Wireless electronic devices and health

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With the focus on health concerns of mobile phones, people are questioning the health risks of other wireless devices now being increasingly used at work and in the home, such as wireless local area networks, DECT and other cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and other wireless technology. There is currently no scientific literature on the effects of wLAN and Bluetooth technologies, and the literature on mobile and cordless phones is mixed - see Mobile phone radiation and health.

The World Health Organization have acknowledged that electromagnetic fields are influencing the environment (but not people), and that some people are worried about possible effects.[1] In response to public concern, the World Health Organization established the International EMF Project in 1996 to assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of EMF in the frequency range from 0 to 300 GHz. They have stated that although extensive research has been conducted into possible health effects of exposure to many parts of the frequency spectrum, all reviews conducted so far have indicated that exposures are below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP (1998) EMF guidelines, covering the full frequency range from 0-300 GHz, and do not produce any known adverse health effect.

International guidelines on exposure levels to microwave frequency EMFs such as ICNIRP limit the power levels of wireless devices and it is uncommon for wireless devices to exceed the guidelines. However, these guidelines only take into account any thermal effects, as no other effects have been discovered. The chairman of the Health Protection Agency, Sir William Stewart, has said that "evidence of potentially harmful effects of microwave radiation had become more persuasive over the past five years. His report said that while there was a lack of hard information of damage to health, the approach should be precautionary."[1] The HPA, however, disagrees with his assessment, and claims that there is no risk and no need for precaution. Sir William has resisted any calls to further explain his comments.