Don't Paint Your Bedroom with Shielding Paint
Until You've Carefully Considered the Ramifications
Creating a sleep sanctuary free from external radio frequency (RF) sources is a goal many strive for in our increasingly radiated world. However, the allure of quick fixes, such as applying shielding paint, can lead to potentially devastating unforeseen complications and long-term consequences. Improper planning and implementation can create a situation that is impossible to fix due to prohibitive costs or technical challenges. This paper discusses the importance of careful planning and expert consultation before using shielding paint or other forms of unalterable shielding in your home. It is not a how-to guide; each situation is unique and should involve expert help. Shielding paint is a beautiful product, but only when applied after careful consideration. This paper will focus solely on the implications of RF shielding and will not address electric field considerations, which require different but equally important attention.
The RF radiation that powers all wireless technologies, including 'smart' phones, WiFi and Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, portable phones, and more, travels through common building materials.
Once one realizes RF radiation has never been shown to be without harm a natural response is to cease the use of all wireless tech within the home and then prevent the RF radiation from outside the home from entering. Shielding is most desirable and arguably less expensive in the context of new home construction, but can sometimes be accomplished with an existing home.
Partial Shielding vs. Full Shielding
One of the most critical considerations when using shielding paint is understanding the difference between partial and full shielding. Full shielding aims to form a continuous shield around the entire perimeter of the home, which, while not always feasible, is generally the best option for avoiding the inadvertent creation of RF 'hot spots' within the home. Partial shielding can create areas with intensified RF exposure by reflecting RF radiation off shielded surfaces and concentrating it in unshielded areas. The choice between partial and full shielding must be carefully modeled to avoid exacerbating the problem, with consideration given to potential new RF sources from different angles in the future. It is essential to involve the client in this discussion, informing them about the potential tradeoffs and ensuring they understand the implications of each option.
The Pitfalls of Shielding Paint Used by Novices
In my experience as an Independent EMF Consultant, I have seen where the use of shielding paint by inexperienced individuals has led to permanent alterations in the home's electromagnetic environment, concentrating RF radiation in other high-use areas such as a nursery, child's bedroom, or living room. These changes may require tens of thousands of dollars to rectify and, if left in place, can create an increasingly unnatural environment in the rest of the house outside the sleep sanctuary.
One important observation about the above mentioned situation is that you can only detect an increase in RF radiation intensity in the great room by taking careful readings with an appropriate meter before and immediately after applying the shielding paint and then comparing the two. Beyond that point, you will no longer be able to determine how much the partial shielding contributes to increased RF intensity throughout the rest of the house since you will never again be able to compare readings in the great room with and without the partial shielding in place. This is important if we assume increased RF sources surrounding the house over time.
Once applied, shielding paint cannot be painted over to remove its reflective properties. The only way to eliminate these properties is by removing the interior finishes (drywall, plaster, T&G, etc.), an invasive, messy, disruptive, and expensive process. Suppose the substantial funds required for such an extensive removal or remodel are unavailable. In that case, you may have to live in an RF-compromised environment of your creation for as long as you and future owners reside in the home.
Unalterable vs. Alterable Shielding
Another key consideration is the distinction between unalterable and alterable shielding. Unalterable shielding, such as shielding paint, offers a long-term solution but is irreversible once applied as mentioned above. Alterable shielding, on the other hand, allows for flexibility and adjustment. Homeowners can continuously test and modify their shielding solutions using materials like RF shielding fabric. For example, a client may shield a wall in a room with floor-to-ceiling RF shielding fabric installed as a decorative drape. In the future, it will be easy to open and close the drape, taking readings in other parts of the house to ensure this element of the overall RF shielding strategy isn't inadvertently increasing RF radiation in essential areas of the home.
The Virtue of Alterable Shielding
Alterable shielding not only provides a practical approach to modeling potential solutions before committing to unalterable measures, but it may also be the superior long-term solution. If the client is satisfied with the aesthetics, the previous example of using floor-to-ceiling RF shielding fabric as a decorative drape might be the best long-term solution for the reasons outlined. Additionally, a bed canopy made of RF shielding material offers the same qualities as alterable shielding. You can open the sides and pile the material above the bed to assess the effects of the bed canopy's shielding on other areas outside the bedroom in which it is installed. You can even remove the bed canopy in minutes for a more careful assessment.
Future RF Sources and Partial Shielding
One of the complications of using partial shielding is the potential for future RF sources to come from different directions. As new technologies and infrastructures are introduced, the RF landscape may change, rendering your initial shielding efforts less effective or even counterproductive as mentioned above. Once unalterable shielding is in place, it becomes challenging to discern the origins of new RF issues and determine how much partial shielding contributes to them. If we consider trends such as the Internet of Things and small cell deployment, there will likely be more RF sources from various directions (points of the compass) and with higher intensities. Gone are the days of a lone cell tower in the distance as the only significant RF radiation source affecting our homes.
Conclusion
Before committing to using shielding paint, or any other form of unlaterable shielding, in your bedroom or any part of your home, it is crucial to seek expert help. A trusted EMF consultant can guide you through the process, ensuring that you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Unfortunately, there are fly-by-night EMF consultants who may not fully consider the principles outlined in this paper. Remember, the goal is to create a safe and comfortable living environment, which requires careful consideration and planning.
I stayed in an apartment in Mexico that had crazy high RF readings, I think due to a cell tower in the line of sight. I put a bunch of tin foil on the (inside) walls that faced the cell tower and that improved the readings quite a bit. The tin foil covered most of the walls, but definitely not complete coverage. What do you think of this as a temporary tactic?
A little common sense and self education is required.
I sleep in a room that reads .001 RF on my tri-meter. I don’t use silver paint, I only have 1 light bulb in my room, smart meter EMF guard outside and my cellular modem is 50 feet away, with two indoor walls in between that 50 feet. Stay/sleep at least 3 feet away from your electrical outlets!