Study says iPods can make pacemakers malfunction

Study conducted by medical doctors and a high-school student finds iPods can interfere with pacemakers as far as 18 inches away.

The story "Study says iPods can make pacemakers malfunction" published May 10, 2007 at 5:53 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[Dr. B]

I can't shake this suspicious feeling

It'll probably go away when it's been tested some more, we have a
reason WHY it supposedly happens, and when it's been tested with
other MP3 players.

[kirkules]

Only an iPod

Geez there has to have been other electrical or electronic devices
around pacemaker users that would have caused problems way
before an iPod.

Yup just read up on them and you do have to be careful but it
would seem a little heard to believe an iPOd would have that kind
of effect.

[weegg]

anything that produces and EM field

The debate is how much of an EM field?

Also, people with pace-makers are pretty aware of the limitations
imposed by such devices.

[inachu]

If you think that is bad!

I also have to keep all cellphones off at home lest my computer crashes.

First comes the beeping through the speakers then 2 or 3 sends later the cell phone will ring.

Sometimes within that moment sometimes my pc will then crash.

[tundraboy]

And for apparently no reason at all . . .

VP Dick Cheney is being deluged with anonymous gifts of brand new iPods and holster-style iPod carriers.

[Macsaresafer]

Send him a cell phone

Be sure to include a custom made holster so he can wear it on his
chest.

Now I've done it! I'm sure to have the NSA tapping my phone calls.
Just another 620 days though, and then maybe we can get back our
Democracy.

[jpg366]

What exactly was measured?

I assume the pacemakers are monitored "remotely." So did the ipod affect the pacemaker or the remote reading of it? Were the tests always done from the same direction? There are a lot of possible flaws in this kind of "study."

[teagray]

fake science!

Notice that these were pacemakers with external leads for reading out telemetery data, cough... antenna.. cough.

[thedreaming]

No Prob!

Add a disclaimer: "People with pacemakers with external leads should not enjoy the coolness of Ipod ownership. Na na na na na!"