Research on the health effects of electromagnetic fields is both controversial and inconclusive. Nonetheless, a growing number of builders and designers believe limiting exposure to EMFs should be an important consideration for anyone who wants to reside in a healthy environment. The Institute for Baubiologie and Ecology in Clearwater, Florida, offers the following suggestions for creating a healthy bedroom.

• Remove as many electrical devices as possible. If you must have appliances in the bedroom, keep them at least 6 feet from your body and unplug them before sleeping. The TV is the most dangerous, even when unplugged. Place it a minimum of 3 yards from the bed.
• Avoid metal-spring mattresses. Natural mattresses without metal springs are very difficult to find. A natural futon mattress is easier to find and comes in thicknesses from 3 to 8 inches.
• Avoid metal bed frames. These often carry a magnetic field. Replace with wooden bed frames. Remove metal boxes, typewriters, and wires from under your bed.
• Avoid electric blankets. A person's normal voltage is less than 1 millivolt. An electric blanket can surround you with up to 76,000 millivolts.
• Avoid synthetic carpets. Use natural rugs or natural floor covering. Jute backing is preferable.
• Cut electricity to the bedroom. A device called a "demand switch" or "cut-off switch" automatically cuts the flow of electricity to the bedroom when there is no demand.
• Avoid waterbeds. These are like sleeping under a high-tension line. Stagnant water is depleting to the system and holds an electromagnetic charge derived from the heating element.
• Avoid ionization-type smoke detectors. These can ruin your sleep, and their damaging effects can extend up to 50 feet.
• Avoid plastic materials.
• Avoid synthetic pillows. Use natural pillows filled with cotton.
• Avoid synthetic wallpaper. Replace with natural material or nontoxic paint.
• Open window at night. Even just a little helps. This is the cheapest way to get fresh air and negative ions.
• Be aware of magnetic fields. Do not place your bed near a refrigerator, a computer, a furnace, or a TV, even if they are on the other side of the wall. Raise your bed at least 16 inches from the floor to avoid magnetic fields from wiring in the floor.
• Do not sleep directly above a garage. The metal in the car may cause distorted geomagnetic fields.
• Remove "baby phones" from a crib. They may emit strong electromagnetic fields.

© 2007 Green Home, Inc.