Article Computers Technology

There’s an ongoing debate over the effects of radio transmission waves emitted by wireless products and their effect upon people. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a strong link to the frequent use of cell phones and some very unpleasant health issues.

These concerns flow over to other radio devices too
and we
those that sell these items
are continually asked about the safety aspects of wireless headsets.

Well
are they safe to use all day
everyday?

Of course
the salesman’s answer is likely to be - yes! But absolutely
I do believe they are and would have no hesitation in wearing one myself (which I do)
all day
everyday.

Plantronics claims that its CS50 wireless headset has an output of only 1.7 milliwatts
which is about 1/1000th of the output of most cell phones
and in nearly all countries
there are the relevant certification and other statutory requirements that have to be met before any items like these can be sold and connected.

Bluetooth models have an even lower output than DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) or 900 Mhz headsets.

I’ve never heard of any incidents or situations
where a wireless headset was implicated in anything connected with the same issues we hear about cell phones
i.e. cancers
etc. So
from my point of view I feel quite safe in using them
even in areas where there maybe several operating at the same time.

Perhaps some may suggest that they haven’t been in use long enough
to adequately gauge the level of threat
if indeed there is one. Anyway
I’m not concerned: I will not give mine up!

If you feel like doing your own research in this area
you could start by visiting the Plantronics website and downloading their white paper on the CS50.

On the other
non-technical side
there are the safety benefits that are reaped by not having wires. For a start you wont trip over or catch them on anything and I feel the ergonomics – where and how you sit at your desk while making phone calls may even be further improved by using a wireless.

This is because you don’t have the cable to think about at all – it’s not tugging or constraining you
so there’s no anxiety about whether you maybe stretching the cable too much. This consideration is important if you want to conserve your headset cables
as I’ve spoken about elsewhere regarding the care of cabled headsets.

There is also the advantage
however unlikely
during a lightning storm
or any other extreme electrical disturbance of not actually being connected to the telephone grid. You’re not liable to be used by Mother Nature as a conductor!

About the only thing that is not safer
is your bank balance
as dependant upon the country where you live
lashing out and buying a wireless headset is going to pinch your hip pocket nerve. But
if you’re serious about it and understand the benefits
you wont regret the purchase.