Does Wi-Fi Cause Cancer

Wi-Fi is a wireless technology. It’s used to connect laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices to the Internet. In fact, you’re likely reading this article on a device that’s currently connected to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi sends data via electromagnetic radiation, a type of energy. The radiation creates areas called electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
There’s concern that the radiation from Wi-Fi causes health issues like cancer. But there are currently no known health risks in humans.
Let’s explore what the science says about Wi-Fi and cancer thus far.

Does Wi-Fi cause cancer?

Currently, there’s no definite answer to this question. That’s because there’s no solid evidence suggesting that Wi-Fi, or EMFs in general, directly causes cancer.
In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stated that EMFs are “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The label was established by 30 scientists who evaluated studies on EMFs and cancer.

Studies involving EMFs and cancer are conflicting. For example, according to a 2017 research review, EMFs from wireless devices increase the risk of glioma, a type of brain tumor. But a 2018 study states that there’s no clear association between EMFs and brain tumors.

Animal studies

Additionally, most studies that have examined the link between Wi-Fi and cancer involve animals. Those results have also been inconclusive.
Oxidative stress is known to contribute to the development of cancer. In a 2015 animal study, long-term exposure to Wi-Fi induced oxidative stress in the uteruses of rats.
Additionally, one 2018 animal studyTrusted Source also found that Wi-Fi reduces the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which combat oxidative stress.
The mechanisms behind these effects are unclear. Additionally, these findings don’t explicitly confirm that Wi-Fi causes cancer in humans. More research is needed to determine if radiation from Wi-Fi can lead to cancer.
Does Wi-Fi have any other risks?

It’s unknown if Wi-Fi poses other health risks. Again, most of the existing studies involve animals, and the results are inconclusive.
Here’s what the science says so far:

Male infertility

In a 2015 studyTrusted Source, researchers examined the sperm motility of more than 1,000 men. The men answered questions about their Wi-Fi and cell phone use. Researchers determined that men who used wireless internet had reduced sperm motility, compared with men who used wired internet.
But the researchers didn’t state the possible mechanisms behind these results.

Cognitive function

A 2017 animal studyTrusted Source determined that Wi-Fi radiation impairs recognition in rats. According to a different 2017 animal studyTrusted Source, the radiation emitted from Wi-Fi may also contribute to neurodegenerative disease and brain function in rats.
But again, these results don’t imply the same effects in humans. More research is necessary.

Heart health

In a 2015 animal study, exposure to Wi-Fi altered the heart rhythm and blood pressure in rabbits. According to the researchers, this suggests that Wi-Fi affects the heart. But the mechanisms are unclear, and more human studies are needed.

False claims about Wi-Fi health risks

As concerns over Wi-Fi increase, there’ve been several myths about its effects on health.
According to these claims, Wi-Fi causes conditions like:
• autism
• skin issues
• headaches
• pain
• dizziness
• nausea
• fatigue
• heart palpitations
There’s no hard evidence that Wi-Fi is linked to these conditions.