Wi-Fi and health: review of current status of research

Health Phys. 2013 Dec;105(6):561-75. doi: 10.1097/HP.0b013e31829b49bb.

Abstract

This review summarizes the current state of research on possible health effects of Wi-Fi (a commercial name for IEEE 802.11-compliant wireless networking). In response to public concerns about health effects of Wi-Fi and wireless networks and calls by government agencies for research on possible health and safety issues with the technology, a considerable amount of technology-specific research has been completed. A series of high quality engineering studies have provided a good, but not complete, understanding of the levels of radiofrequency (RF) exposure to individuals from Wi-Fi. The limited number of technology-specific bioeffects studies done to date are very mixed in terms of quality and outcome. Unequivocally, the RF exposures from Wi-Fi and wireless networks are far below U.S. and international exposure limits for RF energy. While several studies report biological effects due to Wi-Fi-type exposures, technical limitations prevent drawing conclusions from them about possible health risks of the technology. The review concludes with suggestions for future research on the topic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / standards
  • Health*
  • Humans
  • Radiation Monitoring
  • Radio Waves / adverse effects
  • Risk Assessment
  • Wireless Technology* / standards