Health hazards of using Bluetooth headsets
Are Bluetooth headsets safe to use? Is Bluetooth causing any damage to our health? What are the advantages of using Bluetooth devices? We have conducted a study on the impact of Bluetooth headsets on health. The results we found will answer all the above questions.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows exchange of data over short distances using short wave length radio transmission. In Bluetooth technology, radio waves of microwave frequency range are used. Bluetooth technology uses a radio technology called 'frequency hopping spread spectrum'. It is a method of transmitting radio signals by quickly changing the carrier throughout the multiple frequency channels using a pseudo random sequence known to both transmitter and receiver. Bluetooth technology gives us the benefits of wireless control &communication among different devices. It works on two levels: physical level and protocol level. What are Bluetooth devices?
Bluetooth devices use Bluetooth technology to enable communication between electronic devices. Today, most electronic gadgets come with Bluetooth technology enabling easy wireless communication. Bluetooth headset is one example of a Bluetooth device. Bluetooth devices create a piconet or a personal network in close range of distance. Devices in this network range can communicate with each other through low power radio transmission. Let's look how Bluetooth headsets work?
Also Check Out: Top 10 Wireless Bluetooth Headsets in India in 2014Advantages of Bluetooth technology :
Bluetooth technology has made enormous advancements in technology world. There are numerous advantages of using this technology. Use of Bluetooth technology with wireless synchronization in a universally accepted way is economically very cheap. It allows fast data transfer, voice sharing and consumes minimum power. It creates instant personal area network and enables communication within a distance of around 10 meters. Are Bluetooth headsets dangerous?
Cell phones emit RF radiations which affect human health adversely. These radiations can be categorized as thermal, non-thermal and genotoxical. Researchers have found that high exposure to RF radiations can cause brain tumor and problems like headache, fatigue & difficulty in concentration. Bringing cell phones close to head causes more exposure to RF radiation. Thus, it is advisable to use earphones and Bluetooth headsets as they emit fewer radiations. When you use earphones or Bluetooth headsets, you are less exposed to such radiations as direct radiations from the mobile phone antenna get reduced.
Devices such as Bluetooth headsets emit wireless microwave radiation. Microwave signals have shorter wavelengths and a rapid rate of oscillation which enables them to carry information over long distances without wires. Their short wavelength and rapid oscillation also helps them to penetrate living tissues down to the cellular level. Soviet Russia used this characteristic of microwave signals against U.S. when it developed dangerous weapons in 1950s. These weapons caused leukemia in people. This indicates that even microwave radiations used in wireless communication can cause severe health damages. Microwave radiations from Bluetooth devices cause biological changes in body. These biological changes take place at cellular level and can transmit to offspring via DNA and RNA.
Another type of danger that is being caused by Bluetooth headsets is distraction while driving vehicles. According to a survey that I conducted on Bluetooth headset users, about 70 % of users take calls while driving. Distraction or lack of attention while driving may cause accidents, especially during bad weather conditions, bad mood or heavy traffic.Health hazards caused by Bluetooth devices :
Though, communicating using Bluetooth devices is preferred over cell phone devices, Bluetooth devices are not entirely safe. Long term exposure to microwave signals from Bluetooth devices can cause so many health hazards. I have discussed some potential hazards below.
Ear Pain: Ear pain is one of the health hazards caused by prolonged use of Bluetooth headsets. Bluetooth headsets clipped in to ear's outer portion cause pain due to their weight. The uncomfortable sit of Bluetooth headsets can also cause ear-pain. You can use cushions and weight less Bluetooth headsets to avoid discomfort.
Hearing loss: It is another side effect of Bluetooth headsets. Headset volume can be tuned to higher levels but you should know that sounds louder than 85dB can cause hearing loss. To protect your hearing ability, keep the volume low.
Weight gain: Electromagnetic frequencies and radiations interrupt the natural energy flow of body. According to the King institute, repeated exposure to this type of radiation can also cause weight gain.
Brain cancer:When we use Bluetooth headsets, we are bringing these devices close to head. Individuals who use this device continually get affected by its radiations even when the device is not in use. Even small doses of such radiations affect brain cells and can cause brain cancer.
Leukemia: It is another hazard of using Bluetooth technology. Radiations coming from Bluetooth devices are not as strong as microwave radiations but their continued exposure can result in Leukemia, low immunity system and diseases.
Other side effects: Bluetooth radiations may affect individuals differently but problems arise basically because microwave radiations interrupt cell functioning and natural transmission of energy. Some other side effects associated with microwave radiations are birth defects, miscarriage, hair loss, Alzheimer disease, neck pain, and headache. Conclusion :
On the basis of my study, I conclude that Bluetooth communications are unsafe. Bluetooth radiations are safer than the radiations emitted by cell phones but these radiations too cause dangerous health hazards. Lack of formal studies are the reason why we see Bluetooth communication as safe but further research over this matter can prove how Bluetooth technology is playing with our health.
Out of the health hazards, Cancer is still a debated and researched topic. Being a Chemist I understand the scientific aspects of mobile and Bluetooth. Both operate on Radio waves. The highlight of Radiowaves is that it has long wave length and less frequency. Frequency determines the energy according to Einsteins relation. So the energy produced from radio waves are non-ionizing. However research is still going on in this aspect and it is not cent percent proved that it will cause Cancer.
Its quite different and interesting piece of article. Great work.