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Airpods and Bluetooth Health and Safety FAQs

Mar 8, 2020

Airpods and Bluetooth Earbuds: What You Need to Know 

  • AirPods and Bluetooth headsets constantly emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation, AKA microwaves while they are in your ears, whether you are using them or not. 
  • The RF is absorbed into your skull, brain and ear tissues. 
  • RF radiation is the same type of wireless radiation that your cell phone emits and the same type of radiation that the World Health Organization listed as a Class 2B carcinogen in 2011. Now, well over a decade later, many scientists have published research stating this type of radiation is a proven human carcinogen.
  • While the RF exposure from Airpods and Bluetooth headsets is lower than a cell phone, published studies have documented numerous biological effects from RF exposure, even at very, very low exposure levels. 
  • Apple’s second generation AirPods are Bluetooth Class 1 – meaning they reach to hundreds of feet away and emit higher radiation compared to other Bluetooth devices. 
  • The left AirPod communicates with the right AirPod using a technology called “near field magnetic induction” (NFMI).  The fields go right though your brain. Magnetic fields are linked to cancer and oxidative stress. 
  • Zhou et. al 2024 published in the journal Scientific Reports found that prolonged daily use of Bluetooth headsets “strongly linked” to an increased risk of developing thyroid nodules. 

Solution: Use speakerphone as much as possible with the phone on a table (not in your pocket or lap or bra). Use an airtube corded headset when you cannot use speakerphone. The safest way to communicate by phone is to use a regular corded telephone, instead of a mobile phone or cordless phone. 

 

 

Low Does Not Mean Safe

While you may have heard that the RFR radiation emitted by wireless earbuds s is “low” do not be fooled. “Low” does not mean safe, especially when it comes to Bluetooth devices which you wear against your ear and brain for hours and hours a day. 

Any type of Bluetooth or wireless device near your brain exposes you to unnecessary RF radiation. Some research has found lower intensities to have more potent effects than higher intensities- such as impacts to the blood brain barrier.

Dr. Joel Moskowitz, the Director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the School of Public Health at Berkeley states “More than a dozen studies have shown that low-intensity microwave radiation similar to that emitted by Bluetooth can open up the blood-brain barrier, a layer of cells that block pathogens and toxins in the body from reaching the brain. That could lead to conditions such as autism, dementia, and brain cancer.” 

European Parliament requested a research report  “Health Impact of 5G” released in July 2021 concluding that commonly used RF frequencies (450 to 6000 MHz) are probably carcinogenic for humans and clearly affect male fertility with possible adverse effects on the development of embryos, fetuses and newborns.  Peer-reviewed research has demonstrated a myriad of adverse effects from wireless RF radiation including increased brain cancer, DNA damage, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, altered brain development, damaged reproduction, sleep changes, hyperactivity, and memory damage. More on that here. 

Over one dozen governments and numerous medical organizations warn you to keep cell phone RF radiation away from your head.

 

Dr. Joel Moskowitz of the University of California explains a little known fact “Apple’s wireless Airpods communicate with each other using a magnetic induction field, this is a variable magnetic field that is sent through the brain to communicate with the other one which is doing the same…“there isn’t even any research on what it could be doing to the brain, let alone regulation to limit potential effects.. Can’t imaging this possibly being all that great for you”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Bluetooth Emits the Highest RFR Radiation

Not all Bluetooth devices emit the same amount of RFR radiation. In fact, there are three different types of Bluetooth transmitters, each with their own level of emissions- meaning the amount of power,. 

  • Class 1 transmitters — transmit with power of 100 mW (milliwatts)
  • Class 2 transmitters — transmit with power of 2.5 mW
  • Class 3 transmitters — transmit with power of 1 mW

 

Class 3 Bluetooth transmitters emit the lowest level of EMF power emissions but only connect up to about 3 feet. Class 1 Bluetooth emits the highest amount of power and can connect up to 300 feet.  

Apple’s second generation of AirPods is Bluetooth Class 1 – transmitting at higher power connecting to hundreds of feet away. However this means higher radiation, compared to other Bluetooth devices which are  Class 2 or 3. 

“Airpods and Bluetooth are not established as safe, especially if they are in your ears for hours a day. The public should be informed that these time devices emit radiofrequency radiation as well as static electromagnetic fields that is absorbed into your brain and ear. Scientists recommend we reduce this type of radiation, not increase it.” stated Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust. She recommends an airtube wired headset rather than Bluetooth or Airpods to minimize radiation exposure.  “Safety limits of ICNIRP and the FCC are outdated and do not protect our health.”

Links to RF exposure assessments*:

*from Christana Dillard’s research in Factcheck

Wireless Earbuds Emit Static Electromagnetic Fields 

A 2022 study published in Environmental Research measured the static magnetic fields from various earphones, including wireless earphones,  and surveyed the scientific literature on bioeffects. They mapped the exposure from the outer ear to the inner ear. The authors conclude that, “together with the fact that there is no scientific consensus over the possible mechanisms of interaction with living tissues, suggest that caution could be recommendable. In addition, more research is warranted on the possible effects of the combination of SMF with extremely low frequency and radiofrequency fields, which has so far been scarcely studied. Overall, while several open questions about bioeffects of SMF remain to be addressed by the scientific community, we find sensible to suggest that the use of air-tube earphones is probably the more conservative, cautious choice.” 

Note: The wireless earbuds in the study were Model 5 – Samsung sound by AKG and Model 6 – QCY T1C  Read- Static magnetic fields from earphones: Detailed measurements plus some open questions

What Can I Do?

Doctors recommend using speakerphone or  wired, airtube headsets instead of wireless earbuds. Minimize your overall cell phone use by getting a corded landline at home or in your office. Always keep wireless devices away from your brain and body.

News Reports 

CBS7 Are wireless earbuds dangerous? Experts warn that Apple’s AirPods could send an electromagnetic field through your brain

California Magazine,  University of California Berkeley “Clear Sound, Sleek Styling, and Microwave Radiation” by Katia Savchuk 

News Medical Life Sciences “Wireless earphones shown to be source of carcinogenic radiation” by Ananya Mandal MD

“A group of 250 experts and researchers have signed a petition to the United Nations and World Health Organization to stop the use of these and other wireless devices.

The researchers explain that these wireless ear pieces use a type of electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiowave via Bluetooth technology to transmit data. The closeness of this radiation to the brains of the users is cause for concern, say the researchers.

Jerry Phillips, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado said, “My concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation.” Phillips is one of the many scientists who have called for a restriction on use of such devices.”

 

High School Insider Los Angeles Times “Opinion: “AirPods might not be music to your ears”  by Jessica Nguyen

“Hearing loss may not be apparent at once and its effects are gradual. By the time you realize it, it is too late because ear damage is irreversible. AirPods along with earphones are especially bad because they are directly emitting sound into your ears. Sounds of hearing loss include ringing, buzzing, roaring, muffling or distortion of sounds.

While earphones or headphones may cause hearing loss, they do not have the same side effects that AirPods may have. After Apple killed off the headphone jack on the iPhone, the future of headphones have become wireless, leading to constant radiation from our devices. In 2018, US scientists released that cell phone radiation could cause cancers in rats.

Airpods use Bluetooth technology, which emits electromagnetic field radio frequencies. According to an appeal to the UN, EMF exposure can cause increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders and negative impacts on general well-being in humans.”

Scientists are Calling for Protections