Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields From Wi-Fi in Australian Schools

Abstract The increasing use of Wi-Fi in schools and other places has given rise to public concern that the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields from Wi-Fi have the potential to adversely affect children. The current study measured typical and peak RF levels from Wi-Fi and other sources in 23 schools in Australia. All of the RF measurements were much lower than the reference levels recommended by international guidelines for protection against established health effects. The typical and peak RF levels from Wi-Fi in locations occupied by children in the classroom were of the order of 10−4 and 10−2% of the exposure guidelines, respectively. Typical RF levels in the classroom were similar between Wi-Fi and radio but higher than other sources. In the schoolyard typical RF levels were higher for radio, TV and mobile phone base stations compared to Wi-Fi. The results of this study showed that the typical RF exposure of children from Wi-Fi at school is very low and comparable or lower to other sources in the environment.

[1]  D. Savitz,et al.  INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON NON-IONIZING RADIATION PROTECTION , 2011 .

[2]  Kenneth R. Foster,et al.  Wi-Fi and Health: Review of Current Status of Research , 2013, Health physics.

[3]  Ieee Standards Board.  IEEE standard for safety levels with respect to human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, 3kHz to 300 GHz , 1992 .

[4]  Dries Naudts,et al.  Determination of the duty cycle of WLAN for realistic radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure assessment. , 2013, Progress in biophysics and molecular biology.

[5]  Andrew W. Wood,et al.  Maximum exposure levels to radiofrequency fields: 3 kHz to 300 GHz: Radiation Protection Standard , 2002 .

[6]  S Mann,et al.  Exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from wireless computer networks: duty factors of Wi-Fi devices operating in schools. , 2011, Progress in biophysics and molecular biology.

[7]  G Schmid,et al.  Exposure of the general public due to wireless LAN applications in public places. , 2007, Radiation protection dosimetry.

[8]  Kenneth R Foster,et al.  RADIOFREQUENCY EXPOSURE FROM WIRELESS LANS UTILIZING WI-FI TECHNOLOGY , 2007, Health physics.

[9]  A. Ahlbom.  Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) , 1998 .

[10]  G. Thuróczy,et al.  Comparison of personal radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in different urban areas across Europe. , 2010, Environmental research.

[11]  S. Mann,et al.  ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS FROM WIRELESS COMPUTER NETWORKS (WI-FI) IN SCHOOLS; RESULTS OF LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS , 2011, Health physics.