While many of us like to keep as healthy as we can, it turns out there is radiation emitted by your favorite products that might be a little more dangerous than we first imagined.
Many of us try our hardest to make sure that we’re as healthy as possible every day. This could be everything from skipping that morning coffee in favor of a glass of water, taking the stairs and walking to work over driving, or even heading to the gym or a run after a long day in the office. It seems as though there is no end to the number of ways we can help our bodies to stay a little healthier. At least, that’s what many of us have thought until now.
It turns out there are some dangers that we just can’t hide from. That’s right; there is radiation emitted by your favorite products that is oozing into our systems each and every day. Sadly, it seems as though there’s nothing we can do about it either. However, it might not be time to think about living in a cave with nothing more than your tin foil hat just yet. There might be hope to keep us safe after all.
WiFi – 0.0057 W/kg
Let’s face it; the world loves a bit of WiFi, right? Many of us rely on internet access to stop our minds imploding, but it looks as though all of those airwaves might be having more of an effect on us than we ever believed.
Unlike other objects, a WiFi router is sending out the same level of radiation at all times of the day (around 0.0057 W/kg – watts of power absorbed per kilograms of tissue).
Being near a router for too long can cause side effects such as headaches, tumors, and insomnia. As if that wasn’t enough, your computer or device can then radiate the leftover radiation, so it’s even closer to you than before.
Bluetooth – 0.23 W/kg
Many of us have jumped on the trend of Bluetooth headphones. Sadly, they might not be as good an investment as you once thought.
Anything you have near your body that emits Bluetooth, such as your cell phone, headphones, or speakers, can put us at risk.
In fact, Bluetooth earbuds can be one of the worst offenders as there is nothing other than soft tissue between the radiation and your brain. To top it off, Bluetooth is continually emitting radiation the entire time that it is turned on, with anything within one foot from your body being considered potentially dangerous.
Many of us have heard that call phones are supposed to be dangerous for us, but what about cordless house phones? Surely they must be the better compromise to the situation, right?
It turns out that cordless phones might not be as innocent as they first seem.
This is because they emit high levels of radiation at all times rather than when they are just in use. The base of the phone is thought to be the leading cause of the radiation compared to the phone itself. However, the risk of radiation from cordless phones is believed to be around 1/600th of a regular cell phone.
Cell phones – 1.02 W/kg (average)
Scientists have been battling over the health effects of cell phones for many years.
However, it looks as though many believe those radioactive waves emitted from the devices could be enough to have significant effects on tumors in our body. That’s not all.
Cell phone towers can be just as dangerous for anyone living too close to one of the structures. They are thought to have such a significant impact on our health because cell phones emit radio waves that can be quickly absorbed by any part of our body if it is close enough to the source. Therefore, it’s stored in our bodies.
There have been many appliances that are said to emit a lot of radiation in our homes.
Microwaves have long been blamed for many issues, but studies now show that blow dryers could be responsible for just as much radiation as our kitchen appliance.
Even if you blow-dry your hair a few times a week, you could be aiming an incredible amount of radiation directly at your head. Blow dryers use electric and magnetic fields to heat up the air before pointing it at our locks to get things dry. This makes blow dryers some of the most dangerous products in our home.
Of course, the Chernobyl Disaster is one of the most famous nuclear accidents to sweep the world. However, the area is now deemed as a tourist attraction, with thousands of people heading there each year to see the land for themselves.
Sadly, the amount of radiation in the ground and air means that it won’t be habitable for thousands of years.
A couple of days in safe areas means people are exposed to less radiation than a long-haul flight, but certain areas, such as the basement of the hospital where clothes from the first people on the scene have been dumped, are so dangerous that people are banned from entering the room altogether.
Airport security machines
Many travelers are used to heading through airport security machines. We know the drill by now. You’re usually in and out within seconds to make sure you’re not carrying anything you shouldn’t be before you’re free to head on your way.
Believe it or not, but it turns out that all aspects of traveling might be more dangerous than we imagined.
Scanning machines often emit low levels of radiation that don’t become an issue until we regularly head through them every day. However, heading up into the sky can see radiations levels rise as the high you are in the atmosphere, the higher the levels of radiation.
If there’s one thing that many of us want to do, it’s change everything that we can to make sure we’re taking care of our planet. So what about when that smart meter starts to become a radiation threat to your home?
That’s right; smart meters have been linked to increased levels of radiation thanks to the radiofrequency radiation that is emitted from the device.
Some symptoms that have been reported thanks to being around smart meters include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and even heart palpitations as well as a handful of other symptoms. The levels of radiation all depend on how far it needs to send its signal.
Believe it or not, but cat litter is so radioactive that it can trigger radiation detectors at security checkpoints.
That’s right; your feline friend might be introducing an increased radiation level to your home that many of us never realized. Cat litter made from bentonite or clay are the ones we need to avoid.
This is because they both contain various radioactive isotopes. It’s thought that Americans could be buying tons of radiation every year. The risk increases for owners of cats undergoing radiation therapy. Their waste can pass the radiation into the air. Combine this with certain cat litter, and it might not be long before people notice a difference.
There are many gemstones that are naturally radioactive, including zircon. Unfortunately, many gems are irradiated with neurons to help enhance their shine and color.
Some of these common gems include topaz, tourmaline, and beryl. While the gems might look more appealing as a result, they could be putting us at risk of being too close to radiation.
Some gems hold onto the radiation for a long time after they have been treated and can release small levels of the stuff every hour. To top it off, most people wear them on jewelry that sits close to their skin, meaning the radiation only has a small distance to travel.
X-rays have been around for more than a century, and they have helped to save many people and diagnose plenty of injuries over the years. They are a naturally occurring form of electromagnetic radiation that forms an image when they hit a solid object.
In fact, it was mere weeks after they were discovered that x-rays were used in medicine.
Having an x-ray is known to cause a mutation within our DNA that could eventually lead to cancer in later life. Thankfully, the benefits of having an x-ray usually outweigh the risks, with any changes thought to be unlikely within most people.
It turns out that space radiation is different from the radiation that we usually find on Earth. That’s because the atoms have had their electrons stripped away thanks to nearly approaching the speed of light.
While not all of us regularly head up into space, it seems as though astronauts could be at risk of getting exposed to high levels of the stuff.
This can have effects on the central nervous system as well as increasing someone’s risk of developing cancer. This is because it’s made from ionizing radiation that can travel through substances and alter them as they pass through.
While some of us try our hardest to make sure that we avoid radiation at all costs, it seems as though there’s no running from the stuff that is coursing through our bodies at all times.
Yes, even our bodies emit a certain level of radiation each year! This is thanks to the potassium atoms and carbon 14 atoms that are found within our systems.
As they decay, they both produce radiation particles that can then make their way into the atmosphere. The radiation initially comes from the rest of the environment as our food, air, and anything else around us floods our bodies with the stuff before we give it all back.
Of course, many of us over the years have learned the effects on our health that cigarettes can have, but it turns out there is one more to add to the list: they are radioactive.
Well, almost. Tobacco itself isn’t radioactive, but some of the chemicals used in cigarettes are. Lead-210 and polonium-210 are the offenders.
They are both naturally found in soil, and many farmers use the chemicals to help grow their crops. However, it’s spraying the tobacco fields that can see a lot of these chemicals remain on the plant’s leaves and eventually end up becoming a part of the cigarettes.
Of course, many turn to vaping instead of using alternatives. It’s often thought that it is supposed to be better than other previous habits, but could that be true? It turns out there could be more hazards to vaping than first meets the eye.
While there have been several other health concerns linked to vaping, it turns out there’s one that’s got people talking more than others: the levels of radiation.
This is thanks to the various chemicals that are found in the vapor. It’s also thought their radiation could impair people’s healing from certain procedures, but being so new to the market means that little is known about them.
If there’s one thing that many parents rely on when they want to watch over their little ones, it’s baby monitors.
They can be a great way to ensure that babies are safe without being in the same room as them 24 hours a day. So what if we learned they could be a source of radiation for our little one?
Like many other products on the market, their level of radiation comes to their constant use and the fact they are sending messages through the airwaves throughout our homes. Youngsters are more susceptible to the effects of radiation than adults, meaning young ones could be at risk while we try to keep them safe.
There are many things that we often add to our home to make sure we are safe and out of harm’s way. That could be until we learn there is more to these items than many of us believe.
Smoke detectors are supposed to make sure we know when there’s a fire, so why are we now at risk of being exposed to radiation?
The detectors use americium-241, an isotope, to detect if there is any smoke in the air. Thankfully, it is wrapped in foil and ceramic to make sure it doesn’t get into the air. Sadly, tampering with our smoke detectors could release the radiation into the air.
As technology continues to advance, it seems as though there’s no end to the number of things they can do. Wireless chargers are one of the newest and most exciting items to hit the market.
The chargers work by using electric and magnetic fields to send energy from the charger to a component fitted in the device.
Although these radiation particles will disappear within a short distance, they could pose a threat if they are kept too close to our bodies. Many of us keep our phones and chargers next to our bed, meaning there is only a little distance before the radiation reaches us as we sleep.
iPads – 1.19 W/kg
Many of us can’t imagine a day going by without using our tablet, with iPads being one of the most popular brands on the market.
They are everywhere, and many of us even let our children use them each and every day. All tablets release electric and magnetic fields. Although the levels of radiation are low, they are constant.
This means we are always around a continual level of the stuff. Too much radiation from your iPad can leave people with symptoms such as burning eyes, fatigue, sleep disturbances, stress, and even aches in muscles and other parts of our bodies.
iWatches – 1.6 W/kg
Many people who have learned about radiation worry that their iWatches could emit some of the particles, too. It turns out they do. Fitness trackers have been popular for many years, and as their intelligence continues to improve, so do their levels of radiation.
This is one of the most connected devices that we can put on our wrists thanks to the built-in cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth that comes with the iWatch.
It’s a constant emission that can lead to digestive issues, problems with our memory, headaches, fatigue, and even asthma. These are increased in people who wear the watches 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Laptops are great as they let us take our personal computers out and about with us. Plus, they can be used in many places, with some of us opting to keep them on our laps as we work.
Could this be having an effect on our health? Of course, technology devices emit electric and magnetic fields.
However, this is dramatically reduced the further away from our bodies we keep our Macbook. It causes the most radiation when it makes contact with our skin. Having it three feet away from us dramatically reduces the radiation. Plus, keeping our heads one to two feet away from our laptop screen can help reduce any exposure.
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact – 1.36 W/kg
Cell phones are measured by specific absorption rate (SAR) to determine the energy that is absorbed by our bodies when exposed to radiofrequency.
It is measured in watts per kilogram, and there are different guidelines to determine what is safe – and what products should stay on the shelf.
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is a highly popular Android phone. Its results? 1.36 watts per kilogram. This means that it’s safe to have around our bodies, but added features, such as Bluetooth, cellular data, and using our WiFi on our phones combined with our love of scrolling can lead to added exposure.
XiaomiPlus 5T – 1.68 W/kg
The XiaomiPlus 5T was released back in 2017. It sold many fans because the screen is over 6 inches wide, it comes with 8GB of RAM, and it runs on Android.
Another one of the main selling points was the fact that people can scan their fingerprint on the back of the phone as opposed to the front.
However, like all other cell phones on the market, the XiaomiPlus 5T releases radiation. The SAR of the phone measures in at 1.68 watts per kilogram, making it one of the highest sources of radiation from cell phones on the market.
Huawei Mate 9 – 1.64 W/kg
Like many smartphones makers, Huawei want to make sure they are always offering the best phones they can make with upgraded specs and things to draw people in.
The Huawei Mate 9 boasts a revolutionary battery life that is reported to last up to two days, as well as a supercharge option that can boost the battery in just 20 minutes.
It all sounds great until we get to the radiation levels emitted from this phone. It measures in at 1.64 watts per kilogram, meaning that it’s one of the highest radiation-emitting phones in the world – even if it does come with plenty of appealing aspects.
iPhone – 2.47 – 7.15 W/kg
iPhones are one of the most popular choices of cell phones for people all around the world. However, the iPhone 7 and 8 are now in the firing line as researchers believe they could be emitting dangerous levels of radiation.
There are many guidelines stating that we should keep our phones away from our bodies – especially our heads – but many need to use their devices on a regular basis.
Several tests performed on these iPhones showed that we could be at risk, but so far it seems as though Apple is confident they have followed all the protocols and believes the phones are safe.
Samsung Galaxy – 8.22 W/kg
Although many cell phones have been questioned about the safety of the amount of radiation emitted, it seems as though iPhone and Samsung have been named as the worst offenders – with the Samsung Galaxy S8 supposedly thought to be the worst of them all.
Some tests show the phone emits 8.22 watts per kilogram, which is over five times the legal level of radiation.
It turns out that less is known about radiation than many believe. Researchers state there are no studies to show that this level of radiation could be dangerous to our health, but many no longer want to take the risk.
The eternal debate
Many have asked the same question for many years: what is better, Apple or Android? While there are many different aspects to take into consideration, many people want to know what radiation levels both have to offer.
It turns out that the majority of Android phones come with higher-rated radiation levels, with the majority earning over 1.4 watts per kilogram.
On the other hand, the iPhone 7 measures at 1.38 watts per kilogram that dropped down to 1.32 watts per kilogram with the iPhone 8. While they are all safe to use, it appears that Apple’s phones come with less exposure in the long run.
5G is one of the newest things to enter the market, and it seems as though it could be about to change our lives, but could that be for the better?
Many are worried about the health risks that could come with the new invention. It’s packed full of more energy that comes with more radiation as a result.
It comes with radiofrequency radiation that is said to damage our DNA and could even lead to premature aging or our cell metabolism. They are non-ionizing radiation waves that mean they can’t alter our cells. Sadly, 5G is still such a new invention that researchers are yet to uncover the full extent of the damage it could cause.
Bananas are loaded with potassium. This is why many people have turned to them before and after their workouts as well as when they are in need of a quick energy boost.
Did you know that bananas are thought to be one of the most radioactive foods on the market?
This is all thanks to an isotope found within the fruit. The radioactive potassium is located in the soil and is soaked up into the fruit as it grows. Believe it or not, scientists have named the unofficial unit for measuring the radiation as the banana equivalent dose that is used to measure radiation levels in all food.
Believe it or not, but Brazil nuts grown in their native country are even more radioactive than Brazil nuts found across the rest of the world.
That’s all thanks to the fact that they grow on trees that have roots embedded deep within the soil. These roots are in charge of absorbing radium before it makes its way into the nuts.
In fact, it’s believed that radiation levels in Brazil nuts are often 1,000 times higher than levels in any other food. Thankfully, it turns out that you have to eat a ton of the nuts before it becomes dangerous, but including them in your daily diet could be enough to see your personal radiation levels increase.
Some things have been on the list for items that have been blamed for radiation, and microwaves have come up time and time again. There is a good reason.
Microwaves use electromagnetic waves to get into the food to make the water molecules vibrate. This movement heats up the food quickly so that we have a meal in a few minutes.
Thankfully, using a microwave won’t make your food radioactive, so you don’t have to worry about ingesting too much of the stuff. However, it’s essential to make sure the door of the microwave is shut properly to keep that radiation inside as it can quickly seep into the air.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs have become a popular choice for many homeowners. They are usually relatively cheap, they often last a long time, and they are bright lights.
Unfortunately, it seems they also come with their drawbacks. They contain mercury, which can be poisonous.
To top it off, they also emit a type of radiofrequency radiation. This electromagnetic smog gets more potent as the frequency continues to climb. If it gets high enough, then it can get into the air. Having them on the ceiling is usually no worry. It’s when they are used in desk lamps or other lights as they are closer to our skin.
So many of the electronics we use every day come with batteries. Tablets, phones, even our remotes or the mouse to our computer often have batteries of their own.
These could be subtle ways that we expose ourselves to radiation without ever realizing the truth.
Believe it or not, but it’s not the batteries themselves that cause the radiation, but the energy they emit to the world. This means that batteries sat in a draw wouldn’t cause a health risk. However, putting them into products such as tablets or cell phones could lead to a surge of electric and magnetic fields to enter our environment instead.
The thing about concrete? It’s the second most consumed material on Earth – falling behind water.
It’s also used twice as much as all other building materials combined when it comes to making new buildings. It helps to form sidewalks, homes, and just about anything we can think of.
It seems as though there’s no end to the number of possibilities. The worry? It also leaks a lot of radiation each year. The material is filled with naturally radioactive materials that decay and release their gasses into the environment. However, on the flip side, concrete is also widely used as a radioactive shielding material, too.
Water. The very thing that keeps us going and provides life to most living creatures. What would we do without it? It turns out that it might be a little more radioactive than we first thought.
The worst offender for radiation found in water is tritium.
This naturally occurring form of hydrogen means the radiation levels are upped in everything from tap water to bottled water and just about every other type of drinking water in between. Thankfully, natural mineral water is safe, but other forms of water are sometimes contaminated with nuclear leaks from power plants across the world.
AirPods – 0.466 W/kg
As the world continues to turn, it looks as though we will have to get used to saying “goodbye” to a handful of our favorite things – including headphone jacks. Yes, AirPods are now a daily part of many people’s lives, but could they be more dangerous than many people believe?
One of many people’s main concerns is the fact that they are placed directly inside the ear canal.
This means there is barely any barrier between the radio waves used to connect out AirPods to our cell phones and our brain. It’s not the radiation levels that have some concerned, but the frequency that many use their wireless earbuds.
Believe it or not, but corded earphones could increase the radiation to our brain if we use them with our cell phones. Many people feel that using earphones to talk on the phone or listen to music means that our cell phone is further from our head – and therefore safer.
However, studies have shown that phones can actually become more radioactive if they are held below a certain level.
That’s not all. Corded earphones could help the radiation to travel directly into our ears rather than dispersing into the environment around us. Some research shows that it could increase the radiation levels by up to 300%.