Scare stories about the dangers of wireless networks lack credibility, argues Bill Thompson
 Wireless working is becoming more popular |
Students at Canada’s Lakehead University have to be careful how they connect to the internet because wi-fi is banned on large parts of the campus.
University president Fred Gilbert, whose academic interests include wildlife management, environmental studies and natural resources science, is worried about the health impact of the 2.4Ghz radio waves used by wireless networks
Last year he decided to adopt the precautionary principle and refused to allow wi-fi in those areas that have what he calls “hard wire connectivity” until it is proved to be safe.
Mr Gilbert believes that “microwave radiation in the frequency range of wi-fi has been shown to increase permeability of the blood-brain barrier, cause behavioural changes, alter cognitive functions, activate a stress response, interfere with brain waves, cell growth, cell communication, calcium ion balance, etc., and cause single and double strand DNA breaks”.
