Is Wi-Fi a health hazard??

[annette]

We just installed wireless internet in our home this weekend. I just love it, but I remembered hearing about possible health hazards.

Anyone have any info available on the health risks of wireless in the home.

Appreciate this
Annette

[dlmarti]

Unless your going to sleep with the antenna under your pillow, I wouldn't worry about it.
At most its only a few hundred milliwatts, and given the short wavelength, the power is nothing.

[Clegs]

Wifi is perfectly safe.  It uses radio transmissions just like radio towers, cell phones, etc...  It's just on a different wave length.

Many people share this concern since we've heard of radiation etc...

I'm not going to say that there is no concern, just I think there are bigger areas to be concerned about when it comes to health then wifi.  I've had wifi in my house for a few years, haven't noticed anything yet.

If you like reading I have some articles that came up on a quick google search.  Wifi is still too young to know if there are any long term affects, though I doubt it has any.
http://tech.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1307811.php/Wi-Fi_health_concerns_increase
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid7_gci937770,00.html
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3653711

[annette]

I truly appreciate the response to this and it really makes me feel so much better. Funny how I just thought about it after I got the installation done.

Well, I will be happy surfing on my sofa, on my deck, even in my yard if I want.

Annette

[dlmarti]

Just make sure you set a password and encryption on the router.

[annette]

Yes that was done.

Thanks
Annette

[Cindi]

Annette, I couldn't live without my laptop, it opens up doors to the entire world, from all over my place, inside, down by the pool sitting under my beautiful shade tree, the Beechtree.  I love it almost as much as my Husband, hee, hee.  You are gonna beyond love the doors that it will open up for you too!!!!  Beautiful and great life.  Cindi

[Kathyp]

your wifi is safe, but watch out for that microwave oven!   :evil:

you'll enjoy your wireless.  it is nice to be able to use your computer wherever you want to.

i always look for an excuse to post this site. 

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

[annette]

Very funny Kathyp. I had read that so far it appears that people having symptoms are all pyschosomatic (sp?) so I do not worry about this. I am only interested in  scientific results.

Have a great day
Annette

[dlmarti]

Very funny Kathyp. I had read that so far it appears that people having symptoms are all pyschosomatic (sp?) so I do not worry about this. I am only interested in  scientific results.

Here is an FCC FAQ on the subject: Clicky

I wouldn't read it, its a dry read  :)

The only hazard Wifi presents, is gaining weight from sitting on the couch surfing the web.

[annette]

 :-D :-D

[Vetch]

Very funny Kathyp. I had read that so far it appears that people having symptoms are all pyschosomatic (sp?) so I do not worry about this. I am only interested in  scientific results.

Have a great day
Annette

Wi-fi is hasn't gotten nearly as much attention from researchers as cell phones. Wifi and cell phones use different frequencies, different powers and distances, so information on cell phone risk may not tell us much about wifi.  But we don't know much about wi-fi.  It would be prudent to locate your wi-fi transmitter away from your bed or turn it off when not in use, although your clock-radio or reading lamp might be giving you a larger exposure.

The data on cell phones is somewhat murky, but over time, I think there is a growing evidence of some risk from using cell phones, mostly in heavy users. Recent studies found that using a cell phone in the evening can delay/disrupt sleep, and that increased exposure to cell phone energy increases the risk of headaches in people prone to headaches And in people who did not consider themselves prone to headaches. As the headache study was double-blinded and cross-over, it eliminated psychosomatic reactions or placebo effect in the analysis.  Acoustic neuroma is a relatively rare type of cancer that seems to be more common in people that have used cell phones for more than ten years. But again, that is cell phones. 

FWIW, I have both wi-fi at home and a cell phone. I'm not phobic about it, but am open to the idea that there might some potential risk.  I'm about to go fill up my car, and (aside from the risk of price shock) I know that gasoline vapors contain carcinogenic compounds. I doubt that I will be at much risk, though people who work in refineries might be.