On April 3, 1973, the first mobile phone was created. Since then, cell phone technology has…
Does Copper Block EMF Radiation?
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The odds are good you’ve caught a glimpse of copper’s shiny reddish exterior, perhaps in nature, a museum, or even a rock shop. Copper is the 29th element on the periodic table, and it has been found all over the globe. The oldest known usage of the metal goes all the way back to 9000 BC in northern Iraq.
It’s no wonder, then, that in the many years since man has found a multitude of uses for this corrosive metal. Copper wiring is widely used in both telecommunications and electrical applications. Copper is used for its antimicrobial properties, and many hospitals have copper door knobs and other features in order to cut down on germs. Copper is even used in compression clothing to help relieve symptoms of arthritis and diabetes.
You may have even noticed that copper is a popular component of many EMF protection products. Which begs the question — is copper radioprotective?
Does copper block EMF radiation?
The short answer? Yes, copper is effective at blocking out EMF radiation. But why is that?
Basically, copper atoms are positive ions, meaning they are missing an electron. The electrons that are there jump from atom to atom, all over copper’s surface, giving it an electrical charge. That charge means that copper is a conductive metal, and its conductivity makes it an effective at shielding against electromagnetic interference.
Copper can prevent a frequency from penetrating through its surface, which comes in handy often for electrical wiring purposes. Copper is often used, for example, in the internal wiring of electric guitars where any bleedover could lead to loud interference.
Those shielding properties also make copper a choice in EMF protective products, as well. Copper can block out a range of frequencies, including those in the RF and ELF sides of the electromagnetic spectrum. The caveat is that sometimes in order to be fully effective copper products must be grounded, which is generally a step that must be performed by a licensed electrician.
Copper products
We mentioned a few times now that copper is used in a variety of EMF protective products. Let’s take a look at a few of the more popular ones. It’s worth noting that the items on our list here do not require grounding.
Amradield Copper Fabric Blocking Conductive Fabric
Protective fabric can be used to create a number of anti-radiation devices, including purses, cell phone cases, WiFi router shields, and smart meter covers. Amradield’s copper fabric can be easily cut and sewn, making it perfect for those applications and more. These copper fabric rolls are available in a variety of lengths, ranging from 39-inches to 197-inches. All rolls are 43-inches wide. Amradield’s copper fabric is made from a cotton-polyester blend, giving it the protective properties of copper but the feel of a polyester blend. The fabric is capable of attenuating 85dB from 30MHz to 18GHz. It is worth noting, however, that this fabric is not made to be held in close proximity to the skin for extended periods of time, so this fabric would not be a good choice for EMF protective clothing.
LOVIMAG Copper Foil Tape
Copper tape can come in handy for a variety of uses, but the most relevant for our purposes here is its electromagnetic interference shielding abilities. LOVIMAG’s copper tape is highly conductive and capable of blocking out radio and extremely low frequencies. With a little creativity, copper tape can be used to build your own smart meter cover, router guard, or even wallet. LOVIMAG’s copper tape rolls are 22-yards long, and one inch wide. It is oxidization-resistant and can be used both indoors and outdoors. In addition to its EMF-shielding capabilities, copper foil tape can also be used to fight off slugs in the garden, in arts and crafts projects, to shield cables, and in soldering.
NewBeau EMF Protection Fabric
Another protective fabric, NewBeau’s shielding is made from a blend of 20% copper-nickel and 80% polyester. The interwoven metals help the fabric block frequencies ranging from 10MHz to 5GHz. Each roll of fabric runs 43” by 39”, and it can be easily cut with scissors. NewBeau recommends using the fabric for a wide array of uses, including maternity clothing, protective curtains, EMF blankets, passport covers, and computer covers. The manufacturer also notes that if you don’t feel like hand-crafting a specific item, you can simply drape the fabric over an EMF radiation source for adequate protection. NewBeau also mentions, however, that the fabric should be kept away from water.
Durherm Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas are a little different than your traditional wet or dry sauna experience. Rather, these saunas rely on the generation of infrared light to heat up the sauna’s inhabitant. Infrared saunas provide a number of cardiovascular benefits, and some experts also believe they may aid in weight loss. And while some infrared saunas generate dangerously high levels of EMF radiation, Durhern’s infrared sauna is low EMF and made from copper. Out of the box, the sauna comes folded up. Setup simply involves unfolding the unit and placing the included chair inside.
Woremor EMF Radiation Protection Cap
Woremor, the trusted manufacturer of EMF protection paint, has ventured out into the hat realm. Their radiation protection cap looks like your basic ball cap. It’s available in a variety of colors including black, red, dark navy, and charcoal. Stylish and inconspicuous, this cap blocks against both EMFradiation without drawing attention to itself. Woremor’s cap was tested and shown to reduce EMF radiation by 99.9% with a 47dB average across ELF and RF frequencies. The cap is made from a blend of 89% cotton, 8% copper, 2% silver, and 1% lycra. It is also available in sizes ranging from small to XX-large and is made in Canada.
Blocwifi WiFi Signal Shielding Bed Mat and Earthing Kit
Earthing, which is sometimes referred to as grounding, is essentially connecting to the Earth via direct contact. Ideally, this is done outside — by walking barefoot, for example. The same effect can also be achieved indoors, via the use of an Earthing mat. As an interesting byproduct, these mats are also radioprotective. Blocwifi’s bed mat, made from copper and nickel, is capable of attenuating at 82.4dB your average 4G and WiFi signals. This mat can be used to line your curtains and block outside RF and EMF radiation from entering through the window while the shades are drawn. The mat’s primary intended purpose, however, is to be placed underneath your bed. It is most effective when used in conjunction with a protective bed canopy.
Fashionzaadi Tibetan Copper Bracelet
These stylish bracelets are sold as a four-pack. They are adjustable and the neutral copper color can work with just about any outfit. The manufacturer states that these bracelets are made from Tibetan copper and designed to protect the wearer from EMF radiation, in addition to providing healing and mental clarity. The primary drawback to this product is that it’s difficult to truly test its effectiveness. That being said, if you are someone who wears a lot of jewelry, this is an attractive and potentially protective option to add to your collection.
Woremor EMF Radiation Protection Bush Hat
This is another copper-based offering from EMF paint manufacturer Woremor, whose baseball cap we mentioned earlier. Their brush hat was designed in much the same way and is made from 89% cotton, 8% copper, 2% silver, and 1% lycra. It is the copper-silver blend that makes this hat 99.9% effective at blocking EMF radiation. The hat attenuated an average of 47 dB across all frequencies. Woremor’s brush cap features a wide brim that helps protect against sun exposure as well as an adjustable head strap that helps keep the hat securely in place, even when it’s windy.
Amradield Pure Copper Gauze
Protective fabric works for a variety of different DIY protective products. Sometimes, however, you need something that can allow some signal through while still offering EMF protection. For that, there is this copper gauze from Amradield. This mesh material is ideal for projects such as DIY router guards. Simply cut the fabric to the desired size and secure it around your router. The copper will likely attenuate some of your WiFi signal. If the speed reduction is too much, create a hole in the mesh cover to allow a stronger signal through.
Final thoughts
Copper’s conductivity makes it an excellent choice when it comes to shielding against electromagnetic radiation. Whether you are using a strip of fabric to create your own protective wallet, blanket, or other device, or purchasing a pre-made protective copper product, you can’t go wrong with this metal.
You can test the effectiveness of your copper products using an EMF meter. For ideas on how to do this, as well as to find an EMF meter if you don’t already have one, see The Best EMF Meters For Any Budget.
For more information on other materials that help shield against EMF radiation, see What Materials Block Radiation.