Could wireless headphones lead to neurological disorders?
Wireless headphones could be dangerous to human health, according to a petition signed by 250 scientists.
-
Could wireless headphones lead to neurological disorders? (Getty Images)
A petition signed by 250 scientists reveals that wireless headphones such as Apple's famous AirPods could be hazardous to human health.
The gadgets, which include not only AirPods but also other wireless Bluetooth headphones, offer a new level of functionality and convenience to consumers who want to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other content while on the road.
More than 44 million AirPods have been sold since their introduction, with another 55 million expected to be sold in 2019. Forecasts predicted that 80 million would be sold in 2020, but the final number exceeded 100 million.
It's an unquestionably appealing piece of technology — one that became a "necessity" of sorts when Apple eliminated the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 — but it may come at a high cost.
The International Electromagnetic Field Alliance's appeal to the United Nations (UN) targets both nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs) utilized by AirPods and other Bluetooth devices, as well as cellphones and Wi-Fi, which generate radiofrequency radiation.
What are the dangers of EMFs?
The petition, which was first circulated in 2015 and was revised in 2019, is an international call to action from scientists involved in the study of the health impacts of nonionizing EMF.
For decades, the industry has argued that nonionizing radiation is safe and that ionizing radiation is the only one to be concerned about.
On the contrary, the scientists state, “Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices."
“These include — but are not limited to — radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infrastructures used in the delivery of electricity that generates extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF).”
Noting that EMF has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, they also claimed that several scientific articles show EMF affects organisms at levels "well below" most international and national guidelines.
What are the potential risks of exposure?
- Cancer
- Cellular stress
- Increase in harmful free radicals
- Genetic damages
- Structural and functional changes in the reproductive system
- Learning and memory deficits
- Neurological disorders
- Negative impacts on general well-being
Why wireless earbuds could be problematic
One of the petition's signers, Joel Moskowitz, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, noted that because earbud technology is so new, no research has been done to specify what effects it may have on the brain.
However, he stated in a news release, “I couldn’t imagine it’s all that great for you,” noting that AirPods “communicate with one another using a magnetic induction field, a variable magnetic field [one] sends through your brain to communicate with the other.”
Bluetooth technology, like that utilized by AirPods, is normally low-intensity, but the close proximity to your brain could make earphones extremely dangerous, especially when they are used for extended periods of time.
Moskowitz said the technology could “open the blood-brain barrier, which evolved to keep large molecules out of the brain.”
He feels that using earbuds increases the risk of neurological illnesses and diseases more than cancer. “From a precautionary standpoint, I would argue you shouldn’t experiment with your brain like this by keeping these kinds of wireless headphones on your head or in your ears,” Moskowitz said in a news release.
“You’re conducting a health experiment on yourself, and current regulations are completely oblivious to these kinds of exposures.”
Nine measures to protect human health from EMFs requested
According to the scientists' petition to the UN, there are insufficient international nonionizing EMF guidelines, and the agencies responsible have failed to create and impose sufficient guidelines and safety standards to protect public health and populations that may be especially vulnerable to EMF, such as children.
They are requesting that the United Nations Environmental Programme fund an independent multidisciplinary committee to investigate ways to reduce human exposure to RFR and ELF, adding that while the industry should cooperate in this process, they should not be permitted to prejudice the results.
They also made the following nine requests regarding EMF:
- Children and pregnant women be protected
- Guidelines and regulatory standards be strengthened
- Manufacturers be encouraged to develop safer technology
- Utilities responsible for the generation, transmission, distribution, and monitoring of electricity maintain adequate power quality and ensure proper electrical wiring to minimize harmful ground current
- The public be fully informed about the potential health risks from electromagnetic energy and taught harm-reduction strategies
- Medical professionals be educated about the biological effects of electromagnetic energy and be provided training on the treatment of patients with electromagnetic sensitivity
- Governments fund training and research on electromagnetic fields and health that are independent of industry, and mandate industry cooperation with researchers
- Media disclose experts’ financial relationships with the industry when citing their opinions regarding the health and safety aspects of EMF-emitting technologies
- White zones (radiation-free areas) be established
