Cell phones are higher power and you usually have them next to your brain when you are using them. I'm usually paranoid about this stuff as I also used to get headaches from cell phones and other sources of RF, but I have not had a problem with GSM or PCS cell phones as they are lower power and don't transmit as much. Fortunately chasing after longer talk time and battery life the cell industry has actually made cell phone safer as emitting radiation uses battery power. The nuts who want to stop new wireless installations (there is an active group here in santa cruz) would better serve the community letting the new stuff in and ensuring the older stuff gets ripped out!
As for wireless networking you are right to be concerned, and I would simply not locate the AP in the same room nor would I use and amp or high gain antenna nearby. I'm going to guess that the AC power wires, TVs, hair dryers, etc. emit more radiation than wireless networking. And do you use a portable phone in your house? Do you plan on using a baby monitor? These will dump as much RF. Oh I forgot to mention the strength of the earth's magnetic field. EM radiation is not inherently bad, just high levels are bad.
802.11b wireless networking is low power unless you go out of your way to get high power cards, amplifiers, and high gain antennas. When you are passing data with a 30mw card, think about that 800w microwave oven. Even good shielding and distance will take a while to drop that to lower power and hence one of the interference problems we have at 2.4Ghz.
In short, don't strap a wireless camera to your baby! And remember distance is your biggest friend when it comes to reducing exposure.
Cheers,
Cliff
On Wednesday, Nov 6, 2002, at 10:26 US/Pacific, Randy S wrote:
I do worry. I wouldn't do it. There are some extenuating circumstances however,
like distance, amount of on time etc, that might be worth considering.
I get a headache when I use my cell phone for more than a few minutes, the FCC
recommends that children not use cell phones, and the head of the World Health
Organization won't use a cell phone or allow anyone into her office with one
turned on.
Granted, 802.11 and cell phones are different strengths, frequencies,
proximities to delicate body parts etc, but pretty similar. I use 802.11
occasionaly and love the convenience, but definitely limit my usage. I am also
a fierce proponent of community based net access. It's hard to make this and
the previous paragraphs jive. It's a conundrum for sure. Usually I make due
with a good long cable.
I'm surprised there aren't more threads like this on this list.
my 2c.
/r
--- joe howarth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Folks,
We've got a baby on the way. Having wireless in our house would really help
out as I'll be able to do my work anywhere (plus one of those 802.11 cameras
would be great).
Question = Is there any concern having an Access Point in the house so close
to a very young child? Does anyone worry about all of the wireless signals
affecting a newborn?
Sorry if these are 'dumb' questions, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Thanks for any feedback.
-joe (Outer Sunset, SF)
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