Health and Safety of RoamAbout 802.11
Introduction
Influence on the health is one of most discussed
topics of radio LANs, since radio devices emit radio
frequency electromagnetic energy. This document wants
to clarify that RoamAbout radio devices are not bad
for the health of people using radio LANs. Also a list
of frequently asked questions will be presented.
Safe, Low-Power Radio
RoamAbout, like other radio devices, emits radio
frequency electromagnetic energy. Because RoamAbout
operates within the guidelines found in radio
frequency safety standards and recommendations,
Cabletron believes RoamAbout is safe for use by
consumers. These standards and recommendations reflect
the consensus of the scientific community and result
from deliberations of panels and committees of
scientists who continually review and interpret the
extensive research literature.
Radio Frequency Safety Standards
The following organizations have independently
issued similar recommendations for exposure to radio
frequency electromagnetic energy.
- Standards Coordinating Committee 28 of the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE)
- National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurements (NCRP)
- National Radiological Protection Boards (NRPB) in
the United Kingdom.
- International Radiation Protection Association’s
International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee (IRPA/INIRC)
(under World Health Organization sponsorship)
IEEE/ANSI Standard (ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992)
In September of 1992, the IEEE Standards for Safety
Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio
Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz,
IEEE C95.1-1991, was approved by the IEEE Standard
Board. This standard is a revision of the American
National Standard Safety Levels with Respect to Human
Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields,
3kHz to 100GHz, ANSI C95.1-1982. The IEEE standard
resulted from the deliberations of over 120 leading
biologists, biophysicists, physiologists, physicists,
physicians, engineers and members of other scientific
disciplines representing academia, federal agencies
with public responsibilities, industry andd other
interested groups and organizations. In November of
1992, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
approved the IEEE C95.1-1991 standard. The following
is stated in the IEEE standard: " No verified
reports exist of injury to human beings who have been
exposed to electromagnetic fields within the limits of
frequency and [specific absorption rate] specified by
previous ANSI standards, including ANSI
C95.1-1982."
IEEE USAB Entity Position Statement
"Measurements have shown that routine exposure
of users and other persons to low power portable and
mobile transceivers and cellular telephones do not
induce rates of [radio frequency] absorption that
exceed any of the maximum permissible rates of energy
absorption defined by these guidelines" [IEEE,
ANSI]. Therefore, based on present knowledge, the
exposures from low-power transceiver are considered to
be without risk for the users and the public. (Quoted
from the IEEE USAB Entity Position Statement Human
Exposure to Radio frequency Fields from Portable and
Mobile Telephones and other Communication Devices,
December 2, 1992.)
Conclusion
The interpretation of over four decades of research
in this area has led to a scientific consensus on the
safety of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic
fields. This consensus is reflected in the
recommendations and standards developed by expert
committees such as NCRP Scientific Committee 53, IEEE
Standards Coordinating Committee 28, IRPA/INIRC and
NRPB. RoamAbout operates within the guidelines of
these standards and recommendations and, therefore, is
considered safe.
Questions and Answers
Can you absolutely assure customers that RoamAbout is
safe?
Extensive research on the safety of exposure to
radio frequency electromagnetic energy has been
carried out for more than four decades. This research
is continually reviewed and interpreted by committees
of scientists who develop safe limits for exposure.
Cabletron monitors this research and participates in
the consensus standards process and ensures that
Cabletron products operate within the guidelines of
these standards. Consequently, Cabletron believes its
products are safe.
What if the network has 100 nodes?
Only one transmitter is active at any point in
time, so the radiated power of a total network even
when it has 100 nodes is actually equivalent to the
radiated power of a single transmitter. RoamAbout
transmitters operate at a power output of 0.035 Watts
(35 mW) in the 2.4 GHz band depending on the specific
product in use and the local regulations.
How does RoamAbout technology differ from cellular
technology?
RoamAbout uses a "bursty" type of
transmit/receive protocol, while Cellular transmits
and receives constantly (connection oriented). As an
example: If a user would transfer data on an average
of 100 MB per day, the RoamAbout transmitter would be
on the air for approximately 10 minutes. Moreover, a
typical hand held-cell phone has a RF power output of
0.600 Watts (600 mW) or almost 20X more output power!
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