Wireless Bluetooth Dangers - Here's What You Need To Know When It Comes To Your Health
Have you ever wondered about the potential dangers of Bluetooth technology? While it has become a part of our daily lives, allowing us to connect with devices wirelessly, there are concerns about the impact it may have on our health. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the health risks associated with Bluetooth technology and provide practical tips on how to reduce your exposure to radiation.
What is Bluetooth Technology and How Does it Work?
Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology that allows devices to connect and exchange information over short distances. It uses radio waves to transmit data between devices such as smartphones, laptops, and wireless headphones. Bluetooth technology is widely used for its convenience, ease of use, and low power consumption. However, it also has its disadvantages, such as limited range, and slower data transfer.
Aside from bluetooth providing convenience and accessibility to our lives, there have been concerns about the possible health risks associated with Bluetooth technology due to its use of radio waves. Research has shown that radio waves emitted by Bluetooth devices can penetrate the human body, raising concerns about potential health effects. Some studies have suggested a link between exposure to radio waves and an increased risk of cancer, neurological disorders, and other health problems.
Futhermore, Scientists believe the current EMF (Electromagnetic Frequencies) guidelines are inadequate. The specific absorption rate (SAR) — or the amount of radiofrequency the human body absorbs from a device — also helps us determine how much radiation actually seeps into our bodies.
Bluetooth and Wireless headphones (such as the Apple AirPods), do emit lower levels of EMF radiation. However, the placement of these devices directly into your ear is the biggest concern. “While the AirPod’s SAR is well within the range of permitted amounts, many scientists worry that the current SAR regulations don’t effectively account for the risks potentially associated with prolonged exposure to these lower levels of radiation.”
Bluetooth devices are subject to safety regulations and standards. These standards are designed to limit exposure to radiation and ensure that devices are safe to use. It is essential to check that your Bluetooth devices comply with safety standards and regulations, and to follow manufacturers' guidelines on safe usage.
Related Source: Are Bluetooth Headphones Dangerous? Here’s What Experts Think
Possible Security Vulnerabilities Associated with Bluetooth Wireless
While Bluetooth has revolutionized the way we use technology, it also comes with potential security vulnerabilities that could put users' data and privacy at risk. Here are some examples of what these threats look like:
- Hackers can send you spam messages to your device with malicious links to trick you into entering your personal information or downloading malware (which can pose a threat to your cell phone).
- Your call logs, photos and passwords can also be retrieved by these hackers.
- Bluejacking: This is a type of Bluetooth attack where an attacker sends unsolicited messages to a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a smartphone, without the user's consent. Bluejacking is usually harmless, but it can be used to send spam or phishing messages.
Although hackers need to be within range to use bluetooth in order to hijack your device, keep in mind that when you are in any public space - your vulnerability increases.
Related Source: Don't be a victim: Leaving your phone’s Bluetooth on is a major security risk
Tips to Reduce Exposure to Bluetooth Radiation and Protect Your Privacy
Keeping your bluetooth active at all times makes your device more discoverable to hackers. Turning off your bluetooth completely may not always be practical, however, there are several simple steps that you can take to reduce your exposure to Bluetooth radiation and protect your privacy at the same time:
- It’s best to maintain some distance between you and the phone or headphones by using things like the speaker function.
- Keep your phone calls short and don’t keep your wireless headphones in your ear when you are not using them.
- Invest in an airtube wired headset that has hollow tubing which will still transmit the sound waves and not the radiation.
- Don’t accept any files or unknown messages via bluetooth.
- Use a Privacy Pouch which prevents GPS, RFID, WiFi, Cellular, Data, Bluetooth, and NFC signal from entering and exiting your device, preventing hackers from accessing your personal data.
In conclusion, while Bluetooth technology has made our lives more convenient, it is essential to be aware of its potential dangers to our health. By taking simple steps to reduce our exposure to Bluetooth radiation and ensuring that our devices comply with safety standards and regulations, we can enjoy the benefits of Bluetooth technology while protecting our health (and our Privacy).
