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EVIDENCE

How to read an EMF shielding claim

Questions to ask when a product promises to block electromagnetic fields.

EMF Practical editorial desk · Published 21 September 2026 · Educational guide

INTERACTIVE LESSON & SIMULATOR

Interactive Enclosure: Shielding Paint & Window Film Simulator

Calculate dB attenuation across 1 vs. 2 coats of carbon paint, test window films, and prevent internal Wi-Fi reflections.

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Ask what was tested

A fabric swatch, a flat panel, a finished phone case, and a furnished room are different test objects. A report for one does not automatically establish performance for another. Look for the exact product or material, test method, frequencies, geometry, laboratory, and date.

Read the conditions behind the number

An attenuation figure describes a reduction under specified conditions. Gaps, seams, direction, placement, and frequency can change the result. A large percentage printed on packaging is not enough to tell you the exposure reduction in normal use. A measured reduction also does not establish prevention or treatment of illness.

Consider how the device responds

The FTC warns that partial phone shields may be ineffective and can interfere with reception, potentially causing a phone to increase its transmitting power. A reading behind one side of a case is not a complete assessment of a working phone. Look for a test that considers the whole setup.

Use a short evidence checklist

Can you access the full report? Does it identify this product? Are the tested frequencies relevant? Are limitations and unsuccessful results explained? Is the seller making health claims beyond the measurement? If these questions are unanswered, treat the claim as unverified rather than filling in the gaps yourself.

Sources & further reading

Sources accessed 21 September 2026. This guide is not a clinical assessment or an independent product test.