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Being chronically online comes with its own set of challenges, sure, but are they limited to just looking inside tiny phone screens? If you are in the habit of staying up late and scrolling for hours on your devices, chances are that you are leaving your wifi signal switched on all night. How does that impact your health? Indianexpress.com spoke to health experts and found out some precautions you can take to avoid concerns in the long run.
Dr Syamlal S, Group Coordinator & Senior Consultant at Department of Neurology, KIMSHEALTH said that keeping Wi-Fi on while sleeping is generally not harmful, but there are a few considerations when it comes to electromagnetic Fields (EMF). He said that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that Wi-Fi signals or EMFs emitted by routers harm human health. Wi-Fi operates at low power levels, much lower than what is considered harmful. But if you’re concerned about potential long-term exposure to EMFs, you can turn it off at night as a precautionary measure, even though risks remain unproven. “Some people even feel that Wi-Fi may affect their sleep quality, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim,” he added.
According to him, many modern routers have a scheduling feature that allows you to automatically turn Wi-Fi off during specific hours. It is advisable to use that feature to alleviate your worries in such cases. “Place the router at least a few feet away from where you sleep if you’re concerned about EMF exposure,” he said. In most cases, Dr Syamlal said that keeping Wi-Fi on while sleeping is fine and poses no significant risks.
Dr Prashant Makhija, Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, agreed, stating that Wi-Fi signals are low in energy, and not high enough to cause harm. “Some individuals may report symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or trouble sleeping, which are often referred to as “electrosensitivity.” However, these symptoms have not been definitively linked to Wi-Fi exposure by scientific studies.
One key consideration is the role of sleep. Proximity to a Wi-Fi router may disrupt sleep patterns due to electromagnetic fields potentially interfering with the body’s circadian rhythm. A study in 2011 found that exposure to EMF could lead to poor sleep quality, though the long-term effects of such exposure remain inconclusive.
“When it comes to long-term exposure, studies on EMF from Wi-Fi and other sources like cell phones have been conducted to assess possible links to more serious health issues, including cancer. Some studies have raised concerns about an increased risk of brain cancer, but most research has not conclusively proven that RF exposure at levels typical of Wi-Fi routers poses a significant health risk,” he added.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
