Subject: (Curry) Re (Itzikowitz) wireless computer network (fwd)
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 202412 -0600 (CST)
From: "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To: emfguru <rbeavers@llion.org>
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 14:46:17 -0700
From: "Bill P. Curry"
To: "Roy L. Beavers"
Subject: Re: (Itzikowitz) wireless computer network (fwd)
Jacob,
I was once contacted by a man who installs wireless LAN's in school systems.
Although he had to carry out his employer's wishes or else be unemployed, he
clearly had some qualms about this. From what little information he could
supply me, the power density for a system contained within a school room
seemed to be on the order of nanowatts per square centimeter. As far as I
know, none of the available epidemiological studies indicate occurrence of
chronic ill health effects at such a low radiation level. Nor do I know of
laboratory studies showing any effects at that level. However, the catch is
this: some school systems are intended to broadcast from one building to
another.
Imagine, for example, that you have a computer science class with terminals
connected by wireless modems to a central computer in another building. Here
is where I suspect there will be problems similar to what we are finding out
about cell phone systems. I have tried unsuccessfully to find information on
the power levels of such educational LAN systems. I think school
administrators should be very cautious about such systems. The wireless
companies try to give educators incentives to use these systems by
underwriting their purchases of computers and LAN's and sometimes by cash
contributions for their systems. I am concerned about this and about the
proliferation of these devices into health care organizations. My
cardiologist is very proud of the one used in his clinic. Of course the
employees are likely to be the ones most subject to chronic exposure, rather
than the patients.
While I am sounding off, let me say that I do not view kindly the trend
toward ever more RF complexity in hospitals. Wireless systems proliferate in
emergency rooms, OR's and catheter labs. In amny instances (for example heart
monitors) a tethered system is preferable to a wireless system for various
reasons, but wireless telemetry seems to be proliferating. In addition to
health related effects that may afflict the medical personnel using these
things, there is also the obvious vulnerability of patients using some of the
older models of pacemakers. Nearly every hospital I know about prohibits the
use of cell phones in the hospital because of similar interference problems.
In spite of this, there seems to be an escalating emphasis on employing
wireless techniques in situations where I think they are inappropriate. I
will be interested in hearing whether others on this list have similar
experiences and thoughts.
Roy L. Beavers wrote:
>
> .......Does any one "out there" have some info on this subject?
> I don't recall that the question has come up before????......
>
> Roy Beavers (EMFguru)
> rbeavers@llion.org................
> ...It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness...
> .................PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROFITS...............
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 10:58:26 +0300
> From: Yakov itzikowitz
> To: rbeavers@llion.org
> Subject: wireless network
>
> Hi,
> do u have or know any information related to wireless computer networks
> in a schooling environmet?
> Thanks you for your time and attention.
>
> Jacob Itzikowitz
--
----
Bill P. Curry, Ph.D. |Physics is fun.
EMSciTek Consulting Co. |Trying to make a living!
22W101 McCarron Road, |Phone: (630) 858-9377
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 |Fax: same, but require prior notice
Home page: http://www.EMSciTek.com
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Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html