Over the last few months, a UK website and the Medium blogging platform launched a wave of articles implying that over 250 scientists submitted a petition warned about cancer risk associated with usage of AirPods. Problem is the petition was actually signed back in 2015, before AirPods were even released. The 2015 petition was related to Electromagnetic Field Exposure, signed by scientists. It cited "serious concerns regarding ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices".

The petition stated that these are included but not limited to radio frequency radiation emitting devices, such as cellular smartphones, Wi-Fi antennas, smart meters, and electric devices that generate extremely low frequency electromagnetic field. In 1998 WHO and member of UN has established guidelines for EMF radiation on Non-Ionizing radiation protection. Ten years later, the agency stated that scientists has provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic restrictions, it had outlined.

So rather than finding any link between cancer or any other issues in levels of EMF at or below the accepted regulations, the scientists suggest that it is probably a good idea to limit human exposure. The petition was updated in January 2019, with no mention of Bluetooth or AirPods being added. Apple sold 29 million pairs of AirPods and yet attract the attention of many writers. Various bloggers are using the concern for click bait and writing about the dangerous effects of AirPods? But does it can really cause cancer for its users. The Answer is No.

EMF risk assessment should be based on read data. We know that WiFi and Bluetooth use the same radio frequencies, but at a different intensities. WiFi uses about 40milliwatts of power whereas Bluetooth uses only 1mW. That's why Bluetooth lose its signal strength at a distance while WiFi can pass through the walls. In case you are standing in the sunlight, you are also exposed to ionizing radiation, the type that is actually known for cancer and other damage. The radio energy produced by electronics like AirPods is non-ionizing and doesn't posses the threat of cancer for its users.