Technology giant, Apple, has listed consumer electronic devices that it believes can interfere with medical devices. The list includes electronic products, namely, iPhone 12, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch.
Apple says these products have magnets that could affect medical devices such as pacemakers and implanted defibrillators. Therefore, it has instructed users with implanted medical devices to keep these electronic devices away from themselves.
Besides, it adds they must keep electronic devices at a distance of 15 cm (6 inches) or double than this in wireless charging devices. The company commented that Apple watches have features to manage heart health.
Some Apple watches could take an electrocardiogram test to measure the timing and strength of electrical signals responsible for beating the heart. However, certain products have components that release electromagnetic fields sufficient to pose a risk to the heart.
Interference Possible Due to Strong Magnets in Some Apple Products
iPhone 12 can lead to interference with implanted devices due to the presence of strong magnets. Research published in the American Heart Association Journal has expressed that Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max MagSafe technology can lead to magnetic interference.
Researchers are really surprised after knowing about the power of magnets in Apple products. A magnet can alter the timing of a pacemaker or deactivate a defibrillator’s life-saving functions.
Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to keep such electronic devices with magnets away from implanted medical devices. Apple has published the list on a support page earlier this month and it called iPhone 12 models free from causing any magnetic interference to medical devices.
Implanted pacemakers and defibrillators contain sensors that got affected due to magnets of electronic devices. Apple is not the only manufacturer that has issued such warnings for its products. Earlier, Samsung and Huawei also released similar guidance for their selected products.
Pacemaker Researchers think Otherwise
Some pacemaker researchers think Apple devices don’t emit severe magnetic waves. Hence, there is no need for people with pacemakers to worry about it.
Marie Moe, a computer security consultant from Mneumonic, has expressed her opinion on this subject. She has a pacemaker and she is studying this technology.
In her opinion, people need to keep a safe distance from magnetic waves emitted by heavy machinery, big concert speakers, or welding equipment. Moe said Apple gadgets don’t emit strong magnetic waves, so they don’t cause severe interference with medical devices.
Some people say it is outstanding to use such gadgets by maintaining a safe distance because medical devices tend to return to normal functioning after some time.
