devices Archives - Eco Health Solutions

How to Connect to the Ethernet – Computer, Phone and Tablet

by Lucinda Curran | building biology, buildings and health, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, indoor environmental health, mobile phone, radiofrequencies

Connecting to the Ethernet has many benefits, no matter who you are or what your reason is.

If you are looking for a safer way to use the internet than wifi – this if for you.
If you want to have a good connection for video calls or games – this is for you.
If you want to stream movies, etc more smoothly – this is for you.

How To Connect to the Ethernet – Simply, Cheaply and For Your Health

Here are the simple step-by-step instructions to connect to the Ethernet.

I am going to assume zero knowledge and explain things as simply as possible. Let’s start with some definitions.

Definitions

What is “Ethernet”?

Simply put, the Ethernet is your cabled internet connection.

It is the same as LAN (local area network).

The connection is an RJ-45 – seen here. (Please bear in mind that the cable and plug is often blue or yellow, but may be different colours. Do look at the plug part of it – this is the important bit.)

To the right here, is an image of an Ethernet cable with a close up of the plug.

EMF Basics

EMF

EMF is the abbreviation for electromagnetic fields. There are many different types of EMF.

Wireless

Wireless technology depends on radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME). We do sometimes use more complicated terms. But everything wireless is either HF or RF.

Wired

Wired technology can create a variety of different types of EMF.

If it is wiring or appliances connected to the mains it is “ELF AC” EMF. This is extremely low frequency alternating current EMF. This is man-made. Because it goes back and forth (thus “alternating”) it creates magnetic fields and electric fields that are often high, and problematic for many people.

If it is something that runs on battery, it is not alternating, and generally the fields are lower.

Something You May Need – Your “Charging Cable”

To simplify this post, I wanted to explain what I mean here by a “charging cable.”

All devices and phones come with a cable to charge them when the battery gets low. Most of them are made up of a cable that is inserted into a plug that you put into a powerpoint.

When you separate them out, you will have two parts – the plug and the charging cable. The charging cable will have a USB plug on the end.

Goal

The goal is to reduce exposure to wireless EMF and also the AC EMF.

As such, we are looking to work from batteries, and reduce exposure to other EMF to levels as low as possible.

Another good reason is to have a steady connection which aids smooth streaming.

EXPERT TIPS

Once you are connected, please make sure you turn off Bluetooth, 3G/4G/5G and wifi.
Your phone, tablet or device will be connected to the internet and can be used in FLIGHT MODE. This is recommended.
Be aware that when your phone is in FLIGHT MODE you cannot make or receive calls. You can send and receive text messages.

Here’s How to Use the Internet via Ethernet

Modem or Router

Firstly, your modem/router needs to be one that doesn’t emit HF/RF. Depending on where you are and if you are connected to the NBN yet or not, the type of modem will vary.

Generally, you can get a modem/router that cannot be used wirelessly from online stores.

When looking to purchase one, you need to ask a key question – which is actually the opposite of what you want.

Can I use this wirelessly?

By asking this, you find out if it emits HF/RF. If the answer is, “No” – then this is GREAT. If the answer is “Yes” – you need to keep looking.

(The reason to ask this way around is that any modem/router can be used via cable/ethernet – so you won’t find out if it emits HF/RF EMF.)

Computer

Simply plug your ethernet cable into your modem/router and into the socket (plug hole) on your computer.

** be sure to turn off wifi, bluetooth, etc on your computer as well

(The reason to switch these off is that even if you are not using them, if they are on, they are searching for a signal.)

Tablets, Phones and Other Devices

This is a tiny bit more complex, but very very easy.

You need to determine if you have an Apple product or an Android product. Once you have that figured out, you can follow these simple steps.

Apple (iOS)

The more recent Apple phones and tablets have a “lightning” connection. I will walk you through both options – so let’s do one at a time.

Lightning to Ethernet

This is quite a small plug and on your device, it will look like this:

This is where it plugs into:

You will need three parts so that you can connect these to the internet via ethernet.

A Lightning Ethernet Connector for Devices

STEP 1 What you do is plug your Ethernet Connector for Devices into your device/phone/tablet.

STEP 2 Plug the ethernet cable into your Ethernet Connector for Devices.

Ultimately, you and up with a connection that looks a bit like this…

Schematically this connection is:

modem/router ->Ethernet Connector for Devices -> Device/Phone/Tablet

Non-Lightning Connections

In this instance, you will follow the instructions for the Androids – below.

Androids (and Non-Lightning Connections)

Note: not all Androids support Ethernet use.

** check with the manufacturer before purchasing equipment **

You will need three parts so that you can connect these to the internet via ethernet.

Your charging cable
A female to female USB adaptor like this one
An internet adaptor like this one

STEP 1 What you do is plug your charging cable into your device/phone/tablet.

STEP 2 Then, attach the female to female USB adaptor on the end.

a female to a female usb adaptor — Charging Cable attaches to female to female USB adaptor

STEP 3 Next you will plug the internet adapter into the female to female USB adaptor.

ethernet converter — Attach the Ethernet Adaptor to the female to female USB adaptor

STEP 4 Finally, you will plug your ethernet cable into the end of the internet adaptor.

ethernet connection — Plug your Ethernet cable into the Ethernet Adaptor

Schematically this connection is:

modem/router -> Ethernet Adaptor -> female to female USB Adaptor -> Charging Cable -> Device/Phone/Tablet

I hope you find this really helpful and easy to follow.

Here’s to the safer and smoother use of technology! 🙂

Use Your Laptop or Device Safely: How to Reduce Your EME Exposure

by Lucinda Curran | building biology, buildings and health, ehs, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, grinding teeth, health, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, mobile phone, radiofrequencies, sleep, stress, wifi, wireless technology

Device-Use…

Device-use (tablets, laptops and smart phones) has skyrocketed since I first wrote this post back in 2014. They not only are used widely but dominate the lives of many.

The rampant use of devices is apparent when looking about. So many people walk down the street glued to their device. Somehow they manage to avoid colliding with power poles and people.

It has become such a problem that we have new phrases, like “Digital Detox” as part of our vocabulary, now.

With my work as an Indoor Environmental Health Consultant, I get a range of enquiries from people about different things. One of the biggest areas of questioning is about reducing exposure to electromagnetic energy (RF EME).

The most asked question is, “How can I use my laptop or device safely?”

There are three types of EME exposure associated with laptops and devices which will be discussed below.

Let’s cover a bit of the scientific background so it makes more sense.

AC Electric Fields – ELF

The electric fields emitted from many household appliances fall into the category of Extra Low Frequency (ELF). Electric fields are created where there is electricity under pressure. This means that any wiring connected to a power source, can emit an electric field.

Further, a buildings’ wiring can have an electric field even when there are no appliances plugged in. Electric fields can occur when an appliance is plugged in and not in use.

I always recommend people to unplug cords from power points when they are not in use.

Electric fields are also proportional to voltage and they decrease with distance from the source. Therefore, keeping away from appliances that are plugged in can reduce exposure.

Common sources include power lines, household wiring, lighting, and smartphone chargers. As well as all appliances, including, hair straighteners, irons, kettles, electric blankets, electric ovens, electric hot water systems, slab heating…

ELF electric fields have been associated with Electrical Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS), also known as Electrical Sensitivity (ES). This condition can manifest with some or all of these and other symptoms:

skin symptoms (a feeling of itchiness or biting, redness, a burning sensation)
eye symptoms (redness, dryness, pain)
poor concentration, and
dizziness.

Some other health effects that have been associated with ELF electric fields include:

sleep disturbances,
fatigue,
headache,
ringing in the ears (tinnitus),
and a constant feeling of a cold or flu about to start but not eventuating.

AC Magnetic Fields – ELF

Magnetic fields exist in nature. This can be seen when the field of the earth causes the compass needle to point to north.

However, it is with man-made magnetic fields that we are mostly concerned.

Magnetic fields are created when an appliance is switched on. That is, it directly relates to a current being drawn. This is why I always recommend clients turn off any appliance that is not in use at the wall.

Magnetic fields arise from the motion of the electrical charge (WHO, 2012). This is especially the case in alternating current (AC) as the electricity changes direction frequently.

Common sources of ELF magnetic fields are the same as for Electric Fields.

There is a large body of evidence that links ELF magnetic fields with biological changes. Possible health effects, according to Professor Adey, include:

a reduction in the immune system,
abnormal foetal development,
changes to cell growth and development,
changes or interruptions to the brain and central nervous system

Other linked or suspected health effects include breast cancer, miscarriage, depression and suicide.

Radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME)

On the electromagnetic spectrum, radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) is between 3kHz and 300GHz. Here we measure the combined electric and magnetic fields and refer to this as electromagnetic radiation.

There is an ever-increasing range of sources for radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) as we move towards wireless technology.

As the race to “get rid of unsightly wires” continues, we are adding many layers of convenience to our lifestyles. Some of these “advances” include driverless cars, 5G and so on.

Sources include mobile phone towers, cordless telephones, satellite transmitters, mobile phones, tablets and i-pads, wireless games such as Wii and X-Box, many baby monitors, wireless computer accessories including printer, keyboard, and mouse, wireless internet connections, smart meters and so on.

Numerous health concerns have been linked with RF electromagnetic energy. These include:

disturbed sleep,
headaches,
learning difficulties,
concentration problems,
fatigue,
waking feeling unrefreshed,
anxiety,
depression,
muscle and joint aches and pains,
ringing in the ears,
hearing loss,
palpitations, and more.

As well, there have been some links made to brain tumours, epilepsy, blood pressure, and lowered immunity.

UPDATE (Jan 2020): As we speak, research is being done as the new technology of 5G is being rolled out.
What is evident is that there is not enough research that shows it is safe to use.
Some of the concerns centre around the fact that we will be utilising even higher up the electromagnetic spectrum, into the millimetre waves.
Millimetre waves do not travel very far, and cannot penetrate walls, however, they can penetrate our skin and our eyes. (Lower levels of RF EME can penetrate deeper into our bodies.)

How Can I Use My Laptop or Device Safely?

1. Laptops and devices have a massive advantage over the desktop computer, in my eyes

This advantage is that they can be used on battery. Anything that is plugged in uses AC power. AC stands for “alternating current.” Alternating current is where electricity passes back and forth through the wires. In contrast, a battery uses DC, or “direct current” – which only goes one way. In short, DC is safer than AC.

Unplug the charger and use your laptop or device on battery.

2. No matter what, I always recommend that you used wired connections – for Internet, mouse and keyboard.

This point is a bit of a 3-for-1 deal – I can’t just give you three tips!

Ultimately, this tip is about reducing your exposure to the radio frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Here’s the best things that you can do – get a keyboard and mouse that you can plug into your laptop. (Not all devices have this option, so I would suggest using a stylus instead of your fingers.)

Using the wired keyboard and mouse means that you have a greater distance from your laptop. This is always a good thing. It also means that you are not relying on a wireless (radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) connection).

Using a wired Internet connection is part of this solution.

Note that you will also need to turn off the Wi-Fi capabilities on your computer. Otherwise, it will constantly be searching for a connection. Leaving it on would then be defeating the purpose of using a wired connection) AND you will need to have a modem that does not have Wi-Fi capabilities.

Finding one can be a little tricky. I located some at my local office supply store. I got a modem that had no aerial and only worked via Ethernet connections. It only cost about $50.

So, swap your wireless bits and pieces for wired/cabled equivalents.

3. Despite its name, do not EVER use your laptop or device on your lap.

We have already discussed the health implications above, and I have pointed out that distance is the key.

The other thing to think about is that by having it on your lap, it is close to your reproductive organs.

Science is only beginning to recognise and accept that there can be health effects beyond the thermal changes.

A bit of background information

When radar began to be used mid last century, the thermal effects of radiofrequency EME were recognised as problematic for health.

The thermal effects on the body have been used as the measuring stick for health effects. This is despite the fact that the vast array of associated health effects have nothing to do with tissues being warmed.

Therefore, never use your laptop or device when it is in contact with your body.

There you have it – 3 tips to help you use your laptop or device more safely.

I hope you have found this information helpful. Please feel free to get in touch with me if there is more you would like to hear about.

POSTSCRIPT

As things have evolved, there are many laptop mats that shield from wireless technology (RF).

TAKE CARE!

RF EME can bounce back off the mat. This can increase what you are exposed to. So if you are sitting over it, it can be a double whammy.

As much as it would be lovely to have a “magic pill” to protect us from RF…

The best and most reliable way is to not have it.

This is a stretch for many people, but would you knowingly put your health at risk?

Available in store now – all for shielding/reducing your exposure to ELF AC Electric Fields:

It is also important to consider connectivity – using an ethernet adaptor is key. Read more here.