Are gadgets harmful to health?

Gadgets have become an integral part of our lives. According to the Moscow Department of Information Technologies, about 95% of the capital’s residents use smartphones. Almost every young Muscovite under the age of 30 has wireless headphones, a third use smartwatches. Also in the top of the most popular gadgets are Wi-Fi routers, laptops, smart TVs and speakers. Experts told Moskovskaya Pravda whether these devices harm our health and whether their impact on the human body can be minimized.

A lot has been said and discussed about the impact on health of various types of radiation surrounding a person. At first, there were fears that the use of microwave ovens causes indelible damage to our body. Then, with the advent of mobile communications, they began to fear that the use of cell phones adversely affects the brain and even potency. And the introduction of Wi-Fi technology did cause panic among some citizens – they say, using a modem or router with Wi-Fi can cause irreversible changes in the body. Numerous studies conducted on this topic have not been able to give an unambiguous answer to the question of the dangers of electromagnetic radiation for humans. In 2020, WHO agreed with the opinion of scientists: it is unlikely to harm a person with electromagnetic radiation in the range from 100 kHz to 300 GHz (including Wi-Fi devices). However, this did not reassure everyone. Moreover, today a person is literally hung with a variety of gadgets almost around the clock. We have a smartphone in our hands, wireless headphones in our ears, a smart watch or a fitness bracelet on our arm… Are we hurting ourselves by using so many gadgets even outside our own home, which is also stuffed with various “smart” technologies?

– The safety of smartphones and other gadgets in all countries is quite strictly regulated by the relevant authorities. Any device from any manufacturer undergoes electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) certification in accordance with the standards that determine the maximum levels of industrial radio interference for a particular device, and receives its category, ”Andrey Nikandrov, director of the Telecom department of T1 IT holding, told Moskovskaya Pravda. – People with pacemakers are most sensitive to radiation from gadgets, and they should avoid close contact with devices with radiation. The rest should pay attention to the fact that the brain and heart muscle are those organs in which electrical impulses are especially important. Accordingly, it is necessary to be attentive to the duration of contact of gadgets with these organs. In addition, you should try to carry gadgets not in your pockets, but in a briefcase or bag.

The expert also warned that the power of the transmitted signal of smartphones increases as the distance from the base station of the operator, for example, outside the city, therefore, the possible influence of the gadget on the owner increases accordingly.

So concerns about the impact of electromagnetic radiation from gadgets on health are not groundless. And certain categories of people should use them to a limited extent.

As for, for example, wireless headphones, according to Ivan Shirokov, marketing director of the Dr.Head audio equipment store chain, it is not so much radiation that is harmful here, but the sound power.

– The question of whether wireless headphones are harmful to humans has not yet been fully studied: there are still debates between scientists and doctors about how much Bluetooth transmitters and other elements of modern wireless devices really threaten the user’s health. So far, there is no consensus on this matter, but the world standards of healthcare organizations show that the electromagnetic field at low frequencies is quite safe for human health,” said Ivan Shirokov. – But what we can say with certainty is that listening to any audio content at high volume for a long time will definitely adversely affect your hearing and central nervous system. Unfortunately, most users forget about the sense of proportion, and modern recording trends dictate their own rules with an emphasis on powerful and bright sound. Therefore, the volume level is the first thing you should pay attention to when using any device. As for Bluetooth headphones, it is perhaps very important that they are of high quality and pass all the necessary tests, since this is what guarantees compliance with safety standards.

Research on the impact of wireless devices on our health continues, and it is quite possible that in the future we will have more complete information about this. Although manufacturers do not stop there, companies pay attention to improving not only technology, but also the safety of their products. So now, according to experts, there are no serious reasons for concern. The main thing is to observe the measure, use certified devices and, of course, monitor your health.

Alena Bodrienko.

A photo Drazen Zigic / Freepik