Electromagnetic Radiation Safety: New Apple Watch Reignites Concerns over Cell Phone Radiation

Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices?

Philipp Lacour, Abdul ShokorParwani, Franziska Schuessler, Felix Hohendanner, Frank R. Heinzel, Tobias D.Trippel, Leif-Hendrik Bold, Burkert Pieske, Florian Blaschke. Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices? JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 29 July 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2020.04.033.

Abstract

Objectives Given the increasing prevalence of mobile phone and smartwatch use, this study tested patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for the incidence and consequence of contemporary mobile phone and smartwatch-produced electromagnetic interferences.

Background Electromagnetic interferences can be hazardous for patients with CIEDs.

Methods In total, 148 patients with CIEDs and leads from 4 different manufacturers were subjected to 1,352 tests. Analyzed CIEDs included 51 pacemakers, 5 cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers, 46 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, 43 cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators, and 3 implantable loop recorders. To analyze a possible influence of certain distances between the mobile phone (iPhone 6) and the smartwatch (Apple Watch A1553) to the CIED, both were placed either directly above implanted devices or at the right wrist. All possible activations of the iPhone and the Apple Watch, including the standby, dialing, and connecting modes (telephone connection and Internet access) were tested. In addition, we studied incidence and characteristics of interferences with interrogation telemetry.

Results In this study, only a single case of mobile phone–induced electromagnetic interference on a dual-chamber pacemaker was observed. Utilizing wanded telemetry, iPhone induced interferences were found in 14% of the patients. However, none of the patients showed any interference with the Apple Watch.

Conclusions The risk of electromagnetic interferences of the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch with CIEDs is low. However, close proximity of the iPhone 6 to implanted devices can cause telemetry interferences.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2405500X20303625

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September 25, 2017 (Updated with Series 4 Watches, Sep 13, 2018)

The San Francisco Chronicle published an article today, "New Apple Watch reignites concerns over radiation" (Catherine Ho, September 25, 2017).

Since the new Apple Watch can operate like a cell phone, some public health researchers and medical experts have raised concerns about the potential health risks from exposure to the radiation emitted by this device.

"There is no definitive data from federal health regulators showing a direct link between cell phone radiation — also known as radio frequency radiation — and health problems in humans. But recent research indicates that exposure to cell phone radiation is the likely cause of malignant growths in the brains and hearts of male rats, and can cause neurological damage in rats born to mothers that were exposed to the radiation during pregnancy."

The article mentions my successful lawsuit against the California Department of Public Health. It also discusses the cell phone radiation and cancer study conducted by the National Toxicology Program.

“ 'That’s going to up the exposure and probably increase the risk to the user over the long term,' said Joel Moskowitz, a researcher at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health. 'I don’t think there’s anyone who can say definitively this is going to hurt the user. But many scientists would say we don’t have enough information to claim these devices are safe.' ”

"We have evidence that levels of radiation far weaker than those of a cell phone can be damaging to human sperm as well as to the progeny produced by animals that are pregnant and exposed to this throughout their pregnancy.”Devra Davis, Environmental Health Trust

Neither Apple nor the CTIA would comment on the story.

The article is available at http://bit.ly/aplwatch3.

Specific Absorption Rates (SARs) for the Apple Watch (Series 3)

Before reading what Apple reports (below), I suggest you read the following posts on my website which discuss why the SAR is not a reliable measure of the potential health risks from using a wireless device on or near your body.

What's Wrong with Cell Phone Radiation Exposure Limits? (SAR)
Children are more exposed to cell phone radio-frequency radiation than adults

AirPods: Are Apple’s New Wireless Earbuds Safe? (Blood-brain barrier effects)

Google Glass Alert: Potential health risks from wireless radiation

FCC:Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation Regulations--Key Testimony

Apple Watch Series 4 RF Exposure Information

Apple Watch has been tested and meets applicable limits for radio frequency (RF) exposure.

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) refers to the rate at which the body absorbs RF energy. SAR limits depend on whether Apple Watch is used against the head or on the wrist. In the U.S, and some countries, the SAR limit is 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over 1 gram of tissue for use against the head and 4.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for use on the wrist. In other countries, the SAR limit is 2.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for use against the head and 4.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for use on the wrist.

The SAR distribution at the exposed side of the head or body was measured at a distance no greater than 5.0 mm from the inner surface of the shell.

Devices that are designed to be worn on the wrist may operate in speaker mode for voice communication, with the device worn on the wrist and positioned next to the mouth. When next-to-mouth SAR evaluation is required, the device is positioned at 10 mm from a flat phantom filled with head tissue-equivalent medium. The device is evaluated with wrist bands strapped together to represent normal use conditions.

Devices that are designed or intended for use on extremities or mainly operated in extremity only exposure conditions; i.e., hands, wrists, feet and ankles, may require extremity SAR evaluation. When the device also operates in close proximity to the user’s body, SAR compliance for the body is also required. When extremity SAR evaluation is required, the device is evaluated with the back of the device touching the flat phantom, which is filled with body tissue-equivalent medium. The device was evaluated with Sport wristband unstrapped and touching the phantom. For Metal Loop and Metal Links wristbands, the device was evaluated with wristbands strapped and the distance between wristbands and the phantom was minimized to represent the spacing created by actual use condition.

Although this device has been tested to determine SAR in each band of operation, not all bands are available in all areas. Bands are dependent on your service provider’s wireless networks.

Looking across the Series 4 models, the highest cellular transmission SAR was 0.37 watts per kilogram (W/kg); the highest Wi-Fi SAR was 0.17 W/kg; the highest Bluetooth SAR was 0.13 W/kg, and the highest simultaneous transmission SAR (cellular plus Wi-Fi) was 0.50 W/kg.

The highest tested SAR values for each Series 4 model of the Apple Watch were as follows:

Model A1975
head (over 1 gram):
cellular = 0.25 W/kg
Wi-Fi = 0.14 W/kg
Bluetooth = 0.11 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.39 W/kg

extremity (over 10 grams):
cellular = 0.34 W/kg
Wi-Fi = 0.11 W/kg
Bluetooth = <0.1 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.40 W/kg

Model A1976
head (over 1 gram):
cellular = 0.25 W/kg
Wi-Fi = <0.1 W/kg
Bluetooth = 0.10 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.35 W/kg

extremity (over 10 grams):
cellular = 0.27 W/kg
Wi-Fi = <0.1 W/kg
Bluetooth = <0.1 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.32 W/kg

Model A1977

head (over 1 gram):
cellular = 0.37 W/kg
Wi-Fi = 0.13 W/kg
Bluetooth = <0.1 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.50 W/kg

extremity (over 10 grams):
cellular = 0.26 W/kg
Wi-Fi = <0.1 W/kg
Bluetooth = <0.1 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.32 W/kg

Model A1978

head (over 1 gram):
cellular = No cellular
Wi-Fi = 0.17 W/kg
Bluetooth = 0.13 W/kg
simultaneous = Not applicable

extremity (over 10 grams):
cellular = No cellular
Wi-Fi = 0.10 W/kg
Bluetooth = <0.1 W/kg
simultaneous = Not applicable

Model A2007

Model A2008

head (over 1 gram):
cellular = 0.36 W/kg
Wi-Fi = 0.14 W/kg
Bluetooth = 0.10 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.50 W/kg

extremity (over 10 grams):
cellular = 0.31 W/kg
Wi-Fi = 0.11 W/kg
Bluetooth = <0.1 W/kg
simultaneous = 0.42 W/kg

Apple Watch Series 3 RF Exposure Information

Apple has posted information on its website about the Specific Absorption Rate or SAR for the Series 3 Apple Watches.

Apple Watch has been tested and meets applicable limits for radio frequency (RF) exposure.

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) refers to the rate at which the body absorbs RF energy. SAR limits depend on whether Apple Watch is used against the head or on the wrist. In some countries, the SAR limit is 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over 1 gram of tissue for use against the head and 4.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for use on the wrist. In other countries, the SAR limit is 2.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for use against the head and 4.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for use on the wrist.

During testing, Apple Watch radios are set to their highest transmission levels and placed in positions that simulate use against the head, with 10 mm separation, and on the wrist, with no separation. When placing Apple Watch near your face, keep at least 10 mm of separation to ensure exposure levels remain at or below the as-tested levels.

Although this device has been tested to determine SAR in each band of operation, not all bands are available in all areas. Bands are dependent on your service provider’s wireless networks.

The highest tested SAR values were as follows:

GPS and Cellular Models:

Model A1860

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.53

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.18

Model A1889

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.29

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.15

Model A1890

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.16

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.14

Model A1861

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.52

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.34

Model A1891

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.35

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.18

Model A1892

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.25

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.14

GPS –only Models:

Model A1858

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.17

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.034

Model A1859

1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 0.11

4.0 W/kg (over 10 g) SAR Limit
Wrist: 0.023

Thursday, July 30, 2020

New Apple Watch Reignites Concerns over Cell Phone Radiation