| Wireless Electronic Devices And Health |
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With the focus on Health concerns of Mobile Phone s, people are questioning the health risks of other Wireless devices now being increasingly used at work and in the home, such as Wireless Local Area Network s, DECT and other Cordless Phones , Bluetooth devices, and other wireless technology. There is currently no scientific literature on the effects of wLAN and Bluetooth technologies, and the literature on mobile and cordless phones is mixed - see Mobile Phone Radiation And Health . The World Health Organization have acknowledged that electromagnetic fields are influencing the environment (but not people), and that some people are worried about possible effects.''"...electromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation are spreading. All populations are now exposed to varying degrees of EMF, and the levels will continue to increase as technology advances."'' - Taken from WHO website In response to public concern, the World Health Organization established the ''International EMF Project'' in 1996 to assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of EMF in the frequency range from 0 to 300 GHz. They have stated that although extensive research has been conducted into possible health effects of exposure to many parts of the frequency spectrum, all reviews conducted so far have indicated that exposures are below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP (1998) EMF Guidelines , covering the full frequency range from 0-300 GHz, and do not produce any known adverse health effect. International guidelines on exposure levels to microwave frequency EMFs such as ICNIRP limit the power levels of wireless devices and it is uncommon for wireless devices to exceed the guidelines. However, these guidelines only take into account any thermal effects, as no other effects have been discovered. The chairman of the Health Protection Agency , Sir William Stewart, has 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." {Link without Title} The HPA, however, disagrees with his assessment, and claims that there is no risk and no need for precaution. Sir William has resisted any calls to further explain his comments. WIRELESS LAN EMF levels for wireless LAN devices are lower than mobile phones (the transmission power of a typical wireless access point is around 35 MW , although common standards allow for power levels up to 200 mW), and there is less public concern about the possible, suggested, health issues for wireless LAN devices, than there is for mobile phones. Most wireless LAN equipment is designed to work within predefined standards. Wireless LANs work by setting up Microwave communication, usually in narrow frequency bands around 2.4 and 5.8 GHz, depending on the protocol that is used ( WiFi , WiMax , OFDM , etc). In small work and home environments, the access points are also often in close proximity to humans. There have been over 30 Provocation Studies on the effect of low power electromagnetic fields on people who claim Electrosensitivity , and none have shown a causal link between "EMF" and the symptoms reported. It has been suggested that the symptoms of sufferers are caused by other, more likely, factors, or are the result of stress or psychosomatic illness. BLUETOOTH Bluetooth also uses the microwave frequency spectrum in the range of 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The radiated output power of Bluetooth devices varies between 1 and 100 mW, and can operate continuously or sporadically (on demand), so total exposure to EMF radiation is quite variable. Bluetooth devices have not been linked with any health issues. OTHER DEVICES Radiofrequency in the microwave and radio spectrum is used in a number of practical devices for professional and home use, such as:
In addition, electrical and electronic devices of all kinds emit EM fields around its working circuits, generated by Oscillating Currents . Humans are in daily contact with Computer s, Video Display Monitor s, TV screens, Microwave Oven s, Fluorescent Lamp s, Electric Motor s of several kinds (such as Washing Machine s, Water Pump s, etc.) and many others. The typical background power of EM fields in the home can vary from zero to 5 milliwatts per meter squared. Long time effects of these EM fields on human and animal health are still unknown, and most of the studies available have shown no effect. However, the powerful fields produced by radio (and then TV) transmitters have been present for over 100 years now with no known effects on people's health. ALTERNATIVES Wireless transmission can be carried on visible or infrared light without inducing electrical currents in human body; although both are in the electromagnetic spectrum. Wireless LAN can be built from Free Space Optics , which has limitation of being point to point only. Bluetooth can be replaced in some applications by IrDA , and there are infrared wireless headsets. However, these are still wireless EM devices. Mobile phones, wireless LAN in laptops and other application where penetration through obstacles or wide coverage together with high speed is required, cannot be replaced with existing technology. Television and radio broadcasting can be replaced with coaxial cable, which when properly installed does not emit electromagnetic radiation. SEE ALSO |
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