www.icnirp.org Open in urlscan Pro
217.160.0.119  Public Scan

URL: https://www.icnirp.org/en/applications/wi-fi/index.html
Submission: On August 25 via api from US — Scanned from DE

Form analysis 0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

On this website we use technical cookies only and with the sole purpose of
offering the best functionality. No third parties are given access to those. By
using this website, you consent to the use of cookies. Find out more about our
cookie poliy and privacy policy.>
ACCEPT
 * About ICNIRP
   * Aim, Status & History
   * Structure & Membership
   * > Commission
   * > Scientific Secretariat
   * > Scientific Expert Group
   * > Project Groups
   * > Former Members
   * > Emeritus Members
   * Funding & Governance
   * > Annual Reports
   * > Support ICNIRP
 * Activities
   * News
   * Work Plan
   * Project Groups
   * Public Consultation
   * Collaboration
 * Contact
   * Contact
   * Scientific Secretariat
   * Newsletter
   
   

 * Frequencies
   * Static Magnetic Fields (0 Hz)
   * Static Electric Fields (0 Hz)
   * LF (1 Hz-100 kHz)
   * RF EMF (100 kHz - 300 GHz)
   * Infrared (780 nm-1mm)
   * Visible (380-780 nm)
   * UV (100-400 nm)
 * Applications
   * MRI
   * Power Lines
   * Mobile Phones
   * Base Stations
   * 5G
   * WI-FI
   * DECT
   * Infrared Warming Cabins
   * Sunbeds
   * UV Index
   * LED
 * Publications
 * Workshops

Cart
Key Visual


WI-FI


WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK - WLAN


HIGH FREQUENCY

Characteristics of the application and its use

Wi-Fi is the term now commonly used to designate a Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN), which is used to exchange data between electronic devices and to
wirelessly connect, for example, personal computers, tablets or smart-phones to
each other and to the internet. The main wavebands used by Wi-Fi networks are in
the high frequency (HF) range of the electromagnetic spectrum (several GHz).

Wi-Fi network routers (or Wireless Access Points – WAPs) are often set up at
homes and in public buildings such as airports and stations, hotels and
restaurants, hospitals, schools, and offices, to provide Internet access to all
devices connected to them wirelessly. Outdoor Wi-Fi nets are provided in cities
around the world; in this case the coverage for a large area will require a
number of wireless access points.

Personal exposure to HF from Wi-Fi presents the same general characteristics as
the exposure from base stations (far field) and mobile phones (near field).
Whereas the near field exposure from devices connected to the router is mostly
limited in time and is highest for body parts closest to the device, the far
field exposure due to the router is a whole-body exposure, which is of lower
intensity but for longer times as the HF emissions continue regardless of
whether a device is operating or not.

HF effects on the body and health implications

HF fields have the ability to penetrate into the body (the higher the frequency,
the lower the penetration depth), with the main effect of this being a
temperature rise in the exposed tissue. The body can accommodate a small
increase in temperature, in a similar way excess body heat is dissipated when
performing sporting activity. This is because the human body can regulate its
internal temperature. However, above a certain level (referred to as the
threshold), which depends on the exposure duration, HF exposure and the
accompanying temperature rise can provoke serious health effects, such as tissue
damage (burns) and heatstroke. In the case of exposure to HF from Wi-Fi, the
level of exposure is below this threshold so that body temperature is not
affected.

A large number of studies have been undertaken on both acute and long-term
effects from HF exposure, such as Wi-Fi, without showing any conclusive evidence
of adverse health effects. Much of this research is inferred from the mobile
phone and base station literature, as it refers to a similar exposure.

Among all of this research, the risk of tumors in close proximity to the ear
where the phone is held, e.g. brain tumors, has been the focus of numerous
epidemiological studies. A few of these epidemiological studies have reported a
small increase in risk of some brain tumors for the small group of long-term and
heavy mobile phone users (read more). These findings may be explained by
reporting biases and weaknesses identified in the studies. Several studies have
not reported any increase in brain tumors with mobile phone use. Also,
experimental studies on animals and cells have failed to confirm the
epidemiological studies, and there is no biophysical mechanism that could
explain carcinogenicity at such low exposure levels. In addition, the increased
risk observed in some of the epidemiological studies is inconsistent with the
stable frequency of occurrence of these tumors in the population. That is an
important consideration, given the widespread and significant increase in the
use of mobile phones in the general population during the last few decades.

In particular, a considerable amount of research has now been conducted on the
relationship between HF fields and outcomes such as headaches, concentration
difficulty, sleep quality, cognitive function, cardiovascular effects, etc. To
date, this research has not shown any such health effects. The only consistently
observed finding is a small effect on brain activity measured by
electroencephalography (EEG). The biological implication of these small changes
is, however, unclear. For example, they have not been shown to affect sleep
quality or to be associated with any other adverse health effects.

The overall evaluation of all the research on HF fields leads to the conclusion
that HF exposure below the thermal threshold is unlikely to be associated with
adverse health effects.

Protection

In general, to avoid health hazards from HF exposure, the temperature rise in
the body and in the head must be restricted. Thus, ICNIRP recommends that the
absorption of HF energy in the head and body, expressed in terms of the Specific
Absorption Rate (SAR) that is related to the temperature rise, should be
limited. Distinct SAR values apply to whole-body exposure, as typical of the
Wi-Fi network router and for the head as mostly relevant for the devices
connected to the Wi-Fi, such as mobile phones.

ICNIRP follows up the HF related scientific research and any new information
relevant to health. A revision of the current ICNIRP guidelines on HF used in
conjunction with Wi-Fi is underway.


INFORMATION & DOWNLOADS

Mobile Phones and Base Stations Statement (1996)


MORE ICNIRP RESOURCES

High Frequency (100 kHz-300 GHz) High Frequency Review (2009) Statement on EMF
Guidelines (2009) EMF Guidelines (1998)


EXTERNAL INFORMATION SOURCES

WHO Fact Sheet on Base Stations and Wireless Networks


NEWS

> View all
Jun 2022
Thanks for your interest and participation! Large audience from around the world
at the Mini-Symposium, online/Nagoya, Japan, 19 June 2022, ahead of the BioEM.
Apr 2022
New Publication - 2022 A Description of ICNIRP’s Independent, Best Practice
System of Guidance on the Protection of People and the Environment from Exposure
to Non-Ionizing Radiation
Mar 2022
Annual Report 2021 The report focusses on the elaboration of the new Work Plan.
Also read there about the latest governance initiative and publication of
ICNIRP.


TOOLS & TOPICS

Follow us!Support ICNIRPFAQ re certificatesUV Index


SITEMAP

FrequenciesStatic Magnetic Fields (0 Hz)Static Electric Fields (0 Hz)LF (1
Hz-100 kHz)RF EMF (100 kHz - 300 GHz)Infrared (780 nm-1mm)Visible (380-780 nm)UV
(100-400 nm)
ApplicationsMRIPower LinesMobile PhonesBase Stations5GWI-FIDECTInfrared Warming
CabinsSunbedsUV IndexLED
PublicationsPublications
WorkshopsFuture WorkshopsPast Workshops
About ICNIRPAim, Status & HistoryStructure & Membership> Commission> Scientific
Secretariat> Scientific Expert Group> Project Groups> Former Members> Emeritus
MembersFunding & Governance> Annual Reports> Support ICNIRP
ActivitiesNewsWork PlanProject GroupsPublic ConsultationCollaboration
ContactContactScientific SecretariatNewsletter
Legal TermsImpressum/Legal TermsPrivacy PolicyCopyrightsterms and conditions
(AGB)
jump to top