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The World Health Organization (WHO) has received a petition that concerns the effect of an electromagnetic field on the human body. Its subject is the effect of wireless technologies contained not only in AirPods headphones on human health.

The whole situation generated excessive media interest. Articles like “Are AirPods dangerous? 250 scientists sign petition warning of cancer caused by wireless technology in headphones.” All these headlines have one common denominator, and that is sensationalism. The reality is not so hot.

The facts are clear. The petition was signed back in 2015, when there were no AirPods yet. In addition, an electromagnetic field (EMF) is present in basically every device equipped with wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or a modem for receiving a mobile signal. Whether it's a TV remote control, a baby monitor, a smartphone or the mentioned headphones, each has a different amount of EMF.

Scientists have been dealing with the issue of the effect of EMF on human health since 1998, and even during long-term observation, they were unable to demonstrate negative effects on the body after ten years. The study is still ongoing and so far there are no indications to the contrary. In addition, wireless technology is constantly evolving and various standards and norms are created, which, for example, limit the transmitted power.

AirPods waves FB

AirPods shine less than, say, the Apple Watch

Going back to AirPods, more radiation penetrates your body through an ordinary mobile signal or completely common and ubiquitous Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi uses 40 milliwatts of power, while Bluetooth uses 1 mW. Which is, after all, the reason why behind a stronger door you will lose the Bluetooth signal, while even the neighbor will connect to your home Wi-Fi.

But that's not all. AirPods use the modern Bluetooth standard 4.1 Low Energy (BLE), which no longer shares much with the original Bluetooth. The maximum transmit power of BLE in AirPods is only 0,5 mW. By the way, this is a fifth of what Bluetooth 2.0 made possible ten years ago.

In addition, AirPods also rely on acoustic perception by the human ear. It uses not only the shape of the handset, but also the AAC codec options. Paradoxically, AirPods are the least "damaging" of all Apple devices. Every iPhone or even Apple Watch emits a lot more electromagnetic radiation.

So far, the technology has proven not to have a negative effect on human health. Of course, caution is never enough, and Apple itself pays increased attention to this issue. On the other hand, there is no need to panic when reading various headlines. In the meantime, scientific studies continue, and if they encounter any consequences, they will surely be published in due course. So for now, you don't have to throw away your AirPods.

Source: AppleInsider

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