WiFi Bad For Your Health

[Old Git]

I see The Times has a report out that schools are removing wireless networking equipment due to pressure from parents who are concerned over health fears.

I don't know about anybody else but those damn things give me a headache. I tried one once and after a few hours I had a splitting headache so I took it back to PC World and got my money back.

The funny thing is at PC World they have about one wired router or adsl device and all the rest is wireless. Super powered wireless. Extra power boost wireless. 500 meter rot your brain wireless. Do people not think that these devices are bad for you? Would you sit next to a mini mobile phone mast all day long and not wonder if it was damaging your health.

According to the Times,

More schools are putting transmitters in classrooms to give pupils wireless access from laptops to the school computer network and the internet.

But many parents and some scientists fear that low levels of microwave radiation emitted by the transmitters could be harmful, causing loss of concentration, headaches, fatigue, memory and behavioural problems and possibly cancer in the long term. Scientific evidence is inconclusive, but some researchers think that children are vulnerable because of their thinner skulls and developing nervous systems.

Professor Sir William Stewart, chairman of the Health Protection Agency, said that evidence of potentially harmful effects of microwave radiation had become more persuasive over the past five years. His report said that while there was a lack of hard information of damage to health, the approach should be precautionary.

I mean come on. If there is even a chance that these WiFi devices can cause harm, they should take them all out.

[maverick]

Originally Posted by Old Git

I low levels of microwave radiation

This being the same "microwave radiation" as radio waves (the press love to call it Microwave Radiation.. sounds more scary). Radio transmissions for commerical stations aren't measured in miliwatts (like wireless devices) but tens of kilowatts. I fail to see how something so low powered can cause harm. We've got a wireless connection in the office and the WAP is sitting right next to me, it's been there for years and nobody has any problems.

In regards to kids getting headaches in class.. it's more likely that they are dehydrated... along with 85% of the countries population, don't exercise enough and eat to much crap!

[DanDaMan]

While I can't see they could cause health damage such as tumours, I do think Old Git has a point about them causing headaches.

I installed a wireless router for my mother in law so she could use her laptop around the house. Well after a few days she started complaining about headaches when she was at the computer for long periods. The wireless router was right next to her desk.

I disconnected the wireless part and she hasn't had anymore problems. Maybe some people are more in tune with their bodies.

Personally, I wouldn't have anything wireless in my home. Of course big companies will tell you they are perfectly safe just like they used to tell you smoking was good for your health

For me I'd rather have a wired network throughout my home. Easily accomplished with a dLAN 200 AV Starter Kit with HomePlug AV standard. It also offers far better performance than any wireless kit with 200MBp/s.

[BiG K]

I agree with maverick. Its just a rumour. We are being bombarded with "Microwave radiation", "Cosmic Radiation", "Hydrogen Radiation" and other sorts of radiation all the time. Where does it all come from?
We are literally surrounded in it, radiation comes from the bricks that build our house, and even from the sky, from the stars, and galaxies in the universe.
Radiation is classified as ionising particles/waves.

This means that anything with enough energy to knock out an electron from any atom is classified as radiation.....go figure!

[maverick]

Originally Posted by DanDaMan

For me I'd rather have a wired network throughout my home. Easily accomplished with a dLAN 200 AV Starter Kit with HomePlug AV standard. It also offers far better performance than any wireless kit with 200MBp/s.

GGrrr don't get me started on HomePlug

They radiate through every cable connected to the mains surely? How can you guarantee were the signal goes? Naa I'll stick to wireless and with the new N standard coming along that'll do nicely.

[maverick]

Originally Posted by BiG K

I agree with maverick. Its just a rumour. We are being bombarded with "Microwave radiation", "Cosmic Radiation", "Hydrogen Radiation" and other sorts of radiation all the time. Where does it all come from?

I wouldn't mind if they called it Electromagnetic Radiation.. "Microwave radiation" immediately makes it sound like your heads going to heat up, steam come out of your ears and then it'll explode!


I'm looking forward to Wireless N.. upto 540Mbps! That's more like it!

[DanDaMan]

Originally Posted by maverick

GGrrr don't get me started on HomePlug

They radiate through every cable connected to the mains surely? How can you guarantee were the signal goes? Naa I'll stick to wireless and with the new N standard coming along that'll do nicely.

Radiate? The data just hitches a ride along the wiring. There is no radiation apart from the existing electricity? It's a very clever solution really.

My house is built of thick stone walls with large areas between rooms so I doubt wireless would work anyway - well unless I went for a small mast

In principal I think wireless is great for laptop users and such devices that can be transported around but since I only use "proper computers built by Kobalt Computers" wireless isn't much good for me. I prefer the reliability of a wired connection for security and the speed it gives.

[BiG K]

Well some company or other are trialling broadband over power lines, lets face it, how cool would that be? Go anywhere with your laptop, and plug it into the mains, and hey presto, your surfin the net!

With the current demands (no pun intended - honestly) of laptops, most users have to carry around a charger or atleast an extra battery, why not kill two birds with one stone?

Not sure how it all works to be honest, but its not a wireless solution, which is good for those paranoid people out there.
Besides we all get a healthy dose of electromagnetic radiation from any piece of wire with a current going through it (assuming your close enough anyway)

[N!GHTMAR3 K!D]

I think this is a case by case basis ,wireless may not suit some people, in my case, wireless headphones cause severe headaches,, whether it is bad or not is a debatable question.
yes , we are bombarded by radiation all the time from natural sources, but we shouldnt be adding more to it artificially, as it will cause some problems.

[BiG K]

Well said Nightmare! Maxit readers, lets see a show of hands as to how many people have issues with WIFI