Most people when they go out looking for a Bluetooth headset, they have no concept of the radiation issue. So let's get clear on the dangers of Bluetooth radiation.
A while back I received this message from Robert:
Lloyd,
You speak of three classes of blue tooth. And the lowest as being safe.
Would you list the make and models of category one
in your newsletter? (maybe 2 and 3 too) so that there
is no mistake on my part if I bought one. I'm illiterate
in this area and this is why I am asking. I suspect others are, too.
Thanks, Robert
I was initially a bit reluctant to cover this issue because I didn't want to give the impression, in supplying information on different brands of Bluetooth headset, that in some way I was condoning their use. I'm not.
But I do live in the real world.
I know that there are probably many other people like Robert who want to carry on using Bluetooth but want to minimize the dangers; that’s to say their exposure to Bluetooth radiation.
While I do spend a lot of time raising awareness about the dangers of cell phone radiation I don't pretend cell phones are going to cease to exist or that people are just going to stop using them. Bluetooth and Bluetooth radiation is the same thing. I know that some people no matter what I (or anybody else for that matter) says will continue using Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth technology.
So here is my answer for Robert and others that have concerns on this issue.
What Is Bluetooth?
Wikipedia defines Bluetooth as,
“a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances”.
Bluetooth transmits at frequency levels in the 2.4 GHz band – the same as your microwave oven. That means we are dealing with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) – that alone should send some alarm bells ringing.
How Is Bluetooth Classified?
First a reminder on the classification system for Bluetooth because this is critical to minimizing your exposure to Bluetooth radiation:
Class I transmitters — are the most powerful and so emit the highest level of Bluetooth radiation. They can transmit up to 330 feet (100 meters) and have a peak transmission power of 100 mW (milliwatt).
Class II transmitters — are less powerful. They can transmit up to 33 feet (10 meters) and operate at 2.5 mW peak transmission power.
Class III transmitters — are the least powerful and emit the lowest level of Bluetooth radiation. They operate in a range of less than 33 feet (10 meters) and have a peak transmission power of 1 mW.
What Class of Earpiece should you buy to minimize your exposure to Bluetooth radiation?
If you are decided about using a Bluetooth earpiece then a Class 3 transmitter will expose you to the lowest levels of Bluetooth radiation. Unfortunately I did research Class 3 Bluetooth headsets but I could find no information on Class 3 Bluetooth headsets currently on the market – Class 3 Bluetooth headsets appear to have been phased out.
So we are left with making a choice between Class 1 and Class 2 earpieces. One mitigating factor is that some Bluetooth headsets can reduce their radiation levels in cases where reception is good. This system, called power control, is largely standard for Class I and optional for Class II.
Obviously your preference, if you are wanting to minimize your exposure to Bluetooth radiation is to buy a class 2 Bluetooth earpiece.
5 Best Selling Class 2 Bluetooth Earpieces
The headsets listed below are all Class 2 Bluetooth devices:
Plantronics Voyager Legend
Plantronics Backbeat
Mpow Jaws V4.1 Bluetooth Headphones
Avantree Super Comfortable Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
Popular Class 1 Bluetooth Earpieces
The Bluetooth headsets listed below are all class 1 transmitters (the most powerful):
TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones
Beats Solo2 Wired On-Ear Headphones
Callpod Dragon Bluetooth Headset
Are there any studies on Bluetooth Radiation Dangers?
As on the cell phone issue the cell phone industry have done a very good job of making the science look inconclusive and confusing. Added to which there have been few studies done specifically on the issue of Bluetooth radiation.
Are Bluetooth Headsets Really Dangerous?
Bluetooth radiation dangers are real. I don't use a Bluetooth headset, or a cell phone for that matter. But I have come into contact with Bluetooth and so can attest to the adverse health effects of Bluetooth radiation.
I have a friend who has a car with Bluetooth installed. A few years ago when I was experiencing fairly extreme electrical sensitivity symptoms, when I sat in his car with Bluetooth enabled, it would set off exactly the same symptoms in me as when I used a cell phone.
Bluetooth earpieces and headsets are particularly dangerous because of the proximity to the head of these devices when they are in operation.
Is Bluetooth Radiation More Dangerous Than Cell Phone Radiation?
Yes, I believe it can be. Let me explain.
If you are using a Class 1 Bluetooth earpiece or headset the dangers are very real:
- Class 1 devices are 40 times more powerful than Class 2 devices. 100 mW (milliwatt) as opposed to 2.5 mW (milliwatt).
- When you use a Bluetooth earpiece device you're exposing yourself to an additional source of radiation. Your cell phone acts as a relay by emitting radiation between the cell phone tower and your correspondent. When you add Bluetooth into the equation your cell phone also emits another form of radiation, Bluetooth radiation, between your cell phone and your Bluetooth earpiece.
Your radiation exposure with a Bluetooth headset is the sum of cell phone radiation plus Bluetooth radiation. So Bluetooth radiation in itself may be less dangerous than cell phone radiation but when you use a Bluetooth earpiece you are always exposing yourself to radiation from both devices.
Are There Any Alternatives To Using A Bluetooth Headset?
Besides just using a regular wired headset, yes, there are alternatives to using a Bluetooth headset:
1. Use an airtube headset. This can be either an inexpensive low EMF airtube headset or a more sophisticated low EMF airtube headset. These headsets work much like a wired headset except there are no metal wires to conduct the radiation. Obviously you don't get the freedom of movement that you get with a wireless connection, and the sound quality may not be optimum but if you're worried about your radiation exposures this is a good solution.
2. Connect a retro handset to your telephone. The length of the cord means you are still in close proximity to your cell phone so you will still be absorbing some radiation. The manufacturers of the iPhone retro handset, claim that using their handset “reduces absorbed mobile phone radiation by over 95%“.
You might also want to read my article on low EMF airtube headsets.
Conclusion
I recommend steering clear of Bluetooth devices, but if you still want to continue using a Bluetooth earpiece or headset make sure you buy a Class 2 Bluetooth device (in the absence of Class 3 devices). For learn more about this important subject see my Bluetooth radiation article.
Comments
Robert Leverant said,
Excellent and very useful article. I do have question.
These suicide clusters due to EMF, Wi-Fi, & the Towers… Do you know why these people did it. Was the tinnitus too powerful? that they had no refuge at home because smart meter was installed..
is it that they felt so weak and depleted and anxious? because they succumbed to new and irrational voices in their head that wouldn’t go away… telling them that they were bad, should not be on the planet, that they were ________ and couldn’t be trusted with children…
Lloyd said,
Hi Robert
I don’t think anyone knows exactly what pushes another person to take their own life, but I can speak of my own personal experience of my first years living as someone who was electrically sensitive. I found it absolutely devastating.
Lots of people get sick with terrible things, and I am sure that there are illnesses just as bad and many a lot worse than ES in terms of the physical pain endured. The peculiarity of ES, for me, was that I was totally on my own. Each day that goes by you get worse, because you don’t know/understand what is affecting you. The doctors are not trained to give advice and it’s difficult to speak about it with anybody without them thinking you are a whacko. Thank fully times have changed now, there are support groups and more and more information coming out about it all the time.
Now that was my experience with ES. I was lucky in that, I did not get tinnitus, I did not have a smart meter inflicted on me, there were no voices. But I did have a loving, understanding and supportive family and I did manage to adapt and carry on working.
Justin said,
Hi Lloyd. Thank you for your helpful and informative website. Two days ago, I purchased a Nokia Bluetooth headset (model BH-216) after learning about the dangers of cell phone radiation while watching the TV show “Anderson Cooper 360”. After a Google search and thanks to your website, I now know that Bluetooth radiation can be just as dangerous.
Now that I own this new Bluetooth headset, I would like to find out if it is a Class 3 device. I cannot find this information on the sales page or the instruction booklet. But the instructions do state that the headset has an approximate range of 10 meters. So would it be safe to assume that this headset is most likely a Class 3 Bluetooth device?
dean gould said,
We found a home that we are interested in. I took my gauss meter and the readings are low; below .5 throuhgout the home and yard,mostly around 0, .1, or .2 and even back in the back by a pole that looks very much like this one in this picture. It is in the corner of the lot on the back lot line. There is a service drop coming from that pole to the home.
I’m wondering your thoughts; if you think it would be safe. No matter where we go there are lines, even if they are buried.
Thanks for your help.
One final question, how far away from plugs should our heads be when we sleep.
Lloyd said,
Dean,
Yes the readings are low and apparently within safety guidelines. Personally I would be looking for a house with zero or near zero readings, but I would be also checking for RF radiation and dirty electricity. You need to look at the whole EMF issue not just the milligauss.
Its not the plugs so much as the wiring that is important. As a rule of thumb 6 feet is a good distance but it does depend if the wiring is shielded.
Sarah Kubesh said,
I just bought a car with SYNC, which I believe is a bluetooth. Does turning it off eliminate the risk? Thank you. Sarah
Lloyd said,
Hi Sarah
In theory it eliminates the risk, but the only way to know for sure is to measure it with an RF meter (iPhones emit radiation even when switched off).
Rebecca Feldman said,
Do you know if there are health risks associated with induction cooktops?
Lloyd said,
Induction hobs generate EMFs when an electric current flows through coils under the top plate of the cooker. Heat is created when the electromagnetic field reacts with the metallic pan on the plate which causes the pan to heat up. Different hobs work on different frequencies, the issue is usually magnetic fields (you can easily measure this with a Trifield meter). I don’t recommend cooking with an induction hob, gas cookers are a safer alternative.
Alex said,
Hi Robert,
I think you have gotten the concept of bluetooth headsets wrong; the entire point of using a headset is that it reduces the radiation near your head, as the radiation from the phone is restricted to that only, and so that radiation is not emitted from the headset. So therefore for bluetooth radiation to be more dangerous than cell phone radiation, you would have to be using a headset whilst holding the phone right next to your body, which is counter intuitive to the point of getting a headset
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