Danger of the Unseen

As you can see WiFi is growing from strength to strength and is certainly going to be part of the new generation Internet for the foreseeable future. But what of the impact physically on the population?

Looking at the graphical representation of the data cloud created by WiFi signals covering downtown Salt Lake City, UT I must admit it looks a little daunting.

If this was smoke or pollution that was visible I think people would be outraged, I know I would be. But how do we know that these signals don’t have a physical affect on us. What’s to say this invisible information pollution won’t affect us in the long term.

Well after looking into this area it appears the fact of the matter is that these signals are most probably harmless. For instance the 2.4 GHZ range include WiFi, microwave ovens, house cordless phones
and more.

So this new WiFi phenomenon probably won’t be increasing the health risks from EMF (electromagnetic field) in any substantial way. That’s not to say however this means there isn’t a risk, I shall have a look to see if I can source any studies that may exist about the results long-term exposure of low watt radiation in the 2.4 GHZ range.

However this is not the feeling of some groups, a Canadian university has just banned wireless Internet access in and around the campus. Officials at the school, Lakehead University, have banned WiFi, saying that they want to avoid "potential chronic exposure for our students." The officials point out that the "jury’s out" on the health risks from EMF generated by WiFi transmissions, and liken the risks of WiFi to those of second-hand tobacco smoke, which were not immediately apparent to researchers.

I shall delve further to see what I can find on this controversial area….



info taken from:
http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/2002-April/005277.html
http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/22/wifi-is-dangerous-not-dangerous-a-new-saga/
http://digg.com/technology/Canadian_school_bans_Wi-Fi