Children should not use wi-fi laptops on their laps

Analog

Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
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Computers with wireless internet should not be placed on children's laps, says the head of the government's committee on mobile phone safety research.

Professor Lawrie Challis told the Daily Telegraph children using wi-fi networks should be monitored until research into potential health risks is completed.

He says children should keep a safe distance from the embedded antennas.

The Health Protection Agency has said wi-fi devices are of very low power - much lower than mobile phones.

Prof Challis, retired professor of physics at the University of Nottingham, said: "With a desktop computer, the transmitter will be in the tower.

"This might be perhaps 20cms from your leg and the exposure would then be around one per cent of that from a mobile phone.

"However, if you put a laptop straight on your lap and are using wi-fi, you could be around two centimetres from the transmitter, and receiving comparable exposure to that from a mobile phone."

'Bigger problem'

Prof Challis added that children are much more sensitive than adults to dangers such as pollutants like lead and UV radiation.

"So if there should be a problem with mobiles, then it may be a bigger problem for children.

"Since we advise that children should be discouraged from using mobile phones, we should also discourage children from placing their laptop on their lap when they are using wi-fi.

Meanwhile, teachers have called for an investigation into whether there are any health risks from wireless computer networks in schools.

The Professional Association of Teachers union is writing to the education secretary for a clarification on wi-fi safety.

Many primary and secondary schools use wi-fi networks - but the PAT believes there is insufficient long-term evidence to demonstrate whether such networks are safe. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6602561.stm
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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:laugh:

"Be careful son, you'll zap your noogies!"
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
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Originally posted by: Kur
Almost everywhere you go there is Wi-fi radios, so GL

It's not about exposure, it's about distance from exposure. If 2cm vs 20cm affects the amount of radiation by 100x, then it doesn't matter if you are exposed to wi-fi radios all the time if they are a reasonable distance away from you (i.e not in your pocket).
That doesn't mean I agree they are a danger or not, but the argument is keeping a moderate distance from antennas to minimise exposure, rather than avoiding them altogether
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Originally posted by: Analog
Computers with wireless internet should not be placed on children's laps, says the head of the government's committee on mobile phone safety research.

Professor Lawrie Challis told the Daily Telegraph children using wi-fi networks should be monitored until research into potential health risks is completed.

He says children should keep a safe distance from the embedded antennas.

The Health Protection Agency has said wi-fi devices are of very low power - much lower than mobile phones.

Prof Challis, retired professor of physics at the University of Nottingham, said: "With a desktop computer, the transmitter will be in the tower.

"This might be perhaps 20cms from your leg and the exposure would then be around one per cent of that from a mobile phone.

"However, if you put a laptop straight on your lap and are using wi-fi, you could be around two centimetres from the transmitter, and receiving comparable exposure to that from a mobile phone."

'Bigger problem'

Prof Challis added that children are much more sensitive than adults to dangers such as pollutants like lead and UV radiation.

"So if there should be a problem with mobiles, then it may be a bigger problem for children.

"Since we advise that children should be discouraged from using mobile phones, we should also discourage children from placing their laptop on their lap when they are using wi-fi.

Meanwhile, teachers have called for an investigation into whether there are any health risks from wireless computer networks in schools.

The Professional Association of Teachers union is writing to the education secretary for a clarification on wi-fi safety.

Many primary and secondary schools use wi-fi networks - but the PAT believes there is insufficient long-term evidence to demonstrate whether such networks are safe. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6602561.stm

Complete bullsh!t. Absolutely no valid studies show any harm from wireless networks or cell phones.

This is the epitome of irresponsibility in government.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
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www.slatebrookfarm.com
Originally posted by: Amused
Complete bullsh!t. Absolutely no valid studies show any harm from wireless networks or cell phones.

This is the epitome of irresponsibility in government.

Additionally, I'm disappointed in the physics professor. Hasn't he ever heard of E=hf? He's correct in pointing out that children are more susceptible to harmful effects from ultraviolet light. I'd think that he would know that the energy from WiFi is orders of magnitude lower, and is a non-ionizing radiation.