iPhone
7 Headphone: Helpful or Harmful?
The
iPhone 7 is here! After months of rumors, edited images and speculation, Apple
revealed its newest device at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San
Francisco, California. Since the release of the all-in-one desktop, iMac G3 in
1998, Apple has been in the forefront of technology. We have waited and
gossiped about each and every release since the G3, and the iPhone 7 was no
different. If you wanted water resistance and a better battery life, you’re
going to be thrilled. If you wanted better headphones and a reduced level of
radiation, you’ll definitely be disappointed. In order to ‘increase dynamic
range” Apple experts added a speaker to the top of the iPhone and replaced the
headphone jack with an even larger speaker at the bottom.
Apple’s
Senior Vice President, Phil Schiller, told attendees of the iPhone 7’s
unveiling the decision to remove the headphone jack was, “the courage to move
on, to do something new that betters all of us. And our team has tremendous
courage”
Although,
it may seem innovative to the researchers at Apple, some health experts prefer
to call it unfortunate.
DANGERS OF WIRELESS IPHONE 7 AIRPODS
To
some, it may seem like Apple is tackling the Radio Frequency (RF) exposure
issue by implementing wireless headphones, to others it seems like they are
replacing one problem with another. Long before the release of the iPhone 7,
Apple has been releasing warnings regarding radiation and radio frequency
exposure, under the radar.
Apple
has assured the public they will follow the FFC guidelines, which requires the
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to be 1.6 watts per kilogram or less.
Unfortunately, according to more than 220 scientists of 39 nations by way of
The International Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Scientist Appeal, the national
and international guidelines for exposure to radio frequency radiation are
inadequate to protect human health. These scientists have collectively
published peer-reviewed papers on the health effects of non-ionizing radiation
proving the clear dangers of Extremely Low Frequency fields (ELF) used for
electricity, or Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR) used for wireless communication
and presented them to the United Nations. (https://emfscientist.org/)
As
cellphone and Bluetooth usage continues to spread widely, emitting high levels
of radiation into the atmosphere, the incidence of fatal brain cancer in
younger people has tripled. Dr. Martin Blank, The EMF Scientist Appeal
Spokesman and member of the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at
Columbia University, says “it is particularly frightening that the radiation
from our telecommunication and powerline technology is damaging the DNA in our
cells – this research is not being heard on the committees that set safety
standards.”
The
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agrees and aims to release
data in 2017 that will detail the potential health effect of cell phone
radiation and further prove that wireless headphones will not eliminate the
problem at hand. According to the EE Times, the left AirPod of the iPhone 7 communicates
with the right AirPod using a different technology, “near field magnetic
induction (NFMI).” Due to this technology, if one uses the AirPods many hours a
day, the cumulative exposure to the brain from this microwave radiation could
be substantial.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR RF EXPOSURE
Aware
of the dangers, experts believe plugged in headsets are a safer option. Apple
has even suggested in their legal section to “use a hands-free option, or other
similar accessories when using the iPhone. Carry iPhone at least 5mm away from
your body to ensure exposure levels remain at or below the as-tested levels.”
Vest
Tech is here to bridge the gap between technology advancement
and its safer use by empowering and educating the public about radiation risks
and protection. Vest’s Bluetooth headset blocks
radiation from reaching the brain thus enabling the wireless advancement that
Apple engineers are promoting while staying safe at the same time!
Vest
Tech also has an additional selection of products you can use
for your mobile devices, including radiation protection phone cases, wallets and even baby blankets and pregnancy belly bands.
These products reduce human exposure to radiation, and allowing
us increase long-term health. Vest Tech products block Low Frequency
fields, electromagnetic radiation (ELF / EMF) and Radio Frequency Radiation
(RFR) associated with cancer and DNA alterations allowing the public to enjoy
technology while staying safe.