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According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source, routine exposure to nonionizing radiation is “generally perceived as harmless to humans.”

In this article, we explain why some people are worried about Bluetooth headphones, like iphone bluetooth headset. We also look at the evidence regarding the safety of these devices.

What is electromagnetic radiation?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesTrusted Source, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is an invisible area of energy. Both natural and synthetic objects can emit EMR.

When an object emits EMR, it sends out waves of electromagnetic energy at different frequencies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, the higher the frequency of the radiation, the higher its energy levels.

There are two main categories of EMR:

Ionizing EMR

These waves of EMR are of relatively high frequency and have the potential to damage human cells and DNA.

The term “ionizing” means that the EMR is able to remove electrons from atoms. This capability is why ionizing EMR is more harmful than nonionizing EMR.

Sources of ionizing EMR include:

sunlight

sunbeds

X-ray machines

radioactive waste

Nonionizing EMR

These waves of EMR are of relatively low frequency and do not generally cause adverse effects in humans.

Sources of nonionizing EMR include:

Bluetooth devices

cell phones

computers

WIFI networks

energy smart meters

microwaves

power lines

MRI machines

Are they safe?

The CDCTrusted Source state that nonionizing radiation is only dangerous when a person comes into intense, direct contact with it. This scenario is uncommon and typically only a concern for those who work on instruments and devices that are large sources of nonionizing radiation.

A 2019 paper explains that there is a deep divide among researchers investigating the health implications of nonionizing EMR.

Some researchers suggest that nonionizing EMR can be dangerous, while others disagree. The paper states that the scientific reports can be controversial and contradictory.

Nevertheless, there appears to be growing evidence to suggest that nonionizing EMR may carry some health risks.

In pregnancy

ResearchersTrusted Source have found that the chance of pregnancy loss is almost three times more likely after experiencing exposure to high levels of nonionizing EMR.

Other researchersTrusted Source have found that women who experience exposure to high levels of nonionizing EMR during pregnancy are more likely to have children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).