Wireless technology boom increases exposure to potentially harmful emissions

Thursday, 22 January 2009 09:24 - Last Updated Thursday, 22 January 2009 09:30

Wireless devices may carry health risks.

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by wireless devices is similar to that emitted by mobilephones, reports the national daily Helsingin Sanomat.

“Wireless devices such as digital printers, digiboxes and MP3 players are becomingincreasingly common in homes and workplaces.”“The devices emit electromagnetic radiation that is similar to that emitted by mobile phones.Two weeks ago the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) urged the public to restricttheir children’s mobile phone use. This recommendation is pre-emptive, for there is no directevidence of the health effects of mobile phone radiation. However, there may be side effects ifmobile phones have been used for long periods of time. This also applies for devices whichfunction in a wireless network.”“’It would be good if the network base station were located as far away from people aspossible,” says senior scientist Lauri Puranen of STUK.Puranen adds the reassurance that even at full output home transmission stations emits aboutas much radiation as a mobile phone. ‘Even then, you have to be right next to the station for