Wireless products - protecting your children

Mobile phone
 

Emits pulsed microwave radiation when in use on a call - substantial body of evidence sugesting link with brain tumours. Indication of link to other illnesses and short term symptoms.

Highest radiation emitted when used on a call or for texting.

Holding to the head likely to be most dangerous but continuous exposure on standby also contributes to cumulative radiation load.

Reduce exposure by...

Discourage children from using mobile phones and keep yours away from children when switched on, especially when in use.

Text and use speakerphone or headset (not Bluetooth) whenever possible.

Keep calls short.

Turn off when not in use

Cordless DECT phone

Emits pulsed microwave radiation when in use on a call (up to about half the highest level of a mobile phone in use). Indication of link to other illnesses and short term symptoms.

Emits continuous lower level pulsed radiation some distance from the phones and base station, contributing to radiation load.

Highest exposures close to base and phones

Reduce exposure by...

Change to a wired phone. Wire in extra extensions for convenience.

If cordless is essential, switch to a low radiation phone which only emits radiation when in use. Analogue cordless phones may be safer but are hard to obtain.

In the meantime keep phones and base away from bedrooms at night.

Wi-fi and WLAN (wireless computer network)

Emits continuous lower level pulsed microwave radiation for some distance around the router, contibuting to radiation load. Indication of link to illnesses and short term symptoms.

Higest emissions close to router and enabled laptops.

Reduce exposure by...

Change to a non-wireless router and use wired systems for linking multiple computers.

In the meantime keep router and laptops away from children and switch off at night.

Baby listening devices

Digital wireless monitors emit continuous pulsed microwave radiation contibuting to the radiation load. Indication of link to illnesses and short term symptoms.

Old style analogue wireless monitors are most likely safe if kept at least 1m from the child.

Reduce exposure by...

Analogue is safest. Low radiation digital monitors may be safer than the standard digital.

Fully wired monitors (running through the electrical wiring) are safest but hard to obtain.

Bluetooth headsets and car speaker systems

Emit microwave radiation when in use though at significantly lower levels than mobile phones. Indication of link to illnesses and short term symptoms.

Reduce exposure by...

Use speakerphone or a wired headset (earpiece).

Turn off bluetooth whenever not in use on a call.

Wireless games consoles

These are normally enabled with bluetooth or wi-fi so emit pulsed microwave radiation when turned on and children using the device experiences this close up. Strong indication of link to illnesses and short term symptoms.

Hand-held games are sometimes wireless enabled and may emit radiation whenever switched on even if wireless function not used.

Reduce exposure by...

Replace with a non-wireless games console.

Limit time used and always turn off when not in use.

Ensure only non-wireless hand-held games consoles are chosen.

Sat Nav and GPS tracking systems

A basic satellite navigation system (Sat-Nav) does not need to send out a signal so does not emit microwave radiation. Some versions are wireless-enabled to access up-to-date maps and/or traffic reports and so emit microwave radiation like a bluetooth (see above). Strong indication of link to other illnesses and short term symptoms.

GPS satellite tracking devices are a source of microwave radiation emissions but as long as the transmitter is located on the outside of the car away from passengers, the radiation exposure is probably small.

Reduce exposure by...

Replace with basic (non-wireless) Sat Nav 

Avoid GPS tracking