The study entitled “Health effects of WiFi radiation: a review based on systematic quality evaluation” by Stefan Dongus and colleagues, published in October 2022 in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, takes an in-depth look at the potential health effects of WiFi radiation. Although WiFi only accounts for a comparatively small proportion of the total exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in everyday life, there are still concerns about possible health risks from this specific type of radiation. The aim of the study was to evaluate all available scientific studies that have investigated the biological and health effects of WiFi exposure under realistic conditions – and that meet basic quality criteria.
For the analysis, the authors conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search. This included all studies published between January 1997 and August 2020 that dealt with the health effects of WiFi radiation. The search was conducted in renowned scientific databases. The authors then subjected the studies found to a detailed quality assessment. Various aspects were taken into account, such as blinding and dosimetry in experimental studies and potential bias in epidemiological studies. The quality assessment was crucial to ensure that only reliable and methodologically sound studies were included in the final evaluation.
Of the total of 1,385 articles identified, 23 studies ultimately met the defined quality criteria. These studies consisted of six epidemiological studies, six human experiments, nine in vivo studies (on animals) and two in vitro studies (on cell cultures). In the in vivo and in vitro studies, exposure levels of up to 4 W/kg were tested – a value that is well above typical everyday levels. The human studies, on the other hand, focused on exposure levels that were several orders of magnitude below the guideline values set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and thus reflected real conditions that are common when using WiFi.
The results of these high-quality studies were remarkably consistent: no clear evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to WiFi radiation was found. In particular, the epidemiological studies found no reliable correlations between WiFi exposure and health complaints such as headaches, sleep disorders or poor concentration. The human experiments also showed no significant effects on physiological parameters such as heart rate, EEG patterns or cognitive functions. Although isolated biological effects were observed in the in-vivo and in-vitro studies, these mostly occurred at significantly higher exposure levels than those achieved by WiFi devices in everyday life.
Based on this comprehensive analysis, the authors conclude that there is currently no consistent scientific evidence of adverse health effects from WiFi exposure – provided that the existing limits are adhered to. Nevertheless, the authors emphasize the precautionary principle and recommend keeping personal exposure to WiFi radiation as low as possible, especially in sensitive environments such as nurseries, schools or bedrooms. The use of wired networks or switching off WiFi routers at night can contribute to this.
The study also emphasizes that research in this area should be continued, especially with regard to possible long-term effects and combined exposure to different sources of electromagnetic fields. While the data to date is reassuring, continuous scientific monitoring is necessary to keep an eye on future developments and technologies.
Overall, this work provides a solid and comprehensive assessment of the current scientific evidence on the health effects of WiFi radiation. It supports the existing view of many health authorities that WiFi is harmless if the current guidelines are followed, but at the same time advocates responsible and conscious use of wireless technology.
