Fitbit is one of the most popular fitness trackers on the market. With the amount of time that people typically wear them, it’s a fair question to ask, does a Fitbit emit EMF radiation?
From the extremely simple Fitbit Zip to the smartwatch style Fitbit Versa, these devices are worn by millions of people to improve their health through calorie tracking, heart rate monitoring and more.
Some of the different models have gotten bad reputations for causing skin irritation, burns, and wrist pain. Some of these were attributed to allergic reactions to the metals used, but many other symptoms from wearing Fitbit fitness trackers can easily be attributed to the EMF radiation from the devices.
I wanted to look into this a bit deeper to find out what we know about the dangers of these fitness trackers, and what we can do about it.
Just a quick aside – I just want to mention that if you’re worried about EMF radiation, there is an E-book that I absolutely cannot recommend any higher called “The Non-Tinfoil Guide to EMFs” that I would really encourage you to check out. I didn’t write it, but it’s one of the absolute best resources available.
Does A Fitbit Emit EMF Radiation?
Yes, FitBits do emit EMF radiation, primarily from their Bluetooth connection with your phone, but also from the electrical components inside the device. Although the non-ionizing radiation from FitBit devices does not always emit as much EMF radiation as say, your cell phone, the constant connection does emit a fair amount.
For a full in-depth look at the dangers of Bluetooth EMF radiation, check out this post.
Let’s take a look at a video showing EMF radiation being emitted from a Fitbit.
One issue with Bluetooth radiation from a device like the Fitbit is that there is less research available. In fact, even with the small amount of research that is available, you have to weed through the mire of research bias, as many of the studies are funded by mobile phone and Bluetooth device manufacturers.
Most, but not all, Bluetooth devices have EMF radiation emissions slightly less than government regulation standard SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) levels.
However, some research now tells us that these levels are far from what is actually safe for the body to absorb. Many scientists and researchers claim that this low-frequency non-ionizing radiation is not harmful, because it is nonthermal and has no heating element.
However, even in the scientific community, this is far from settled, as there is a growing body of research showing that this radiation can, in fact, be quite harmful.
Bluetooth radiation from devices like a Fitbit, as you probably saw in the video above, happens in pulses. The EMF radiation from these pulses is an extremely short wavelength that travels at very high speeds and is extremely efficient at penetrating human tissue and can potentially cause biological damage to the human body.
As you probably know from many of the other knowledge posts on EMF Academy, consistent close proximity exposure to EMF radiation has been known to potentially cause all kinds of symptoms and health issues like:
- Headaches
- Moodiness
- Sleep disorders
- Skin Irritation
- Foggy brain
- Nausea
As well as more serious issues like increased risk of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimers and other health risks.
Here is another quick video demonstrating the EMF radiation from a FitBit Blaze:
What Does FitBit Have To Say About Radiation From Their Devices?
Many people have asked the company about radiation from their devices, both about the radio frequency radiation from the Bluetooth, as well as the small amount of electric and magnetic field radiation from the device itself.
Fitbit has maintained a pretty consistent stance, that although their devices absolutely do emit EMF radiation in several forms, the amount of radiation is not enough to cause harm.
In a response to someone asking a similar question, a FitBit forum moderator said the following:
The only thing that bothers me about this response, is that it does not link to the results of any testing showing these numbers. Also, what cell phone radiation results are they referencing when they say that the Fitbit only emits approximately 1% of the amount.
Also, are these numbers accounting for the fact that a Fitbit device is work directly against the skin, and many cellphone radiation results assume a 6-inch distance between the person and the device?
They are certainly correct that in a direct comparison a cellphone is going to emit more radiation, however, I wish they would release their own tests and studies so that we could actually make a determination about how dangerous these devices are.
In another FitBit forum, a moderator said the following:
Again, I have some small issues with this response. It hints that perhaps the numbers they are using for comparison are related to SAR testing of cell phones. If you read my post on SAR ratings of cell phones, then you’ll know there are many reasons that these readings are far from accurate.
For Instance:
- SAR readings are based on an adult brain. However, children absorb approximately twice the radiation of an adult and are therefore not factored in by SAR ratings.
- SAR levels only give us information about how much radiation they emit when in use against the body, but do not tell us about how much radiation they emit when not in use.
- The dummies that are used for testing, contain only a liquid that is representative of our tissue and brain matter. However, many people have metal on their bodies in the form of fillings, piercings, etc. This metal can impact how our bodies absorb radiation.
The statement from the forum moderator also says that devices like theirs are exempt from testing. Although this is true, it certainly should not make you feel safer. The FCC guidelines on electromagnetic radiation limits are FAR off from what most countries consider safe.
Powerful corporations and lobbies fight to keep these guidelines where they are so they can continue manufacturing electronics that may be unsafe, and be exempt from even testing them.
A growing number of scientists and researchers are fighting these guidelines, with aims to get them closer to other industrialized countries.
On top of that, I’m not sure they are correct with their radiation assumptions. Take a look at the following video which measures the pulsed radio frequency radiation from a Fitbit. Watch as it actually maxes out the Acoustimeter’s Radio Frequency measurements at over 6 v/m2.