6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body

Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Radio Frequency

Assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields from wireless computer networks (wi-fi) in schools; results of laboratory measurements.

No Effects Found

Peyman A, Khalid M, Calderon C, Addison D, Mee T, Maslanyj M, Mann S · 2011

View Original Abstract
Share:

UK school Wi-Fi devices emit 5-29 milliwatts of power with exposures well below thermal safety limits at normal distances.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers from the UK Health Protection Agency measured radiofrequency radiation levels from Wi-Fi devices actually used in schools, including laptops and wireless access points. They found that all devices emitted very low power levels (5-29 milliwatts) and produced radiation exposures well below international safety guidelines at distances of 0.5 meters or more. This study provides real-world data on how much Wi-Fi radiation students and teachers are actually exposed to in school environments.

Why This Matters

This study represents important baseline research documenting actual Wi-Fi exposure levels in educational settings. The researchers found power outputs ranging from 5-29 milliwatts, which puts these devices at roughly 1/100th the power of a typical cell phone. What's particularly valuable here is that this wasn't theoretical modeling but actual laboratory measurements of devices used in UK schools. The finding that radiation patterns from laptops show minimums toward the user's torso is noteworthy for understanding real-world exposure scenarios. However, this study only measured power output and compliance with thermal safety standards, not biological effects. The reality is that current safety guidelines are based solely on heating effects and don't account for the growing body of research showing biological responses at much lower exposure levels.

Study Details

Laboratory measurements have been carried out with examples of Wi-Fi devices used in UK schools to evaluate the radiofrequency power densities around them and the total emitted powers.

Unlike previous studies, a 20 MHz bandwidth signal analyzer was used, enabling the whole Wi-Fi signa...

Cite This Study
Peyman A, Khalid M, Calderon C, Addison D, Mee T, Maslanyj M, Mann S (2011). Assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields from wireless computer networks (wi-fi) in schools; results of laboratory measurements. Health Phys. 100(6):594-612, 2011.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2011_assessment_of_exposure_to_3305,
  author = {Peyman A and Khalid M and Calderon C and Addison D and Mee T and Maslanyj M and Mann S},
  title = {Assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields from wireless computer networks (wi-fi) in schools; results of laboratory measurements.},
  year = {2011},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22004929/},
}
PubMed: 22004929

Cited By (59 papers)

View all 59 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2011 UK Health Protection Agency study found school Wi-Fi devices emit very low radiation levels, well below international safety guidelines. Measurements from actual school laptops and access points showed power outputs of just 5-29 milliwatts, producing minimal exposure at normal distances.
Research measuring real Wi-Fi devices in schools found radiation exposures remained well below safety limits at distances of 0.5 meters or more. The study showed laptops and wireless access points emit very low power levels during typical classroom use.
Laboratory measurements of Wi-Fi laptops used in schools found they emit only 5-17 milliwatts of power in the 2.45 GHz band. These extremely low radiation levels stayed well below international safety guidelines, even at close distances to users.
A comprehensive study of school Wi-Fi systems found radiation exposures well below international safety standards. Researchers measured actual devices and found power outputs of 3-29 milliwatts from access points, creating minimal radiation exposure for students and teachers.
UK researchers measured Wi-Fi radiation in schools and found laptops emit 5-17 milliwatts while access points emit 3-29 milliwatts. These power levels create radiation exposures well below international safety guidelines at normal usage distances of 0.5 meters or more.