We know electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are everywhere. Our phones, tablets, Wi-Fi routers, and massive cell towers emit this energy all around us. But did you know there also might be cell towers and antennas hidden in plain sight right near your home? All of this exposure adds up fast, and understanding just how much you’re dealing with is the first step towards taking control.

So how can we find out where all of these towers and antennas are lurking? And what can we do about it once we know?

Why the Concern Over EMFs?

Starting with the basics – EMFs come from all the wireless devices we use everyday. Cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, wireless headphones, Bluetooth devices, and the cell towers that power our networks all emit EMFs. We are constantly bombarded with these fields, and the more sources we’re exposed to, the more our health could suffer.

Health Impacts of EMF Exposure

Since widespread wireless technology is relatively new, we don’t fully understand the long-term effects of this constant EMF exposure we’re faced with today. However, research has already identified a growing list of short-term symptoms of EMF exposure such as:

• Sleep problems
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Hormone disruptions

Research is still ongoing as scientists and doctors are aiming to understand where we’re heading. Some studies suggest long-term exposure to high levels of EMF could lead to more serious health issues down the line, including cancer. With this threat in mind, it’s important to understand how much exposure we’re actually dealing with in our day-to-day lives.

Finding Towers and Antennas Around You: Cell, 5G, Microwave

The tricky part is – you might not even notice the towers and antennas near your home or workplace. They’re often hidden on rooftops or tucked away in steeples. Some are even designed to look like trees and blend right into the scenery. In order to pinpoint nearby towers and antennas, you’ve got to do a little digging. Luckily, there are some great tools out there that can help you locate these major EMF sources.

Tools for Locating Nearby Towers and Antennas

The ironic thing is – many of these resources are advertised as a way for people to find cell towers to move closer to in order to increase their signal strength. However, EMF-minded mamas are using them for the opposite reason. We want to know exactly how much EMF exposure we’re dealing with so we know what steps to take to protect our families. Here are some of the top resources for locating cell towers near you:

• AntennaSearch: This easy-to-use website pulls up a list of all the towers and antennas around you. It includes registered and non-registered antennas, the owner, and the distance from the address you enter.
• Cell Mapper and OpenSignal: These are both apps that use crowd-sourced data to map out cell towers. They will also show the signal strength in your area, which is useful if you want to know how weak or strong your exposure is.
• FCC Tower Registration: This one is a bit more involved, but it’s a great resource if you want official information. The FCC keeps a database of all registered towers, and you can search by town and county to see everything in your area.

Tower Locator Apps: You can download apps directly on your phone such as Network Cell Info Lite or Cell Tower Locator. These make it easy to spot nearby towers, wherever you are.

What To Do With Your Findings

Once you know how many towers and antennas are around your home, it’s time to ask yourself a couple of questions:

• How close are they? Are there a bunch of towers clustered right around your home, or are they at a safe distance?
• What are our other EMF sources? Think about your home, what gadgets are adding to your total exposure? Wi-Fi routers, smart TVs, phones and tablets, smart appliances, voice assistants like Alexa – they all contribute to the EMF load in your home. 

The trouble with EMF exposure is that it’s not just coming from one source. It’s coming from all over the place, and it adds up fast. While one source on its own might not seem like a big deal, being surrounded by all of them constantly adds up. The compounding effects of all these different EMF sources can lead to the health issues mentioned above: sleep problems, headaches, fatigue, mental health challenges, and other effects we may not even know about yet.

Taking Action: How to Reduce Your EMF Exposure

Once you know what you’re dealing with, start making small changes to reduce your family’s overall exposure to EMFs. Here are a few actionable steps you can take today:

• Create distance: If you live right by a cell tower, try moving your bed, workspace, and anywhere you spend the majority of your time away from the wall that faces it. It might not seem like much, but even a little distance can make a difference.
• Reduce other EMF sources: To cut down on your overall EMF load, make a few simple changes around the house. Turn off your Wi-Fi at night, keep your wireless devices on airplane mode when you aren’t using them, and switch to wired connections for your computer if possible. If not, get in the habit of turning your computer off when you’re not using it. 
• Use EMF protection: For an extra layer of defense, look into products like Aires Tech’s Lifetune devices to help neutralize EMFs. This is especially helpful if you’re surrounded by multiple towers.

Some people who are hypersensitive to EMFs have actually relocated when a cell tower popped up near their home. However, this is simply not a realistic option for the average family, and there’s not always a guarantee that a cell tower won’t be put up nearby in the future. Thankfully, these steps above can make a big difference in the overall EMF exposure you’re dealing with.

Advocate for EMF Safety

It’s important to remember that we don’t have to simply stand by and let things happen. We can stay informed, raise awareness, and use our voices to initiate change. One way is by staying updated on new tower installations. These towers often pop up without much – if any – notice. Keep an eye on your local city websites. Ask questions. If you hear about a new tower installation happening nearby, you can attend community meetings to voice your concerns, make phone calls, or post on community pages to let other families in your community know. 

Don’t forget to speak up! If you’re concerned about towers being placed near parks, schools, or your home, reach out to local officials or join advocacy groups that push for safer technology. No advocacy groups in your area? Be the first to start one. More likely than not, there are other people in your town with similar concerns, and it only takes one person to get the ball rolling. 
If you’re not sure where to start, connect with some established advocacy groups such as the Environmental Health Trust who are actively working on raising awareness and promoting safer EMF guidelines.

Take Control of Your Environment

Knowing how many towers and antennas surrounding your home and community is the first step to making change. Once you’re aware of exactly what you’re dealing with, you can make informed decisions to protect yourself and your family from unnecessary EMF exposure.

Start with small steps to lower your EMF load, share what you know with other families in your community, and hold local policy makers and companies accountable for where they are placing these towers and antennas. Self-advocacy starts with awareness, and you can find all the information you need to take a stand!