Is WiFi safe? What Are The Dangers? How Can You Protect Yourself?

Is WiFi radiation safe?

Judging by the many devices that now use WiFi it'd be difficult to believe that it's not safe.

10 years ago WiFi was virtually unheard of.

Now WiFi is everywhere.

It's in the home, in the workplace and even in the street.

It's in Internet connections, in video game consoles like the Nintendo Wii, the Playstation 4, the Microsoft Xbox, in PDAs, in smart phones, and in a whole host of other types of consumer electronics.

So WiFi must be safe, right?

Wrong.

WiFi devices emit radio-frequency or microwave radiation.

Wireless modem routers and wireless computers contain transmitters that use this radio-frequency radiation to send information back and forth in the air.

This radio-frequency (RF) radiation can penetrate walls made of wood, concrete and metal. It can easily penetrate our bodies.

There is a large body of scientific evidence, including peer reviewed studies conducted by scientists from around the world, that show WiFi radiation to be harmful (see bottom of page for a listing of some of the studies).

These scientists and medical experts are speaking out, here's what some of them are saying:

Professor Olle Johannson Dept. of Neuroscience Karolinska Institute Sweden

Dr. Magda Havas Toxicologist at Trent University

In this article I explain what WiFi is, I explain the dangers and I explain what you can do to protect yourself.

What Is WiFi ?

WiFi is a registered trademark owned by the WiFi Alliance. The WiFi Alliance defines WiFi as any wireless local area network (WLAN). By definition WiFi does not use any wires it uses radio frequency technology.

Webopedia defines radio-frequency as any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation and gives the following analysis of the frequencies that make up the electromagnetic radiation spectrum :

Ultra-low frequency (ULF) — 0-3 Hz
Extremely low frequency (ELF) — 3 Hz – 3 kHz
Very low frequency (VLF) — 3kHz – 30 kHz
Low frequency (LF) — 30 kHz – 300 kHz
Medium frequency (MF) — 300 kHz – 3 MHz
High frequency (HF) — 3MHz – 30 MHz
Very high frequency (VHF) — 30 MHz – 300 MHz
Ultra-high frequency (UHF)– 300MHz – 3 GHz
Super high frequency (SHF) — 3GHz – 30 GHz
Extremely high frequency (EHF) — 30GHz – 300 GHz

Power lines operate at 50 to 60 Hz are located in the extremely low frequency range, ELF. An FM radio for instance operates in the VHF range, usually between 88 and 110 MHz. Analog TV operates in the 400 – 600MHz range, Digital TV is in the 600 – 1000MHz range. Cell phones operate in the range of 850 to 1900 MHz (0.8-1.9GHz), UHF, depending where you live in the world.

WiFi has a carrier signal in the 2.4 GHz range or 2,450,000,000 oscillations per second (which is nearly S HF) with some more recent devices operating in the 5 GHz range AND a digital pulsed signal of 10-250Hz which penetrates walls, ceilings, floors and not to mention humans.

Update: On 23 April 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed uses, meaning modems and routers will be able to use these frequencies to broadcast Wi-Fi signals. This new standard will be called Wi-Fi 6E and will be available from the end of 2020.

WiFi radiation is commonly termed RF (radio frequency) radiation because it operates within the range 3kHz-300GHz. It is also called microwave radiation. Microwave radiation is a type of RF radiation, it operates in the range 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

Is WiFi More Dangerous Than Cell Phones?

So cell phones and digital TV are operating broadly in the same frequency. The reason why we don't hear any alarming reports about cancer and digital TV usage is probably because your digital TV is not positioned a few centimeters from your head.

But WiFi is operating much higher up the spectrum than these other devices, more energy is in play. Fortunately WiFi modems and transmitters are not held in such close proximity to the human body as cell phones, or are they? Many cell phones also offer a WiFi functionality.

WiFi Pollution Is Non Stop

The biggest problem with WiFi is that the majority of WiFi modem/routers emit radio frequency radiation 24/7. It's pulsed microwave radiation just like cell phones.

You may have a cell phone but is your cell phone switched on all the time? If you have a WiFi router at home this generally operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Many people sit in offices completely oblivious to the fact that they are exposing themselves to WiFi radiation.

How To Make WIFI Safe And Cut Down On Your Personal Electrosmog

The only way you can effectively reduce reduce your exposure to electrosmog is to measure your electromagnetic pollution using an EMF meter. These have now become inexpensive easy to use devices which allow you to easily detect and measure the radiofrequency pollution in your home or workplace.

You don't have to take my word for it when I say that WiFi is very bad for your health. More and more studies point to the adverse health effects of radio frequency radiation.

I have never had WiFi in my home. I make sure that the WiFi function is disarmed on my modem and also that it is disarmed on my laptop, and I test regularly with my EMF meter for WiFi radiation from my neighbors routers, I would advise you to do the same.

For more tips on WiFi protection click here.

Studies Showing Adverse Biological Effects From Wi-Fi Radiation

Akar A. et al., 2013. Effects of low level electromagnetic field exposure at 2.45 GHz on rat cornea.Int J Radiat Biol. 89(4): 243-249. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23206266

Atasoy H.I. et al., 2013. Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices. Journal of Pediatric Urology 9(2): 223-229. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22465825

Avendaño C. et al., 2012. Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation. Fertility and Sterility 97(1): 39-45. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22112647

Aynali G. et al., 2013. Modulation of wireless (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative toxicity in laryngotracheal mucosa of rat by melatonin. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 270(5): 1695-1700. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23479077

Ceyhan A.M. 2012. Protective effects of β-glucan against oxidative injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation in the skin tissue of rats. Arch Dermatol Res 304(7): 521-527. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22237725

Chaturvedi C.M. et al., 2011. 2.45GHz (CW) microwave irradiation alters circadian organization, spatial memory, DNA structure in the brain cells and blood cell counts of male mice, Mus musculus. Prog Electromag Res B 29: 23-42. http://www.jpier.org/PIERB/pierb29/02.11011205.pdf .

Chou C.K. et al., 1992. Long-term, low-level microwave irradiation of rats. Bioelectromagnetics 13(6): 469–496. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1482413

Ciftci Z.Z. et al., 2015. Effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure of Wi-Fi on development of teeth and changes in teeth element concentration in rats : Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz) and teeth element concentrations. Biol Trace Elem Res. 163(1-2): 193-201. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25395122

Cig B. and Naziroglu M. 2015. Investigation of the effects of distance from sources on apoptosis, oxidative stress and cytosolic calcium accumulation via TRPV1 channels induced by mobile phones and Wi-Fi in breast cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Acta. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25703814

Dasdag S. et al., 2014. Effect of long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on testes functions. Electromagn Biol Med. 34(1): 37-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24460421

Dasdag S. et al 2015. Effects of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on microRNA expression in brain tissue. Int J Radiat Biol. Epub ahead of print. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25775055

Desmunkh P.S. et al., 2013. Detection of Low Level Microwave Radiation Induced Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Vis-a-vis Genotoxicity in Brain of Fischer Rats. Toxicol Int. 20(1): 19-24. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23833433

Deshmukh P.S. et al., 2015. Cognitive impairment and neurogenotoxic effects in rats exposed to low-intensity microwave radiation. Int J. Toxicol. Epub ahead of print. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25749756

Eser O., 2013. The effect of electromagnetic radiation on the rat brain: an experimental study. Turk Neurosurg. 23(6): 707-715. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24310452

Ghazizadeh V. and Naziroglu M. 2014. Electromagnetic radiation (Wi-Fi) and epilepsy induce calcium entry and apoptosis through activation of TRPV1 channel in hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats. Metab Brain Dis. 29(3): 787-799. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24792079

Grigoriev Y.G. et al., 2010. Confirmation studies of Soviet research on immunological effects of microwaves: Russian immunology results. Bioelectromagnetics 31(8):589-602. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20857454

Gumral N. et al., 2009. Effects of selenium and L-carnitine on oxidative stress in blood of rat induced by 2.45-GHz radiation from wireless devices. Biol Trace Elem Res. 132(1-3): 153-163. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19396408

Gürler H.S. et al, 2014. Increased DNA oxidation (8-OHdG) and protein oxidation (AOPP) by Low level electromagnetic field (2.45 GHz) in rat brain and protective effect of garlic. Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 90(10): 892-896. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24844368

Havas M. et al., 2010. Provocation study using heart rate variability shows microwave radiation from 2.4GHz cordless phone affects autonomic nervous system. European Journal of Oncology Library Vol. 5: 273-300. http://www.icems.eu/papers.htm?f=/c/a/2009/12/15/MNHJ1B49KH.DTL part 2.

Kesari K.K. et al., 2010. Mutagenic response of 2.45 GHz radiation exposure on rat brain. Int J Radiat Biol. 86(4): 334-343. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20353343

Kesari K.K. et al., 2012. Pathophysiology of microwave radiation: effect on rat brain. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 166(2): 379-388. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22134878

Kumar S. et al., 2011. The therapeutic effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field on the reproductive patterns of male Wistar rats exposed to a 2.45-GHz microwave field. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 66(7): 1237-1245. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21876981

Maganioti A. E. et al., 2010. Wi-Fi electromagnetic fields exert gender related alterations on EEG. 6th International Workshop on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic fields. http://www.istanbul.edu.tr/6internatwshopbioeffemf/cd/pdf/poster/WI-FI%20ELECTROMAGNETIC%20FIELDS%20EXERT%20GENDER.pdf

Margaritis L.H. et al., 2014. Drosophila oogenesis as a bio-marker responding to EMF sources. Electromagn Biol Med. 33(3): 165-189. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23915130

Meena R. et al., 2014. Therapeutic approaches of melatonin in microwave radiations-induced oxidative stress-mediated toxicity on male fertility pattern of Wistar rats. Electromagn Biol Med. 33(2): 81-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23676079

Misa-Augustiño M.J. et al., 2012. Electromagnetic fields at 2.45 GHz trigger changes in heat shock proteins 90 and 70 without altering apoptotic activity in rat thyroid gland. Biol Open 1(9): 831-839. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23213477

Naziroğlu M. and Gumral N. 2009. Modulator effects of L-carnitine and selenium on wireless devices (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress and electroencephalography records in brain of rat. Int J Radiat Biol. 85(8): 680-689. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19637079

Nazıroğlu M. et al., 2012. 2.45-Gz wireless devices induce oxidative stress and proliferation through cytosolic Ca2+ influx in human leukemia cancer cells. International Journal of Radiation Biology 88(6): 449–456. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22489926

Nazıroğlu M. et al., 2012b. Melatonin modulates wireless (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative injury through TRPM2 and voltage gated Ca(2+) channels in brain and dorsal root ganglion in rat. Physiol Behav. 105(3): 683-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22019785

Ozorak A. et al., 2013. Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)- induced risks on oxidative stress and elements in kidney and testis of rats during pregnancy and the development of offspring. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 156(103): 221-29. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24101576

Oksay T. et al., 2012. Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative injury in rat testis induced by wireless (2.45 GHz) devices. Andrologia doi: 10.1111/and.12044, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23145464

Papageorgiou C. C. et al., 2011. Effects of Wi-Fi signals on the p300 component of event-related potentials during an auditory hayling task. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience 10(2): 189-202. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21714138

Paulraj R. and Behari J. 2006. Single strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells exposed to microwave radiation. Mutat Res. 596(1-2): 76-80. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16458332

Paulraj R. and Behari J. 2006b. Protein kinase C activity in developing rat brain cells exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation. Electromagn Biol Med. 25(1): 61-70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16595335

Salah M.B. et al., 2013. Effects of olive leave extract on metabolic disorders and oxidative stress induced by 2.45 GHz WIFI signals. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 36(3): 826-834. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23994945

Saili L. et al., 2015 Effects of acute exposure to WIFI signals (2.45 GHz) on heart variability and blood pressure in Albinos rabbit. Environ Toxicol and Pharmacology 40 (2): 600–605.

Sangun O. et al., 2015. The effects of long-term exposure to a 2450 MHz electromagnetic field on growth and pubertal development in female Wistar rats. Electromagn. Biol. Med. 34(1): 63-67. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24460416

Senavirathna M.D., et al., 2014. Nanometer-scale elongation rate fluctuations in the Myriophyllum aquaticum (Parrot feather) stem were altered by radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Plant Signal Behav. 9(4): e28590. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25764433

Shahin S. et al., 2013. 2.45 GHz Microwave Irradiation-Induced Oxidative Stress Affects Implantation or Pregnancy in Mice, Mus musculus. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 169: 1727–1751. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23334843

Shahin S. et al., 2014. Microwave irradiation adversely affects reproductive function in male mouse, Mus musculus, by inducing oxidative and nitrosative stress. Free Radic Res. 48(5): 511- 525. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24490664

Sinha R.K. 2008. Chronic non-thermal exposure of modulated 2450 MHz microwave radiation alters thyroid hormones and behavior of male rats. Int J Radiat Biol. 84(6): 505-513. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18470749

Somosy Z. et al., 1991. Effects of modulated and continuous microwave irradiation on the morphology and cell surface negative charge of 3T3 fibroblasts. Scanning Microsc. 5(4): 1145-1155.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1822036

Soran M.-L. et al., 2014. Influence of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation on terpene emission and content in aromatic plants. J Plant Physiol. 171(15): 1436-1443. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4410321/pdf/emss-61504.pdf

Tök L. et al., 2014. Effects of melatonin on Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in lens of rats. Indian Journal of Opthalmology 62(1): 12-15. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24492496

Türker Y. et al., 2011. Selenium and L-carnitine reduce oxidative stress in the heart of rat induced by 2.45-GHz radiation from wireless devices. Biol Trace Elem Res. 143(3): 1640-1650. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21360060

For a more complete list of studies click here.

Comments

Rudy said,

Would definitely agree with you. There is certainly enough evidence out there to at lest call for further investigation into the possible harmful effects.
barbaralayne said,

So, Lloyd, if you want to continue using a computer,
for your health, would it be best to use a modem connection from your internet provider, instead of WIFI?
Lloyd said,

Using a modem or router via WiFi means that RF radiation is emitted into the immediate environment ‘(up to around 100 meters). The studies tell us that that this radiation, even at low levels, long term, is very bad for our health. Disabling your WiFi and going hardwired is by far the safer option.
Christine said,

Lloyd, I just bought a Samsung Tablet and a Belkin router to get wifi at home. If I turn the router off when not in use, does it continue to emit radiation. Reading the accompanying disclosures about radiation that came with the router is unnerving! Wondering if I return the router and don’t have wifi service to my home, could I use the tablet in internet cafes. A jungle of information, the deeper I enter. Thanks.
Lloyd said,

Be careful about switching off the WiFi through the software….many routers are configured to receive software updates 24/7 and when they do they revert to factory settings…the WiFi switches back on again…only an RF meter will tell you whether this is the case with your router. If you don’t have an RF meter I advise pulling the plug at the wall to switch. Better still (for your health) remove the WiFi router from your home…
Ron Becker said,

Hi Lloyd,
I love your site, thanks for all of your dedication!
I have a Netgear N600 wireless duel band router. I use it only with the wired function. I tested it with the Accustometer and found that the wireless signal leaks through when the router is on but not when its turned off.(3.65 v/m ) What do you recommend ?
Thank You,
Ron
Lloyd said,

Hi Ron
If your Netgear router is emitting radiation I suggest using it a strict minimum, better still, replace it with a model which does not have this problem. Your Acoustimeter will tell you exactly what the RF radiation sources are in your environment, then its just a question of eliminating/minimizing their effects as much as possible.
jon sid said,

Digital TV operates in the same spectrum as analog TV. Where did you get your facts from? The reason TV signals are not discussed too much here as being harmful is because there are too many people who aren’t willing to give up their TV.
Lloyd Burrell said,

The biggest concern with TV broadcasts is the nature of the signal (analog or digital) rather than the frequency itself. Digital TV broadcasting emits a pulsed digital signal similar to that of cell towers and WiFi routers…. considered to be much more dangerous than the previous continuous analog signal.
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom said,

Hi there. Just found your site. I am very interested in getting to the bottom of this. Can you tell me your thoughts about this? I have asked a number of professionals (in IT, for example) about EMFs from laptops. They have said something like, “Well, it’s nothing really – there are cell phone towers all over the place so you are getting radiation anyway. By comparison, your WIFI is nothing.

Could you address that please? Thank you in advance.
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