In the 1990s, there was growing concern – even today – that the use of cell phones could cause health problems due to the radio waves they transmit. Lately, I've been getting comments on Wi-Fi articles about the effects that using router radio waves could have on someone's health. Given the volume of posts, it's safe to assume that this is a concern we need to address in order to give these comments the response they deserve.
For a long time after discovering the uses of uranium, we considered it a benign substance. It wasn't until we discovered several cases of cancer in people working with radioactive materials that we found a link between the two. Fast forward to the late 20th and early 21st century, and our concerns are a bit broader. Almost anything that emits some kind of radiation is scrutinized. The sun, your microwave, cell phones, and even your Wi-Fi hotspot all emit some level of radiation.
So is it true? Is radiation dangerous from any source?
If you're not afraid of listening to the radio or turning on the lights at home, you shouldn't be afraid of your Wi-Fi router or cell phone. They all emit the same substance, but with different properties. Despite this, don't overlook the things you should really pay attention to. Microwave ovens, for example, emit EM radiation as do Wi-Fi access points, but the waves pack more punch (between 700 and 1000 watts of "punch"). Still, they're protected enough that you can stand in front of one while it's running as long as the door is closed.
Hopefully this has eased your worries about using Wi-Fi (even with high-powered antennas). Continue to enjoy your wireless Internet without any worries!
If you have any other concerns, be sure to leave them in a comment below.
