What exactly is WLAN?
WLAN is the abbreviation for “Wireless Local Area Network” and is used to set up local computer networks.
In contrast to wired
“LANs”, laptops, cell phones and tablets are connected to each other wirelessly via radio.
Wi-Fi is often used as a synonymous term.
Today, access to Wi-Fi is a matter of course in hotels, bars, restaurants, libraries and other public facilities.
The use of Wi-Fi in private households has also become indispensable.
How does the WLAN work?
WLAN works with pulsed high-frequency signals.
This means that a signal is not continuous, but is switched on and off in a certain rhythm.
Colloquially, this is also referred to as WLAN radiation.
Small data packets are usually sent at intervals to all stations in the reception area via a wireless access point (WAP), in the private sector usually via a router.
The range of WLAN devices is between 25 m (indoors) and up to 150 m (outdoors).
If special directional antennas are used, the range can be extended to several kilometers.
In some cases, entire cities are already connected by WLAN.
What measures are politicians and state institutions taking to protect us?
The 26th Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (26. BImSchV) sets limit values to protect the public from health hazards caused by electric and magnetic fields from low-frequency and direct current installations (http://www.bfs.de/DE/themen/emf/einfuehrung/einfuehrung_node.html).
The so-called SAR value (specific absorption rate) is used as the basis for defining limit values in this area. It is a measure of the absorption of electromagnetic fields in a body or material. The absorption of electromagnetic energy always leads to a warming of a body. The limit values for cell phones, WLAN and the like are therefore only based on the thermal effect of electromagnetic radiation. Other influences of radiation, such as possible damage to the genetic material of the cell or similar, are not taken into account. There are currently no long-term studies on these effects.
The maximum values recommended for health protection are
– 0.08 watts per kilogram (W/kg) averaged over the whole body and
– 2 W/kg averaged locally over parts of the body, for example in the head.
What precautionary measures should be taken?
The recommendation of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection is to maintain the minimum distances from WLAN devices specified by the manufacturer.
Furthermore, it is advised to minimize personal exposure to radiation as much as possible “in order to keep possible but as yet unrecognized health risks to a minimum.”
Specifically, in the case of Wi-Fi, it is advised to use cable connections as far as possible and to avoid wireless networks.
It is also recommended that Wi-Fi access points are not installed in the immediate vicinity of people (e.g. at the workplace) and that the range limitation is set.
WLAN is part of our mobile and networked world and many people do not want to do without the convenience.
Of course, everyone can decide for themselves whether and when they want to use Wi-Fi in their own home.
What you cannot influence, however, is the use of Wi-Fi devices in neighboring apartments and in the nearby
environment, which also radiate into the adjacent apartments due to the large range of the Wi-Fi devices.
Not to mention the influences outside your own four walls, such as in restaurants, on public transport and other public facilities.
