Yes, Apple Watch radiation"Radiation" in the context of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) refers to the process by which energy is emitted and transmitted through space or a material medium in the form of electromagnetic... is harmful. Like every wireless device, the Apple Watch constantly emits non-ionizing electromagnetic radiationElectromagnetic radiation refers to the waves of the electromagnetic field, propagating through space, carrying electromagnetic radiant energy. It includes a wide range of electromagnetic waves, from very long radio waves... (EMF) through BluetoothFrom the perspective of someone concerned about the health effects of electromagnetic radiation, understanding Bluetooth radiation is crucial, especially in our increasingly wireless world. Bluetooth technology, ubiquitous in our daily..., WiFi, and cellular signals.
Even though these levels meet government safety limits, research consistently shows that long-term exposure to EMF can disrupt your body’s natural processes — from sleep cycles and hormone balance to fertility and cellular repair.
Let’s unpack this further.
Does Apple Watch Emit Radiation?
Without it, your Apple Watch wouldn’t be able to do
- Bluetooth syncing
- Use WiFi,
- Or let you make calls, as seen in the latest models.
There wouldn’t be any difference between your 15-year-old G-Shock and your latest $500 Apple Watch.
But when most people hear “radiation,” they usually think of ionizing sources like X-rays, gamma rays, and nuclear radiation, which can cause immediate harm.
Even though we use it daily, most people are unaware of the non-ionizing radiation that powers everything from our phone calls to our late-night Netflix binges.
And it’s this non-ionizing kind that the Apple Watch emits.
Unlike ionizing radiation"Ionizing radiation" refers to a type of electromagnetic radiation that carries enough energy to liberate electrons from atoms or molecules, thereby ionizing them. This form of radiation is part of..., which has enough energy"Energy" is a fundamental concept in physics, often described as the ability to do work or cause change. In everyday terms, it's what is needed to move things, heat them... to knock electrons off atoms and cause permanent cell damage, non-ionizing radiation doesn’t have that ability.
If you’re curious about the different types of radiation, check out my post “EMF in Simple Words,” where I break it down in an easy-to-understand way.
Is Apple Watch Completely Safe to Wear?
No, the Apple Watch isn’t completely safe to wear — it meets legal limits but not actual biological safety standards.
Apple watches comply with SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) regulations, which means they can legally sell the Apple Watch, and claim that it’s safe for human use.
See, the Apple Watch is packed with features like heart rate monitoring, goal planning and alerts, volume level detection, music streaming, step tracking, and so much more. And with the newer series, you can even make calls right from your wrist! And this means EMFs, a lot of it.
And SAR is the only metric we have today to control radiation-emitting products. You know, like the scene in Toby Maguire’s Spiderman movie, where he is in front of the train trying to stop it.
Now, instead of Spiderman, imagine a normal human bodybuilder trying to do that. Though he is strong, he is not at all effective in stopping that train. That’s SAR for you – impressive on paper, but not built for the real challenge.
You can learn everything about SAR and why it is doesn’t regulate EMF properly in my post, “What is SAR and How is Cell Phone Radiation (Not) Regulated?”
Here’s a quick rundown though.
Apple Watch Radiation Level: It Doesn’t Mean Much
So, here’s the deal with SAR. It measures how much radiation your body absorbs from a device.
The SAR limit in places like the United States is 1.6 W/kg over 1g of human tissue. The Apple Watch Model A2092 comes in at 0.31 W/kg, which is way below the legal limit.
Now, if SAR was the perfect safety standard, determining the safety of your Apple Watch would be a no-brainer. But, unfortunately, we don’t live in that perfect world.
Here’s why SAR isn’t the be-all and end-all.
First up, SAR doesn’t account for the non-thermal effects of EMF. When manufacturers test for SAR, they just need to ensure that the radiation isn’t so intense that it heats your bodily tissues and causes damage.
That’s it.
But if you’ve read any independent research that’s not funded by the industry, you know that prolonged exposure to EMFs, even at non-thermal levels, can lead to issues from sleep disorders to serious conditions like cancer.
You can learn more about the biological effects of EMF in my “Health Effects of EMF Radiation” page.
So, looking at it this way, SAR doesn’t really mean much. It’s like saying a car is safe because it has airbags, but not testing whether the brakes work.
New York Times Says Apple Watch Can Cause Cancer
In 2015, journalist Nick Bilton from the New York Times wrote an article on how wearable tech possesses potential health risks.
The article explains how little we know about the hazards of EMF. And he says additional research must be done in this area.
Nick compared our current knowledge of EMF with the knowledge people had about the hazards of smoking in the earlier half of the twentieth century.
People then didn’t know that smoking was injurious to health.
He then links to an advertisement from 1946 by cigarette brand Camel. In the advertisement, Camel said, “More Doctors Smoke Camels Than Any Other Cigarette.”
At that time, even doctors weren’t aware that smoking had health hazards. And it was widely encouraged and seen as the epitome of cool.
But now, with the advance of medical science, we know that smoking can cause numerous health issues, including chronic illnesses like cancer.
Similarly, wearable tech like Apple Watch lacks proper research, so there’s no evidence it’s completely safe to wear. In fact, there’s a large and growing body of evidence linking EMF to various health issues like cancer and DNA damage, infertility, and more. And since fitness trackers emit EMF constantly, the logical conclusion is that we should approach them with caution.
Later in the article, Nick explained the reason for his concern regarding the Apple Watch. He cited the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the British Medical Journal. Both of these institutions say that there can be a link between cell phone radiation and increased risk of cancer and tumors.
Nick finished the article by saying, “I’ll still buy the Apple Watch, but I won’t let it go anywhere near my head. And I definitely won’t let any children I know play with it for extended periods of time.”
What Do We Advise?
Even though we don’t have much scientific evidence to support that Apple Watch is completely safe, we have to agree that this tech is a game changer and brings an array of benefits.
We don’t say that you shouldn’t enjoy the new technology, we just recommend you use it more responsibly. This brings us to SYB Healthy Living Tip #42: Reduce Your Use of Smart Watches.
If you use the Apple Watch responsibly, you might find it an asset to your health. If you don’t, it could be damaging.
So, here are some of our tips that you can implement to enjoy these smart gadgets responsibly, reducing your health risks from exposure to harmful radiation:
Use Airplane Mode (When Possible)
Like most electronic gadgets, the Apple Watch has a built-in Airplane mode that you can use to cut your device’s EMF emissions without powering it off.
We recommend using Airplane mode whenever you don’t have a use for network on your smartwatch, or at times when you are not expecting anything important.
Don’t Wear Your Apple Watch At Night
Electronic device manufacturers highly recommend against sleeping with your gadget near your body. And this recommendation applies to the Apple Watch too.
Remove the watch from your wrist at night and keep it on a table at a certain distance. Preferably use the Airplane mode while sleeping.
Don’t Use A Smartwatch If You Have Immunity Issues
Heavy EMF exposure disturbs the immunity pattern. This disturbance results in your immune system under-reacting to foreign microbes, or hyper-reacting (autoimmune diseases).
If you have immunity issues, we don’t recommend using the Apple Watch.
And if your condition is mild and you are using the Apple Watch, we suggest you visit your doctor regularly to see any changes in your condition.
If your condition is declining, stop using the watch. Your health is more important than the ability to watch YouTube on your wrist.
Don’t Use A Smartwatch If You Are Pregnant
The effects of wearable tech on pregnant women is another area that’s yet to be scientifically studied.
In the meantime, we can look at what broader research about EMF and pregnancy tells us.
What we know is that fetuses are far more vulnerable to EMF than our adult bodies.
A 2017 study said, “Women who were exposed to higher EMF levels had 2.72 times the risk of miscarriage than those with lower EMF exposure”.
So, if you are pregnant, it’s a wise precaution to eliminate the use of Apple Watch.
Don’t Gift Apple Watch To Your Children
We have an entire section dedicated to resources related to Children & EMF Radiation.
Suffice to say that children are more vulnerable to the health risks of EMF exposure than adults. So, you need to make sure that your children are not spending a substantial amount of time exposed to EMF.
On top of that, health experts say that introducing children to technology from an early age can also impact their physical health, mental health, and academic performance.
Explore the SYB Wrist Band
On popular demand, we have a new addition to our product catalog. Introducing the all-new SYB Wrist Band.
Made from 90% silver and 10% spandex, it’s a powerful EMF shield with a clean, unisex look that’s great for men and women, kids and adults.
Functional Design
We’ve designed our SYB Wrist Band to be just as versatile and functional as you’d expect from a watch accessory. Use it every day and machine wash as needed.
The best part is, you don’t have to worry about whether it will fit your wrist. It now comes in two sizes, both designed for comfort and versatility.
Here are the specs:
Small: 6.3″ (16 cm) circumference, ideal for people with smaller wrists
Regular: 6.7″ (17 cm) circumference, suitable for most customers
Band Width: 2″ (5 cm) – large enough for almost any smartwatch, including Apple Watch
Elasticity: Made with 10% spandex for flexibility and comfort
It’s perfect for anyone looking for a comfortable piece of gear to protect themselves from their smartwatch’s EMF emissions. Just wear the SYB wristband and your watch on top of it. Now you can enjoy the convenience of your modern smartwatch without having to risk your health and wellbeing.
Note: The SYB Wrist Band will prevent any biometric functionality from your smartwatch (like heart rate monitoring).
Uses Real Science
Our SYB Wrist Band uses universally accepted, real science based on Michael Faraday’s EMF shieldingEMF shielding refers to the practice of reducing the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in a particular area by blocking or altering the electromagnetic waves with barriers made of conductive or... fundamentals.
Silver ranks at the top of all electrically conductive materials, with an electrical conductivity of 62.1 Siemens/m and electric resistivity of 1.6 ohm/m.
This makes silver the most powerful EMF shielding material of all metals that we know of, which is why we’ve used 90% silver to make the SYB wristband. And there’s 10% spandex for aesthetic and comfort purposes.
Allergen-free
The all-new SYB Wrist Band is built with non-toxic and hypoallergenic fabric. And since it’s made using spandex, a popular fabric used to make sportswear, it’s highly breathable. This means you can wear it all day without having to worry about problems like fungal growth.
You can get this product today from the SYB website. And, if you don’t like it, no worries, we have you covered with SYB’s 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee. No questions asked. So, why not give it a try?
Final Thoughts
While your Apple Watch offers a range of incredible features and conveniences, it’s crucial that you use it responsibly.
To ensure your well-being, consider implementing the tips shared in this post, such as using Airplane mode when possible, removing the watch at night, and being cautious if you have immunity issues or are pregnant. Remember, your health always comes first.
For those seeking additional protection, our new SYB Wrist Band offers a practical solution to shield yourself from EMF emissions.
It’s designed with advanced EMF shielding materials to provide you with peace of mind while enjoying the benefits of your smartwatch.
Stay informed, make mindful choices, and prioritize your health. Let’s continue to make informed decisions together for a healthier future.
And speaking of health, do you know that carrying your phone in your pocket can be devastating for you? Learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Apple Watch emits non-ionizing radiation, which is essential for its functionality, including Bluetooth syncing and WiFi use.
Apple claims their watches comply with SAR regulations, indicating they are safe for human use, but some experts argue that SAR is not a comprehensive safety standard.
The Apple Watch Model A2092 has a SAR level of 0.31 W/kg, which is well below the legal limit of 1.6 W/kg.
It is recommended to remove the Apple Watch at night and keep it at a distance to reduce EMF exposure while sleeping.
Due to potential risks associated with EMF exposure, it is advised to avoid using an Apple Watch during pregnancy.
