Radiation from Wi-Fi networks is harmful to trees, causing significant variations in growth, as well as bleeding and fissures in the bark, according to a recent study in the Netherlands.
All deciduous trees in the Western world are affected, according to the study by a group of institutions, including the TU Delft University and Wageningen University. The city of Alphen aan den Rijn ordered the study five years ago after officials found unexplained abnormalities on trees that couldn't be ascribed to a virus or bacterial infection.
Additional testing found the disease to occur throughout the Western world. In the Netherlands, about 70 percent of all trees in urban areas show the same symptoms, compared with only 10 percent five years ago. Trees in densely forested areas are hardly affected.
Besides the electromagnetic fields created by mobile-phone networks and wireless LANs, ultrafine particles emitted by cars and trucks may also be to blame. These particles are so small they are able to enter the organisms.
The study exposed 20 ash trees to various radiation sources for a period of three months. Trees placed closest to the Wi-Fi radio demonstrated a "lead-like shine" on their leaves that was caused by the dying of the upper and lower epidermis of the leaves. This would eventually result in the death of parts of the leaves. The study also found that Wi-Fi radiation could inhibit the growth of corn cobs.
The researchers urged that further studies were needed to confirm the current results and determine long-term effects of wireless radiation on trees.
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Comments received
algalli said on Fri, 19 Nov 2010
I assume that the writer meant to say all species of tress are affected. I can't believe that there is any proof that trees in the middle of the jungle or in the idaho wilderness , 10's of miles or more from WIFI are affected
Nigel2112 said on Fri, 19 Nov 2010
And we have a photo of a tree just in case some PC users wandered onto this page.
Geoff Taylor said on Fri, 19 Nov 2010
If this results of this report are validated, that would be terrible: imagine if we have to dispense with WiFi now!
But I wonder how truly significant the results are. For example, speaking of "Trees placed closest to the Wi-Fi radio" begs the question how close.
Mackly said on Fri, 19 Nov 2010
That's not just a photo of a tree, it's a photo of a tree that is very slightly sicker than it otherwise would have been if it wasn't so close to WiFi!
solidata said on Fri, 19 Nov 2010
It would benefit the author's audience to cite the actual source for the study. I do not see a paper as of yet, just a press release. This bit below was translated from Dutch via Google.
www.wageningenuniversity.nl/NL/nieuwsagenda/nieuws/Bomen101120.htm
"November 19, 2010
Number: N30
Laboratory testing negative impact on plant health.
An initial lab tests of the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the growth of plants, indicates that the radiation might negatively affect the health of plants. He research was done by Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR. Ash trees in the urban environment are increasingly suffering from growth disturbances were found in a growing cell with so-called WiFi access points discoloration and dieback of leaves changing. Although the effects of multiple radiation sources and several trees were found, the researchers found it desirable to repeat the test and preferably for a longer period and on a larger scale."
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