Bluetooth - Friend or Foe
Is Bluetooth Dangerous? Bluetooth radiation is like the less studied cousin of EMF. or Cell phone radiation. Although many experts will tell you that Bluetooth is likely safe, it isn't because there is research saying that it is safe, but rather a lack of research showing that it is unsafe. Let me walk you through how Bluetooth works, and why it can, in fact, be quite dangerous.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows for rapid transmission of data over short distances, using pulses of short-wavelength radio waves.
With the release of each new version, Bluetooth devices are better able to take advantage of the speed and data transfer technologies, and transmit data faster, farther, and smarter.
Is Bluetooth Dangerous? – What We Know
The problem with this question is the unbelievable amount of research bias when it comes to Bluetooth Radiation, and even EMF radiation. Telecom companies and Bluetooth device manufacturers are incredibly powerful and have a vast amount of resources at their disposal to counter any attempt to prove that radiation exposure from Bluetooth devices is in fact dangerous.
It is true that most Bluetooth devices emit less radiation that the government regulatory agencies "safe" standards of SAR, or Specific Absorption Rate. However, the amount of radiation exposure that these agencies consider safe is FAR off from what science says is actually safe for the human body.
One issue is that researchers tend to focus on the fact that Bluetooth technology is non-thermal and non-ionizing radiation, and point to that as a reason for it not being harmful. However, science does show that non-ionizing radiation is certainly harmful, and the fact that it is non-thermal has no impact on EMF and microwave radiation dangers.
The evidence that EMF radiation is dangerous and harmful to the body and to our DNA is undeniable, the struggle now is knowing which devices are most harmful and how to judge just how harmful they are. In our modern world avoiding electronics at home and at work is a near impossibility for many (including myself), but there are steps we can take to help protect ourselves.
When Apple released its new wireless headphones, the AirPod's, people were understandably a bit critical of putting such a powerful wireless device so close the brain. According to Apple, the iPhone will communicate directly with the right Earbud, which will then send it's own signal directly to the left earbud, resulting in the radiation carrying signal passing directly through the brain.
Now according to Apple and most other industry leaders in the cell phone and electronics industry, all wireless devices emit radio-frequency radiation, but that the level of radiation falls within the acceptable limits set by the Federal Communication Commission.
However, these limits set by the FCC have been widely criticized as unsafe, biased, and largely the result of lobbying by cell phone and electronics manufacturers. In fact, a 2012 report by over 200 scientists called the Bioinitiative Report, appealed to the World Health Organization and the United Nations urging them to take immediate action on this issue, concluding that EMF's are dangerous, even at acceptable limit's set by industry guidelines.
Wikipedia even mentions the ongoing controversy between Telecom and technology industry-funded science, and independent research on this topic.
"The question of harm to biological systems due to low-power ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is not settled. Controversy continues about possible non-heating effects of low-power non-ionizing radiation, such as non-heating microwave and radio wave exposure." – Wikipedia
Bluetooth radiation from various devices like headsets and cell phones is a type of microwave radiation. This type of radiation has a very short wavelength and transmits in pulses at incredibly high speeds. This type of radiation is very efficient at penetrating human tissue and negatively affecting our cells and DNA.
An EMF and fertility study found that using a Bluetooth headset with your cell phone in your pocket can be one of the most detrimental things you can do to your sperm quality and quantity, as the amount of radiation given off by both the cellphone, and the Bluetooth signal from the phone to the headset is tremendously harmful.
This is especially harmful in this case because of the incredibly close proximity (Obvious Tip: Don't keep your cell phone in your pocket ever). This same study also found that even a few hours of EMF radiation from Bluetooth devices can cause considerable DNA damage.
Bluetooth Headphones also could increase the risk of developing certain brain cancers.
The bottom line is that any device that emits EMF radiation like Bluetooth does, even if it is at lower rates, will still certainly have a negative effect on the body, especially over long periods of time.
Consistent exposure to EMF radiation has been scientifically shown to cause all sorts of issues like:
Cancer
Mood Disorders
Trouble Sleeping
Birth Defects
Alzheimer's
Dizziness
And a ton more…
When you use a Bluetooth Headset, you are exposing your brain, your eyes, your ears, and many other organs to EMF radiation. Even though research shows that the Specific Absorption Rate (how fast radiation is absorbed by the body) of Bluetooth headsets is about .25 W/Kg, this is still high enough to cause significant damage from prolonged use.
Is Using a Bluetooth Headset Better Than Holding A Cellphone To Your Ear?
First of all, Yes. In general, a Bluetooth headset will emit far less radiation itself than your cell phone will. So in an ideal situation, this would be a better solution than just holding your cell phone to your head. However, this gets a little bit more muddled when you consider that your cell phone is likely still nearby, probably in your pocket, and is still emitting radiation.
Having your cell phone in your pocket, is extremely harmful to your body, especially your organs.
So, if you are going to use a Bluetooth headset, try to get some distance between you and your cell phone. Put it on the dash of your car instead of in your pocket, put it on a shelf a little ways away at the office. Most Bluetooth devices have a surprising range, don't feel like you need to have the cell phone on your person to get it to work.
One thing that really bothers me about the direction Bluetooth devices are going, is the different reporting and regulatory requirements. Cell phones have to report the SAR or Specific Absorption Rate.
This allows us, at least to some extent, to compare the radiation levels of various phones. However, Bluetooth devices do not have to report the SAR, so we have no way, other than the Class and Version of the device, to guess as to it's comparable EMF radiation levels.
Even if we did have SAR levels for Bluetooth devices, they are far from a consistently reliable way of understanding the dangers of a device.
What Should I Do Instead of Using a Bluetooth Headset?
First of all, most wired headsets are not much better for you as they can act as a bit of an antenna for EMF radiation and allow it to from your device to your brain more quickly. On top of that, many headsets themselves give off a form of EMF radiation and are not safe for extended use.
In my experience, the safest thing you can do, when the situation allows, is just use the speakerphone function of your phone. This allows you to keep a good distance from your device, and you're not subjecting your brain or organs to close proximity EMF radiation.
However, sometimes you need a set of headphones or earbuds.
In my opinion, the safest alternative is Airtube headphones or earbuds. Airtube headsets don't have any wireless components that conduct the sound. Instead, air tube headphones have a hollow tube that conducts the noise through sound waves.
This allows you to keep a good distance between you and any EMF radiation coming from your cell phone or headphones. Airtube headphones have shown to reduce EMF radiation by as much as 99%.
Conclusion: Is Bluetooth Dangerous
Yes
The bottom line is, Bluetooth technology emits the same type of radiation as your Microwave, it's just usually not nearly as powerful. The difference is, when you use Bluetooth, a lot of the time, you have it right next to your body. When you're using a Bluetooth headset, you're putting it as close to your brain as you possibly can.
Individuals with EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity) are especially sensitive to EMF radiation and have a myriad of symptoms. Don't make the mistake of thinking that just because you don't feel the effects of EMF radiation from your cell phone or Bluetooth device, that it isn't harming you!
If you're curious about how much EMF radiation is being emitted from your Bluetooth devices, I would highly recommend picking up an EMF meter.
I hope this article was helpful, and we, at Vuka SA, would love to hear what you think of wireless headphone technology and what kind of symptoms you've personally experienced. Join us on our telegram group @vukasa - and have your voice heard