Q. I've been trying to figure out just what microwave radiation does. Some people say it affects melatonin and is not safe, others say it doesn't affect melatonin and we shouldn't worry about it. Which is it?

It looks like you've been told two half truths. Microwaves are not safe and they don't affect Melatonin. Microwaves increase the level of stress hormones making it difficult to sleep and respond to stressors appropriately.

Q. Can you give me a simple explanation of the difference between Wi-Fi and Wi-Max? 

The main difference between the radio frequency EMFs is in the distance that they cover and the power they require to cover those distances.

• Wi-Fi has a range of 33 feet and is usually used for short range internet access within homes and businesses. It uses a lot of power and tends not to be great for cell phones.
• Bluetooth has a range of 30 ft. and lends itself to short range, low power, communication between two devices like cellphones and wireless headsets. 
• WiMax has a range of almost 2 miles. It provides long-range Internet access for laptops and cellphones and lends itself to the subscription services of cellphone carriers who simply add a WiMax transmitter to their cellular towers.
• Cellular Wireless has a range of almost 2 miles and is most suited to laptop and cellphone use. It includes a range of wireless Internet options like Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). 

Q. I don't have wireless internet and yet I'm able to access it on my laptop in several places in my house. Where's it coming from and is it going to be a health problem. 

The hotspots in your house are probably being created by a neighbour. It shouldn't be a health problem as long as the areas where your head is during sleep at night aren't 'hot spots'. To make sure that you're in a safe zone Set your computer on your pillow and check to see if you can access a hotspot just before you go to bed. If you can then you should change the location of the head of your bed. Use your laptop, at pillow height, to locate an area without a hotspot.  

I would be concerned, particularly if the house is uphill from the radar at all. Radar are designed to bounce signals off airplanes and the signals they bounce are far greater than those transmitted by cell phone transmitters. 

Q. Since I installed my wireless internet 4 months ago my son has been sick with headaches and aching legs. His grades have dropped significantly and he's miserable. 

Many wireless devices, from baby monitors to doorbells, use microwave and RF frequencies to transmit their signals. These elevate the stress hormones making it very difficult to get quality sleep. If your son is sensitive to the wifi, his symptoms may also be provoked by other wireless devices in your house, including cordless phones and motion detectors. Consider replacing your wireless devices with 'old fashioned' wired versions. In the meantime turning them off at night should make a noticeable difference.

Q. Is a cordless phone safer than a cell phone?

A cell phone may be marginally safer than a cordless phone but both rely on microwaves to receive their signals. You'll sleep better if you keep both types unplugged at night. 

You Tube videos worth watching

Invisible cell phone dangers Part 1

Cell Phone War

The Tower of Babble

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of a well chosen medical doctor.