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Health Dangers of GPS Tracking Bracelets

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigation system that utilizes satellites to help people determine their current positions and map out their courses. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) originally developed the GPS system for military purposes. It has gained popularity in recent years and is now available for use in a wide range of items including cell phones, bracelets, watches, handheld systems and vehicles. GPS bracelets are now used for a variety of purposes from medical tracking devices to tracking in the criminal justice system.

  1. History of GPS

    • The GPS developed by the DOD originally utilized 21 satellites. In 2009 there were more than 30 satellites circling the earth at a distance of approximately 20,200 km. The proper name of the system is the Navigation System for Timing and Ranging (NAVSTAR). GPS lovers owe Sputnik (the pioneering Soviet satellite launched in 1957) a thank-you. American scientists realized that the Soviet satellite's orbit could be tracked by listening to changes in its radio frequency.

    How GPS Works

    • Global positioning systems operate by communicating with GPS satellites. GPS satellites circle the earth twice per day, following a specific orbit while transmitting signal information to earth. Satellites send out signals that are received by GPS receivers. These receivers can be placed on the earth, in the atmosphere or in low orbit. Receivers may have a purchase cost or be built into other electronic items such as cellular phones. However, they can be used by anyone without a usage fee.

    Health Dangers

    • The long-term health dangers of wearing electronic devices that send and receive signals are still unknown. Because items such as personal GPS, cellular phones and other personal handheld communication devices rely on radio frequencies transmitted from satellites to work, there are concerns that they may cause an increased risk of cancer, birth defects and/or reproductive harm. Long-term studies of children and adults are required in order to confirm or negate whether these fears are founded.

    Proposition 65

    • Proposition 65 requires that the governor of California maintain a list of all harmful chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. It also requires that companies who have more than 11 employees provide a clear and reasonable warning before knowingly and intentionally exposing them to a listed chemical. Garmin GPS devices carry this warning. Garmin's website explains that the company has done this based on its knowledge about the presence of one or more listed chemicals, although it has not evaluated the level of exposure. The website says the exposure may be below the Proposition 65 level of concern, or may even be zero. This raises concerns that have yet to be verified that GPS technologies may place wearers at greater risk for cancer.

    Health Benefits

    • GPS bracelets offer a variety of health benefits that may decrease risk to individuals with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, who sometimes wander from their homes and get lost. Health technology companies are presently marketing bracelets that can help family members locate missing loved ones. This may prevent the loss of life for individuals who are vulnerable and may succumb to the elements if they get lost.

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