Do baby monitors emit radiation?
Read and understand everything about how intercoms work and if there is any risk to your baby.
The issue of baby monitors and radiation is a somewhat controversial subject and tends to leave parents quite worried. Since there is nothing more important in the world than the safety of our children, we will explain everything you need to know about the subject.
Do baby monitors emit radiation?
Yes, baby monitors emit radiation. Without radiation, neither they, nor your home Wi-Fi, nor your mobile phone or your 4G could work.
Let's try to clear up this point by understanding the science behind the transmissions used by baby monitors.
What is radiation?
Radiation is the propagation of energy from one point to another, either in a vacuum or in any material medium, and can be classified as energy in transit, and can occur through an electromagnetic wave or particle.
First of all, you can forget about Chernobyl. The radiation emitted by radioactive materials, such as those used in nuclear power plants, is particle radiation] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactivity) (protons, neutrons and electrons) which, although it occurs naturally in various elements on Earth, when concentrated (as is the case with power plants) is extremely dangerous. None of the electronic equipment we use in our daily lives emits this type of radiation. Only electromagnetic waves are used.
Electromagnetic radiation is constantly present in our lives. Some are of natural origin, such as, for example, sunlight, heat (infrared) and ultraviolet rays. Others are generated by technology used by various equipment, such as: radio waves AM and FM, Wi-Fi, 4G, GPS signals, etc.
Therefore, if any kind of radiation could harm us, we would all have a serious problem.
Does all radiation do harm?
Radiation that has the potential to harm us is called ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is defined as an electromagnetic wave or particle that has enough energy to ionize (remove electrons from) an atom or molecule. The higher the frequency (measured in Hertz, or Hz, represents the number of oscillations per second), the higher the energy.
The image below represents the full spectrum of electromagnetic waves.
Note that ionizing radiation starts with ultraviolet rays, which are naturally present in sunlight, so we should use sunscreen when we are exposed to the sun.
It is also seen that all the radiation used by the equipment of our daily lives is in the so-called non-ionizing range, that is, it does not have enough energy to change our atoms and molecules, or cause mutations in our DNA.
What do scientific studies say?
See what Dr. Gary Larson, director of the Integris Cancer Institute in Oklahoma, USA, explains in response to the question "Can WiFi cause cancer?" asked on the Quora website below:
"Wi-Fi operates on frequencies of 2 to 5 GHz (just a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum). This is the same part of the spectrum that mobile phone networks operate on. (...) these frequencies are much lower (therefore have less energy) than the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and nobody is worried about having cancer caused by visible light (the colours of the rainbow, from red to violet). Ultraviolet rays, on the other hand, can cause skin cancer, because they already have the energy needed to cause DNA molecules to fail, which is the mechanism by which cancer cells are created."
Larson continues to talk about cancer and radiation studies: "scientific studies show that groups that were exposed to ionizing radiation (like those from nuclear power plants) began to show an increase in cancer rates after, on average, 7 years of exposure. Humans have been exposed to electromagnetic radiation created by man for more than 100 years, and we have always been exposed to radiation from the Cosmos."
Larson concludes that, given the popularity of mobile phones in the last 20 years, if there were any correlation, there should at least be some excess cases of glioma (a type of brain cancer) caused by mobile phone or Wi-Fi use.
He also says that: "we have evidence that mobile phones or Wi-Fi DO NOT cause an increase in brain cancers (see figure below). Note the period in which mobile phones became popular, in the last 20 years. During this period, the number of new cases of brain cancer remained absolutely unchanged. With 4 billion people using mobile phones and Wi-Fi today, if there were any influence on this type of cancer, it would have been observed already."
Is non-ionizing radiation safe?
Although it does not have enough energy to modify the structure of atoms and molecules, non-ionizing radiation is able to add energy and, consequently, heat the molecules of any material, especially materials with high water content in their composition. This is the operation of the domestic microwave oven that many use every day.
However, this effect is only noticeable when the transmission is being made at high powers, as in the case of microwaves, of large TV or radio antennas, designed to distribute the signal to long distances in large urban areas.
The power of a microwave can reach 2,500 watts and TV or mobile network transmitters can reach 50,000 watts. The European limit for Wi-Fi antennas and DECT domestic systems, such as those used by baby monitors, is 0.1 watt (or 100 mW).
Most baby monitors usually transmit below the limit. For example, the Philips Avent SCD843/26 baby monitor, one of the most complete on the market, has a transmission power of around 40 mW, compared to the 100 mW limit allowed by legislation.
In addition, it should be understood that the maximum value of the power is measured directly on the surface of the transmission antenna. The further away from the antenna, the lower the power will be measured at that point, as the power spreads in all directions in space around the antenna.
The "power x distance" relationship is inversely proportional (logarithmic) and, for this reason, the power decreases significantly even after a short distance. Therefore, there is no need to worry about domestic Wi-Fi antennas, microwaves, or large TV and mobile phone antennas around our homes.
I want to avoid radiation anyway. What should I do?
In the world we live in, we will never be free from electromagnetic radiation, whether it is of natural or human-made origin. Although scientific studies to date have not shown any risks of cancer from the use of technologies with non-ionizing radiation, such as Wi-Fi, mobile phones and baby monitors, some people prefer to avoid it and here are some tips that may be useful for doing so.
•Choose a baby monitor with VOX or ECO mode.
Baby monitors with this function reduce or even pause transmission during periods of silence. The microphone remains on and the same resumes transmission if any noise occurs in the room. Thus, exposure time is minimized because transmission time will be reduced to the minimum necessary.
•Position the baby monitor as far away from the child as possible
The microphones on baby monitors are usually very sensitive, and you don't need to put them so close to the babies. Position it on a shelf or bookshelf in the room, for example. This way, the power of the signal transmitted in the baby's crib will be greatly reduced, thanks to the logarithmic relationship between "power x distance".
After positioning the baby unit, test to see if the microphone is in the right position to pick up the baby's sounds. If you can't pick up the baby's sounds, bring the unit closer to the crib and repeat the test.
•Choose an analogue or audio-only baby monitor
Some people believe that because it is analogue, the power transmitted will always be lower in comparison to a digital baby monitor, but this is not true. The comparison should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific models to be compared.
The truth is that analogue normally use lower transmission frequencies (900 MHz) than digital (1900-2400 MHz) and, because of this, the waves contain less energy.
Even so, both frequency bands are safe, as they are still very far from the ionizing radiation, which represents a danger. To give you an idea, the lowest frequency ionizing waves, which are ultraviolet rays, have a frequency around 800,000,000 MHz.
Keep in mind that analogue do not have encryption, so the signal can be intercepted and suffer interference.
Here you can also find some audio-only baby monitors that use minimal wave emissions to function.
Babymoov Easy Care Baby Monitor
The Babymoov Easy Care Baby Monitor Audio is the ideal solution for keeping an eye on your little one. With digital green technology, it guarantees the longest range on the market, up to 500m. This monitor also provides excellent sound quality, and with the added feature of Vox mode, you can be alerted via audio or visual when your baby wakes up or cries. Additionally, the Easy Care Baby Monitor includes a night light in the baby unit, providing a soft, reassuring light in the room. Complete with two standard USB cables and a lifetime warranty, this baby monitor is the perfect choice.
Babymoov Simply Care Audio Baby Monitor
The Babymoov Simply Care Audio Baby Monitor is the perfect choice for parents looking for a reliable, convenient and easy to use baby monitor. This monitor boasts up to a 300 m range with two audible and visual alarms, voice activation (Vox mode) or continuous mode, adjustable volume, 4 AAA batteries, and is also repairable in the event of a problem to extend its service life. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can be confident it will last for years to come. So why not give your family the peace of mind and get the Babymoov Simply Care Audio Baby Monitor today?
