WLAN: Everything you need to know about it
Wi-Fi is very practical and is now available almost everywhere. It provides us with convenient Internet access at home, at work, on the train, in restaurants and in many other places. Electromagnetic radiation and electrosmog are emitted by routers and Wi-Fi hotspots. In this article, we would like to explain to you whether this can also be associated with health risks and what the current state of research is in this regard
How does WLAN work and why are the rays present almost everywhere?
WLAN is the abbreviation for “Wireless Local Area Network”. It is used to connect computers, tablets, smartphones and many other devices wirelessly to each other and to the internet. Sometimes this process is also referred to as WiFi, but the term WLAN has become more widely accepted. To establish the connection between the devices, the router transmits radio frequencies. Several frequency blocks between 2.4 GHz and 5.725 GHz are released, with different limit values. WLAN uses pulsed high-frequency signals. This means that a signal does not exist permanently, but is switched on and off at certain intervals. Small data packets are then sent back and forth at these intervals.
Like many other types of radiation, Wi-Fi radiation easily penetrates buildings, walls and ceilings. This is also necessary in order to distribute the WLAN stably. However, it also means that the rays can really be almost anywhere. Even if you try to keep your bedroom free of electrosmog and radiation, you may still be affected by Wi-Fi from the neighboring apartment or a nearby café. In many places, several Wi-Fi signals even overlap. You can easily check exactly how many Wi-Fi networks you are exposed to using your smartphone. Simply go to the Wi-Fi settings and view the list of all available Wi-Fi networks.
As more and more internet-enabled devices are being used in our society and these are becoming an increasingly important part of everyday life, Wi-Fi is also becoming more widespread. Good internet and mobile communications should be available at home, at work, in cafés, on public transport and ideally everywhere else. This increases radiation exposure and electrosmog immensely. No wonder more and more people are asking themselves how they can protect themselves from the potential risks. But can WLAN radiation really be dangerous for the body, or is that just a myth?
Are the effects of WLAN radiation harmful to humans and animals?
If you ask about the harmfulness of Wi-Fi, you are repeatedly told that it has not been proven to be harmful. On the one hand, this is true, but on the other hand, there are some studies that at least point to dangers that should not be underestimated. Unfortunately, these indications have not been and are not being followed up and verified particularly diligently. So doubts remain. We would therefore like to inform you about the current state of research.
According to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), studies have shown that the immissions from WLAN in the private environment are well below the recommended limits – at least if the minimum distance to the WLAN router or end device recommended by the manufacturer is observed. Similar results were also provided by a statement from SCHEER (Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks), an independent expert committee of the EU. In 2023, investigations by this committee came to the conclusion that there are no increased health risks from high-frequency radiation (such as WLAN) within the current limits. Nevertheless, the authors advocated a revision of the current limit values in order to counteract the increasing demands of technological development. Until then, SCHERR recommends acting in accordance with the precautionary principle: Minimize potential exposures from WLAN radiation.
A large-scale study from 2018 came to a different conclusion: a meta-study investigated the biological and pathological effects of 2.45 GHz (which often corresponds to the Wi-Fi frequency) on our bodies. In total, more than 100 studies were examined as part of the meta-study. The author comes to the conclusion that the current limit values do not protect against the health risks of WLAN radiation. In particular, there are negative effects on learning, attention and general behavior in all age groups. According to the study, Wi-Fi should therefore not be used in bedrooms, workplaces, classrooms, public transport and other places where people regularly spend time.
Long-term studies, which would be necessary for the best possible risk assessment, do not yet exist. After all, the technology is not yet very old. Further research is therefore needed in the future to clarify how harmful WLAN radiation is for the body. How else do we know what long-term exposure over decades does to the body? It is therefore worth thinking about the effects of WLAN and other electromagnetic radiation. And that is exactly what we have done at VIVOBASE.
How can we prevent the possible effects of WLAN?
The following tips will help you to preventively reduce the possible effects of WLAN and minimize the risk of possible impairments:
- The closer you are to the router, the stronger the radiation. Therefore, make sure that your bedroom, your workplace and other frequently used places in your home are as far away from the router as possible!
- You can equip your Wi-Fi router with a timer that cuts the Wi-Fi connection at night. Then you will at least be exposed to significantly less radiation at night. But don’t forget that other Wi-Fi networks could be active in your neighborhood.
Modern WLAN devices can often be set to a lower transmission power. This reduces the radiation. Wi-Fi reception is very often still sufficient. Just try out how much you can reduce the power without noticing too much loss!
