Wireless earbuds, including the ever-popular AirPods, have changed how we make calls, listen to music, and stay connected to our devices. With this change, many phone manufacturers are letting go of traditional headphone jacks and pushing us closer to a wireless world.
These days, AirPods are not just about being wireless; they have become a symbol of our lifestyle, combining technology and fashion. However, as wireless earbuds appear everywhere, rumors about their safety are growing. The thing is, earbuds give off radiation to connect to your devices. And given their proximity to our brains, it’s fair to wonder what impact they have on our health.
That’s where our EMF Calculator comes in. We’ve created this simple tool to help you measure the potential radiation exposure from devices like AirPods. It takes into account important factors like the distance between the earbuds and your brain, and the radiation levels of your device. It’s an easy way to get a better sense of what’s going on with your gadgets and whether you should be concerned.
Are Wireless Earbuds Safe?
Wireless earbuds are a game changer, letting you chat with friends or listen to music without the hassle of tangled wires. But that consolation comes with a downside. Like our cell phones, wireless earbuds use Bluetooth technology, meaning they give off EMF radiation directly into our ears and near our brains. This radiation is quite similar to what the WHO (World Health Organization) classifies as a Class 2B carcinogen, and places like California even recommend keeping it away from the head.
Compared to a regular cell phone, the radiation emitted by wireless earbuds can be significantly lower. However, all Bluetooth devices are not made the same. There are actually three (3) kinds of Bluetooth transmitters, and each one has a different power output.
- Class 1 Transmitter: Transmit at 100 mW (milliwatts)
- Class 2 Transmitter: Transmit at 2.5 mW
- Class 3 Transmitter: Transmit at 1 mW
As it is evident from the above, Class 3 transmitters emit the lowest EMF power and provide the shortest device connectivity range (only about three feet). Class 1 transmitters give off the most power and provide the maximum connectivity range (300 feet). Class 2 is somewhere in between.
The second generation of Apple AirPods uses Class 1 Bluetooth transmitters, which means they give you a better connectivity range at the expense of higher power output (which equals higher exposure to radiation).
Among wireless earbuds, Apple AirPods give off the most EMF radiation at the highest power. In fact, one study found that hands-free devices deliver three times the radiation dose to the skull than a cell phone!
Wireless Earbuds Dangers: Are Wireless Earbuds Bad for Your Brain?
The major problem with wireless earbuds isn’t just the intensity of the radiation they give off. There are also two other key factors to consider:
- the position of the device on your body, and
- cumulative exposure over time
Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
The Position of the Device on Your Body
Holding your cell phone near your ear is dangerous. There’s no debate about this anymore: health authorities around the world strongly advise against it. So, if that’s the case, how about placing a radiation-emitting device right inside your ear, where it is even closer to the brain?
Wireless earbuds like AirPods transmit EMF radiation through the ear canal directly into your head. That is not only a part very close to the brain but also a part of the head without a skull to offer basic protection against electromagnetic fields. The radiation reaches the brain directly.
Even with lower emission values than a mobile phone, there is a higher absorption factor. Jerry Phillips, a biochemistry professor at the University of Colorado, explains: “What worries me about AirPods is that placing them in the ear canal exposes the tissues of the head to relatively high radiofrequency radiation levels.” Many scientists agree with him.
Do AirPods Cause Cancer?
Given what we already know about the links between cancer and EMFs (and the fact that wireless headphones bypass the skull’s natural protection against electromagnetic fields), it’s hard not to wonder if devices like AirPods could trigger chronic diseases like brain cancer. But the answer is not that simple. The thing is, cancer develops gradually. This means that, in many cases, cancer can take years before to develop and only become fatal later on.
So, it’s tough to prove this through experiments, because it would mean keeping subjects under observation for years until the cancer develops. But just because we can’t say for sure does not mean we can rule out the likelihood of developing brain tumors from long-term exposure to EMFs from wireless earbuds. Why?
To better understand this, we need to turn to what we already know. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to EMF can cause problems in the brain, such as:
- Albumin leaking through the blood-brain barrier
- Damage to nerve cells
- Damage to the myelin sheath
- Cognitive and neurological disorders
If these problems persist, some of these can lead to the development of brain tumors and possibly cancer. So, do wireless earbuds cause brain cancer? The truth is, we are not sure yet. But could using them cause problems that might lead to the development of brain tumors in the long run? It’s certainly a possibility.
Cumulative Exposure to EMFs
Another issue with wireless earbuds is the buildup of EMF exposure over time. The WHO has classified electromagnetic radiation as a cancer-causing agent (class 2B). If EMF can cause cancer, then every exposure adds up. Any exposure is harmful. And it’s best to limit any exposure, no matter where the device is on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Wireless earbuds like AirPods take a different approach. AirPods are designed for extended use. The goal is for you to be able to use them to listen to music or podcasts, watch movies or Netflix shows, and make phone calls.
And that’s exactly how most people end up using them. We have all seen people (family, friends, co-workers) walking around all day with these EMF devices in their ears. What is more, the radiation from Bluetooth devices is just another layer on top of the EMF exposure you’re already getting from your phone and other EMF sources.
Even though the Bluetooth radiation is weaker than your phone, it isn’t replacing it. It’s just another source of EMF that you’re exposing your body to.
Additionally, when your phone is connected to your wireless earbuds, your phone (which is certainly close by or even in your pocket) is emitting more radiation than it would otherwise. So, not only is using AirPods adding a new source of radiation near your brain, but it is also increasing the amount of radiation emitted by your phone.
Wireless Earbuds Radiation Levels
So far, we’ve talked about how wireless earbuds give off radiation and use Class 1 Bluetooth transmitters, the most powerful available. But we still haven’t talked about exactly how much EMF you’re exposed to.
Let’s take a closer look at that.
Now, unlike cell phones, which are larger, we can’t just attach an EMF meter to the AirPods and measure how much EMF they are emitting. To understand this, we have to look at the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) values published by manufacturers to understand the strength of the EMF we’re getting from them.
So, what is SAR?
SAR is a method of measuring EMF that tells you how much radiation your body absorbs from a given device. Manufacturers are required by law to test the SAR levels of their devices and publish their results before they can sell them.
There’s a problem with SAR, though. It doesn’t actually show you how much radiation the body absorbs from a specific device. Instead, it shows you how much radiation a 6’2” and 220-pound man would absorb.
We have written about this in our post “Do you Know your SAR Value? Cell Phone Radiation Level Chart” So, read it.
While SAR can give a rough idea, it’s far from the perfect solution. That’s where our EMF Calculator can be a great alternative. Rather than relying on generalized SAR values, our tool allows you to measure your actual exposure based on the distance from your earbuds to your brain and the radiation output of your specific device.
How to Reduce EMF From Wireless Earbuds?
To use wireless earbuds safely, take the following precautions:
- Try not to use multiple EMF-emitting devices at the same time: To reduce your exposure, avoid using multiple EMF-emitting devices at the same time.
- Switch to speakerphone or hands-free mode when receiving calls: This reduces the radiation your head absorbs by putting more space between your phone and your body.
- Choose wireless earbuds with lower SAR values: Devices with lower SAR values are considered safer because they emit less radiation.
- Keep your distance: Although Bluetooth radiation is relatively weak, it is still radiation. Keep an appropriate distance between the headphones and the body to minimize exposure.
- Turn Bluetooth off: When you are not using wireless earbuds, turn the Bluetooth function off to reduce the level of radiation the body is exposed to.
