The Apple Watch is active in the smartwatch market these days with its latest line of Apple Watch models. But before you spend your money on one, you might want to ask yourself some questions first. According to a recent study led by the FDA, the number of complaints regarding smartwatches and fitness trackers is on the rise. Consumers are concerned about the possibility of health risks which can be caused by the devices.
The current explosion of wearable technology has led to a surge in smartwatches and fitness trackers, with many consumers asking whether these devices are safe to wear. The short answer is they are. However, the long answer may surprise you.
Whether you you are a runner, cyclist, hiker, swimmer, or motorist, you may have noticed the trend of wearable tech becoming more prominent in everyday life. From wristbands with GPS, to smartwatches with heart rate monitors, to fitness trackers with GPS, there are already a number of options out there to track you, your movements, and your fitness. So, are these devices safe to wear? Can they truly help you live a better, healthier life?
GPS smartwatches and fitness trackers are popular and helpful tools for tracking exercise, health, and even sleeping patterns. Many users of smartwatches and fitness trackers, on the other hand, are worried about the potential health risks associated with their usage. Activity trackers are known to emit radiation, cause wrist burns, and cause diversions. Is it safe to use GPS smartwatches and fitness trackers with this in mind?
Wearing GPS devices and fitness trackers is safe. There are situations when low amounts of EMF and RF radiation are emitted, however these levels are not high enough to cause cancer or DNA abnormalities. Because activity trackers may be distracting, users should exercise caution while using them.
Are you worried about the potential for a fitness tracker to cause health issues? Do you want to know how long you can wear a fitness tracker without becoming sick? If that’s the case, this article will provide you all the information you need about GPS smartwatch and fitness tracker safety. These gadgets may help you live a healthier lifestyle, but there are a few things to bear in mind. Continue reading to learn more about the safety of wearable devices.
Is It Safe To Wear Fitness Trackers?
Wearing popular fitness trackers and GPS smartwatches, such as those offered by Garmin, Fitbit, and Apple, is safe.
Many users may be concerned since all of these gadgets produce radiation, but it is essential to remember that various kinds of radiation exist and that the energy levels are usually not high enough to be potentially carcinogenic.
Aside from health issues, you may be concerned about the security of your private data and sensitive information kept in these devices, such as your name, email address, and financial information, thus this subject may be multi-faceted depending on the number of safety concerns.
Because fitness trackers vary depending on the brand and manufacturing method, let’s take a look at the safety of the three most popular brands.
Garmin
Garmin makes fitness-focused GPS timepieces, as well as wearable fitness trackers and other related products.
Nearly all Garmin devices produce radiation, although the levels are similar to those released by a mobile phone and are not a reason for worry if you limit your daily usage of a Garmin device under six hours.
Garmin gadgets are obviously worn on the body, which implies that both non-ionizing and rf radiation will be exposed to the skin of the user.
Rf radiation, in particular, is a kind of radiation that has been shown to cause cancer in people; however, this diagnosis requires a lengthy period of exposure at very high frequencies.
Mobile phones are in the same position, and in fact, cell phones may be more dangerous since the frequencies are directly pushed against the brain.
Because high levels of these radiation kinds are directly linked to Bluetooth and a mobile phone app, this isn’t even a worry if you don’t have Bluetooth enabled all the time.
Overall, the radiation levels in a Garmin watch are so low that there’s no need to be concerned while using one. With this in mind, certain earlier Garmin models have been known to cause wrist or skin pain when worn for extended periods of time outside.
Fitbit
Furthermore, Fitbit devices have many of the same energy characteristics as Garmin devices. However, these radiation levels are comparable to those seen in mobile phones.
Fitbit fitness trackers track heart rate, fitness, sleep, and other health-related activity metrics.
Fitbit fitness trackers emit a lot of EMF, which may cause skin irritation in certain individuals, however the EMG emission rate for Fitbit is safe with just moderate daily exposure.
Apple
Apple fitness trackers, like Fitbit and Garmin, are among the most popular fitness tracker devices on the market. Not to add that the business is one of the most well-known phone and smartwatch companies.
All of the same issues and facts that apply to Garmin and Fitbit wearable trackers also apply to Apple wearable trackers.
One point of interest with Apple is that the company’s watches and fitness tracker models are still relatively new, so there is a dearth of general statistics on the brand’s safety.
However, like any fitness tracker, the frequency program intended for wearables is minimal risk and may be of no consequence if the user exercises moderation.
Are There Any Health Consequences or Negative Consequences of Wearing a Smartwatch?
Fitness trackers are generally safe to wear, according to study performed by the University of Utah in 2015 in collaboration with their cancer center.
Internal organ discomfort may be caused by radioactive frequencies, however the quantity of each frequency relies on the total exposure rate of the kind of EMF radiation.
Wearables, like phones, need a break from being connected to your body for long periods of time each day. This kind of usage may be harmful to your health since the EMF levels associated with Bluetooth technology and WiFi can cause health issues right now or years later.
Additionally, owing to the frequencies emitted by the gadget, some individuals may suffer sleep disturbances while using it for sleep.
With severe and extended usage each day, skin irritations and even burns are possible.
Furthermore, utilizing unsecured WiFi networks and Bluetooth in public places may raise worries about device security breaches. Not to mention distractions when driving or riding a bicycle.
Is it Safe to Wear These Devices All the Time?
Fitness trackers should not be worn all the time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you use the gadget all day and at night, you may develop health problems at some point; this does not have to happen right away.
When individuals wear a gadget on their wrist for an extended period of time, the radiation levels emanating from the device may cause wrist discomfort or burns. So limit your device use to a bare minimum and just use it for fitness or sleep monitoring.
Is it Possible for a Fitness Tracker to Produce Non-Ionizing Radiation?
Rf radioactivity, a kind of radio wave, is linked to non-ionizing radiation from a fitness wristwatch or tracker.
Because it oscillates both electric and magnetic fields, this radio wave may be hazardous.
Limiting your use of the gadget to a few hours each day may keep you safe from harmful exposure.
FAQs
Is it possible to get cancer by wearing a smartwatch?
The amounts of radiation in smartwatches may be hazardous, however this is dependent on how much exposure you get from the watch.
Although the gadgets haven’t been around long enough to do thorough study on the potential of cancer-causing exposure, the truth remains that the EMF emissions from a wristwatch are carcinogenic in high doses and may be exposed to for an indefinite period of time.
Do they leave burn scars on the wrists?
Yes, wrist burn has been reported among users of smartwatches and trackers who wear them constantly throughout the day and night.
Wearing the device solely while participating in fitness activities that you want to monitor is one method to avoid this. If the temperature is hot and humid outdoors, you may provide a layer of protection to your skin by putting a piece of fabric beneath the watch or tracker.
Is it safe to sleep with a smartwatch or fitness tracker on?
Sleep is another popular use for fitness trackers, since they provide data on heart rate and sleeping habits.
Wearing a wristwatch or tracker while sleeping is completely OK, but you should aim to restrict your monitoring to just a few nights each week.
Many users’ sleeping cycles may be disrupted by these items, owing to the energy levels emitted by the gadgets clashing with the brain’s sleep cycle.
Are there any risks associated with the use of wearable technology in general?
The World Health Organization advises using a fitness tracker during physical exercise because of the overall health advantages.
These devices save a wealth of information on a person’s energy expenditure, performance measures during physical activity, and the advantages of using these data to enhance one’s health.
There are risks connected with these products, as stated above, however it’s essential to remember two things:
- Wearable technology is still a novel concept.
- Radiation risks are mostly related to the amount of time and frequency with which you utilize technologies like Bluetooth and WiFi.
Excessive use may result in wrist burns, which raises the same radiation risks. It’s also crucial to only exchange data with applications that are kept on or linked to a device that is secured with a strong password.
Last Thoughts
Is it safe to wear fitness trackers? Yes, it is correct. In terms of radiation, these gadgets are comparable to mobile phones. You may minimize your exposure to EMF radiation by using it sparingly and only while you’re doing anything physical.
Keep your smartwatch or fitness tracker password-protected, and avoid using it while driving or cycling if it creates distractions.
A recent study found that GPS Smartwatches and fitness trackers can cause rare cancer tumors. This year, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) published a report saying that cell phone radiation was possibly carcinogenic to humans. So, do GPS Smartwatches and fitness trackers cause cancer?. Read more about are smart watches safe to wear all the time and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wearing smart watch health risks?
Smart watches are not considered to be a health risk.
Are fitness trackers safe to wear all the time?
It is best to remove your fitness tracker when you are sleeping or showering.
Is it safe to wear a GPS watch?
It is safe to wear a GPS watch, as long as you are careful not to leave it on when swimming.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- are smart watches safe to wear
- heart rate monitor harmful
- are fitness trackers safe to wear
- are smartwatches safe to wear
- 10 reasons not to buy a smartwatch
