Wi-Fi is a popular term these days, and many people wonder about Wi-Fi and health. Wi-Fi is the name of the wireless networking technology that is used to connect computers, laptops, mobile devices and other hi-tech devices to the Internet.
Wi-Fi networks are available almost everywhere, especially in urban areas. Of course, they are mostly used by owners of cell phones.
What is interesting is that companies that produce cell phones include guidance in their manuals about how to use the devices, including the recommended distance from the body.
Wi-Fi: Silent, Wireless and Always On
The wireless devices that modern people own, such as tablets and smartphones, rely on routers when they need to go online.
The router is a device that shares WLAN signals.
These signals are low-power radio waves, a type of electromagnetic wave, and some people are concerned about how they might affect our health.
Most people don’t think about this at all, and only a small number of people look into the topic.
The question researchers ask is whether many years of exposure could lead to problems.
A widely shared school experiment suggested that cress seeds grew poorly next to routers, but it was not a controlled scientific study. Health agencies such as the World Health Organization say that current evidence does not show health effects from Wi-Fi signals at normal exposure levels, and research is ongoing.
What Do Some People Report?
Some people who describe themselves as sensitive to wireless signals report the following symptoms. Studies have not confirmed that Wi-Fi is the cause, so if you experience them often, talk to your doctor:
- Earache
- Chronic fatigue
- Intense headaches
- Inability to focus
- Sleep problems
While it is true that modern people can’t live and work without technology, it is also true that our health should always come first. That’s why some people prefer to limit their exposure to Wi-Fi, just to be on the safe side.
The following is a short list of things that each of us can do in order to reduce exposure and to use the router sensibly.
How Can We Reduce Our Own and Our Children’s Exposure?
- Don’t keep the Wi-Fi on all the time. Turn it off when you don’t need it
- Turn off all Wi-Fi sources before you go to sleep
- Use corded phones in your home instead of wireless phones
- Don’t place the router in your bedroom or kitchen
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.