WiFi Health Worries


is it a much ado about nothing...

I have done quite a bit of research on wireless networks and health, usually as a result of a question in Apple Discussions. So I find that tonight on the BBC's Panorama is a programme about the safety of wireless networks.

Wi-Fi: a warning signal
Britain is in the grip of a Wi-Fi revolution with offices, homes and classrooms going wireless - but there is concern the technology could carry health risks.

Personally I think from reading the article that they are being slightly sensationalist in their reporting. I don't think there is a risk with wifi, there are way too many other sources of radio waves.

Wireless networks are so low powered compared to other sources such as Microwaves, cordless phones, mobile phones, some strong lights...

Baby monitors generally also operate on the same radio frequency and strength as wifi networks...

Now the Guardian in response said

Paddy Regan, a physicist at the University of Surrey, criticised the experiment at the heart of Panorama's claims because the measurements of signal power had not been made at equal distances from the mobile phone mast and the Wi-Fi laptop. A spokesman for the programme told the Guardian that the "three times higher" comparison was based on measurements taken one metre away from the laptop and 100 metres away from the phone mast, although material sent to journalists promoting the programme did not make this clear. Dr Regan said: "It's a basic fundamental of science measurement, that if you are trying to compare things you have to take into account the so-called inverse square law." To make a fair comparison between two radiation sources the measurements should be taken at the same distance away. The levels measured by the Panorama investigation were 600 times lower than levels considered dangerous by the government. "It does sound like a scare story to me," said Dr Regan.

The programme's evidence was criticised as "grossly unscientific" by Malcolm Sperrin, director of medical physics and clinical engineering at Royal Berkshire hospital. "It's impossible to draw any sort of conclusion from the data as presented there."

Read more

Whilst the Daily Mail said

Britain's top health watchdog has called for an inquiry into the use of wireless Internet networks in schools because of concerns they could be exposing children to the risk of cancer.

The demand came after it was revealed that classroom "wi-fi" networks give off three times as much radiation as a typical mobile phone mast.

Guidelines from the Health Protection Agency already state that masts should not be sited near schools because of a possible cancer link and other health risks.

Now its chairman, Sir William Stewart, is seeking a review of the health effects of wi-fi networks amid fears they could pose even greater dangers.

Read more

Now on the BBC News website.

Wi-fi health fears are 'unproven'

Whilst similar in wavelength to domestic microwave radiation, the intensity of wi-fi radiation is 100,000 times less than that of a domestic microwave oven.

Guardian Article - Is there any proof that Wi-Fi networks can make you sick?

Strictly speaking, no. Our trawl of the World Health Organisation (who.int) and National Library of Medicine (pubmed.com) databases shows that there have been no scientific papers published that have studied whether Wi-Fi networks cause any physical symptoms.

Personally I would suggest having a look at the World Health Organisation report.

What do you think, why not leave a comment, are you going to turn off your wireless network now?

Posted: Mon - May 21, 2007 at 06:27 PM         | |

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