Wi-Fi is one of the wireless technologies. Smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices connect to the Internet with it. In fact, you are probably reading this article through a device connected to the Internet using Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi utilizes electromagnetic radiation as a form of energy for transmitting data. Electromagnetic fields are regions generated by the radiation.

There are concerns that Wi-Fi radiation can cause cancer and other health issues. Still, there is no recorded health risk for humans so far.

Let’s discuss the current state of research on Wi-Fi and cancer.

Can Wi-Fi lead to cancer?

This question is not yet definitively answered. This is because there is no conclusive evidence that Wi-Fi or electromagnetic fields in general cause cancer.

EMFs are “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” according to a 2011 statement from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization. Thirty scientists who assessed research on EMFs and cancer created the label.

There is conflicting research regarding EMFs and cancer. For example, a literature review published in 2017 showed that EMFs from wireless devices increase the likelihood of developing gliomas-a type of brain tumours. On the other hand, a study in 2018 found no established relationship between electromagnetic fields and cancers in the brain.

Research on animals.

Besides, most research that investigated a connection between Wi-Fi and the incidence of cancer makes use of animals. More about this, such discoveries were equivocal.

Ones are aware that the free radicals cause cancerous states. Oxidative stress took place in the rats uteruses due to lengthy exposure to Wi-Fi in one related experiment conducted in 2015.

Wi-Fi also decreases the activity of antioxidant enzymes that fight oxidative stress, claims a 2018 animal study (Trusted Source).

It’s unclear what mechanisms drive these effects. In addition, these findings do not definitively prove that Wi-Fi is causing cancer in humans. More research is needed to know if Wi-Fi radiation is causing cancer.

Yes, there are more risks related to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi might pose further health risks, but this is unknown. Again, most of the studies currently available are done on animals, and the results are not entirely consistent.

The current state of science is as follows:

Infertility in Men

According to a 2014 animal study, the ability of male rats to reproduce is impaired by long-term exposure to Wi-Fi radiation. A 2016 animal study found that radiation from Wi-Fi causes DNA damage in rats’ testes.

Researchers looked at over 1,000 men’s sperm motility in a 2015 study (Trusted Source). The men responded to inquiries regarding their use of cell phones and Wi-Fi. When compared to males who used wired internet, researchers found that those who used wireless internet had worse sperm motility.

However, they failed to mention the possible mechanisms underlying these findings. Further, they mentioned that the questionnaire did not ask about smoking status of the participants. Smoking may affect sperm motility.

Mental abilities

An animal study conducted in 2017According to Trusted Source, rats’ ability to recognize is impaired by Wi-Fi radiation. A different 2017 animal study (Trusted Source) indicates that Wi-Fi radiation may also impair rats’ brain function and neurodegenerative diseases.

However, again, these results do not mean the same effects in humans. More research is needed.

Heart health

In a 2015 animal study, Wi-Fi exposure altered the blood pressure and heart rhythm of rabbits. The researchers think that this means that Wi-Fi does indeed affect the heart, but more human studies are needed because the mechanisms are not clear.

Misinformation about the health risks of Wi-Fi

There are many myths surrounding Wi-Fi’s effects on health as concerns over it rise.

These claims claim that Wi-Fi causes the following disorders:

• Autism

• Skin problems

• Headaches

•  Aches

• dizziness
•  
•  Nausea

•  and fatigue

• palpitations in the heart

There is no evidence at all that Wi-Fi has any relation to these diseases.

5G and coronavirus

 Another type of wireless technology is 5G, or fifth generation. The mobile network launched in 2019.

There has been speculation about the health danger of 5G since the technology was launched. However, the assumption began to include coronavirus upon the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

These included unsubstantiated hearsay such as:

• The SARS CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is directly spread by 5G.

• 5G lowers your immunity and thus makes you vulnerable to SARS CoV-2

.

• 5G is a cover for the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 5G microchips are used in COVID-19 vaccines

• Wuhan, China, was the first city to apply 5G, and hence COVID-19 first appeared there.

These are myths. Viruses are spread human-to-human through respiratory droplets. It is not wireless technology that spreads them; there is no evidence that electromagnetic fields and 5G make you more susceptible to viral illnesses.

Why is 5G a contentious issue?

WHO established the International EMF Project (Trusted Source) in 1996. The EMF Project is developing a health risk assessment of electromagnetic fields.

In contrast, the IARC reviewed EMFs in 2011 and classified them as “possibly carcinogenic.” WHO also includes the IARC.

There has been controversy over the EMF Project. In a 2017 review of studies, oncologist Dr. Lennart Hardell Trusted Source pointed out that five of the six members of the EMF core group had collaborated with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

According to Hardell’s assessment, this is a conflict of interest. He believes it will prevent the members from having the ability to create a robust scientific assessment.