The WiFi Blues

Philadelphia, brotherly love that. Many in San Francisco that ...

Broadband Wireless Internet (WiFi) seems too good to be true. On
relatively low cost, can anyone on the Internet anywhere in the city. The whole city
you have to do is install WiFi antennas.

One argument for the city-wide WiFi is that to 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 trying to close the
digital divide. One option is WiFi.

But in weighing the options, virtually nothing about the state of health is
Risks. Saturating an entire city with WiFi adds the current load of non-ionizing
Radiation. This strain, called by some electro, consists of long-term
Exposure to low concentrations of non-ionizing radiation from sources close
such as radio and TVSigns>, electronic and electrical equipment, and the ubiquitous cell
Tel.

Wireless Internet Access

Local Area Networks (LAN) to make computers, printers, modems and other
Devices. Make the link with traditional LAN physical cable. News
be between computers and other devices on the network managed by a central
called a router.

A wireless LAN waived the cable through a router that sends and
receives radio signals. To use a wired LAN, you must connect your computer or other
Equipment into an outlet. A wire leads from the socket to the router, which manages
Signal between the devices on the network.

With a wireless LAN, each device in the network is designed so that it can send the signal
the router and receive signals back. wireless router usually have a series of
Cent of several hundredFeet. The range can be a call to an increase of
This increases the signal strength.

As with all radio signals, the closer you are to the sender (router)
the signal. phones work on the same principle. The difference is that
Phones work on a different frequency and put a stronger wireless signal
LAN.

Radio frequencies

Phones operate at frequencies in the30-30 GHz, similar to microwave
. Wireless LAN ovens work at a tenth of this range - 0.3 to 3 GHz, the range of
UHF television broadcasts. Half gigahertz GHz, a standard measure
created by electromagnetic radiation - radio frequency radiation (RFR)
Send an alternating electric current through an antenna. The higher the GHz,
the faster the current alternates.

Frequency by itself does not measure the potential effect of RFR. Aswould
rates, the signal strength is important. The strength of a signal is measured
in watts, a standard measure of electricity. For example, a 100-Watt
Bulb is brighter because there is more energy than a 60 watt light bulb.

Think of the effect 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 first is likely to have less impactthan the latter.

Exposure to RFR is using SAR - specific absorption rate. SAR
is expressed / gram (mW / kg) of body weight or milliwatts per cubic meter milliwatt
Centimeter (mW/cm2) of the exposed area of the body: the size of the tree and how
Your body hits it.

Health Risks

WiFi enthusiasts reject risk for health problems, because the performance and SAR
The exposure is well below the minimum standard for mobile phones. But cell
Phone rules for short-term exposure of a cell phone pressed into action together
on the head. In addition, the rules for the thermal (heating) regulated
radiation.

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

- Memory leak

- Sleep disorders,

- Slower reaction time and motor skills,

- The decrease in immune function,

- Spatial disorientation andDizziness,

- Headache,

- Lowered sperm

- High blood pressure and pulse,

- DNA breaks and reduced capacity to repair DNA and

- The proliferation of cells.

A second problem is that mobile phone exposure is intermittent, whereas WiFi
The exposure is constant. A closer comparison is the effect of mobile
Broadcast antennas. These antennas send and receive radio signals
constantly.

The signal strengthantenna is similar to a mobile phone only very close
Range. The exhibition is not about blowing up a phone, but a bath for a period of low
Intensity RFR. In addition to documenting the health effects of mobile phone use,
Exposure to mobile phone antennas are

- High blood pressure and pulse,

- Sleep disorders,

- The emotional effects, such as increased irritability and depression,

- Memory loss and mental fog

- Fatigue and dizziness

-increased risk of cancer.

Because of these effects, the International Association of Firefighters (AFL-CIO)
decided in 2004 that allow mobile phone masts is fire on the houses.

RFR hypersensitivity

Much of the discussion of RFR effects on health is framed as the study of human rights
Those who are hypersensitive. Hypersensitivity is the term for allergies
and similar over-reactions of the immune system. But instead of pollen, RFR
Hypersensitivity is aResponse to non-ionizing
Radiation. It seems unfortunate that a few are affected, while the rest of us are
Hook.

Research by Olle Johansson and Örjan Halberg, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
something else out. They examined the incidence of cancer in Europe and the USA
and a striking association between the increase in some cancers found in
20. Century and the RFR exposure through radio and television measured.

What are hypersensitivetruly represented an extreme in a complex landscape
Effects and risks. Just like any other stressors, will affect some of the RFR
People more than others. And, as with other environmental stressors, the greater the
Total load, the greater the risk of a "few bad luck."

Wireless LANs complement 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
Put your house or your city for the greatest burden created by WiFi. There is a
Alternatively, a wired LAN. The hype may seem less convenient and
more expensive. But what a good night's sleep worth? Or reduce the risk
Cancer?

Resources

International Association of Firefighters. 2004th position on the health effects of
RF / microwave (RF / MW) Radiation Protection in Fire Department Facilities from
Base stationsAntennas and towers for the implementation of mobile
Transmission. Access to http://www.iaff.org/safe/content/celltower/
celltowerfinal.htm.

Johansson, Olle and Doug Loranger. The 2005th electromagnetic pollution. Their health and
Fitness. Broadcast 29th November 2005. http://yourownhealthandfitness.org/
radiation.html.

Sage, Cindy. 2005th Comment San Francisco TechConnect Community Wireless
Broadband initiative. Sage Associates in September 2005.