Concerns have emerged among mobile and internet users in the country that Wi-Fi signals may pose health risks, with some even believing that trees near mobile towers die due to radiation. Additionally, there are worries that the signals from household Wi-Fi networks may be harmful to health.
However, researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization (WHO) have dismissed these concerns. After reviewing data from 250,000 mobile phone users to assess potential long-term health risks from wireless communication technology, they found no significant difference in the risk of brain tumors between individuals who talk extensively on their mobile phones and those who use them for shorter periods. Similarly, the official website of the Canadian government also states that Wi-Fi signals are not harmful to health.
As a result, those worried about the health risks posed by Wi-Fi signals can now take a step back from their concerns. Let’s examine the reasoning behind the conclusion that Wi-Fi signals are not dangerous.
Wi-Fi networks typically connect computers and phones to the internet without physical cables, using radio signals. These signals usually operate within the electromagnetic spectrum at frequencies between 2 and 5 GHz, which are similar to those used by microwave ovens. The radiation from Wi-Fi networks is classified as non-ionizing, meaning it does not carry enough energy to damage human cells or DNA. This is why Wi-Fi signals are considered not harmful to human health.
For context, Wi-Fi (/ˈwaɪfaɪ/) is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standards, commonly used for local area network devices and internet access. As of 2017, the Wi-Fi Alliance had over 800 member companies worldwide.
