent guidelines for computer monitors magnetic field emissions, MPR II (Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation) and TCO (Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees), and those considered risky for tumor development.”

The researchers also found that the radiation values became alarmingly high when the laptop was used close to the body. The power supply induces strong intra-corporal electrical current densities in both adult and fetus subjects—71%-483% and 1882%-263% higher, respectively, than ICNIRP basic restrictions recommend to prevent adverse health effects.

 They concluded:

“Laptop is paradoxically an improper site for the use of a LTC, which consequently should be renamed to not induce customers towards an improper use.”

The radiation values in laptops were actually deemed risky in these guidelines for tumor development.

Dangers of WiFi

 Much has been studied about the dangers of the non-ionizing radiation of WiFi in particular. Researcher Dr. Magda Havas, Professor of Environmental & Resource Studies, Trent University, ON, Canada, states:

 “The scientific evidence clearly shows that microwave radiation at levels well below [international] guidelines…with Wi-Fi routers causes cancer in laboratory animals, causes heart palpitations in sensitive adults, causes reduced sperm motility and viability, and is associated with symptoms of electrosensitivity that include – but are not limited to – cognitive dysfunction, pain, fatigue, mood disorders (depression, anxiety, irritability), dizziness, nausea, weakness, skin problems, and tinnitus.”

A number of organizations, as well, have also given strong warnings about all technology that emits radiation similar to that of WiFi. And the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Toxicology Program have also studied the research on the effects of non-thermal radiation on human health.

Their updated results are that, among other things, radiation can significantly increase the risk of glioma, a deadly brain tumor. They have classified RF as a possible carcinogen, the same as lead and DDT.

Your Reproductive Health May be at Risk

If you’re a man, you need to be particularly careful. Using a laptop is dangerous on your lap, especially if you’re hoping to have children. A study evaluating the direct impact of laptop use on human sperm was published in January 2012 in Fertility & Sterility, showing a significant decrease in sperm motility (movement) and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation. And this was after just four hours of exposure.

The results of this study are similar to those done in studies with men wearing cell phones on a belt or in pants pockets, published earlier in 2008 in Fertility & Sterility, which showed statistically significant changes in the men’s sperm count.

Although these studies on laptops measured non-thermal effects, there are other studies that have showed that sperm may also be damaged through thermal effects when a laptop is used on a lap if a man’s legs are held close together. Read more about men’s reproduction dangers due to laptop use.

Laptop Radiation Linked with Testicular Cancer

Men’s testes are endangered by laptop use in yet another way. According to environmental consultant Cindy Sage:

“Overwhelming evidence shows that RF can cause DNA damage, and DNA damage is a necessary precursor to cancer.”

Really bringing the point home, David Carpenter, MD, director of the institute for Health & Environment at the University of Albany, states:

“When you hold your laptop on your lap, what you’re essentially doing is radiating your pelvis. So that all the concerns that affect that area are of concern.”

He cites a number of studies that point to a heightened risk of testicular cancer for men who keep radiation-emitting devices close to their pelvises.

Carpenter adds a note about pregnant women:

“The studies aren’t quite there yet, but I think we can say that anything that might cause cancer almost always causes birth defects, so pregnant women—or those wanting to become pregnant soon—should take extra precautions.”

Is Wired less Dangerous than Wireless?

There are conflicting reports on this question. Some claim that using WiFi or 3G connectivity is more dangerous because of the radiation from these sources (on top of that coming off the laptop itself). They say it’s better to use cable connection and keep the wireless ability switched off.

Other experts say laptops are even more dangerous when they’re plugged in and charging, because computer-charging devices are ungrounded. They claim that the amount of radiation you’re exposed to when your laptop is plugged in compared to that running on a battery is 100x higher.

How to Make your Laptop Less Dangerous

Either way, it’s clear you should be cautious in using your laptop. For protection from thermal protection, keep it off your lap and away from all your vital organs. And for non-thermal radiation, the easiest and most effective thing to do is to get laptop radiation protection.

In the same way we use sunscreen to prevent being harmed by the sun and we wash our hands to keep from getting sick, using laptop radiation protection in today’s world is simply common sense.

Check out the EarthCalm Torus for the most effective protection on the market today from your laptop’s radiation, wherever you take it. (It also provides protection from radiation from all other wireless devices, such as tablets, eReaders, video games, iPads and baby monitors.)

Share This Post