Fitbit is a renowned name when it comes to fitness trackers. After monitoring your activity levels, heart rate, and calorie tracking, it sends all the information to a connected device (computer or smartphone). Fitbit uses low-level radiofrequency waves as a medium of data sharing.
Since people wear this device for most of the time, a question comes to mind — “Is it safe to wear a Fitbit all the time?”
Here, we will try to answer this question in a simple yet clear manner.
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Safety Concerns
Fitness trackers emit non-ionizing radiation from their Bluetooth. The EMF radiation emitted by such devices is quite low. In fact, the level of radiation emitted by a cellphone is relatively high. However, radiation exposure may increase while wearing Fitbit continuously.
A few Fitbit models have been reported to cause skin irritation, wrist pain, or burns. Usually, researchers believe that the most common cause of different skin conditions relates to allergic reactions. But we can’t rule out the impact of EMF radiation that emits from the fitness tracking devices.
Such radiation primarily emits from the Bluetooth connection. The research on the effects of radiation emitted by the fitness trackers like Fitbit is still going on. Usually, Bluetooth devices have to pass the standard SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) levels.
Some researchers have found that SAR levels in most fitness tracking devices are much higher than what our body can absorb safely. On the contrary, some scientists believe that non-ionizing and low-frequency radiation isn’t harmful.
This suggests that researchers and the scientific community are still unclear about the safety concerns of the Fitbit devices. Bluetooth radiations have an extremely short wavelength, which penetrates into human tissues. Continuous exposure to such type of radiation may cause biological damage.
We are still unaware of the long-term impacts of fitness-tracking devices on our health. Yet, this lack of knowledge can’t serve as evidence of safety.
Debunking a Common Myth
Most of us have heard the claims that using fitness trackers can cause cancer if used continuously. This claim doesn’t have any scientific backing, which makes it unreliable. In the words of experts, fitness trackers have nothing to do with the causes or symptoms of cancer.
The proponents of this claim suggest that radiation emitted from devices like a Fitbit can cause various health conditions, including cancer. However, the level of radiation released by this device is fairly low. Secondly, we absorb more radiation by other Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-enabled devices than wearing a fitness tracker.
Although devices like the Fitbit are relatively new, the technology used to connect them isn’t. A variety of other equipment or gadgets also emit radiation, and researchers are examining their impact on our health. Therefore, just blaming fitness trackers isn’t the right approach.
Use Fitbit as a Tool to Improve but not Punish Yourself
Apart from some safety concerns mentioned earlier, you need to consider some other issues as well. People using fitness trackers try to beat their body in order to improve their physique and overall health.
In fact, Fitbit is safe to use as long as you are using it as intended. If you are obsessed with losing weight, counting calories, or noting down your daily activity, this device won’t serve the purpose.
This is so, as, in the pursuit of losing weight or living a healthy life, you may end up following some unhealthy regime. As a result, you may experience eating disorders, general weakness, or minor injuries. Hence, while starting your journey towards healthy living, don’t push yourself too hard.
Conclusion
The law requires that all wearable devices must fall under the SAR limit. This ensures that the radiation absorbed by the body is within a safe limit. However, it is also a fact that reproductive organs and breast tissue may be affected, even by the radiation that falls under the SAR limitation.
Therefore, if you want to use Fitbit in a safe manner, make sure to avoid using it when there is no need to do so. For instance, if you are not interested in tracking your sleep patterns, don’t wear a Fitbit while sleeping.
If you are sensitive to radiation, don’t take the risk of wearing this device. Even though there are no clear symptoms of an allergic reaction, avoid constant exposure to radiation by limiting the use of fitness trackers. This is so, as less is always better when it comes to using a radiation-emitting device. Hence, it is safe to wear Fitbit if you avoid prolonged exposure and keep this device away from your sensitive areas.
