WiFi Radiation and Smart Meters

 

WiFi Radiation

Wireless technology that has been introduced in our homes and our offices in recent years has, from a health standpoint, been overlooked.

 

WiFi

Wireless networks use radio waves to transmit information between wired router stations and the wireless adapter cards that are inserted into electrical equipment such as desktops, laptops, printers, etc., and as well as the latest “smart meter”. The radio waves emitted by WiFi networks are typically at frequencies of 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz within that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum defined to be radiofrequency (RF) radiation.

 

Most studies recognize and acknowledge biological effects resulting in tissue and cell heating when the human body is exposed to high levels of radio frequency. More recently, concerns have been raised about a possible relationship between RF and number of symptoms such as sleep disturbance, migraines, and a week immune system. This research has led to the question of weather radiation can be carcinogenic.

Sometimes, turning your router off at night or hardwiring your Internet connection can create sudden relief from these symptoms.

 

Cell phone towers and WiFi antennas

Living in new age communities usually means having nearby cell phone towers and WiFi antennas that create a network of radiofrequency (RF) waves. These antennas get mounted on many existing structures such as very tall buildings, trees, or poles. When these RF signals reach high levels they can heat up body tissues. Sometimes they get installed to close to residences and can create danger for nearby tenants.

Smart Meters Radiation

In the last two years, British Columbia's utility infrastructure has been significantly upgraded and modernized. It all started with the installation of a million and a half smart meters throughout the province.

Smart meters are equipped with a radio transmitter that transmits data from a meter to a utility at regular intervals. When deployed, smart meters are part of a wireless mesh network in which one meter is configured as a collection data point sending data to the utility.

The expansion of smart meter technology has resulted in public concern about safety of this technology, due to an overall increased exposure to RF radiation.

Health Canada's official position on this issue is that the RF energy exposure levels from smart meters are far below Canadian and international safety limits.