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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: A Workable Option

mgosby wrote:

I am leaning towards your belief that there are no health concerns associated with the technology, but having the option to turn off the wireless signal when ever I want without downtime for wired PCs gives me a lot of relief and security.

there was an incompleted study released a few weeks ago that suggested cell phone use could lead to brain cancer. the article went on to say that the study would not be completed until 2007 or 2010.

i'd think it's a legitimate concern Shocked

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:46 am Post subject: Re: A Workable Option

hohlecow wrote:
mgosby wrote:

I am leaning towards your belief that there are no health concerns associated with the technology, but having the option to turn off the wireless signal when ever I want without downtime for wired PCs gives me a lot of relief and security.

there was an incompleted study released a few weeks ago that suggested cell phone use could lead to brain cancer. the article went on to say that the study would not be completed until 2007 or 2010.

i'd think it's a legitimate concern

The problem with all of that is the inverse square law , and variable power levels. Microwave ovens work in the same frequency range (2.4GHz band) as 802.11b. But a microwave oven puts out anything from 200 to 750 watts and is contained in a lil box. Your WAP is running in the milliwatt range and your proximity to is is likely to be rather far away. Energy twice as far from the source is spread over 4 times the area.

There are two separate issues with mobile phone use. There is a case to be made, although it is far from settled, that excessive use of a mobile phone can damage your brain due to the close proximity of the radiation source to your head. I suppose you can make a case for not leaving your phone in your front trouser pocket Wink

either. But given the power levels emitted by the phone's transmitter, it may or may not be an issue, we're talking about 200 milliwatts nominal. The second, more scientifically debatable point is the siting of mobile phone masts, as those transmitters radiate 2-10 watts. This being said, again, the inverse square law drives the intensity of the radiation down rather quickly, which is why there are so many cells in a mobile phone network in the first place. So you wouldn't want to live in a room with mobile switching equipment in the next room over and the antennae on your outside wall, but living down the street should be as safe as anywhere else. But studies to prove this would take time, on the order of years.