We came across a recent post on X claiming that AirPods emit harmful radiation through electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

The post shares a clip from TikTok, where an interviewee asserts that the radiation levels emitted by AirPods are comparable to those produced by microwaves and to prevent exposure to harmful radiation, he uses “EMF protector stickers” on all his devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and headphones.

We conducted a Google reverse image search on screenshots from the clip and traced it back to an interview on the podcast “Willie D Live.” Hosted by internet personality Willie D, the podcast features an interview with a guest known as Dr. Yah’ki Rapha Elohim, also referred to as Yahki Awakened. The discussion covers a range of topics, including diseases and health issues.

The interview has been uploaded to what appears to be Yahki Awakened’s YouTube channel, which has over 324,000 subscribers. In his bio, Yahki Awakened describes himself as a certified herbalist, biochemist, dietitian, metaphysician, and spiritual healer.

What are EMFs?

Concerns about EMFs have persisted for some time, highlighted by a 2015 appeal by a group of scientists to the United Nations (UN) urging “greater health protection” against the “proliferation of wireless communication and electrical technologies”. This appeal was allegedly based on findings that suggest evidence of adverse health effects such as increased cancer risk from exposure to non-ionising EMFs and calls for stricter guidelines and regulations to mitigate these potential risks.

EMF exposure can be categorised into two types: low-level and high-level radiation, known as non-ionising and ionising, respectively. Ionising radiation, such as X-rays and radioactive materials, has the potential to cause adverse health effects such as cancer and cellular damage, with prolonged exposure.

In contrast, non-ionising radiation, commonly found in various household products, such as computers, Wi-Fi networks, and Bluetooth devices, like AirPods is considered less potent. A study also found that Bluetooth earphones emit significantly less radiation – ranging from 10 to 400 times lower than that emitted by mobile phones.

While research on the effects of prolonged exposure to low-level radiation is limited, partly due to ethical concerns around exposing humans to radiation in studies, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found little evidence suggesting a direct link between non-ionising EMFs and adverse health effects. Nevertheless, ongoing research continues to investigate the potential impacts of prolonged exposure to low-level radiation.

Do “EMF protector stickers” work?

According to the United States Federal Trade Commission, there is no scientific evidence that radiation shield products, such as stickers, effectively reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation. To minimise exposure, it is recommended to reduce the use of the device itself.

The Commission also cautioned that some so-called shields may interfere with a mobile phone’s signal, causing the device to consume more power and potentially emit more radiation.

Are AirPods dangerous?

Based on our research, there is no evidence to suggest that AirPods fail to comply with the strict consumer standards established by major economic powers such as the United States and the European Union.

A key guideline for mobile devices, including AirPods, is the measurement of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which assesses how much radio frequency energy the body absorbs from these products. The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires mobile phone manufacturers to ensure that their devices meet a SAR limit of 1.6 watts per kilogramme to protect users from excessive exposure to radio frequency energy.

Apple’s FCC filings for AirPods in 2019 report head SAR levels of 0.071 and 0.095 watts per kilogramme for each earbud, both well below the FCC limit. Similarly, filings for AirPods Pro show head SAR levels of 0.097 and 0.072 watts per kilogramme, also within the FCC standards.

Moreover, when checked against standards set by international non-governmental organisations, such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the SAR levels of AirPods are drastically lower than their recommended level of 2 watts per kilogramme.

Hence, while AirPods do emit some radiation, current research and evidence indicate that these levels are not harmful to humans. Therefore, the claim that AirPods emit harmful radiation is likely false.