Killer Death Rays Present Pacemaker Risk! (Or Not?)

July 31st, 2008 � No Comments

I just found this piece of ~~scaremongering~~ prudent advice in the safety instruction manual of my new Toshiba laptop:

Turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Wireless WAN Functionalities off for Cardiac Pacemakers Turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Wireless WAN Functionalities off when near a person who may have a cardiac pacemaker implant or other medical electric device. Radio waves may affect pacemaker or medical device operation, possibly resulting in serious injury. Follow the instruction of your medical device when using any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or Wireless WAN Functionality.

With almost every laptop, phone and cafe now omitting these death rays, according to Toshiba the world has become a risky place for pacemaker carriers. In fact, what with Starbucks rolling out Wi-Fi to all its branches, and my mobile’s ability to trace Bluetooth devices just about anywhere, it is surprising we don’t see the invisible rays striking on every high-street. Either that, or pacemaker users are shunning coffee shops, inhabitable areas, the City of London and the entire rim of the US West Coast, more or less.

But hang on. They’re not. So what’s the truth here?

The University of Oklahoma researched wireless phones and says: “There is nothing in the comprehensive test data to suggest that a pacemaker wearer is at risk from bystanders using wireless phones. Research confirms that most pacemakers are immune to interference, so elimination of interactions is technically and economically feasible today. Improved pacemaker immunity will benefit pacemaker patients.” (source)

Pacemaker ~~makers~~ manufacturers clearly have to include all the usual disclaimers in their manuals, so they aren’t necessarily your best source of answers.

And the British Heart Foundation says here:

Mobile phones - Mobile phones can affect some pacemakers if they are held close to the chest. It is therefore best not to carry a mobile phone in a breast pocket. Providing you hold your mobile phone on the opposite side to the pacemaker, at a distance of 15 to 20 centimetres (about 6 to 8 inches), it is unlikely to affect you. The same guidelines apply to portable phones used in the home. If in doubt, ask at your local pacemaker clinic.

MP3 players and palm/pocket PCs - Personal electronic equipment such as iPods and other brands of disk-based or solid state MP3 players and palm/pocket PCs can be used with negligible risk, providing they are not placed directly over the pacemaker. Keeping at least 15 centimetres (6 inches) between the device and your pacemaker avoids the effects of interference.

Wireless LANs used for PC connection -These should not cause interference with pacemakers, but as a precaution it is advisable to keep at least 15 to 20 centimetres (about 6 to 8 inches) between the LAN and your pacemaker.

Interestingly, Indian scientists are actually working on networking pacemakers into Bluetooth mobiles for the devices to be able to alert the hospital automatically if the patient is experiencing cardiac difficulty - so clearly the ominous rays are not all evil.

Then again, if you do want something to panic yourself about (not really, just a little), then the Chicago Tribune suggests you be concerned that your pacemaker may be hacked.

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