Toxic Electronics: Headphones, Apple Watch & TV Tips

When we think about non-toxic living, we think about food, cleaning products, cookware, and personal care, but the same logic applies to the technology we use every day.

We spend hours with electronics next to our heads, against our skin, and directly in front of our eyes. Yet most people never think about what those devices may be exposing them to. As a dad committed to non-toxic living, I look at my electronics the same way I look at everything else in my home: what is it made of, what is it emitting, and is there a better option?

How to Reduce Exposure From Your Electronics

• Headphones: choose wired headphones when possible, and use speaker mode at home.
• Apple Watch: consider a stainless steel band instead of the original synthetic band.
• All devices: use airplane mode when you do not need a connection.
• TVs: look for a high refresh rate and independent flicker testing before you buy.

Wireless Headphones: What You Are Putting Next to Your Brain

Headphones are one of the first things I look at because they sit right next to your head for hours at a time. Wireless headphones use Bluetooth, which means they emit radiofrequency radiation directly next to your brain.

What Is Radiofrequency Radiation?

Radiofrequency radiation is the same general type of electromagnetic radiation used by technologies such as Wi-Fi, cell phones, and microwaves. That is something I personally do not want to ignore, especially when we are talking about prolonged exposure.

There are ongoing concerns and research around radiofrequency exposure and its potential biological effects, including questions surrounding oxidative stress and cancer risk. For me, this is one of those situations where I would rather reduce the exposure when I can.

What I Do Instead

I choose wired headphones when possible. I also avoid putting a wireless device directly against my head for extended periods.

If you already have wireless headphones, you do not necessarily have to throw them away. You can simply be more intentional about when and how you use them. Here are a few easy options:

• Choose wired headphones the next time you replace a pair
• Use speaker mode when you are at home
• Limit how long a wireless device sits against your head

Apple Watch: Connectivity and Materials Both Matter

Smartwatches are another piece of technology that most people wear for hours every day. An Apple Watch uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and cellular models can also connect to cellular networks. That means you are wearing a connected electronic device directly against your body for much of the day.

As mentioned above, there are concerns about the potential impact of radiofrequency exposure and oxidative stress. This is one reason I prefer to minimize unnecessary wireless exposure whenever possible.

The Apple Watch Band Most People Overlook

There is another part of the Apple Watch that I think people overlook: the band. Some watch bands are made with synthetic materials, including fluoroelastomer materials.

These are fluorinated materials in the same broader chemical family that includes PFAS-related compounds. That is something I personally prefer to minimize in products that have prolonged contact with my skin.

A Simple Fix: Switch to a Metal Band

If you are going to wear a smartwatch, I would consider switching to a metal band. Stainless steel is a simple option that eliminates the need to have the original synthetic band sitting against your wrist all day.

Use Airplane Mode When You Can

Another simple thing I do is use airplane mode when I do not need my watch or other devices to be constantly connected. You do not always need Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular connectivity running in the background.

If I am using a device for something that does not require an internet connection, I would rather turn off its wireless functions.

It is a small change, but this is how I approach non-toxic living in general. I am not looking for one giant solution. I am looking for small ways to reduce unnecessary exposure throughout the day.

Your TV May Be Flickering Without You Knowing It

Most people never think about flicker when they buy a new TV. They consider size, resolution, picture quality, smart features, and price. But there is another specification worth looking at: how the screen controls its brightness.

What Is PWM Flicker?

Some TVs use a method called pulse-width modulation, or PWM, to control brightness. Essentially, the screen rapidly turns the backlight on and off.

The flicker can happen so quickly that your eyes may not consciously detect it, but your brain and visual system can still respond to it. Over time, this can contribute to eye fatigue, headaches, and difficulty focusing, particularly during long viewing sessions.

If you spend several hours a day watching television, gaming, or using a large screen, I think this is worth considering.

What to Look for in a Flicker-Free TV

When I am looking at televisions, I want to see a high refresh rate and, ideally, technology that minimizes or eliminates PWM flicker. A 120Hz or higher refresh rate is one specification I look for.

I also want to see actual independent testing of the television’s flicker performance. One resource I use is RTINGS, which specifically tests TVs for flicker and PWM behavior.

How to Test a TV for Flicker at Home

You can also do a simple test yourself:

1. Open your phone’s slow-motion camera.
2. Point it at the screen.
3. Look for bands or pulsing on the display.

Depending on the display and your phone’s camera settings, you may see bands or pulsing that are not visible to the naked eye under normal viewing conditions. There are also flicker-meter apps and dedicated meters that can help you evaluate a screen.

Sony TVs to Consider

If you are shopping for a new television, several Sony models have stood out in flicker testing:

• Sony X85K, X80K, and X77L from the 2022-2023 generation
• Sony A80L OLED, if you are looking for a more premium option
• Sony BRAVIA 3, which was available in several sizes and was tested by RTINGS as flicker-free under its tested settings (model numbers may end in S30)
• Sony BRAVIA 3 II, the newer model, is worth knowing about if you are shopping today

The important thing is not simply to look for a particular brand or model number. Check the specific television’s flicker performance before you buy, because manufacturers can change technology between generations.

Why Reducing Exposure to Electronics Matters to Me

I am not saying you need to get rid of every electronic device in your house. That is not realistic, and it is not the point. Technology is part of modern life. We use it for work, communication, entertainment, exercise, education, and just about everything else.

But I do think we should be more thoughtful about the technology we bring into our homes. We already spend enough time around electronics, so I want to make the choices I can when it’s time to buy something new.

• If I can choose a screen that does not flicker, I will.
• If I can use a metal watch band instead of a synthetic one, I will.
• If I do not need a wireless connection, I will turn it off.
• If I can avoid having a wireless transmitter sitting directly next to my head for hours, that is an easy choice for me.

This is the same approach I take with everything else in non-toxic living: I am not trying to create a perfect life. I am trying to make better choices with the information I have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are wireless headphones bad for you?

Wireless headphones use Bluetooth, which emits radiofrequency radiation next to your head. There are ongoing concerns and research around radiofrequency exposure, including questions about oxidative stress and cancer risk. I choose wired headphones when possible to reduce that exposure.

What is radiofrequency radiation?

Radiofrequency radiation is the same general type of electromagnetic radiation used by technologies such as Wi-Fi, cell phones, and microwaves. Bluetooth devices, such as wireless headphones and smartwatches, also use it.

What is the best Apple Watch band for non-toxic living?

I would consider a stainless steel band. Some original watch bands are made with synthetic materials, including fluoroelastomer, which is in the same broader chemical family that includes PFAS-related compounds. A metal band avoids having that material against your wrist all day.

Should I use airplane mode on my devices?

I use airplane mode whenever I do not need my watch or other devices to be connected. You do not always need Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular running in the background, and turning them off is a small way to reduce unnecessary exposure.

What is PWM flicker on a TV?

PWM, or pulse-width modulation, is a method some TVs use to control brightness by rapidly turning the backlight on and off. You may not notice it consciously, but over time, it can contribute to eye fatigue, headaches, and difficulty focusing during long viewing sessions.

Which TVs are flicker-free?

Several Sony models have stood out in flicker testing, including the X85K, X80K, X77L, A80L OLED, and BRAVIA 3. Always check independent testing, such as RTINGS, for the specific model before you buy.

How can I test my TV for flicker?

Point your phone’s slow-motion camera at the screen and look for bands or pulsing. Flicker-meter apps and dedicated meters can also help you evaluate a display.

 

References:

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2. Zhou N, Qin W, Zhang JJ, Wang Y, Wen JS, Lim YM. Epidemiological exploration of the impact of bluetooth headset usage on thyroid nodules using Shapley additive explanations method. Scientific Reports. 2024;14(1):14354. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-63653-0. PMID: 38906901; PMCID: PMC11192738.
3. Girela-Serrano, B. M., Spiers, A. D. V., Ruotong, L., Gangadia, S., Toledano, M. B., & Di Simplicio, M. (2024). Impact of mobile phones and wireless devices use on children and adolescents’ mental health: a systematic review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(6), 1621–1651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-022-02012-8.PMID: 35705765;PMCID: PMC9200624
4. Mankowska, N. D., Grzywinska, M., Winklewski, P. J., & Marcinkowska, A. B. (2022). Neuropsychological and neurophysiological mechanisms behind flickering light stimulus processing. Biology, 11(12), 1720.https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11121720