Technological advances can be simultaneously exciting and confusing, and with them often come health concerns. One such example is Wi-Fi, an ubiquitous technology that just about everyone uses regularly. Wi-Fi emits electronic and magnetic fields/frequencies (EMF), which some studies have linked to adverse health effects.
But are the EMFs from Wi-Fi dangerous? The internet is unfortunately rife with misinformation on the topic, and our goal is to cut to the core of the question so you can reassure yourself or anyone you know who may be worried.
What are EMFs?
To understand where the concern around EMF exposure from Wi-Fi comes from, it’s important to first understand what exactly EMFs are. EMF stands for electric and magnetic fields, or electromagnetic fields. Put simply, these are fields that are created by the presence of voltage and electric current.
At first, the term “electromagnetic field” sounds fairly intimidating, but truthfully, EMFs are everywhere. There are both natural and artificial EMFs. A naturally occurring instance of them would be the earth’s magnetic field, and an artificial example could be a cell phone.
But if they’re truly everywhere, why are some people worried about health risks associated with EMFs? Well, it’s also true that powerful EMFs can cause observable biological effects, such as nausea.
The growing number of electronic devices in our everyday lives – including our very homes – has caused some to question whether or not Wi-Fi itself can be harmful to our health. Let’s examine that question closely.
Does Wi-Fi Emit EMF?
The hardware you use for Wi-Fi, such as your router and modem, does indeed emit electromagnetic fields of its own. And since just about every home has its own Wi-Fi network, it’s easy to see why some may be worried about EMF output from Wi-Fi. After all, research has shown that exposure to high levels of EMFs can be dangerous.
To put some perspective into what constitutes a “high level,” the general guideline recommended by the World Health Organization for safe levels of exposure is anything below 100 µT at 50 Hz. However, it’s important to note that different countries may establish their own standards for safe EMF exposure.
Let’s be clear: every single appliance in your home emits frequencies, but they are well within the safety guidelines recommended by the WHO. However, we will still take a closer look at Wi-Fi and its necessary hardware.
Are EMFs from Wi-Fi actually dangerous?
The short answer here is no, EMF from Wi-Fi is not dangerous. Routers are very low-powered, which means the EMFs they produce are extremely weak. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency noted that, on average, they are about .1 watts of power.
Additionally, the farther you get from a router, the weaker its EMFs are. Multiple studies have been conducted by numerous reliable agencies such as the WHO, the Australian government, the Canadian government, and many more. You can rest assured that all current reputable research indicates that Wi-Fi is safe, although it does have an effect on our bodies.
What are the effects of Wi-Fi on the human body?
It’s important to understand that, just because something causes an effect on the human body, doesn’t mean it’s harmful. You interact with thousands of things a day that physically affect you, such as the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the beverages you drink.
The WHO has observed that lower-frequency EMFs, such as the EMF from Wi-Fi, can cause small currents to circulate through your body. However, these currents are negligible and do not lead to any health risks. In other words, there aren’t currently any credible studies showing the EMFs that you generally experience around your house (including those from Wi-Fi) will harm you.
Nevertheless, this topic is continuously researched. If you want to keep up on that research, you can read more about it on the WHO’s International EMF Project page. When conducting research on your own, make sure you take steps to ensure you are getting your information from credible sources.
Does Turning Off Wi-Fi Reduce EMF?
Some people are still concerned about the effects of Wi-Fi, and would rather take precautions anyway, for their own peace of mind. If that sounds like you or someone you know, you may be wondering what you can do to reduce the EMFs in your home.
Yes, it’s true that EMFs produced by your Wi-Fi are reduced when you do things such as turn off your router and modem. Some people take the precaution of turning off their routers at periodic times, such as at night when they likely wouldn’t want to use Wi-Fi, anyway.
It’s important to remember that the EMF emitted by your Wi-Fi isn’t harmful. You don’t need to take such precautions if you don’t want to. However, if you or someone you know is concerned about it nonetheless, they can take simple steps such as putting distance between themselves and their Wi-Fi equipment or using such equipment less often.
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