Experts at Zenshield Technology have highlighted seven of the hidden dangers of seemingly innocuous bedroom tech, even though most bedroom technology intends to enhance comfort or convenience.
The experts believe that certain tech items have potentially negative health implications, even to the extent of being deadly.
Here’s a comprehensive look at seven such hazardous bedroom techs:
1. Overhead Wi-Fi Routers
Wi-Fi is a game-changer. But, placing routers in the bedroom, especially overhead, may trigger health issues, including insomnia, depression, and even certain cancers. Wi-Fi uses a kind of energy called electromagnetic radiation to send information. This radiation makes something called electromagnetic fields (EMFs). In 2011, a group of 30 scientists from the World Health Organization said that EMFs might be linked to causing cancer in humans after studying research on EMFs and cancer.
2. Electric Blankets
Sweet dreams might turn into nightmares with electric blankets. Risks include overheating and fires. According to doctors from UCLA, one of the potential risks of using electric blankets is inadvertently overheating the body. Many studies have found that our body temperature decreases while we sleep. A lower body temperature is connected to falling asleep more quickly and sleeping better. Electric blankets, by keeping us warm constantly, disrupt our body’s natural temperature changes at night and affect our sleep.
3. Mobile Phones
Unrestrained usage of mobile phones in the bedroom can lead to disrupted sleep patterns due to blue light exposure, subsequently affecting overall health. Experts from the Sleep Foundation say blue light can also reduce your time in slow-wave and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, two sleep cycle stages vital for cognitive functioning. Additionally, the proximity to the brain may escalate risks of developing brain tumors.
4. Smart Beds and Pillows
Smart beds and pillows came into existence in a quest to optimize sleep. But they connect to Wi-Fi and produce electromagnetic fields that pose identical threats as overhead routers. Also, improper use or malfunction of electronic devices can lead to safety hazards. People from Spokesman.com suggest that our bodies create many small electrical signals, which can be affected by outside electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Smart blankets and pillows can produce these EMFs, and exposure to them might be a health risk.
5. Air Purifiers
Certain purifiers may release ozone excessively, causing respiratory issues and potentially leading to death. Researchers from Illinois Tech, Portland State University, and Colorado State University conducted a study. They discovered that using a device that releases ions, such as an air purifier, significantly raised levels of certain chemicals in the air, like acetone, ethanol, and toluene.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that being exposed to these chemicals is associated with various health issues, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, coordination problems, nausea, and harm to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
6. Sleep Trackers
Ironically, these devices intended to improve sleep can cause anxiety and insomnia. Users may grow overly concerned about their sleep statistics, leading to orthosomnia. Research shows that these gadgets can make people feel more stressed. Dr. Goldstein explained that if you’re already having trouble sleeping, having a device that tells you how badly you’re sleeping could make things even more difficult.
7. Personal Massagers
Plugged-in massagers, if not used cautiously, can cause severe injuries, electric shocks, or fires. Grande Prairie Physiotherapy and Massage says that if you use personal massagers before bedtime, it might lead to problems like feeling sick, headaches, muscle soreness, bruises or bleeding, tiredness, dizziness, emotional discomfort (anxiety), fainting, and skin irritation.
Mitigating Risks
Steffan Black advises on a few preventative measures:
- Limit Usage: Limit the use of electronic devices in the bedroom, especially before sleeping.
- Device-Free Zone: Create device-free zones and times, promoting a healthy sleep environment.
- Safety Measures: Follow safety guidelines for electric blankets and massagers.
- Evaluate the Necessity: Consider if you truly need that item in your bedroom. Can it be kept in another room or switched off at night?
- Focus on Sleep Hygiene: Maintain a clean, dark, quiet, and cool environment for optimal sleep.
- Placement Matters: Position routers or appliances emitting strong electromagnetic fields at a distance from the bed to minimize exposure.
The Final Word
Our bedrooms should be our sanctuaries, safe from health hazards. The next time you purchase a new gadget for your room, bear Adrian’s advice in mind: “Technology should serve you, not the other way around.“
The risks associated with bedroom technologies underscore the importance of informed usage. “Unquestioned adoption of technology can lead to potential harm. Therefore, it is essential to understand the implications and approach technology rationally,“ emphasizes Black.
So, will you rethink your bedroom technology tonight?
