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SAR / Device Absorption

SAR in a child voxel phantom from exposure to wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi).

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Findlay RP, Dimbylow PJ. · 2010

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Wi-Fi produces 100 times less radiation absorption than cell phones in children, but chronic daily exposure during development remains understudied.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

British researchers used computer modeling to calculate how much radiofrequency energy (called SAR) a 10-year-old child's body would absorb from Wi-Fi devices operating at typical household distances. They found that Wi-Fi exposure produced SAR levels of 3.99-5.7 milliwatts per kilogram in the child's torso and head, which is less than 1% of what a cell phone produces. This study provides important baseline data on children's Wi-Fi exposure levels.

Why This Matters

This 2010 modeling study represents some of the earliest research specifically examining Wi-Fi exposure in children, addressing a critical gap since most SAR calculations had focused on adult models. While the authors concluded that Wi-Fi SAR levels fall 'considerably below basic restrictions,' this comparison to regulatory limits misses a crucial point. The science demonstrates that biological effects can occur at exposure levels far below current safety standards, which were designed only to prevent tissue heating. What this means for you is that even though Wi-Fi produces lower SAR than cell phones, children are exposed to this radiation for many hours daily in schools and homes. The reality is that duration of exposure matters as much as intensity, and this study's snapshot approach doesn't capture the cumulative impact of chronic low-level exposure during critical developmental periods.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.00399, 0.0057 W/kg
Source/Device
2.4 and 5 GHz

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.00399, 0.0057 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 401x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 5 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 5 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate SAR in a child voxel phantom from exposure to wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi).

Specific energy absorption rate (SAR) values have been calculated in a 10 year old sitting voxel mod...

In all situations studied, the SAR values calculated were considerably below basic restrictions. For...

Cite This Study
Findlay RP, Dimbylow PJ. (2010). SAR in a child voxel phantom from exposure to wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi). Phys Med Biol. 55(15):N405-411, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{rp_2010_sar_in_a_child_971,
  author = {Findlay RP and Dimbylow PJ.},
  title = {SAR in a child voxel phantom from exposure to wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi).},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20647607/},
}
PubMed: 20647607

Cited By (34 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2010 British study found Wi-Fi devices produce very low radiation absorption in children's bodies - less than 1% of what cell phones produce. The researchers calculated Wi-Fi exposure levels of 3.99-5.7 milliwatts per kilogram, which remained well below safety limits even at typical household distances.
Research shows 10-year-old children absorb 3.99-5.7 milliwatts per kilogram of Wi-Fi radiation in their torso and head regions. This represents less than 1% of the radiation absorption from cell phone use, staying considerably below established safety restrictions.
The 2010 study measured Wi-Fi radiation absorption specifically in a child's head at 5.7 milliwatts per kilogram maximum. While this research focused on children's exposure levels, the absorption remained well below safety limits and far lower than cell phone radiation exposure.
Computer modeling research found home Wi-Fi devices produce radiation absorption levels of 3.99-5.7 milliwatts per kilogram in children's bodies. These levels stay considerably below established safety restrictions and represent less than 1% of typical cell phone radiation exposure.
Wi-Fi devices produce less than 1% of the radiation absorption that cell phones create in children's heads and bodies. Research calculated Wi-Fi exposure at 3.99-5.7 milliwatts per kilogram, which remains well below safety limits even at typical household distances.