Lately, I've been questioned about the effects of Wifi radio waves on the body. I guess this us coming from the uptake in the technology, which seems to growing exponentially. Wherever you go these days the Wifi sign is almost always visible. Shops use wireless devices to communicate with the tills, the tills use wireless to communicate with the store servers and just about everyone has a Bluetooth phone. Even at home there is no escape. Just switch on your computer and if you have wireless enabled, look at the list of available networks. There must be what? 4? 5? 6? All with a signal strength of 50% or over? Every Internet service provider is giving away a free wireless router. It is becoming increasingly difficult to remove yourself from the constant bombardment of radio waves. Wifi radio waves are basically low level microwaves in the 2.4ghz range, a standard microwave oven is usually at 2.45ghz. Of course, Wifi yields considerably less power. I can even remember when I first started to use wireless networking, quite a while ago now, the signal dropped whenever the microwave was switched on.

So what effect is it all having? I recently read an article where scientists conducted an experiment in which they completely isolated a building and blocked any kind of radio interference. The effects were varying, reduced headaches, improved memory and concentration and the Ph level was returned to healthy levels in shielded people.

When exposed to large doses of radio waves the body's Ph level lowered to more acidic levels that can, according to the scientist, potentially lead to health problems. When the radio waves were stopped the Ph level increased and stayed in the healthy zone. I don't know how authentic or accurate the tests were or how closely the results were monitored, there are tests and reports like this being produced every day, but it get me thinking. We probably spend almost all of our day in the field of high frequency radio waves. There are numerous reports and debates regarding the effects of mobile phones but for some reason, wireless networking has been lurking in the shadows trying to stay out of the limelight.

Now I know we can't completely insulate our homes from the attack of the mutant radio waves but we can cut down on what we add to the radio tide. If you have a wireless router sat in the corner of the room and you don't use wireless functions then disable it. Usually the routers are configured using a web browser. You will find the details of your particular router in your instruction book or through a support call. The common default address for your router could be something like http://192.168.0.1 or http://10.0.0.1 depending on the router manufacturer.

If you need other computers around the house then you could consider the network points that plug into your mains sockets. Basically a wired network connection is made from a port on the router to a receiving device plugged into a socket near by. Then, for example, a wired connection is made from another receiving device plugged into the mains socket in another room to the network socket on the PC or laptop. The network signal is sent over your existing mains power wires and is completely safe. If you are not moving about much or you have one or more fixed PCs then this connection method will remove the need to have wireless enabled. The speeds are generally greater than wireless so you do get an added bonus of a performance boost. This is also handy if you live in a house with thicker, insulating walls and have problems getting the range required through your Wifi. Wireless is much like the mobile phone, the further you are from the router the weaker the signal and the more power/less speed is required to maintain a connection. Plus, you are probably using it on a notebook and have it on your lap.

The plug-in mains network points can be found in places like PC World, they average about £70 a pair (for decent speeds). Search for Powerline Home Network on PC World's website (http://www.pcworld.co.uk) and you will find them listed. I know of a few people that have completely switched off wireless and moved to the wired method, mostly because of young children in the household.

Did all this reading convince me to switch off the wireless? No, I still have the router switched on, 3 laptops, PS3, Wii and a wireless media centre all flooding the air with those invisible waves. Until the dog begins to smell like a Sunday roast, or I get the Ready Brek glow, I think I will live with the wireless convenience and risk frying tonight!