Eco-test baby monitors radiate like mobile phone masts

Beware of strong radiation from baby monitors

03/10/2014

Baby monitors give off too much radiation. This was the result of an investigation by the magazine Öko-Test. Accordingly, the devices shine partly as strong as mobile phones. Parents should therefore when buying a baby monitor to the label „Blue Angel“ pay attention and none „CW transmitter“ to buy.

High levels of radiation in baby monitors could increase cancer risk
The consumer advocates tested a total of 16 baby monitors. The result: "Equipment, technology and acoustics were convincing for most products, but in terms of radiation, quite a few devices fell through". Thus, 12 baby monitors showed increased radiation intensity. „Unfortunately, some devices generate radiation intensities, such as those found in mobile phone masts“, so the sad conclusion of eco-test.

Also very questionable, Öko-Test assesses the type of radiation, because many products are pulsed electromagnetic radiation. „Studies show that these pulsed radio waves can alter brain waves and increase the risk of cancer“, so the testers. Seven of the examined baby monitors also emitted continuous radio signals - regardless of whether the baby produced or slept sounds. „Even if there is no baby crying, because baby sleeps peacefully, transmitters pollute the environment with radiation.“

With ten products, the threshold also turned out to be too low. The affected devices did not transmit at normal call volume.

What parents should look for when buying a baby monitor
Generally, children should be protected from electrosmog, as far as possible. Therefore, it is advisable to buy only devices that only transmit noise and produce no permanent radiation, so the consumer advocates. „Also alternating electric fields of the power supply through the power supplies provide for violent electrosmog. These fields are created only during network operation. If the transmitter can be operated with batteries, the problematic electrical alternating fields are completely eliminated“, informs eco-test.

To make sure that a baby monitor does not deliver pulsed radio waves, customers should look to the quality label „Blue Angel“ pay attention to devices that do not emit radiation that is suspected of being carcinogenic. Generally, the baby monitor transmitter should always be placed as far away as possible from the cot. (Ag)