The WiFi Blues

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Many in San Francisco for ...

Internet access to wireless broadband (WiFi) seems too good to be true. On
relatively low cost, anyone can go anywhere on the Internet in a city. All cities
you have to do is install WiFi antennas.

One argument in favor of the whole city WiFi is that it will reduce the digital divide:
the poorer you are, the more limited access to the Internet and its information
resources. Cities like Philadelphia and San Francisco are actively working to close
digital divide. One option is WiFi.

But in weighing the options, virtually nothing has been heard for the possible health
risks. Saturate an entire city with WiFi adds the current load of non-ionizing
radiation. This charge, called by some electro, consists of long-term
exposure to low concentrations of non-ionizing radiation from trusted sources
such as radio and TV signals, electronic and electrical equipment, and the ubiquitous cell
phone.

Wireless Internet Access

Local Area Networks (LANs) link computers, printers, modems and other
devices. Traditional LAN connections via cable to physically wire. Messages
between computers and other network devices are managed by a unit
called a router.

A wireless LAN eliminates the wire ropes using a routerand sends
receives radio signals. To use a wired LAN, you must connect to a computer or other
device into a socket. A wire from the socket to the router, which manages
traffic signal between devices on the network.

With a wireless LAN, each device on the network built for a signal
back to the router and receiving signals. Wireless routers typically have a range of a
a hundred to several hundred meters. The range can be increasedthe addition of a booster
which increases the signal strength.

As with all radio signals, the closer you get to the transmitter (the router) the
the signal. Mobile phones operate on the same principle. The difference is that
Mobile phones operate on a different frequency and put a stronger signal to Wi-Fi
LAN.

Radio Frequencies

Mobile phones operate at frequencies in the range 3-30 GHz, similar to microwave
ovens. Wireless LAN operating at atenth of that range - 0.3 to 3 GHz, the range of
UHF television broadcasts. Half gigahertz GHz, a standard measure
radio frequency radiation (RFR) - by electromagnetic radiation
sending an alternating current electricity through an antenna. The higher the GHz,
the faster the current alternates.

Frequency by itself does not measure the potential effect of RFR. How does it
advice, the signal strength is important. The strength of a signalmeasured
in watts, a standard measure of electricity. For example, a 100 watt
bulb is brighter because it puts more energy than a 60 watt light bulb.

Think of the impact of waves on the beach, little waves far apart (low resistance, low
frequency) compared to the great wave close together (high strength, high frequency). L '
the former is probably less of an effect than the latter.

Exposure to RFR has been measured using SAR - specific absorption rate. SAR
expressed in mW / kg (mW / kg) of body weight or milliwatts / cubic
centimeter (mW/cm2) of the exposed part of the body: the size of the wave and how many
the body is affected.

Health Risks

WiFi fans to lay off risk to health, because the power and the SAR
exposure is considerably lower than the minimum standard for mobile phones. But cell
standard of the phone are set for the short-term exposure to a mobile phoneuse hold
the head. In addition, the standards based on thermal (heat) effect
radiation.

non-thermal effects of mobile phones have been documented at exposure levels below current
U.S. standards, including

- Memory loss,

- Disruption of sleep

- Delayed motor skills and reaction time,

- Immune function

- Spatial disorientation and dizziness,

- Headache,

- Decreased sperm count,

- Hypertensionand wrist,

- DNA breaks and impaired DNA repair capacity, and

- The proliferation of cells.

A second problem is that mobile phone exposure is intermittent, whereas WiFi
exposure is constant. A more accurate comparison is the effect of mobile
broadcast antennas. These antennas send and receive radio frequency signals
continuously.

The signal from an antenna is like a phone only very close to
range. L 'exposure is not a phone for a quick blast, but a pool of persistent low
RFR intensity. In addition to the documented health effects of mobile phone use,
exposure to mobile phone antennas are

- High blood pressure and heart rate,

- Disruption of sleep

- The emotional effects such as major depression and irritability,

- Memory loss and mental fog,

- Fatigue and dizziness, and

- Increased risk of cancer.

Because of these effects,International Association of Fire (AFL-CIO)
decided in 2004 that allow antennas for mobile homes on fire.

Hypersensitivity RFR

Much of the discussion of RFR effects on health is framed as a problem with people
who are hypersensitive. Hypersensitivity is the technical term for allergies
and similar immune system to respond. But instead of pollen, RFR
hypersensitivity is a reaction to non-ionizing
radiation. It seems thatunfortunate that few are interested, the rest of us from
hook.

Research by Olle Johansson and Örjan Halberg of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm
suggests otherwise. He looked at the incidence of cancer in Europe and the United States
and found a striking association between the increase of some forms of cancer during
20th century and RFR exposure as measured by radio and television programs.

What is the hypersensitive truly represent one extreme in a complexlandscape
effects and risks. Like any other environmental stressor, RFR affect some
people more than others. And as with other environmental stressors, the greater the
Total expenses, the greater the risk of one of the few unlucky ones.

Wireless LAN add to the existing burden of RFR. Just like the burning of fossil fuels
add more smog, adding more RFR adds more electro. You do not have
expose your house or your city to increase burden created by WiFi. There is a
alternative: a wired LAN. The hype might make it seem less appropriate and
expensive. But what it's worth a good night's sleep? Or reduce the risk of
cancer?

Resources

International Association of Fire. 2004. Position on the health effects of
RF / microwave (RF / MW) Radiation in Fire Department Facilities
base stations for antennas and towers for the conduct of Cell> Phone
Transmissions. Access http://www.iaff.org/safe/content/celltower/
celltowerfinal.htm.

Johansson, Olle and Doug Loranger. 2005. Electro. Their health and
Fitness. Aired November 29, 2005. http://yourownhealthandfitness.org/
radiation.html.

Sage, Cindy. 2005. Response to San Francisco TechConnect Community Wireless
Broadband initiative. Sage Associates in September 2005.

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