Wi-Fi technology and human health impact: a brief review of current knowledge

Abstract

An enormous increase in the application of wireless communication in recent decades has intensified research into consequent increase in human exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiofrequency (RF) radiation fields and potential health effects, especially in school children and teenagers, and this paper gives a snap overview of current findings and recommendations of international expert bodies, with the emphasis on exposure from Wi-Fi technology indoor devices. Our analysis includes over 100 in vitro, animal, epidemiological, and exposure assessment studies (of which 37 in vivo and 30 covering Wi-Fi technologies). Only a small portion of published research papers refers to the “real” health impact of Wi-Fi technologies on children, because they are simply not available. Results from animal studies are rarely fully transferable to humans. As highly controlled laboratory exposure experiments do not reflect real physical interaction between RF radiation fields with biological tissue, dosimetry methods, protocols, and instrumentation need constant improvement. Several studies repeatedly confirmed thermal effect of RF field interaction with human tissue, but non-thermal effects remain dubious and unconfirmed.

The Distribution of Boars Spermatozoa in Morphometrically Distinct Subpopulations after In Vitro Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation at 2500 MHz and Their Motility

“…Therefore, RF-EMR at today’s intensity is known as “electro-pollution”. Wi-Fi-based technology and receivers, such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones with their base stations, as well as Bluetooth devices, are now routinely used [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Although such technology has significantly improved our quality of life, it cannot be ruled out that it is also the cause of many ailments and diseases.…”

Comments on “Wi-Fi technology and human health impact: a brief review of current knowledge” published in the June 2022 issue of Archives

“…The article by Prlić et al ( 1 ) is very interesting, and we believe that it is an important and necessary publication to keep both the scientific community and the general public informed of the rapid growth of wireless technology. Here we would like to expand on the information presented in that article and comment on some new measurements of electromagnetic wave intensity [other authors prefer to call this magnitude power density ( 2 )] from the Wi-Fi band in schools or universities (indoor/classroom or outside environment) in different countries.…”

“…To give a scientific answer to this question, research on this subject is paramount, like the one being done in many European countries. We encourage researchers in this field to carry out measurements of RF-EMF from the Wi-Fi band at schools and universities, compare their data with international regulations (22), and contribute with answers to questions that arise from growing sensitivity among citizens (1,17,18,25,29 Relevant ICNIRP reference levels $ 61 V/m 10 W/m 2 *2.4-2.5 GHz; # 5.15-5.85 GHz. a average value; b maximum value; $ reference levels for general public exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields: electric field strength and equivalent plane wave power density refer to the 2-300 GHz frequency range (24)…”

“…In particular, we would like to complete Table 3 in Prlić’s article ( 1 ) with measurements carried out in Spain, Jordan, and other countries presented here in Table 1. The last two columns of Table 1 show three significant figures ( 2 ), and the last column shows power density values in μW/m 2 .…”

“…To give a scientific answer to this question, research on this subject is paramount, like the one being done in many European countries. We encourage researchers in this field to carry out measurements of RF-EMF from the Wi-Fi band at schools and universities, compare their data with international regulations ( 22 ), and contribute with answers to questions that arise from growing sensitivity among citizens ( 1 , 17 , 18 , 25 , 29 ).…”