Are Fitbits Safe? Is There Any Harm?

Fitbits are wearables that let you maintain your fitness routine by tracking sleep hours, exercise, swim, and other activities to help achieve your fitness goals. It sounds like something that will help you lead a healthy life right? It’s not! It uses Bluetooth to connect with your smartphones, which is a form of EMF radiation. That should make you wonder, ‘are Fitbits safe’?

Fitbit devices essentially track the number of steps you take. It measures your daily activity to determine if you are living a sedentary life or an active one. Inactivity in your daily routine can cause a lot of health issues, so the purpose of this device is to encourage you to stay active.

Fitbits EMF Radiation Harm

There are two reasons why excessive use of Fitbits can be a cause of concern. Fitbits are worn extremely close to your body. These devices use Bluetooth technology, which is an EMF technology and emits radiofrequency radiation. The close proximity and prolonged exposure to this radiation make its users prone to health risks.

Are Fitbits Safe? Is There Any Harm?

Fitbits Side Effects

Prolonged exposure to EMF radiation can have many negative consequences on health. The constantly emitted signals by Fitbit Bluetooth can cause symptoms such as foggy head, headaches, sleep issues, and mood swings. It’s the great degree of physical contact that may create conditions like EMF Hypersensitivity.

People who have been using Fitbits or other electronic wearables have reported acute illnesses. Sensitive people may have trouble sleeping while wearing their Fitbit bands.

Do Fitbits Cause Skin Rashes?

Cases of Fitbit burning skin have been reported by many of its users. Is this possible? Yes, indeed. Overexposure to non-ionizing radiation can cause skin burns. Though the company has been attributing these burns to be caused by adhesives or nickel allergies but even the redesigned models caused these rashes.

There is still no confirmation whether these were caused by allergies or radiation, but it makes sense to use Fitbit bands with care and minimize the use.

Why do Fitbits Require Bluetooth?

Fitbits can function without Bluetooth, but in order to sync with the mobile application these require Bluetooth. Your Fitbit device does all the tracking work, but it is the app that provides tons of features to make good use of this information.

The app lets you edit your daily goals, study your scores, calculate calorie intake, and send your data to be stored in the app. The app plays a major role in making the Fitbit devices useful. However, this is exactly where the risk arises. You are exposed to EMF radiation all through the day and also at night!

Well, the good part is that you can use Fitbits without Bluetooth too. You can turn on the Bluetooth only at specific times to transfer the data to the app or to edit your health routine, or whenever you need it for some particular purpose. Rest of the time you can switch off the Bluetooth and avoid Fitbit EMF radiation.

Fitbit Health Risks

Other Fitbit Health Risks

There is another reason why people with EMF sensitivity tend to be wary of Fitbits. Since you are using Bluetooth to sync your Phone with the Fitbit devices; you can’t keep your smartphone too far from your Fitbit. Also, the phone may be using WiFi for internet access.

Now, if you measure the EMF reading in this scenario with an EMF meter, it could be well above the safe limits. However, Fitbit electromagnetic radiation could be brought to lower levels by using the device without the mobile app.

Do Fitbits Cause Cancer?

The physical contact with these EMF emitting devices causes great concern to many users. You need to wear it overnight to track your sleep pattern. This is not the case with other EMF based devices at homes. Even the Smartphone is placed at some distance away from our body at night.

Can EMF radiation at such close proximity and with excessive use cause cancer in humans? The emission levels by Fitbits itself do not go beyond the FCC recommended safety limits. However, these studies do not take into account the duration of its use. So we need to ask ourselves, are Fitbits safe?

These are probably safer for limited use, but the research is inconclusive for its prolonged use at a close distance from the body. As a precaution, you may turn off the Bluetooth or stop using it during the night.

Effect of Radiation on Children

The Fitbit claims that the radiation emitted by their devices is lower than that of cellphones and is not strong enough to cause health issues. But it doesn’t consider that prolonged exposure can still affect children’s health. Another thing that they people may have metal piercing and fillings that may absorb radiation more.

Does Fitbit EMF Radiation Affect Sleep?

People who wear Fitbits all the time may report sleep related problems. This could happen if they are exposed to EMF radiation for a very long time. People with EMF Hypersensitivity may start to face such symptoms sooner than other people with excessive use of Fitbits.

Besides your Fitbit devices, you should also turn on your home’s WiFi router if you have sleep difficulty due to radiation. People with HRS(Hyper Radiosensitivity) should consider buying an EMF meter to detect the levels of radiation they are exposed to at home. If it’s higher than the safe levels then you must do something about it.

Does Fitbit EMF Radiation Affect Sleep

How Harmful is the Bluetooth Radiation?

Bluetooth devices emit radiations below the SAR(Specific Absorption Rate) standard levels. However, recent researches are hinting towards the contrary truth. The earlier claims were based on the fact that Bluetooth radiation is low-frequency and non-ionizing type. But recent researches are suggesting that it can still be harmful.

Bluetooth is a type of radiofrequency which occurs in the form of pulses. Radiation from these pulses has a short wavelength travelling at fast paces, and can therefore cause biological damage to the body. It can manage to penetrate the human tissue, especially, due to the close proximity with the source.

Can Metal Fillings Make it Worse?

Dental amalgams or titanium implants can cause galvanic and electromagnetic stress. People with metal fillings and implants who use Fitbits might be exposing themselves to far worse health risks than the rest.

With metal dental restorations, this can get even worse. The metal ions interacting with electrolytic saliva generates an electric current that creates further electromagnetic stress.

Do Fitbits Harm More than they Help?

It’s quite possible that Fitbit is exposing you to unhealthy levels of radiation, due to close proximity to it. The only real benefit of Fitbit is that it motivates you and helps you recognize your progress.

However, that isn’t really a big advantage. You shouldn’t be exposing yourself to EMF radiation in order to motivate yourself. Exercising is after all about stress reduction, movement, and relaxation. It is this combination that makes exercising beneficial to your overall health. None of that requires you to expose yourself to EMF radiation!

Do you really need your every step or breath measures as you go out on a leisurely stroll? It makes no sense. If you can add a fun element to your workout sessions, you won’t need an EMF emitting device stuck to your body all the time.

Fitness Tracker vs. Smart Watches

Smart watches are more of miniature smartphones on your wrist. Fitness trackers like Fitbits on the other hand have tiny screens and are more focused on tracking your exercise and sleep routine. The bigger screen is one of the virtues of a smartwatch that lets you receive notifications and even reply to messages.

You can use a smartwatch while travelling or riding a bike so you can view urgent messages without having to stop. It is also safer as compared to attending calls or seeing messages on your smartphone while driving.

Both, however, use EMF technology in order to connect with the internet and sync with your smartphone. You will be surprised how intense EMF radiation can be when the source is quite close to your body.

Can Fitbits Cause Allergies

Can Fitbits Cause Allergies?

Fitbit claims that their devices contain Nickel and Acrylates that some people may be sensitive to. This may happen to people with eczema or other skin sensitivities.

You also need to ensure that soap or other washing material doesn’t get trapped under the device band when you wear it. These are some of the reasons why people deal with allergies while wearing Fitbit devices.

Should you Stop Using Fitbits?

That really depends on whether the benefits outweigh the harms or if it’s the other way around. Most people don’t need to track all of their activities and only need to use it during the gym workouts. In that case, it’s fine to use Fitbits.

But a great number of people have begun using it all the time to keep track of all their activities. You don’t really need that. It’s far more important to be regular in your workout or running. It may be an overkill to try disciplining yourself by tracking your sleep hours, walking time, calorie intake, all of it.

Remember, that you still use your Fitbit devices for some activities, but at-least for some hours you must take a break from its use. That would help limit your exposure to EMF.

EMF Protection for Fitbit Users

EMF Protection for Fitbit Users

Sensitivity to EMF or the side effects can disrupt your life in so many ways. You don’t really need to cling to technology that emits EMF radiation; however, if you find Fitbit devices to be useful in achieving your fitness goals, we recommend that you do so with some additional care.

If removing Fitbits for most part of the day is not an option, then you need to cut down the radiation levels contributed by other sources like Smart TVs, Smart Meter, WiFi router, etc.

Using EMF protection paints

Anti-Radiation paints are typically used for RF shielding as protection against the cell tower radiation. These are not to be used inside your house, as this will prevent the radiation inside from exiting outside. But if you live in regions close to cell towers or power lines, you should get them to reduce exposure to EMF.

Turning off WiFi devices at night

The harmful effects of EMF radiation are felt due to prolonged exposure to unhealthy amounts of radiation. This can be avoided by switching off the devices that emit radiation while sleeping.

Smart TVs, WiFi routers should be switched off before going to sleep. You can switch off WiFi on your phone for the night or keep it far from your sleeping room. Close proximity to the source can increase the level of radiation you are exposed to.

Avoiding close physical contact

Devices that use Bluetooth and WiFi like Laptops and Smartphones shouldn’t be used too long at a close range. By bringing some distance with a source of EMF, you can significantly reduce the magnitude of Non-Ionizing EMF radiation.

When using a microwave oven, you should keep some distance while the food is being heated. There is no point in standing too close while waiting. These small steps can help counter over-exposure to EMF radiation at home.

Plan vacations away from technology

Where do you intend to go on your next vacations? We live surrounded by technology. For people with EMF hypersensitivity, it may be hard to avoid exposure to radiation no matter where they go. Homes and offices both have dozens of devices that emit some form of EMF radiation.

Spending time in nature away from WiFi technologies, cell towers, and power lines could in fact help you take a break from the exposure. Related: How to Block EMF From Power Lines

What is EMF Radiation?

You may have heard that WiFi and bluetooth technologies emit some kind of radiation that we call EMF. What is it exactly? Electromagnetic Radiation is a combination of electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other. It propagates in the form of a transverse wave.

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing Radiation

EMF radiations exist as a spectrum of different wavelengths and frequencies. High-frequency radiations have a different impact on the body than the low frequency. While higher frequencies can cause harm in a short span of time, lower frequency radiations only affect health over prolonged exposure.

Some examples of Ionizing radiation are – Gamma rays, X-rays, etc. These can harm our skin, cause hair loss, and an illness called acute radiation syndrome.

Examples of Non-Ionizing radiation include – microwaves, radio waves, infrared, UV, Magnetic fields and electric fields. Long term exposure to these may cause insomnia, irritability, nausea, reproductive problems, and possibly cancer. Related: How to Block Radio Waves in Your House

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing Radiation - EMF Guard

Who Should Avoid Non-Ionizing EMF Exposure?

Even healthy individuals should measure EMF readings in their houses and offices to ensure they are not exposed to unhealthy amounts of radiation. However, special care should be taken in case of pregnant women, children, and people with EMF hypersensitivity.

If there is any piece of electronics in your home that emits WiFi or Bluetooth radiation throughout the day, make sure there is plenty of distance between that and every person living in the house. If that’s not possible, at-least turn it off for the night.

What does a Fitbit do?

Why are people using it so much? Are there any real advantages to health? Fitbits are mainly used to discipline ourselves and help track our progress. Some of the devices also have additional features like music storage and text notification, but most people buy it to use at the gyms or during their home workouts.

It’s also used to study your sleep pattern and adjust it to suit your health or work goals. Some of its models come with features like Heart Rate tracking, GPS tracking, sleep tracking, etc.

What’s the point of Fitbits?

Fitbit has some advantages. It helps you see your personal progress. It’s great to keep yourself motivated as you attempt to improve your lifestyle. That’s the whole point of Fitbits. It lets you measure your activity level for the day, week, or even months. You can calculate how far you have come in your quest for good health.

Are Fitbits accurate?

You can’t rely 100% on these devices but Fitbits are pretty accurate in tracking your activities. The error margin for Fitbit devices has been found to be around 25%. Which is pretty low compared to other brands.

How to Clean Fitbits?

It may be a good idea to give your wrist some rest, while also allowing the radiation levels to drop for a while. Get rid of your Fitbit and take time to clean it. Don’t use hand soaps, body soaps, or sanitizers to clean the band or the device. Instead, use fresh water and a soap free cleanser for the job. Also, remove the device when using sunscreens.

Are Fitbits Safe? Is There Any Harm?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you wear Fitbit when sleeping?

Fitbit devices are commonly worn around the waist or the wrist. Since people tend to place their hands close to their heads while sleeping, this can cause increased exposure close to the brain. High EMF exposure near private parts or the brain is strongly advised against.

Fitbit dangers may increase if you wear these devices even to the bed. There are complaints of users having sleeping problems and concentration difficulties due to exposure to high EMF. Considering these reports it is better not to go to bed wearing your Fitbit devices.

What health symptoms may arise due to Fitbits?

Wearing Fitbits all the time exposes you to unhealthy levels of EMF radiations. Although this radiation is weaker when compared to EMF emissions by cellphones, the prolonged use of Fitbits in contact with the body can lead to health issues like headaches, mood swings anxiety, depression, etc.

Some studies also point out to possible carcinogenic effects and reproductive health issues caused by long-term exposure to unsafe levels of EMF radiation.

What are the basic advantages of Fitbits?

Fitbit makes different kinds of fitness bands and other accessories to track steps, heart rate, weight, exercise, etc. The company provides an app for different mobile platforms and web browsers to log workouts and check your progress. It also lets you track your sleep and receive notifications from your smartphone.

Since you need to sync this device with your Smartphone using Bluetooth, it exposes you to EMF radiation for a long stretch of time.

Can Fitbit work without a smartphone?

Yes, it can work without syncing with a smartphone. The company provides free software called Fitbit Connect that will let the Fitbit device work without requiring a smartphone.

The Fitbit itself doesn’t emit EMF radiation; it only exposes you to radiation when it is connected with your smartphone via Bluetooth. If you plan to use it at night to track sleep, make sure that it is not using Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone or tablet.

Are there radiation-free alternatives to Fitbits?

If you are concerned about excessive exposure to Non-Ionizing EMF from Fitbit devices, we recommend that you use radiation-free trackers instead. A digital pedometer is a great alternative to Fitbits that doesn’t expose you to radiation. It lets you monitor your fitness progress without the need for Bluetooth or WiFi connections.

You can easily find these devices online. Moreover, these inexpensive devices will easily fit in your budget. You no longer need to worry about EMF exposure with a simple digital pedometer.

Conclusion

The popularity of Fitbits reflects people’s concern about their health and fitness. However, most of them do not realize that prolonged exposure to EMF radiation could have adverse effects on their health. Fitbit dangers far outweigh the benefits. Either people need to stop using Fitbits or use it with Bluetooth turned off.

Physical exercises should be seen as an opportunity to get away from EMF technology like cellphones, computers, WiFi, Smart electronics, etc. We hope that by understanding the risks of Fitbit EMF radiation, people would spend more time going out on walks or exercising in nature, and not with radiation emitting devices close to their bodies.

Photo of author

Scott Freeman

Scott Freeman is a seasoned expert in EMF protection with over 10 years of experience in the field. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's in Environmental Science, Scott possesses a unique blend of technical and environmental knowledge. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to researching, developing, and promoting effective EMF protection products that prioritize both safety and efficiency. Scott's passion for helping others make informed decisions has made him a sought-after speaker and writer on the subject of electromagnetic field safety.

Leave a Comment