Health Canada Statement on Radiofrequency Energy and Wi-Fi Equipment

2012-02
August 18, 2010 (revised January 10, 2012)
For immediate release

OTTAWA - On October 4th 2011, Health Canada updated its advice to cell phone users on practical ways of reducing exposure to radiofrequency (RF) energy from these devices. This advice pertains only to cell phone use, and not to RF energy exposure from Wi-Fi devices, since the intensity and distribution of the RF energy absorbed within the body from these devices are very different.

Some of the RF energy emitted by Wi-Fi devices is absorbed by your body. The amount depends on how close your body is to the device and the strength of the signal. Unlike cellular phones, where the transmitter is held close to the head and much of the absorbed RF energy is deposited in a localized area, RF energy from Wi-Fi devices is typically transmitted at a greater distance from the human body. This results in very low average RF energy absorption levels in all parts of the body, similar to exposure from AM/FM radio broadcast signals.

RF energy levels from Wi-Fi equipment in all areas accessible to the general public, including school settings, are required to meet Health Canada's safety guidelines (Safety Code 6). The exposure limits specified in the guidelines are based on an ongoing review of thousands of published peer-reviewed scientific studies on the health impacts of RF energy. Exposure levels to RF energy emitted from Wi-Fi equipment are well below these safety limits.

Based on scientific evidence, Health Canada has determined that exposure to low-level RF energy, such as that from Wi-Fi equipment, is not dangerous to the public. Health Canada's conclusions are consistent with the findings of other international bodies and regulators, including the  World Health Organization, the  International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and the  U.K. Health Protection Agency.

Health Canada's position is that no precautionary measures are needed regarding RF exposure from Wi-Fi devices since RF energy exposure levels from Wi-Fi are well below Canadian and international safety limits. As with any product, a Wi-Fi device should be operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

For more information, please consult our It's Your Health article on the safety of Wi-Fi equipment.