To help get you back into a healthy lifestyle, getting a Fitbit or other fitness tracker can be a good idea. These fitness trackers come with many benefits.
They can track your heart rate, time spent active, blood pressure, your sleep quality, and much more. Of course, this can be very beneficial for both ordinary people and professional athletes alike.
That said, is it safe to wear a Fitbit all the time. No, they aren’t going to catch fire or blow up. However, these are electronic devices with various components.
Moreover, most use Bluetooth to connect to your phone or tablet. These electromagnetic fields and waves can have specific health risks. However, their danger will depend on the quantity of radiation produced and more.
There are safe levels of EMF radiation that your body can be exposed to without adverse effects. The question is whether a Fitbit releases EMF radiation levels to be considered safe.
This article looks closer at this issue of Fitbits and EMF radiation. First, we want to talk about EMF radiation, its effects on the body, and how much Fitbits release. So, is a Fitbit safe to wear all the time?
Fitbits and EMF Radiation
Fitbits are usually connected to a smartphone using Bluetooth, although these devices can function solo. However, connecting them to your phone is typically required to access the premium features and download information.
Bluetooth uses radio waves to communicate between devices. Bluetooth is a type of electromagnetic wave, also known as a microwave. This is a type of radiofrequency radiation or RF radiation for short. The issue is that this radiation can penetrate human tissue, as they have short wavelengths and high frequencies.
Without getting too deep into the science, Bluetooth also emits what is known as EMF radiation because Fitbits contain various sensors and electronic components which create electromagnetic fields around the Fitbit.
Yes, EMF radiation or electromagnetic field radiation can harm human health. If you are always wearing the Fitbit, you will be constantly exposed to RF and EMF radiation.
Fitbits and Acceptable EMF Radiation Levels
According to Fitbit and official studies, the levels of EMF radiation that these gadgets release should not be harmful to human health. However, the FCC has regulations that dictate how much EMF exposure is safe for humans in the US.
One of the factors is the SAR, or specific absorption rate, which indicates how much EMF radiation is absorbed by the human body. This is the case when using a cellphone. Fitbit claims that their units do not release enough radiation to negatively affect humans.
Part of this has to do with Fitbit putting out less than 1% power compared to a cellphone. However, the FCC measures cellphone EMF radiation exposure based on the fact that the phone is kept six inches from the head. Therefore, cellphone exposure only lasts for so long. However, a Fitbit is much closer to your skin than six inches, and many people wear them 24 hours a day.
However, FCC regulations are often criticized. For example, it is said that the evaluation methods for EMF radiation exposure are highly flawed.
The bottom line is that Fitbits should generally be safe to wear all the time for normally healthy people. However, some people seem to be more sensitive to EMF radiation, and there are reported side effects of wearing Fitbits all the time.
These side effects only happen in a tiny minority of people. However, there is a chance that side effects may occur.
Possible Side Effects of Wearing a Fitbit All the Time
As mentioned above, some people are more sensitive to this electromagnetic radiation. This is known as EHS or electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome, and there are side effects that people have reported, including dizziness and headaches. There are also claims that these devices have caused erratic heart rhythms and palpitations.
In addition, some people say they have experienced a tingling sensation, whereas others have gotten a rash.
Remember that the most common symptom of electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome is skin irritation. Some people have even reported experiencing deep tissue pain.
Some studies show that EMF radiation may negatively affect the human body’s ability to produce melatonin, one of the main chemicals responsible for getting a good night’s sleep. Therefore, some people have reported trouble sleeping after prolonged periods of wearing a Fitbit.
However, we want to clarify that these symptoms are extremely rare. The vast majority of people who wear Fitbits experience no side effects. Generally speaking, unless you have EMF sensitivity, Fitbit devices should not negatively impact you in any way.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that, in all likelihood, Fitbits are perfectly safe to wear all the time. Moreover, they generally don’t release enough electromagnetic radiation to cause adverse effects on the human body.
With that being said, the measurement methods used to determine acceptable levels of EMF exposure may be flawed.
In addition, some people have noted adverse side effects that may or may not be attributed to this EMF radiation. But, generally speaking, the benefits provided by these Fitbit fitness trackers greatly outweigh any possible risks.
The vast majority of Fitbit users report no adverse side effects. Based on this, it is safe to assume that you can wear a Fitbit all day long without adverse side effects.