Wireless Networking and Health Concerns - Literature review Example

Wireless Networking and Health Concerns Table of Contents Introduction 1 Overview: Wireless Networking 1.2 Types of Wireless Networking Systems 2. Health Concerns 2.1 Risks to Health 2.2 Actions taken against Wireless Networking Systems 3. Controversy 3.1 The truth about Wireless Networking 3.1.1 Statement by Steep 3.1.2 Statement by Wireless LAN Association 3.1.3 Statement by World Health Organization 4. Conclusion 5. Bibliography 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview: Wireless Networking The world has become fast paced and wireless network systems such as cell phones and pagers have been declared as the unsung heroes of modern times because they allow wireless data to be transferred. According to Tabona (2004), wireless networking has enabled data to become portable, accessible and mobile. It has accelerated the rate of progress and led to the transformation of the world into a global village. Sending information overseas has been made easier and emergency services utilize wireless networks to communicate vulnerable information. Moreover, businesses, especially those with overseas operations and branches all over the world rely on wireless networks to send and receive information on short notices. However, its effects may not all be good. In recent times, issues have been voiced out relating to health hazards arising from long term exposure to electro magnetic radiation emitted by wireless networks. 1.2 Types of Wireless Networking Systems Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) is a networking system which interconnects devices within a small geographic area. Such devices would include multiple printers, telephones, keyboards, mice and personal computers that need not be connected with wires anymore. An example of this would be Bluetooth. Worboys & Duckham (2004, p. 281) have described Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) as technology that uses radio instead of wires to transmit data back and forth across distances of 100 m or so from LAN access points. It connects computers in a small area such as a home, office or school. An example of this would be WiFi (wireless fidelity) networks. Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN) is wireless technology which connects a few wireless LANs. These networks cover more geographical distance than WLANs and are especially useful in densely populated metropolitan areas and major industrialized cities. Mobile Device Networks are alternative means of carrying computer data through smart phones and cell phones. Such networks include Global System for Mobile Communications, Personal Communications Service and D-AMPS. 2. Health Concerns 2.1 Risks to Health Research has been carried out about the risks to health caused by wireless networking systems. Studies have linked radiation from mobile phones to cancer and brain damage and scientists believe that it can cause premature senility and tumors. Children are especially at risk as they have thinner skulls than adults and developing nervous systems. According to Bangeman (2006), Fred Gilbert, the president of Lakehead University, declares that since younger people have fast growing tissues, wireless networking system poses a threat for them and that even if the risks associated to wireless networking have not been realized yet; it may be so 30-40 years down the road. Another cause of concern is that wireless networking systems use 2.4 GHz radio waves which may interfere with brain waves and cause blood-brain barriers and alter cognitive functions. Scientists also fear that the emission of microwave radiation from transmitters which provide wireless access cause headaches, fatigue, memory loss, behavioral problems and loss of concentration. Bale (2006), a writer for Times, has reported the Michael Bevington, a classics teacher at Stowe School had a severe reaction to the wireless network system. On entering the classroom with transmitters, he would experience nausea, skin pains, headaches and pressure behind the eyes. The reaction was short-lived and on weekends away from school, he would feel better. 2.2 Actions taken against Wireless Networking Systems A number of prominent figures have aired concerns regarding the harmful effects of wireless networking systems and many schools and groups have taken actions against it. Lean (2007) has reported that Sir William Stewart, the Chairman of the Health Protection Agency has chaired two inquiries into the health hazards caused by use of cellphones. A few European provincial governments have limited or banned WiFi systems in classrooms. Professor Olle Johansson from Karolinska Institute has also expressed serious concern about WiFis and believes that its usage must be stopped. The provincial government of Salzburg, Austria, has been advising the schools to restrict use of WiFi in classrooms and has even considered a complete ban. Austria’s head of environmental, health and medicine, Dr. Gerd Oberfeld has termed wireless technology as perilous. President Fred Gilbert of Lakehead University has put a hold to installation of campus-wide wireless networks until the health issues have been fully resolved. Prebendal School in West Sussex removed its wireless network systems after a group of parents raised voice against it. Stowe School also removed the wireless networks and replaced them with cabled networks after one of its teachers experienced a violent reaction to WiFi system. Ysgol Pantycelyn, another school switched off its wireless network system after parents lobbied against it, even though the county council had described it as safe. Many other schools have followed suit. 3. Controversy 3.1 The truth about Wireless Networking Systems Although a number of schools and governments have taken action against wireless networking, many believe that such actions were unnecessary as there is unavailability of hard information of damage to health. 3.1.1 Statement by Speed According to Speed (2009), if radio frequency energy is very high it has ionizing property, such that it can break chemical bonds of water and adversely affect the human body which is made up of 60% water. It has been proven that the radio frequency energy of wireless networking system is not high enough to break chemical bonds of water at a power of 1 watt for cellphones and up to 100 mw for more powerful wireless networks, which is still ten times less than cell phones. Moreover, any harmless radiation is absorbed by the skull which provides heavy protection. However, cornea and other parts of the eye still remain unprotected. 3.1.2 Statement by Wireless LAN Association Wireless LAN Association (2004) has made a statement claiming that WLANs are safe to use since WLANs follow the radio frequency standards and recommendations. These standards reflect the consensus of scientists and research panel who carry out intensive and continual research on radio frequency energy and electro magnetic radiation emitted by wireless networks. After four decades of research in this area, Wireless LAN Association believes that WLANs are safe for use by the consumers. 3.1.3 Statement by World Health Organization (WHO) According to research carried by World Health Organization (2006), the increase in body temperature due to RF signals may result only after exposure to certain high-field-intensity-industrial facilities, like RF heaters. RF exposure from wireless networks is so low that the effect on body temperature is deemed to be immaterial and has no adverse effect on human health. WHO has also carried out human and animal studies, exposing them to RF signals a 1000 times higher than what the public is exposed to by wireless networks. The observation showed no alteration in cardio-vascular functions, cognitive functions and sleep patterns. 4. Conclusion Some people, schools and government perceive the risks of RF exposure from wireless networking to be very severe. Their fear is based on media announcements and unconfirmed scientific studies. Such schools and governments are actually hindering progress rather than furthering it. However, these schools argue that the concerns of parents take a priority over the need to have wireless networks. They also argue that the effect of certain things on human body take a long time to show such as second hand smoking. Therefore, the adverse effects of wireless networking may take years to show. However, based on four decades of research by Wireless LAN Association and investigation by World Health Organization and the information that has been collected, it is proven that arguments put up by many schools and governments regarding the health hazards of wireless networking are indeed without any foundation., however, a precautionary approach must be taken as stated by Sir William Stewart in his report. 5. Bibliography Tabona, A. (2004). Wireless Networking, Article, from Website: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Wireless_Networking/ Worboys, M., & Duckham, M. (2004). GIS: A Computing Perspective (2nd ed.). p. 281, CRS Press. Bangeman, E. (2006). Canadian University says no to Wifi over health concerns. from Website: http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2006/02/6235.ars Bale, J. (2006). Health fears lead schools to dismantle Wireless Network. from Website: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article642575.ece Leon, G. (2007). Wi-Fi children at risk from electronic smog. Retrieved February 8, 2008, from http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2472133.ece Speed, V. (2009). Is Wireless Internet & Network connection a hazard to health? from Website: http://hubpages.com/hub/Is-Wireless-Internet-Network-conections-a-hazard-to-health WLAN Association (2004). Do Wireless LANs Pose a Health Risk to the consumer. from Website: www.wlana.org/learn/health.htm World Health Organization (2006). Electromagnetic fields and public health. from Website: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html Read More