Is the use of mobile and Wi-Fi harmful to hotel guests, asks Harish Chandra, GM, IT and telecom, Sarovar Hotels and founding member GHTP Forum. BY TEAM HOTELIER INDIA
There has been an ongoing debate about the health effects of the Wi-Fi and mobile phones on users. This becomes more topical in the case of hotel properties since there are strong routers placed within a smaller space.
The World Health Organization, which has examined the topic in depth states that: “In the area of biological effects and medical applications of non-ionising radiation approximately 25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals”. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields.
Every electronic device produces EMF, including Wi-Fi. All forms of EMF (including microwave ovens and ultraviolet and X-Rays rays) are measured on the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from low to high frequency. Every frequency is associated with a wavelength and an inherent level of quantum energy.
There are only three scientifically established mechanisms by which EMF is known to cause a health effect: electrical currents in the body; thermal (heating) effects; and ionising radiation effects (Wi-Fi is non-ionising). The importance of these mechanisms depends on frequency and strength of power. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that supports Wi-Fi causing either of the first two health effects. It does not have enough inherent energy to break molecular bonds (for example, to cause genetic damage that might lead to cancer). Claims that EMF causes symptoms like headaches, dizziness and racing heart, sometimes called “electro sensitivity,” have not been proven in the highest quality studies, although there is evidence that some people believe they are experiencing these symptoms. However, the World Health Organization has concluded that the symptoms are psychosomatic (caused by mental or emotional disturbance) and not EMI.
It has been estimated that you get a bigger dose of microwaves from one 20-minute phone call than from a year’s Wi-Fi. Twenty laptops and two routers is roughly equivalent to one mobile phone. We have been surrounded by EMI interferences for long now.
In the US, there is equipment available that converts the harmful EMI to harmless one. SafeSpace products are designed to influence artificial EMFs, restoring coherence and balance to the fields around you by setting up a “corrective resonance.” In other words, they alter the EMF, changing it from harmful to harmless. The SafeSpace Solution have been created for Wi-Fi health effects from routers. One needs to understand what one is exposed to and pay attention to the technologies that are being used in the hotel or all around.
Whether these are available in India, is a question hoteliers are asking the vendors now!
