Reducing Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wireless Networking with Laptop Computers

• Mobile modems are used with laptops to connect Internet wirelessly. Recently several organisations, including the WHO IARC and the European Union have emphasised health risk-management practices related to wireless devices. We present here radio frequency (RF) power density measurements when a wireless modem is 30 cm, 1 m and 5 m from a user. Our results indicate that by using a USB cable and adding distance between a user and a wireless modem, there is a substantial reduction of exposure. Additionally we noticed a great difference in GSM/EDGE versus 3G/HSDPA radiation power density levels. Therefore, precautionary principle and USB-cable related risk-management practise is recommended when utilising wireless modems with laptops.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Annan naturresursteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Other Environmental Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

mobile modem

radiofrequency

radiation

laptop

exposure

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)