Arthur Firstenberg has filed a lawsuit against his Santa Fe neighbor for having a cell phone, wifi computer etc…claiming the electromagnetic radiation makes him sick.
I’m fully aware that electromagnetic radiation causes all kinds of problems. Okay that’s a hugely vague statement given that electromagnetic ratiation is such a broad range from light to radio to gamma rays, etc…
But let’s focus on the things he’s complaining about - mostly wi-fi.
Is there any real evidence of people being “allergic” to wi-fi?
On a similar note: If my neighbor is allergic to rose pollen, am I obligated to dig up my rose bushes?
No evidence whatsoever, nor any scientific explanation for how it could be possible. And even if it were possible, or there were some evidence, you can’t blame it on any single neighbor: Anywhere in a remotely civilized area you’re going to be constantly exposed to radiation of this sort, from all directions.
The problem is that at least 37 blinded, provocation studies were unable to correlate this sensitivity with EMR. My cite, unfortunately, is a blog post but it links to an actual systematic review and several individual studies that should be more convincing than some blogger’s say so.
In other words, these people are only sensitive if they know when EMR is present and when it isn’t.
My suggestion would be for Firstenberg to convince his neighbour that he’s switched from wifi to infra-red wireless.
no wonder i get headaches when using my computer, no wait that just the OS
it now seems (at least some spectrum) might be good for you. recently from the web:
mobile phones are eyed in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers at the University of South Florida found that mice they zapped twice daily with electromagnetic waves similar to those generated by US cellular phones benefited from the exposure.
study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, lead author Gary Arendash.
Its funny how these nuts are focues on wifi. A typical linksys wireless router broadcasts 28mW. Your cell phone can do 1W. The older analog models cold do up to 4 watts. Why they focus on wifi is interesting and probably fits into the typical nutter philosophy of hating computers because they spy on us and let the government control our minds.
I suspect once the scammer and nuts continue to lose in court and lose public sympathies then the DSMIV will have an entry for electrophobia or somesuch. They’re better off with an SSRI or something than filing lawsuits and running around with tin foil wrapped around their heads. Unfortantely, conspiracy theories surrounding technology are all too mainstream.