With the newest phone releases still getting mixed reviews in terms of functionality, one aspect that’s important to consider is safety. The biggest change arguably is the abandonment of the standard earbuds in favor of wireless ones – getting rid of the headphone jack altogether in the new model.
For most people, the biggest drawback to this change is the increased possibility of losing your earbuds. But for those of us who work in the electromagnetic shielding field, there’s the question of possible health risks associated with these wireless accessories.
With most mobile devices, we have the option of using a wired headset with headphones and microphone that allow us to communicate without holding the actual device so close to our heads. Though the radiation emitted from these devices is minimal, there’s little way of knowing the long-term effects of low-level exposure implanted so close to the brain. Now that the wired headset are phasing out, users will have to choose between holding the phone to their ear, or using Bluetooth ear buds – but are they any safer?
According to a few sources, the risks associated with wireless earbud use are the same as those with any other listening device – potential hearing loss if the volume is too loud, and distractions while walking or driving. The researchers so far contend that there is no increased risk of cancer from this type of radiation exposure. In fact, they argue that using the wireless Bluetooth option actually reduces the amount of electromagnetic radiation exposure as opposed to having the phone directly against your ear.
However, this is far from an open and shut case. The Environmental Health Trust has published a number of pieces examining the effects of electromagnetic fields on mammals. Researchers found that in addition to disrupting sleep patterns, wireless radiation in combination with exposure to other carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer development. So while on their own, electromagnetic fields may not cause cancer, they may contribute to more cases in individuals who are exposed to other factors – and with so many potential carcinogens in the air and even in our food already, adding another susceptibility can be a major problem.
With conflicting reports about the safety of these types of products, it’s important to consider appropriate shielding measures in electronic devices. Our Ultra-Vanshield products are used by manufacturers to limit the electromagnetic radiation emitted from common electronic devices such as computers and telecommunications equipment. Though we can’t say that this solves the possible problems associated with cellphones and Bluetooth devices, we will continue to do our part to improve the safety of consumer technology. In the meantime, we’ll continue to research this topic and work to solve noted problems.