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Harmful Wi-Fi radiation from a router. Harm from Wi-Fi rays: how to resist electromagnetic smog

In this article we will discuss one of the questions that readers often ask - how does radiation from a router affect human health? A router is an active network device (performs the functions of an Internet gateway) necessary for connecting networks that differ in network addresses, data transfer protocols and network interfaces.

Typically, a router (router) is located at the junction of 2 networks and has a WAN port. Through this port, the router connects to the provider's network. In addition, the router is equipped with several LAN ports, through which the router connects to computers on the end user’s local network. The main purpose of the router is to select the most optimal directions for data transfer between various nodes on the network. If you look at it globally, the Internet is interconnected by a large number of routers. An ordinary user, while on the Internet, may not even be aware of this. Currently, Wi-Fi routers, or otherwise called wireless routers, are becoming increasingly widespread. Many people often worry about whether a Wi-Fi router is harmful? Let's try to understand this painful issue.

Purpose of Wi-Fi routers

Wi-Fi routers allow you to create your own wireless Wi-Fi networks right at home. Various laptops, netbooks, tablets or smartphones are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi adapters to interact with the router. In principle, you can also buy a Wi-Fi adapter for a desktop computer if it is not possible to connect the PC using a cable. But the advent of Wi-Fi routers has also given rise to many questions among users. Most modern routers allow you to simultaneously use both a wired and Wi-Fi connection.

Such routers make it possible to distribute the Internet to several users in an apartment at once, which is undoubtedly very convenient. But, if you can connect a limited number of devices using a cable (the number depends on how many LAN ports the router has), then using Wi-Fi you can connect an almost unlimited number of smartphones or laptops (in fact, the number of connections is limited only by the speed of your Internet connections).

Is a wifi router harmful?

If you rummage well in the literature or on various Internet forums, you can find a large amount of fragmentary and contradictory information about the dangers of wireless networks for the human body. A number of organizations have repeatedly raised the issue of banning the use of wireless networks on the premises of schools and other educational institutions.

At the same time, many research institutes present a number of arguments that refute the idea that the router is harmful. It is very difficult to figure out who is actually right, since the concept of harm itself is very vague, and if you wish, you can even prove the harm of slippers.

Basic radiation parameters of the router

The main and most important parameter that affects the human body is called the absolute optical radiation power. The optical power of radiation is measured in decibel milliwatts (dBm). Any mobile phone emits radiation power equal to 27 dBm. The main dose of radiation occurs at the time of calling the subscriber and searching for a mobile network signal. Therefore, if at this moment the device is at a short distance from a person, it can have a negative effect on the body. The main condition for this is the duration of the radiation provided. Whether a router is harmful also depends on its location in the apartment and its distance from the residents. The radiation power of the wireless router is around 20 dBm. Moreover, unlike a mobile phone, this equipment is most often located at a distance of at least one or two meters. Therefore, even when compared with mobile communications, the radiation from the router on a person turns out to be several times less.

According to the HPA (Health Protection Agency), which is an official organization located in England and responsible for ensuring the health safety of residents of the British islands, today there is no direct evidence that the router is harmful to human health. Any wireless equipment has very low radiating power, which is simply not able to cause any harm to the body. The radio frequencies used in Wi-Fi equipment are analogues of conventional radio frequencies that have been used for decades in FM radio and television equipment. Therefore, we can safely say that the harm from Wi-Fi networks is comparable to the harm that can be caused by any other radio networks, and as we know, no casualties from the radiation of an FM receiver have yet been recorded. Of course, whether a router is harmful to health is up to everyone to decide for themselves, but at least modern science says that radiation from Wi-Fi routers is absolutely safe.

Whether Wi-Fi is harmful to human health is of interest to many. Indeed, in the modern world, people cannot imagine their existence without the Internet.

In order to be able to use the World Wide Web anywhere, a wireless method of data transmission called Wi-Fi was invented.

Now you can connect to the Internet wherever it is more convenient. But is it really that useful?

About the Wi-Fi router

In order to distribute a communication signal, a special network device was created. It is called a router or router.

Wireless data transfer and computer connection occurs using radio waves. The principle of operation is similar to the operation of cell phones and radio stations.

The difference is that the Wi-Fi router operates at a higher frequency, which allows you to transmit and receive a large amount of information.

To use wireless communication, you need a router that has a built-in signal reception and transmission module. The same device must be present in the computer.

The router is connected to the Internet via a wire. When receiving information, the device converts it into radio waves, which it transmits to the receiving device (computer or laptop). The PC module receives the signal and makes it digital. The same thing happens in reverse. It is worth noting that the router can distribute a signal to several devices.

However, when transmitting a signal wirelessly, a certain magnetic field is generated, which means that there is a certain radiation to a person. Therefore, sooner or later, any person has a question about whether Wi-Fi is harmful?

Why wifi radiation is harmful to health

Any radiation in large quantities is harmful to human health. As for Wi-Fi, the opinions of many scientists are divided. Some argue that constant exposure to such a signal disrupts the functionality of the body. And others say that it is quite weak, so there is very little harm from it. And who is right in this dispute, and what harm does wi-fi actually cause?

The operating frequency of the router is 2.4 GHz. During its effect on the human body, molecules of water, fat and glucose begin to interact more closely, which leads to an increase in temperature. If such exposure lasts for a long time, then irreversible processes are triggered in the body.

In addition, it is worth noting that electromagnetic radiation is stronger, the larger the area of ​​its influence and the speed of information transmission. This, for example, happens when downloading a “heavy” file. In this case, the harm from the spread of the electromagnetic field is much greater.

Urban residents are affected by Wi-Fi waves almost constantly. After all, routers are currently installed in almost every home, in various establishments, and shopping centers. Many users do not turn off the device even at night, so the radiation continues around the clock.

Based on the results of some studies, doctors concluded that the wireless signal has an effect on some body systems.

Organ systems:

  • Brain vessels. After conducting the study, it was found that with prolonged exposure to such a signal, vasospasm occurs, problems with memory and concentration appear. However, it should be noted that the experiment was conducted with school-age children, and their skull bones are thinner than those of an adult.
  • Many doctors talk about the dangers of Wi-Fi for a child. However, there are no scientifically proven facts. But parents should pay attention to their child if he spends a long time near the computer, replacing live communication with him. In this case, we can talk more about the dangers of radiation not so much from the router as from the PC.
  • Another study was conducted using male sperm. It was noted that in a test tube that stood near the computer for some time while downloading files, twenty-five percent of the sperm were dead. However, when we repeated the experiment, when the Internet was connected via a wire, the result was the same. Therefore, it is wrong to say that wi-fi is to blame. Rather, the culprit is general electromagnetic radiation.

As you can see, there is no exact data that Wi-Fi harms the body. However, it should be remembered that the radiation, although small, is still there. Therefore, certain precautions must be taken.

How to reduce radiation from a wifi router

What can be done to ensure that wireless Internet rays are safe for health? To do this, you must adhere to certain rules.

Rules:

  • For home use, it is better to use wired Internet.
  • The Wi-Fi router must be located at least forty centimeters from the workplace. By the way, if the device is located with neighbors, then the radiation from it is minimal.
  • When working, do not place the laptop on your lap, and turn off the wireless Internet function on your phone if it is not in use.
  • At home, the router should be turned off at night and at times when the Internet is not in use.
  • It is better to install the router in a non-residential area, this way you can reduce the harm from radiation.

The most important thing is not to panic. After all, “smart guys” make great money from this by creating foil wallpaper and bedspreads with carbon threads that minimize the harm of wi-fi. If you use wireless Internet correctly, there will be no negative consequences.

Wi-Fi is harmful: is it dangerous?

Currently, a person is surrounded by radio waves from all sides. At the same time, people don’t even think about it. The apartments have a TV, or even more than one, a computer and a microwave oven.

And that's the minimum. But there are also radios and cell phones. But no one refuses these devices.

You should know that the power of a Wi-Fi router is 63 mlW, and that of a cell phone is one Watt.

In addition, a mobile phone is located much closer to the human body than a router.

Wi-Fi radiation, of course, causes some harm, despite the lack of precise evidence. However, you just need to be careful. This is especially true for parents of small children; you should not allow them to stay indoors with a router for a long time. Yes, and an adult needs to monitor the time of use of such devices.

Video: how harm is caused by WiFi

There are many opinions regarding whether Wi-Fi is harmful to our health or not. Wireless network connections, which can be used by a large number of people at the same time, are now available in almost all public places. Many of us have installed a router at home, as a result of which using the Internet is now easy and comfortable. But the more popular this technology becomes, the more controversy arises regarding its safety for humans.

Even if Wi-Fi is really harmful to health, no one will refuse it

To date, there are no clear conclusions regarding the harm, benefit or neutrality of Wi-Fi for the body. Because of this, many myths and fictions have appeared, and it is impossible to understand which of these are true and which are lies. Let's try to analyze all the issues related to the impact that a router installed in an apartment has on us, and for this we will start with the main thing - find out how it works.

How does Wi-Fi “distribute” an Internet connection?

A router with Wi-Fi technology “shares” high-speed access to the World Wide Web with other equipment using electromagnetic waves - it is because of them that controversy arose about the dangers of this technology.

Electromagnetic waves have been present in our lives for many years, because they were once used in radio receivers to transmit signals. Today, thanks to them, the operation of a large number of equipment has become possible - from laptops and mobile phones to a microwave oven.

How do electromagnetic waves affect the human body?

They affect the brain and central nervous system, so if the radiation is too strong, a person feels weak, headaches and irritability. Thus, there is a negative impact from electromagnetic waves, but is the Wi-Fi router itself harmful to human health because of them?

To answer this question, we need to analyze the specific properties of the specified device and compare it with other equipment that we use in everyday life.

We will focus on the following parameters of the Wi-Fi router:

  • Radiation power.
  • Radius of influence.
  • Duration of use of the device and its location.

The frequency of the router is 2.4 GHz - the same as that of a microwave oven, but the latter is much more harmful to health. Why? It's all about power - for this household appliance it is tens of times higher, it is this indicator that determines the effect of radiation on a person. In the same way, we compare a router with a mobile phone - the power of the first device is measured in mW, but for a cell phone it is at least 1 W, which is several times higher. Thus, the radiation power of a Wi-Fi router is insignificant compared to other equipment.

Pay attention to how Internet equipment is located in the house. Since we use access to the global network without being tied to a router, the radiation power is divided in proportion to the distance to you. We put the same smartphone directly to our ear when talking, so it has a greater impact on our health and is more harmful, since many of us make quite a lot of calls during the day.

It matters how much time we usually use a device - sitting on a laptop all day will affect us worse than a two-minute conversation on the phone. Therefore, everything depends not on the presence or absence of radiation in any technology, but on how wisely and moderately we use it.

Therefore, when someone talks about the dangers of Wi-Fi, this is due to electromagnetic waves - they really have an effect on a person, but we have already found out that due to the low power of the router, the radiation is insignificant, especially compared to other equipment.

What does science say about the dangers of Wi-Fi?

Many studies and experiments have been conducted around the world to find out whether Wi-Fi is really harmful to health, but it has not yet been proven. However, no one has been able to find arguments that this technology is harmless to the body, so it is impossible to definitely ban or allow its disposal.

Despite the obvious advantage and convenience, many people have a question: is a Wi-Fi router in an apartment harmful to the health of the people living in it? Of course, a wireless Internet network at home is very convenient, especially when one person spends time at the computer, and another while away his leisure time with a laptop or tablet. With this communication organization, you can move freely, combine the Internet with household chores or taking a bath. But…

Any progressive phenomenon in technology always faces both ardent supporters and stubborn opponents. Moreover, usually neither one nor the other finds any reasoned confirmation of the postulates about the impact of technology on human health.

In order to figure out whether an installed Wi-Fi router in an apartment is harmful or not, you need to understand what exactly Wi-Fi is and how this network and the router that serves it work.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is essentially radio communication, typically operating at frequencies between 2.5 and 5 GHz. If necessary, for example, when covering large areas, the frequency power can reach up to 18-20 GHz, but routers installed at home are not capable of such indicators.

The frequencies at which a household router operates do not exceed the level of 4-4.5 GHz. Of course, the router emits some radiation, but how harmful is it and what do we mean by this word?

We are talking about electromagnetic radiation that is present during the operation of any device, etc. in today's reality, surround a person everywhere. Mobile phones, televisions, computers, even refrigerators - all of these can affect people to some extent.

Is a router harmful from a scientific point of view?

When thinking about whether a router is harmful to health, you need to understand that it is not the electromagnetic radiation itself that directly affects a person, but its power level.

In physics this is called absolute optical power; this parameter is measured in decibel-milliwatts - dBm.

For example, this figure for a regular mobile phone reaches 27-28 dBm. The peak of radiation occurs at those moments when the device is searching for a network or receiving incoming calls. In this case, the person is not only close to the phone, but usually he is in direct contact with it.

The power level of the radiation emitted by a working router ranges from 15 to 20 dBm. The device reaches an indicator of 20 dBm under heavy load, for example, when the laptop connected to it is remote, or under heavy load on the network - serious volumes of downloading any information or movies, several computers working simultaneously with active use of the Internet. And at the same time, people, as a rule, are not close to the router.

Continuing to discuss whether a Wi-Fi router is harmful to health, it makes sense to remember everyone’s favorite microwave ovens. The wave range of these devices is the same, but the radiation power is not. For a microwave oven, this figure is several times higher than for a router.

If we continue to compare the radiation levels, it becomes clear that from a scientific point of view, the router is far from the most dangerous device existing in human life.

Is there any medical harm?

British medical societies conducted a number of studies and experiments, establishing the parameters of the impact of Wi-Fi networks on the human body and trying to answer the question of whether a working router is harmful to health or not.

Research was carried out in the following areas:

  1. Effect on sleep.
  2. Impact on the brain.
  3. Effect on children and adolescents.
  4. Relationship with the sexual sphere, men's and women's health.

Quite interesting things came to light:

  • Sleep - the presence of electromagnetic radiation for a long time near a sleeping person causes disturbances in the sleep phases, insomnia, fatigue and irritability, since the brain does not receive the necessary rest.
  • Brain - the experiment on the effect on the brain consisted of the following: a working router was installed under the beds, the next morning indicators were taken that recorded vasoconstriction, the presence of spasms and overstrain of certain areas of the brain.
  • Children - a child's body is more flexible than an adult, however, the presence of children and adolescents in a room next to a working router did not reveal any pathologies, except that half of the participants showed increased excitability, hyperactivity, and irritation. But whether the wifi caused harm, or whether these symptoms were a manifestation of stress on the very fact of the experiment, remained unclear.
  • Men's and women's health - prolonged exposure to wifi did not bring harm or changes to the condition of women. As for men, the only result of the experiment was the death of about a quarter of the sperm. Since this did not happen to everyone who took part in the study, the experiment was repeated. It turned out that sperm died in those men who constantly kept laptops on their laps. Accordingly, it was not the Wi-Fi router that caused the harm, but the level of radiation power from working laptops.

Is it possible to reduce the negative impact?

Despite the fact that the question of whether wifi is really harmful still remains unanswered, skeptics prefer to be cautious, arguing that there is also no contrary evidence that working routers are harmless.

To reduce the impact of radiation from the device on human health, it is enough to follow a number of simple instructions:

  1. If possible, use a wired home network, because if the computers are stationary, then there is simply no need for Wi-Fi.
  2. Place the router as far as possible from places where people are most often located.
  3. Do not sleep in the same room as the device is running.
  4. Turning off the router when it is not needed, the same applies to the computer itself, which many people prefer to leave in “sleep” mode.

However, you should not indulge in paranoia and give up the obvious convenience of a wireless network, especially if there is a need for it because it is still unclear whether wi-fi is harmful to health or not.

Where does a person encounter Wi-Fi?

Today it is simply impossible to completely avoid radiation, which affects health. Even if you completely give up computers, live without a microwave oven, without a refrigerator, TV or radio, and don’t use a cell phone, you can still find yourself in the radiation zone.

If you don’t use Wi-Fi yourself, citing the fact that it is harmful, your neighbors will “wifi”, and walls or ceilings are not barriers to electromagnetic radiation.

As for life in a metropolis, Wi-Fi lies in wait everywhere, this network exists today:

  • in cafes and restaurants;
  • in cinemas;
  • in shopping centers;
  • in sports clubs;
  • in stadiums and swimming pools;
  • in parks and skating rinks;
  • Some cities have entire streets with free Wi-Fi.

Work in today's realities is also related to the activities of routers; Wi-Fi is available:

  • in every office;
  • in hospitals;
  • in warehouses and factories;
  • in transport;
  • at train stations.

This list can be continued endlessly, so it’s easier to say - Wi-Fi is everywhere. Because it's simple and very convenient. No matter how much a person opposes this type of organization of information transfer, he will still be under the influence of Wi-Fi, for example, simply by going to the grocery store.

Video: the effect of Wi-FI on humans.

How to organize a home network without harm

If a wired network at home is inconvenient and you still decide to use Wi-Fi, then quite often the question arises about which device is safer to use - a router or a router and which one will generate less radiation.

For people who have at least a little knowledge of technology, these questions make them smile. The point is that they are the same thing. It’s just that router is a Russified English word, and router is originally a Russian name. We are talking about the same network device providing Wi-Fi communication.

The devices themselves are divided depending on their power:

  1. Household, up to 5 GHz.
  2. Industrial, up to 20 GHz.

If we are talking about a simple city apartment, then, of course, a compact household router is sufficient.

If you need to establish a well-functioning connection without wires in a multi-level apartment (or simply in a very large one), there is also no point in using an industrial version and being exposed to its radiation. Although the harm has not been proven, as they say, God protects the best. A few simple devices will be enough for uninterrupted high-quality Wi-Fi.

But when equipping a country house, you will already need the “heavy artillery” option if you want communications to be available even in the far corners of the site, in a bathhouse or in any outbuildings located far from the house itself.

As a rule, today no one sets up home Wi-Fi on their own, because any telecom operator provides not only the Internet, but also related services, including providing a router for use by the client.

The technician who comes to install the device and set up the home network can also provide advice, answering all questions regarding the operating power, range and level of radiation of the specific router being installed.

To summarize, it should be noted that Wi-Fi cannot objectively cause harm to a person’s health, of course, if he himself does not sleep with a working router under his pillow.

Avoiding exposure to electromagnetic radiation is not the same as in a metropolis, even on average. not a particularly large city, in the conditions of modern life it is completely impossible. The sources of these waves are everywhere:

  • TVs;
  • smartphones;
  • tablets;
  • cell phone towers;
  • household appliances and much more.

In addition, none of the research institutions that periodically raise questions about the impact of Wi-Fi on human health have abandoned the use of wireless network devices in their buildings.

It's also quite ridiculous to give up the obvious convenience that Wi-Fi brings to your home while being exposed to the same radiation from other devices. And there is no point in resisting progress, especially considering that production, maintenance and everything else related to Wi-Fi routers is a huge business in which huge sums of money are circulating.

Even if one day one of the scientists actually proves the harm of wireless networks, this discovery is unlikely to change anything for the lives of ordinary citizens.

Today, each person decides for himself whether Wi-Fi is harmful or not, whether he needs to use it or not. And if there are any concerns, he either makes a choice in favor of wired networks, or is careful when using the router - does not install it in the bedroom and does not leave it in operating mode unless necessary.

A router, or as it is commonly called a router, is a device that selects the optimal route for transmitting information from the provider to devices using the Internet.

Due to the absence of wires, information is transmitted using EM radiation. Considering that the operation of the router is ensured by ultra-high frequencies, it is worth thinking about whether this radiation is harmful to humans?

According to the results of some research experiments, this information is confirmed, while others completely refute it. Let's look at the arguments of both sides.

We will not find sufficient information in the description of the device in question, but the truth lies in the exact characteristics of the equipment. Let's analyze the numbers. The Wi-Fi router operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz with an approximate power of 100 mW.

Under the influence of such parameters, the temperature of human brain cells increases, which leads to irreversible negative consequences.

Nature assumes that such frequencies help organs and all functioning systems of the human body exchange information. If there is prolonged exposure to Wi-Fi radiation, the process of cell growth and division can be significantly disrupted.

The distance from the localization of wireless communications and the data transmission speed of the wifi router aggravate the harmful effects on humans. An example would be the enormous speed of information transfer when downloading video files, images and other large data.

In this case, air acts as the transmitting medium. Human cells tend to exchange energy at different frequencies, so the adverse effects of the frequency range of a wifi router take place.

Residents of high-rise buildings are influenced by a large number of wifi routers that are located in neighboring apartments. The range of action of this device is only slightly reduced under the obstacle of building structures, but they cannot completely neutralize the background.

In addition, there are a great many wireless access points to the World Wide Web around: shopping centers, entertainment venues, shops, offices. Almost 24 hours a day, people are under the gun of a Wi-Fi router, which not many turn off even at night.

To summarize, we can say with confidence that the human body constantly fights against this negative radiation. It is likely that such exposure does not allow many people to fully restore strength even during sleep, and the immune system ceases to fight many infections that come from the environment.

Of course, the use of a wireless Internet connection must be compensated at some cost, but health is not something worth trading for such benefits. Let's figure out how dangerous Wi-Fi radiation is. To assess the influence of this factor on the human body, a special parameter has been introduced - “absolute optical radiation power”.


Also, do not forget that a wifi router is located much further from a person than a cell phone. As a rule, it is installed at a distance of 1-2 meters. The intensity of radiation exposure decreases in direct proportion to the increase in the distance from the router to the “irradiated” one.

If you are still afraid of the negative impact of radiating waves from the router, then you can reduce it a little. For example, adjust the signal strength by reducing it.

Few people know this function, since most users operate this device at the factory settings, which are set to full. And, if you advise your neighbors to do the same, then the level of radiation exposure will be reduced tenfold.

IMPORTANT! Undoubtedly, a wifi router has some effect on the human body, but how great is this harm? Comparing the performance and performance of other household appliances, the following figures were summed up:

  • The signal intensity of a microwave oven is 100,000 times higher than the radiation of a wifi router;
  • If you sum up the signal intensity of two routers and 20 laptops, it will be equivalent to the operation of one cellular device.
  • If the most stubborn skeptic remains unconvinced, then by following the simplest rules you can protect yourself even more:
  • Install the device no closer than 40 cm from the desktop, do not leave it turned on overnight;
  • If there is no need to use the Internet, turn off the router at this time;
  • Do not place the laptop on your lap for long periods of time.

How to protect yourself from electromagnetic smog

Electromagnetic smog is the background that is emitted from sources of the same name.

Of course, there are a number of actions that can protect against such influence.

  1. Creative and smart manufacturers have invented special wallpaper for apartments that can screen the radiation emanating from neighboring wifi routers. Such accessories can be purchased in foreign online stores. But do not forget that this specific operation will also interfere with signal conduction between rooms in the apartment itself where the router is installed.
  2. The medical market produces another invention - a corrector of the functional state of the human body. A wide range of such products offers the purchase of a fabric blanket with carbon thread. Thanks to the bipolar fabric, this accessory is able to reflect EM radiation emanating from all the equipment that we use in everyday life.

Conclusion

Thanks to four factors: frequency, power, distance and time, we can say that radiation from a wifi router negatively affects the human body.

But today there is no real evidence of this, so it is better to once again further protect yourself.

Laying wires for connecting the Internet will someday become a mandatory part of the design of a new building, but now people decide this issue on their own. For the convenience of using the network, people often install a router, and many people have a question: is Wi-Fi harmful to health? The factors affected by this device are described below.

Negative effects of Wi-Fi on the human body

Every home that has a laptop and a modern smartphone has a Wi-Fi router so that you can access the Internet anywhere in the apartment. Adults are often concerned about how Wi-Fi affects their health. People do not fully understand how radio signals affect the body. The question of whether a Wi-Fi router is harmful to health has been studied very carefully and the research results sometimes provide different facts. For example, medical professionals say that harm from Wi-Fi extends to:

  • children due to physiological characteristics;
  • cerebral vessels;
  • male reproductive ability.

These are the main areas for which statistics were collected. At the same time, there is data that says that the impact of a router on health is extremely insignificant when compared with other devices, for example:

  • a microwave oven has a signal intensity 100 thousand times greater than Wi-Fi;
  • Twenty laptops and 2 routers create the same radiation as 1 mobile phone.

Effect on cerebral vessels

When scientists decided to find out whether the router was harmful to health, they conducted experiments that would affect different parts of the human body. One of the first directions is the effect on the blood vessels of the brain. This issue was dealt with by Danish specialists who conducted tests with schoolchildren. Each child was asked to place a phone with the Wi-Fi receiver turned on under their pillow.

In the morning we took measurements of the children's condition. It was found that most of them experience vascular spasms and decreased concentration. This experiment cannot be called “pure”, because only children, whose skulls are thinner than those of an adult, participated in it. In addition, the test subject could receive most of the radiation from the device itself, and not from the waves that the Wi-Fi network uses. The harm of these frequencies to the child’s body remains an open question.

Harm from a Wi-Fi router to a child's body

The harm of Wi-Fi on a child’s body extends due to a thinner skull. What was said above. WHO has made an official statement that Wi-Fi is harmful to a child’s health due to the electromagnetic radiation that the access point spreads and the mobile phone or computer receives. However, the organization does not have any compelling, clear arguments, so harm from Wi-Fi remains an unproven risk.


Harm from Wi-Fi radiation on male potency

Another area in which the harm of Wi-Fi was tested was the reproductive ability of men. For the study, doctors took two sperm samples, which were placed under different conditions. First, a spermogram was performed showing the number of active and dead sperm. One sample was placed near a computer that was connected to the Internet and downloading files. The second was placed in a normal environment without the presence of waves while the router was clean.

It is worth understanding that it was not the harm from Wi-Fi radiation on male potency that was studied, but how radiation affects the viability of sperm. In the sample that was next to the computer, 25% died, in the second - 14%. This suggests that the wireless signal is detrimental to sperm health. The specialists did another test to check the quality of the sperm.

DNA measurements were taken from live spermatozoa. Damage to the sample outside electromagnetic waves was 3%, to cells near the wireless Internet – 9%. For final verification, another experiment was done on a computer with a wired connection. No changes in the condition of the material were observed. It is better for men not to place a laptop on their lap while the Internet is on.

Is a Wi-Fi router in an apartment harmful?

If you are concerned about harm from a Wi-Fi router, then you should think about stopping using a TV, microwave oven, mobile phone and other electrical appliances. Each of them emits a certain amount of radio waves that affect human health. The harm from Wi-Fi is so insignificant that it simply cannot lead to any diseases. You just need to follow some rules that minimize exposure to electromagnetic waves.


How to reduce radiation from a router

There are some recommendations for people who want to minimize Wi-Fi harm. There is no official confirmation of this phenomenon, but if you are concerned about your health, you can only use a wired connection. Wireless data transmission will be unavailable, but harmful background noise will also be reduced. If wireless communication in an apartment is still needed, then there are other ways to reduce radiation from the router and its impact on the human body:

  1. Try to install the device as far away from people as possible. If the router is at a sufficient distance, the damage from the waves will subside. Do not place the device near a sleeping or working area.
  2. If Wi-Fi is distributed in the office, it is better to install one device with more power than several at different points in the room.
  3. The wireless source sends signals constantly, so if you do not use the Internet for a long time, the device should be turned off.
  4. Before going to bed, turn off the device and turn it on in the morning.

These simple steps will help minimize the harmful effects of wireless technology on human health. These measures will not be superfluous even if the router cannot cause any real harm unless you specifically apply it to your head or place it on your knees. This type of device can only be truly dangerous for a child for physiological reasons.

Video: Why Wi-Fi is harmful to health

Damage to Wi-Fi - is a router in an apartment harmful, what are the health consequences and is it worth believing that the damage to Wi-Fi is irreparable?

Since the very beginning of Wi-Fi technology, there have been debates about how dangerous the transmission of data over the air in this way is to human health. In addition to users who are divided into two camps (some completely deny the existence of any harm, while others oppose the mass use of such devices), various experts and scientists argue on this topic. As you might have guessed, neither side is 100% correct.

How does this technology work?

To understand whether a Wi-Fi router is harmful to health, you first need to understand the principle of its operation. The name of the technology stands for Wireless Fidelity. This means that information is transmitted from device to device via radio channels. Based on this fact, experts investigated the harm caused by a Wi-Fi router. Measurements have shown that the harm of waves from any Wi-FI source is 600 times less than the level that causes minimal harm to human health.

In the course of numerous experiments and experiments, some scientists came to the conclusion that only a larger concentration of devices with Wi-FI, for example, in schools or office buildings, poses a minimal danger. However, this radiation level is not much higher than from mobile phones.


So, why is Wi-Fi harmful to human health? This data transmission technology does not pose any danger to life. Its radiation is comparable to all mobile devices or computers, and some household and kitchen appliances even surpass Wi-Fi in terms of harmful waves. A good example is the microwave oven. But if you still decide to minimize the harm, then use our advice.

Is Wi-Fi harmful at home: how to reduce the impact on health

Follow a few simple rules:

Now you know whether a Wi-Fi router is harmful to health in an apartment and what ways you can reduce the level of its negative impact on the body.

Our life today is almost impossible to imagine without the Internet. Social networks, news flow, entertaining videos and much other information, without which it would seem impossible to exist even when you are far from home. The development of the Wi-Fi Internet connection industry makes its own adjustments to everyday life. However, is everything so safe and simple, is there a negative impact of Wi-Fi on the human body? Let's try to understand this issue.

What is Wi-Fi and the main parameters of its radiation

Wi-Fi is an electromagnetic signal that is responsible for a wireless connection to the Internet on various devices (computers, phones, TVs and much more), which is carried out by transmitting information over radio frequency channels. The harm of Wi-Fi radiation and its direct and indirect effects on human health has been studied for quite a long time. However, no one can say for sure, since there are no reliable scientific studies that could confidently answer the question about the dangers and benefits of this device.
Here are a few numbers that will help you understand the scale of the negative impact of the router on the human body:
  • The strength of harmful electromagnetic radiation from a router is approximately one hundred thousand times less than similar indicators when operating a microwave oven
  • The radiation generated by approximately two routers and twenty laptops is equivalent to the radiation of one mobile phone
  • Some researchers are inclined to believe that the negative impact of Wi-Fi radiation in its harmfulness slightly prevails over the electromagnetic effect on the body when operating a radio or TV
The effect of a Wi-Fi router on human health depends in proportion to the physical quantity, which is called optical. Its unit of measurement is decibel milliwatt (dBm). A mobile cell phone emits on average about 27-28 dBm of electromagnetic waves. The greatest impact of radiation on the human body occurs when establishing a connection with another subscriber, provided that the phone is located directly near the body. When Wi-Fi affects the human body, the radiation from it acts in a similar way to a mobile phone.


That is, a greater number of units of radiation are affected precisely when the device is connected to the network and the person is relatively close to the router. Near the very source of wireless Internet generation, electromagnetic radiation is about 20 dBm. From this we can conclude that the harmful effects of a mobile phone are much greater than the harm from a Wi-Fi router. However, since there are other influencing factors, and the intensity of the electromagnetic field during the operation of a mobile network generator has not been fully studied, it is impossible to talk about its relatively safe effect on the human body.

Why a Wi-Fi router can still be dangerous

The router works by choosing the best path for transmitting data from the provider directly to the device. The frequency range of the above-mentioned device is approximately 2.4 GHz, the power can often reach up to 100 μW. When exposed to such radiation on the human body, molecules in cells are brought closer together due to constant friction, which leads to an increase in local temperature. Constant exposure of this nature can conditionally lead to the development of uncontrolled and inconsistent mitoses in the body. This refers to the pathological division of cells of a local nature, which most often potentially indicates the development of a malignant neoplasm in organs.

The harm of Wi-Fi radiation is proportional to the range of the router, the location of the user relative to the device and the data transmission speed of the network itself. The stronger and more intense the action of a particular device, the more electromagnetic radiation such a router generates per unit of time. And accordingly, the worse will be its direct impact on human health. The distance to the device when using the network also plays a big role. The closer a person is, the greater the level of his exposure to the electromagnetic field of the router.


People are exposed to radiation from routers almost around the clock. Residents of multi-apartment panel buildings, which closely border their neighbors, are exposed to several devices at the same time. Brick walls, metal structures and other construction materials partially block the radiation of the wireless Internet network.

Damage to Wi-Fi devices is also caused by the influence of routers that are located in various cafes and other public places. Therefore, as a result of modern urban influence and the intensive growth of various types of infrastructure, a person who does not use a Wi-Fi router himself is still exposed to this negative factor in one way or another.

However, many users do not consider it necessary to turn off the device even at night, when the body needs to recover and gain strength for the next day. Some researchers argue that resting at night with the router turned on gives a much less relaxing effect, sleep is much worse, and the immune system under such circumstances does not have the opportunity to fully recover in order to protect the body from the effects of foreign agents.

Medicine and Wi-Fi router

Numerous medical studies prove the fact that the harm of Wi-Fi to health is much less, comparing it with the effect of a similar one. But there is still a negative impact. It is especially strong in relation to pregnant women and children.

This is explained by the fact that active processes of growth and development of all systems and organs occur in the body of both the first and second groups. Electromagnetic radiation, even of relatively low frequency, has a harmful effect on the above processes. In certain cases of intensive use, it can act as a teratogenic factor for the health of the unborn child. Therefore, doctors recommend limiting the influence of such devices on pregnant women. It is also undesirable to install routers in kindergartens, schools and other places where there are large concentrations of young children.

A study of the harm of Wi-Fi radiation revealed its negative impact on the blood vessels of the brain and the quality of blood flow in them. With prolonged use of the router, general weakness, headaches, and symptomatic signs of cerebrovascular accident may occur. In this case, it is recommended not only to limit your use of the Wi-Fi network, but also to contact a medical institution for a preventive examination.

The harm of Wi-Fi can also result in negative consequences for the male reproductive system. With constant use of this type of Internet connection and its direct influence on the gonads, changes in the spermatogram may occur, which complicates the possibility of fertilization. Further, there is a high probability of impotence. Such changes in the male body are observed with constant and long-term exposure of the router to the reproductive system, so it is necessary to limit the influence of the device on the organs of this group.

How to reduce the influence of a harmful factor on the human body

It is clear that the influence of Wi-Fi on a person is negative, and therefore the issue of protecting the user’s body from electromagnetic radiation is relevant. There are some useful tips that will help regarding reduce the harmful effects of the router:
  • Do not install the router in places where you spend the most time (bedroom, watching TV, etc.)
  • Turn off the router at night and when you are not using it for a long time, so that its energy does not spread in the form of harmful radiation.
  • If possible, limit your time using Wi-Fi access, and supervise your child’s use of this device.
  • Do not place devices connected to the router near you while you sleep, so that electromagnetic radiation does not interfere with your sleep
  • Despite the obvious advantage and convenience, many people have a question: is a Wi-Fi router in an apartment harmful to the health of the people living in it? Of course, a wireless Internet network at home is...

In recent years, the number of wireless devices has increased significantly. I use a Wi-Fi connection on smartphones, laptops, TVs, set-top boxes and various household appliances. The convenience of this connection method is obvious - there is no need to pull wires, damaging the interior. It is enough to place a router in the apartment, and all the listed devices will be combined into a common network over the air. However, Wi-Fi is radiation, and any type of radiation has an effect on the human body. In this article we will tell you whether wireless networks are harmful and how dangerous it is to stay near a switched-on router for a long time.

Is it harmful to be near a router?

So, how can a regular router be dangerous and is it really dangerous to be near it all the time?

In order to answer this question, let's first understand what Wi-Fi is.

Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity, that is, “wireless data transmission.” Radio waves with a frequency of 2.4 - 5 GHz are used to transmit information. Therefore, Wi-Fi is a type of radio wave of a certain range. Strictly speaking, a router is a device of the same profile as a mobile phone, TV and FM radio. All of these devices emit radio waves of varying frequencies and intensities. And these waves affect our body constantly, indoors and outdoors, because we are almost always in the range of one or more radiation sources.

Why are radio waves dangerous to health?

Scientists are unanimous: radio radiation can definitely harm the human body. The extent of the harm directly depends on the power of the radiation source, its duration and the proximity of the person to it.

The main directions of the negative impact of router radio waves on human health are as follows::

  • Long-term exposure to radio waves reduces the level of antioxidant defense of the body, which leads to disruptions in the functioning of internal organs, primarily the brain and liver.
  • Radio waves negatively affect male reproduction. Radio radiation reduces sperm motility and damages testicular DNA. Long-term exposure to intense radio waves can lead to infertility.
  • Radio radiation negatively affects the development of the fetus and can provoke termination of pregnancy. Constant use of mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices increases the likelihood of miscarriage by 50%.
  • Radio waves cause sleep disturbances. In particular, they disrupt the change of sleep phases, as a result of which a person does not get enough sleep. Radio radiation can also cause insomnia.
  • Radio radiation causes cancer. Back in the 1970s, scientists found that most people who died of cancer lived in homes with strong electromagnetic fields.

How dangerous is router radiation?

Let's consider whether the radiation from a router located in an apartment is harmful to health. Devices emitting radio waves are constantly around us. At the same time, an ordinary microwave emits radiation 100 thousand times more than a router. Yes, and the mobile phone “phonics” is much stronger. To surpass the radiation intensity of one mobile phone, you will need two routers and two dozen laptops.

Therefore, many experts argue that of all household devices that use radio frequencies, a router is the safest.

On the one hand, this statement is true in principle. The radiation from a Wi-Fi router is negligible compared to the radiation from many household devices. However, in most apartments the router is constantly on, while we use other devices for a short time. For example, we turn on the microwave to warm up food. This takes a few minutes. And the peak power of mobile phone radiation is achieved only during a conversation. In standby mode it is negligible. Thus, the low radiation power of the router is compensated by its round-the-clock operation. This means that its harmful effect on the body cannot be underestimated in any case.

Scientists conducted such an experiment. Two sperm samples were placed under different conditions. One was just in the room where the computer was located. And the other was next to a computer that was actively interacting with the network via Wi-Fi. In the first case, 14% of sperm died, and in the second - 25%.

Router in the bedroom

Let's ask ourselves how harmful and dangerous it is to place a router in the bedroom.

Most often, a router in an apartment is installed in the bedroom. Because people like to lie around with a tablet or watch a movie online before going to bed. But you shouldn’t be near a switched-on router, and here’s why.

Scientists conducted such an experiment. They observed two groups of people. One group slept under normal conditions. People from the other group had a device with Wi-Fi turned on next to their bed overnight, and then, the next morning, their condition was compared with the experimental ones from the first group. It was found that the majority of participants in the second group experienced cerebral vascular spasms, fatigue, and decreased attention. People who spent the night without Wi-Fi were much less likely to experience these symptoms.

It is believed that Wi-Fi radiation has a much greater impact on the brain of children, since the children's skull is thinner than that of an adult and is less protected from radio waves. Therefore, if a child is sleeping in the room, all devices using Wi-Fi must be removed or turned off at night.

In addition, the router's display and constantly flashing lights, especially in the dark, can have an irritating effect on the psyche and make it difficult to fall asleep.

In this regard, it is strictly not recommended to place the router in the bedroom, much less next to the bed..

How to reduce harm from a router

Of course, the best way to minimize the harm from Wi-Fi is not to use a router at all. After all, after all, a computer or laptop can be connected to the network via wires. But Internet users are unlikely to be ready for such a radical solution. And if you follow this method in everything, you will have to give up television, radio, and mobile communications.

Therefore, let's look at how you can continue to use a wireless network at home and at the same time reduce the harmful effects of router radiation on the body.

Household routers are usually not very powerful. They operate at frequencies up to 5 GHz and their radiation power does not exceed 100 mW. However, there are more powerful devices used to transmit data over long distances when organizing large networks. There is no need for such powerful routers in an apartment. Therefore, use a regular router. Its effect on your body will be minimal.

Place the router away from your work area. And even more so from the bed you sleep on. In general, if possible, install it in a room where you are least likely to be present. For example, in the hallway, in the attic of a private house or in any non-residential room. At a distance, radio waves are much less dangerous. Of course, the further away the router, the weaker the signal, but for a city apartment in most cases this is not important. If the signal quality is not satisfactory, you will have to look for a reasonable compromise.

The fewer devices, the better. It is better to use one powerful router, if necessary, than two or three weaker devices. If in your case you cannot do without, try to ensure that their number is minimal.

In normal operation, the router emits radio waves constantly. If its continuous operation is not necessary, it makes sense to reduce the time of its active operation. Most routers can be configured so that the Internet will only connect if there are active client devices. The rest of the time the router will be in passive mode and the intensity of its radiation will be significantly lower.

If the router is not currently in use, you can turn it off altogether. And, of course, the router should be unplugged at night.

You can read about why you should turn off your router at night on our website.

Conclusion

The following conclusions can be drawn.

In the modern world, it is not possible to completely get rid of the effects of Wi-Fi radiation. Because routers are used in homes, offices and even on the street. Large cities are completely covered by wireless networks.

The power of Wi-Fi radiation from a conventional router is several times less than that of other household appliances. Therefore, the harm that it can cause to the human body is minimal.

In order to protect yourself from the possible negative consequences of constant contact with a Wi-Fi router, it is enough to follow a number of simple recommendations.