The Influence of Radio Frequency Identification on the Environment - Research Paper Example

RFID is an acronym that stands for the technology which incorporates identification based on frequencies of the same wavelength as radio waves. In the system of identification, it allows identification of objects which is dependent on a tagging system whose identification is automatic and based on the radiation emitted by the tagged object. In most instances, the identification entails a coded system that can either give a range of output depending on the nature of the response that is anticipated by the users (Andy, 2006). This is one of the fundamental ways through which communication is made possible. The fundamental technique that forms the background of the technology is that the tagged object has emissions that are encrypted and read by a reader which would then give an output. The reader, as well as the object, is usually placed at a distance which would allow for the transmission of the radiated signals. The distance can vary from a few inches to even over a meter. With the advent of computing technology, the readers have incorporated what bear semblances to the microchips that computers have. The chips are like microprocessors that can execute certain commands and even process information intelligently to give logical output. This is what is referred to as smart cards and they also have virtual digital memory. Every technology has its downside. Likewise, the RFID chips have been proven to impact on the environment (Raymond, 2006). Consequently, in the following discourse, an analysis of the impact that they have on the environment is carried out. RFID Chip dangers a) Human Impact The essence of technology was to ease human interaction. However, it is undeniable that technology has also had an impact on human life in ways that are detrimental if viewed from the perspective of safeguarding the human community. These include its applications in learning institutions as well for security reasons. The point of detest in this application is that the aspect of privacy which every person should be accorded is in a way violated. Therefore, the essence of human interaction is to allow civility and freedom. In most cases, the tags or chips are usually used to monitor the movements of people. However, natural human interaction is not always limited. Thus, any technological invention which puts imminent threats to the free will of interaction that every person has would be viewed as not good for humanity. Its application comes, for instance, in schools where registered students would be the only ones allowed to access some facilities. On such occasions, the ability to monitor these students can also be used to compromise on their privacy where private information can be misused by ill-willed persons. In this case, what brings concern about the breach of privacy of the persons comes from the fact that in tagging individuals regarding their routine occurrences, then the question of discretion and security concerns comes into play. For instance, in recent times, China has adopted the RFID technology among its student population for identification purposes. Also, in some transport systems, for instance, the railway transport system in the U.S, the system has been adopted to identify defaulters. The implication on the persons tagged is that persons of ill will, through data mining, might get crucial information that they would use for bad intentions. In retrospect, when it comes to human beings, the impact of technology mainly is about privacy issues. b) Health implications The chips emit radio waves. The waves are electromagnetic. In reality, most electromagnetic emissions usually pose health risks to humans. The risks come from the fact that the emissions are possible instigators of tumors as well as a cancerous growth. Arguably, cancer is one of the leading killers globally. In spite of the condition being manageable through chemotherapeutic as well as radiotherapeutic techniques, timorous growths are usually deadly. Therefore, the fact that the tags implanted as transmitters of the signals used in the RFID technology transmit radio waves implies that the persons having them are exposed to cancerous infections. However, these possibilities are yet to be founded on empirical findings. Additionally, there is a relationship that insinuates that cancers are easily acquired by persons who are exposed to radiation from such emissions. Besides, the implication of such eventualities on the cost of health in any demography or economy would be detrimental. The RFID chip implantation is no exception when it comes to health risks. Health concerns stem from its application to human beings. The process usually entails transponder implantation. The process of implantation usually entails a medical procedure. Like all medical procedures, the process might involve surgical procedures. This might pose an imminent danger to persons whose health conditions might be compromised due to immunity problems. In such cases, the process of implanting the tag on the persons might present health complications. Besides, the medical procedures for treating any eventual risk posed would be costly. 1) RFID Chip safety a) Short term effects The short term implications of RFID technology are both advantageous as well as detrimental. For instance, in the short term perspective, technology can make normal transactions faster. Like any machine aided process, using RFID chips in human interactions would hasten some processes. For instance, at terminals where persons have to be checked for security reasons and identification purposes, having a system that is automated and supported by the RFID process would greatly hasten the process. However, there is a downside to the process. Suppose the identification process entails information or data about an important person or even a financial institution, the data can be retrieved or compromised by persons of ill will. In such cases, the implication is that the breach would result in loses which would be bad to the victims. Another overlooked aspect in the application of the technology is the possibility of legal suits arising from breaches of privacy. In instances where persons come to know that their identification has been exposed without their consent, there might ensue legal implications. The legal battles that might arise from the application of the technology would bear significant implication on the users of the technology. For business organizations, the technology presents an unlimited ability in terms of monitoring of product performance as well as in following up on customer growth. The ability to keep track of products can allow any business to chart its course. In doing this, the business would be better placed to shelve completion as well as survive. This is one of the short term effects of technology. In another instance, the technology can be applied by these organizations to enhance their security. Having security tags within business premises is one way of enhancing security. Therefore, the most imminent impact of technology in the business world is its application in curbing the proliferation of small products from business premises. b) Long Term effect Eventually, RFID may be one of the instigators of the concept of the information superhighway. Besides, it may lead to the level unimaginable by techno-visionaries of the 20th century virtually any physical object can be connected to the superhighway and communicate with other physical objects, animals which have the RFID tags thus having a long-term effect to the rates at which information spreads and reaches different parties located indifferent geographical location. RFID turns lifeless objects into ‘smart facts’ –intelligent devices of observing that the intelligent interaction of ‘smart fact’ is potential as revolutionary as the web (Linda, Janet, & Molla, 2000). 2) RFID Chip consumption of resources a) Manufactured using Good Earth/Smart Soil RFID chips manufactured using good earth/smart soil are useful in tracking and the consumption rate of resources is relatively low and manageable. In this case, the data transmission entails transmission via two equipment named transmitter as well as a receiver. The information is transmitted via a signal from the RFID tag to the receptor christened transceiver. It is from the transceiver that the information is coded into digital information which is decoded. There is usually a microchip which is powered by the battery and is usually within a hundred meters radius from the transmitter (Gaynor, 2006). b) Recycling The use of RFID chips is usually applicable to recycling. The tags that are used for transmission of radio wave signals can be used in a couple of situations. The application usually comes from the fact that that the memory of the microchip used is formatted. This applies to microchips which have what is christened rewrite capability. Besides, in such cases, the battery used in the transceivers is recharged thus contributing to the whole idea of recycling. They can be used for even over ten years. An application that has shown the ability to adopt recycling is exhibited by Wal-Mart Corporation. The technology has been applied in tracking electronic waste. This is laudable even though the products also present an environmental challenge. Therefore, recycling comes as an accepted option in handling RFID products (Dominique, 2005). This comes from the fact that it rids the environment what would be detrimental to any ecology. The application of RFID chips comes in mining where they are used to trace minerals. Besides, in some ecological experiments, animal lives that are bound to be tacked are usually tagged by the RFID chips. In retrospect, the technology is laudable and should be adopted but after careful considerations. References Gaynor Backhouse (2006). RFID: Frequency, standards, adoption and innovation. Retrieved May 2006 from http://www.rfidaa.org/upload/documents/PDF/RFID%20explained.pdf RFID operates based on electromagnetic waves emission. The emissions are radio waves. In the above discourse, Gaynor highlights this thus the article is valuable as a resource in the research. Guinard, D. (2005). Radio Frequency Identification: Evaluation of the Technology Supporting the Development fo an Assets Tracking Application. Bachelor thesis, Department of Informatics of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, September 2005. Retrieved December 22, 2005, from http://diuf.unifr.ch/softeng/ student-projects/completed/guinard/download/report_rfid_ guinard_unifr.pdf]. This source points out how RFID technology is used in business applications for tracking purposes. Examples are highlighted in the case of Wal-Mart and the train system. This has been discussed in the above discourse. Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J. M., & Donaldson, M. S. (2000). RFID Adoption and Implications . National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 2000. Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine. Retrieved March 28, 2006, from http://www.empirica.com/themen/ebusiness/documents/Study_07-2008_RFID.pdf RFID use in medicine can not be overlooked. This is what the above article tries to assert. Given the health implications, the chips are both advantageous and disadvantageous. Given this, the article is a relevant article for the research topic. McCue, A. (2006). Hospital aims to cut operating errors with RFID tags. February 2006. Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.empirica.com/themen/ebusiness/documents/Study_07-2008_RFID.pdf The above article has relevance to the research topic since it highlights the effect of RFID on human health. Human health was one of the areas of the research topic. Raymond Aller (2006). Patient ID Missing in Action? -A discussion on how accurate specimen and transfusion identification can avert disaster. September 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.bridgemedical.com/09_01_02_a.shtml The application of RFID in health can have a positive impact. The above article highlights how it can be used in blood transfusion to avoid improper blood transfusion which can be disastrous. Read More