Electromagnetic Radiation Due to Cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Technologies: How Safe Are We?

IEEE ^ | February 27, 2020 | Naren ; Anubhav Elhence ; Vinay Chamola ; Mohsen Guizani

[bkopto]

Abstract:

The electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted out of wireless communication modules in various IoT devices (especially used for healthcare applications due to their close proximity to the body) have been identified by researchers as biologically hazardous to humans as well as other living beings. Different countries have different regulations to limit the radiation density levels caused by these devices.

The radiation absorbed by an individual depends on various factors such as the device they use, the proximity of use, the type of antenna, the relative orientation of the antenna on the device, and many more. Several standards exist which have tried to quantify the radiation levels and come up with safe limits of EMR absorption to prevent human harm. In this work, we determine the radiation concern levels in several scenarios using a handheld radiation meter by correlating the findings with several international standards, which are determined based on thorough scientific evidence.

This study also analyzes the EMR from common devices used in day to day life such as smartphones, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, hotspots, wireless earphones, smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers and other wireless accessories using a handheld radio frequency radiation measurement device. The procedure followed in this paper is so detailed that it can also be utilized by the general public as a tutorial to evaluate their own safety with respect to EMR exposure.

We present a summary of the most prominent health hazards which have been known to occur due to EMR exposure. We also discuss some individual and collective human-centric protective and preventive measures that can be undertaken to reduce the risk of EMR absorption. This paper analyses radiation safety in pre-5G networks and uses the insight gained to raise valuable concerns regarding EMR safety in the upcoming 5G networks.

[bkopto]

"Conclusion:

People should be made aware that the EMR from using day to day cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices are harmful to human health. The levels of radiation observed in most cases such as phone calls, internet browsing on laptops and smartphones, using wireless routers and hotspots, Bluetooth smartwatches and smartphones are unsafe when compared with radiations limits determined by medical bodies. According to the current medical literature, various adverse health effects from exposure to RF EMR have been well documented. For now, wireless technologies must be avoided as much as possible. New and innovative wired solutions which provide the same level of user-friendliness should be encouraged. Intervention of government and medical bodies with the main purpose of protecting human health is of utmost necessity to ensure good economic development without compromising the health of the population. Countries must adopt the guidelines suggested by medical bodies which take into account both thermal and non-thermal effects of EMR. At present, all individuals must take preventive and protective measures to protect themselves from harmful EMR exposure."

Interesting. The IEEE is the premier organization in the world for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and they set relevant standards worldwide. This article is peer-reviewed, FWIW.

[ClearCase_guy]

Hey, somebody told me that 5G causes Coronavirus, but I dunno ...

[Brilliant]

I’ve gotta believe that we are swimming in radiation anyway, without these sources.

[Bethaneidh]

Good news is that china is working on 6g. And we know the hardliners hate their populace. So who will they blast it at first?

[Oscar in Batangas]

All EMR is not All EMR is not All EMR

The Frequency (Kenneth) MATTERS

My colleagues at a National Lab in the mid 70’s were studying EMR from power lines (60 HZ) like that which is in your house

No Biggie

I was studying EMR at X- and Gamma Ray levels.

BIGGIE

You can ‘hear’ house frequency EMR at very safe levels, while X- and Gamma ray level EMR at potentially fatal levels canNOT be detected by human senses.

5-G, AM, FM, microwave, etc EMR frequencies lie somewhere between the two ends. It is safe to deduce that the health effects lie somewhere between the two ends as well.

Someone (not I) has a pretty good handle on the answer to the question: How safe is 5-G

Find him or her

[O6ret]

I heard the Chinese did a test run in Cuba a couple years ago.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

My tinfoil hat will protect me.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

“ Hey, somebody told me that 5G causes Coronavirus, but I dunno ...“

Um…pretty sure it comes from either Mexican beer or Chinese Batman - but aquarium cleaner takes care of it.

[Terry L Smith]

Im from the older generation, and with an electromagnetic technology background.

A smartphone, on its carrier’s network, uses the frequency once used by fighter aircraft radar systems, but, of course, not the power output.

In the realm of ‘wireless’, as it is id’d today, I trek down the wi-fi and not anything ‘bluetooth’. I have a laptop, but use a wired keyboard and mouse, not on my lap.

As to the hazards of electromagnetic energy, well, in the defense of my country, I sacrificed my zygotes in 1977. The correct title was Asst. Shop Chief, Radar Calibration Docks, 35th TFWg, George AFB, CA.

[humblegunner]

5G made me grow horns and fins and gave me Covid-27.
After I got her a new phone, 5G made my girlfriend
run down in a tunnel and cannibalize little kids.
I dumped her.

When I got 5G both my cats grew to giant stature and
killed all the deputies in the county. One by one.

5G is the Devil and can do you no good.

[Karma_Sherab]

[humblegunner]

Did 5g make you believe in Q?

[FreedomPoster]

For those who are not so well equipped:

https://zapatopi.net/afdb/

[montag813]

Bluetooth is harmless. WiFi routers you should keep at least 10-15 feet from you. Cellular is downright dangerous.

[Revel]

your pretty much just as safe as a baby in the microwave.

[Pagey]

wireless earphones

I see adults + kids wearing these white Apple Buds in their ears, for hours at a time + I think, how can that be safe for the human brain? If I'm not supposed to hold my cell phone right against my head while chatting, how can those be safe??

[Spruce]

Was going to post a snarky reply. But then saw the source. If the IEEE says it’s a thing— it’s a thing.

[dayglored]

As one trained in electrical engineering, who worked in system design engineering in the commercial, industrial, and aerospace fields for decades, including getting FCC RF EMR certification for products I designed, I was very interested to hear what the IEEE had determined.

Unfortunately, this article lost my confidence in its accuracy and reliability immediately, and dug itself deeper into a hole the more I read.

First section, second sentence:

"With new technologies such as 5G, the number of devices will increase exponentially..."

Bullsh!t. Mathematically FALSE. That's marketing-speak, not engineering-speak. Lost my faith in the article's ability to present technical accuracy right off the bat.

Second section, caption of Figure 1:

"Ionizing and Non-ionizing radiation sources and there frequency bands."

It's "their" you idiots. Lost my faith in the article writer's ability to communicate using the English language.

And throughout -- it's all scary, scary, scary, without addressing the obvious primary point:

If these RF EMR sources are so harmful, why aren't a large percentage of 7+ billion people dying in droves of brain cancer from cell phones in the ear, butt cancer from cell phones in the jeans pocket, lap cancer from laptops, eye and face cancer from video monitors, etc.??

The deaths clearly attributable to RF EMR from these sources ought to be at least 1% of the population -- and that's 10's of millions per year -- if it was this dangerous.

But nothing like that is actually happening. It's all about the accuracy of their "models" -- just like the Global Warming "models", and just like the CoronaVirus "models". There's bullsh!t in every direction.

Sorry, I don't buy it. Look for their agenda -- there's gotta be one in there. "Change My Mind" as Crowder said.

[dayglored]

> Was going to post a snarky reply. But then saw the source. If the IEEE says it’s a thing— it’s a thing.

You might be interested to read my comment #18 directly below yours. I used to believe the IEEE too.

[asinclair]

1. WiFi router is 15 feet away.
2. The one desktop computer with built-in wifi is still connected via Gigabit Ethernet wire, with WiFi and BlueTooth turned off.
3. Laptops are off.
4. iPad sits at least three feet away, on a credenza, when it's on. Lately, I've left it powered down.
5. My primary computers use wired keyboards, but wireless mice/trackballs. Given how long the single AA dry cell lasts, I'm not worried about it.
6. The lab computers used wireless keyboard/mice, with limited exposure.
7. Can't do anything about the smart-meters on the side of the building.