802.11b Signal Dangerous to Humans?

[Nighthawk69]

Hi there...

I was wondering if it was (hehe ) dangerous to be about 1ft away from an ORiNOCO 802.11b USB wireless client adapter for long periods of time when using the computer? I use this computer a lot, and I was wondering if those radio signals will affect... well... me!

Thanks!

 

[reveng]

i dont think that should be harmful, I would worry more about what is transmitting the signal. You don't want to be too close to the antenna. (of course depening on the power and dbi of the transmitter)

 

[Abzstrak]

It can be very dangerous, thats why it is always recommended to stay at least 6 feet away from all 802.11 transmitting equipment. U should definitely stay at least 6 feet away from it.

 

[Joony]

So is Abzstrak joking? I'am a feet away from my wireless router...

 

[Nighthawk69]

If he's not joking, then I need to get a USB extension cable and move this puppy or I'll probably die in a week or so considering how close this is to me and how much I use it! Eeeek!

 

[JackMDS]

What all of the Electronic noise will do to us in the long run? No one knows. Our great grandchildren will be the judges if they will turn into ?Mutants?.

For the short run, I doubt that Cordless Phones will be running 2.4 GHz on our brain if this frequency emits known danger.

 

[Nighthawk69]

That's true Jack. Thanks for your input!

 

[Abzstrak]

LMAO, yes guys, I was joking.... thats what the symbol was for.

The power output is so low that any harmful radiation should be adequately absorbed by your epidermis. Now the people that are increasing the power output of theirs, they might have kids with 4 arms... I dunno.

just keep in mind that a day at the beach presents you to a whole hell of alot more radiation than sitting next to one of these things.


just in case though, I don't think I'd keep my access point in my lap

 

[Evadman]

<< Now the people that are increasing the power output of theirs, they might have kids with 4 arms... I dunno. >>


Cool, I would be the life of the party then! 4 women........

 

[reveng]

i dont know what these devices normally output, but if you consider that at most they probably output 100mW with a dipole antenna. (100mW is high with no other external antenna/amplifier or other tweaking). For that kind of rf output a safe distance (as defined by FCC) is around 3 inches (and that is in an uncontrolled environment)


In other words, I would be more worried about a cell phone than 802.11b equipment.

 

[CSoup]

Who knows. Maybe in 20 years we will know. Anyways, it uses the same frequency as 2.4GHz cordless phones. Not sure of the strenght of the output compared to a cordless phone is though.

It is likely safe though. Chances of it having an effect on you are slim (but of course there is a chance of it mutating you).

 

[ktwebb]

I get asked that question all the time in the field so I asked our Aironet rep. He said basically what reveng mentioned as do the data sheets. Inches. His analogy was if you wore two AP's or bridges like a headset, in six months or a year, you might be due for some chemo. Other than that, it's a non-issue.

 

[toshiba3020]

My sprint wireless modem said not to make contact with the antenna or have it 1cm from your body because it is dangerous.

Very amusing.

Garrett.

 

[ojai00]

To be on the safe side, just stay as far away from it as you can. FM radios can be harmless also, that's why it's recommended that you stay at least 1 meter away from the stereo, or any FM radio equipment. Any type of radio frequency equipment is harmless. Like toshiba said, any wireless equipment (cell phone, wirelss modem, etc.) too close to your body is dangerous. I had surgery for a lump on my head that I got after a few months of cell phone service with Nokia phones. Not to scare anyone...but just keep it as far away as you can.

 

[doug]

With an external antenna such as a Yagi which focuses the output these can probably be dangerous. Without an external antenna you probably want to keep to the manufacturers recommendations, someone mentioned 3 inches. I don't think we currently understand the hazards (or lack thereof) in radio and high frequency radiation. You have probably heard the controversy over exended cell phone use and possible brain tumors.

So I don't think anyone can give you an absolute answer.

Note that 2.4 GHz is also near microwave frequency. If you don't think sticking your head in a microwave can be dangerous then maybe you have a chance at winning a darwin award

 

[ktwebb]

<< Note that 2.4 GHz is also near microwave frequency >>



It is microwave, though 802.11b is extremely low power. Typically 30 to 100 milliwatt unamped. Conversely, microwave ovens operate at anywhere from 1000-5000 watts. Could be a little off there, not a microwave oven afficianado, but that is about right. 1000 milliwatts = 1 watt. As you can see 802.11b is very low power, however, could still be harmful under the worst circumstances (see my post above). Microwave goes well below and above 2.4 Ghz in the radio spectrum.

 

[reveng]

another interesting tidbit of information is the natural resonance of different parts of your body....

I think the skull cavity resonates at around 60hz, where as your eyeballs and testicles (if ya have them) coveniently resonate around the 2.4-2.5Ghz range.

so dont be sticking your access point down your pants....


(honestly though, i dont think it would be enough power to hurt you, just dont look too closely at the antenna of thing when it's on)



and if you're curious to see what happens when something (supposedly) oscillates at its natural resonance, look up the tacoma narrows bridge story (although. i would think the true physicists among us would not agree with that story as a good explanation)

 

[Abzstrak]

strange, 60Hz seems like a really high frequency for the resonance of the human skull, considering its size and density. Also, whats your source on the resonance of eyes and balls?

The important issues with resonance is that it isn't a resonance freq or a multiple of the DNA/RNA structures, since this is what causes the mutation during RNA replication of the helix. Not that it is or is not a resonant freq of the body part itself.

 

[doug]

More controversy on cell phones, this time from transmitters.

Do cell phone antennae cause cancer?
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-838784.html