If you are reading this today, you’re probably asking yourself the same question I did several months ago:
Do EMF blocking clothes actually work?
If you’ve researched the topic long, you’ll realize you can’t do #allthethings or else you’ll end up looking like some sort of aluminum-covered RoboMan ready to launch into space.
I understand wanting to protect yourself, but I also get not wanting to be labeled one of those tinfoil hat-wearing people.
Fortunately, shielded clothing has come a long way. You can now wear it, and no one will know the difference.
But still, the question today is:
Does it work? And perhaps more importantly, how does it work?
Let’s answer that today, shall we? 🙂
Table of Contents
How Does Protective Clothing Block EMF Radiation?
When people talk about EMF, they’re usually using it as an umbrella term to describe both frequencies and radiation. The explanation of how shielded materials work is a little different depending on which force you’re talking about.
So let’s look at magnetic fields/frequencies:
Magnetic fields work differently than, say, x-rays. To explain, magnetic waves always travel from North to South.
You can see this in action when you put two magnets together. North and South attracts, while the same poles facing each other repel. Magnetic field lines will always take the path of least resistance during their travels.
That’s where shielding materials come in.
They work by creating a greater path of resistance so that the EMFs will travel around the material instead of through it.
And now for the radiation part:
In the realm of physics, radiation shielding is described in terms of attenuation – aka the gradual reduction in force as waves pass through any given substance, usually by scattering or absorbing photons.
This attenuation level is what’s measured when we’re talking about shielded clothing. Its protective value is generally measured in decibels – the higher the number, the greater the protection.
Here’s a quick list to give you an idea of how this translates:
- 10 decibels = 90% reduction
- 20 decibels = 99% reduction
- 30 decibels = 99.9% reduction
- 40 decibels = 99.99% reduction
And so on.
Most EMF apparel lies in the 25-50 decibel range.
Common Materials Used
The most popular materials used to attenuate electromagnetic fields (including radio frequencies) are:
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Silver
- Stainless Steel
- Nickel
With silver, stainless steel, and nickel being most effective (up to 200X more shielding power than copper).
However, nickel-shielded clothing poses a problem for those who are sensitive or allergic to nickel. For this reason, the vast majority of EMF clothes and fabrics are made using silver stainless steel.
For comfort reasons, shielded clothing is generally mixed with materials like cotton, rayon, and polyester. The metal materials only make up a fraction of the overall fabric – usually no more than 15%.
If you look at the tags, you might see words like:
- Naturell
- Radiashield
- Silverell
- Staticot
These are most often patented blends of things like cotton and silver. Be careful to avoid labels that don’t tell you the exact percentages of materials used. In some cases (though not all), these “patented blends” are just code for “we barely used any protective materials but we don’t want to tell you that.”
But we’ll discuss that more in a bit in the “does it work?” section.
Options for EMF Protection Clothing in 2020
For any clothing items below (if you choose to shop at the company I recommend – EMRSS), you can use code ‘JBEATEMF’ to get my discount.
1. Head Gear
This category includes things like baseball caps, beanies, hoods, headbands, scarves, and more.
Obviously, their point of protection is the head – more specifically, the brain. As you might expect, your brain is one of the most important areas to shield from any type of radiation or harmful frequency range.
2. Shirts
They make tops in all sorts of designs, even professional button-down varieties for the workplace. However, I think the cheaper, less aesthetically pleasing t-shirts work just fine for this purpose since you can wear them underneath anything.
3. Pants
Whether at work or leisure, the EMF protection industry has you covered. When I was shopping the other day, I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the pant designs. They’ve come a long way! Still, I’m a work-at-home mom so the PJs and sweatpants are right up my alley 🙂
4. Underwear
With the rise of concern regarding EMF and fertility issues, protective undergarments are pretty popular. Distance is always your best friend here – aka don’t carry your phone in your front pocket all day.
But some extra measures of protection can certainly help. They make shielded undergarments for women and boxer briefs for men.
5. Maternity Clothes and Accessories
If I were to identify one demographic that can benefit from EMF blocking clothes the most (besides those of us who are hypersensitive), it would be pregnant women.
There are simply too many studies done on the effects of radiation and electromagnetic fields on unborn babies to ignore it. Fortunately, this area of the clothing line is the most stylish…since you know…us mamas want to look good!
My personal favorite is the belly bands. I used them all the time to extend the hem of my shirt AND to cover the fact that I had my jeans unbuttoned…ya know…to accommodate the growing belly without having to spend a ton on maternity clothes lol
They even make adorable nursing covers for continued protection after baby arrives.
I actually have a separate guided dedicated to EMF protective maternity clothes.
6. Gloves and Socks
The gloves are especially helpful when working on laptops. They’re a source of high EMF exposure since you have to hold your hands over the keyword in order to work. They also offer protection while texting and surfing social media on your phone.
7. Jackets, Vests, and Outerwear
The EMF shielded hoodies are probably most popular since they combine both abdominal and head protection. However, they make more professional designs as well.
Potential Problems
Now we get to the nitty gritty. As great as protective clothing is, it does have its downsides. Let’s look at a few:
- It can be uncomfortable
When you start mixing metal into fabric, things can get a little rough. We’re used to smooth fabrics like fleece and cotton, so the transition can be an adjustment for some. Be sure to read reviews before purchasing EMF clothes to get an idea of fit and feel.
- It can get pricey
I’m not one to put a price on protection, but still, most of us have budgets to stick to. Shielded clothing also requires special detergent because standard laundry soap can interact with the metals and render them ineffective.
The detergent itself isn’t terribly expensive and lasts a long time since you’re only washing your EMF clothing in it, but it is an added expense to consider.
- Some clothing is made with chemicals and dyes
Most of us who are concerned about EMFs are also concerned about chemicals and potentially harmful dyes. You’ll need to read the description or label carefully and look for any known irritants.
- You can’t have anything that emits radiation between you and the clothes
To explain this point, think of the clothing as a gate. Gates serve to keep things out, but they’re also used to keep what’s inside the perimeter in.
An EMF blocking shirt will keep EM fields from seeping through, but it will also trap any EMFs underneath it from escaping. For most people, this won’t be a problem.
Once instance I can think of to illustrate how this could be bad is if you wear headphones around your neck and let them rest under your shirt while not in use. But it’s just best not to do that anyway 🙂
Does EMF Shielding Clothing Work?
Simply put:
It depends.
I know…not a great answer, but let me explain.
There are so many fakes out there because manufacturers realized this was a pain point for many people, and they wanted to capitalize on it. That’s the hard (and sad) truth.
Most clothing products will even say on the packaging something like “not all shielded fabrics are created equal.”
The important thing to look for is the attenuation level measured in decibels (dB). You’ll look for both the decibel count (refer to bulleted chart above) and the frequency range.
The product label or included documentation should read something like:
30 dB at 1-20 GHz, indicated its shielding ability in the frequency range of 1-20.
To put that in perspective, most cell phones operate in the range of 300 MHz to 3 GHz.
But thanks to the upcoming 5G networks, that range will be a minimum of 6 GHz all the way up to 100 GHz, but that’s a topic (and rant) for another day.
Bottom line?
You always want to verify attenuation ability. If the clothing item doesn’t list a decibel count and frequency range, it’s not legitimate.
Final Verdict: Is EMF Clothing a Scam?
The only time it’s a scam is if it doesn’t tell you the product’s attenuation rate. If you’re browsing a product page, and you can’t find its shielding ability in decibel form anywhere, don’t buy it.
From reputable companies with stated attenuation levels, I personally encourage the use of EMF blocking clothes. For me, it just makes sense to shield the person as opposed to everything around them.
However, this type of apparel should just be one part of an overall EMF defense strategy.
The 2 most effective ways to protect yourself from EMF radiation will always be elimination and distance.
I’ve heard opposition say that protection clothing is just a Band-aid fix. But I say, even Band-aids play an important role in the healing process by keeping the wound clean as it heals.
It never hurts to shield yourself as you take steps to eliminate sources of electromagnetic fields from your environment (which can be a long process).
Don’t forget to use code ‘JBEATEMF’ to get my discount if you decide to get some clothes!
I hope this quick guide helps you better understand how EMF clothing works, so you can make the best decision for you and your family! Any questions? Just ask in the comments.
