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Should You Worry About Wi-Fi Radiation? 79

Should You Worry About

Wi-Fi Radiation?

By Markham Heid

At home and at work, dozens of wireless
networks are streaming invisible radio waves
through your space and body. (So are the
phones, computers, Bluetooth speakers and
other devices that connect to them.) It’s logical
to wonder—and worry—about what effect all
that wireless energy might have on your health.
But while the volume and ubiquity of
wireless devices is a new phenomenon, the kind
of radiation they produce has been the subject of
scientific scrutiny for decades, says John
Moulder, professor emeritus of radiation
oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
In 2013, Moulder coauthored a review of
the existing health research on Wi-Fi. Like your
mobile phone, Wi-Fi routers send and receive
information using radio waves, which are a form
of electromagnetic radiation, he says. produce. “We have animal studies suggesting
The research on radio waves and human even low-level exposures to the kind of radio
health goes back at least to the 1950s, when wave radiation associated with Wi-Fi could have
there were concerns about Navy servicemen a variety of negative health effects,” says Joel
being exposed to powerful shipboard radar. “We Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family
have 50 or 60 years of research into the kind of and Community Health at the University of
radiation associated with Wi-Fi,” Moulder says. California, Berkeley.
He mentions neurodevelopmental issues,
All that research has taught us that at
high frequencies, electromagnetic radiation can cancer, and reproductive harm—in both men
promote tumor growth and cancer. The sun’s and women—as some of those potential health DID YOU KNOW...
ultraviolet rays and their links to skin cancer are concerns, especially for pregnant women and Dreams
one example. Even at lower frequencies, very young children.
high levels of electromagnetic radiation The World Health Organization and the The 12 Most Common Bad Dreams
exposure can hurt you. “But we’re talking skin International Agency for Research on Cancer • Falling down
burns, not cancer or tumors,” says Kenneth have classified mobile phones as a “possible • Being lost or trapped
Foster, a professor of bioengineering at the carcinogen,” which means there’s currently not
enough research to say whether either causes • Being chased or attacked
University of Pennsylvania. • Being injured, ill, or dying
Foster was Moulder’s coauthor on that cancer. • Car or other vehicle trouble
2013 review of Wi-Fi’s health effects. He says Earlier this year, a rodent study found • House or property loss or damage
that, based on our current understanding of radio heavy exposures to cell phone radiation • Poor test or other poor performance
wave strengths and risks, world health increased rats’ risks for some brain and heart • Missing a boat or other transport
authorities have set safety standards for all tumors. More rodent research has tied high • Machine or telephone malfunction
devices and appliances that emit levels of Wi-Fi and cell exposure to hormonal • Natural or man-made disasters
electromagnetic radiation—from phones and shifts and oxidative stress—the kind of shifts • Being menaced by a spirit
microwaves to your car’s keyless entry fob. that could promote cancer or brain diseases.
But many of these animal studies are “all • Being naked or inappropriately dressed in
“The exposure you get from your Wi-Fi router is public
orders and orders of magnitude below those over the place” in terms of their design quality,
safety limits,” he explains. Foster says. Animal research often does not ***
Asked for specifics, Foster says it helps translate to humans. Also, many of the most
to understand how Wi-Fi works. While most worrying experiments involved rodents that had Dream Symbols For Foodies
people assume their wireless router is constantly been exposed to levels of radiation far greater • Corn : abundance
sending and receiving information, Foster says than what people encounter when using mobile • Watermelon: fiery passion
these devices actually transmit just 0.1% of the phones or wireless networks. • Bread: the basic needs of life
time. “Maybe that goes up somewhat if you’re `Moskowitz doesn’t disagree with Moulder. But
he says the amount of radio wave radiation • Grapes: wealth and decadence
streaming video,” he says, “but most of the time • Gravy: failing health or business
your router is just sitting idly waiting for people—and especially children—are exposed • Oranges: health and prosperity
something to happen.” to today is different, and this raises new • Sandwich: pressure and stress
Also, every inch you put between concerns. When it comes to our long-term, • Apples: knowledge and prosperity
yourself and your Wi-Fi router significantly cumulative exposures to all our wireless • Eggs: fertility and creative potential
lowers the strength of the radiation your body networks and gadgets, “we’re basically flying • Vinegar: worries about a negative matter
encounters. “Put it this way,” Foster says. blind,” he says. • Strawberries: sensual desires and
“During a call, your mobile phone is Of course, trying to avoid radio wave temptation
transmitting steadily at a strength maybe 100 exposure is more or less impossible if you live in
modern society. Moskowitz advises keeping
times more powerful than Wi-Fi, and you’re DID YOU KNOW
holding the phone right against your head, and wireless devices away from your body and
we still don’t find any health issues with that turning off wireless networks when they’re not by
level of exposure.” in use. While any health risks are still Rob McConnell
That may be true today. But some theoretical, “I think trying to minimize exposure To Order Your Copy Visit
experts have grave concerns about the types of is the best advice at this point,” Moskowitz www.rel-mar.com/didyouknow
low-intensity radiation our wireless devices adds.[]