There is some consternation in the market about the possible health risks posed by new wireless technologies.
In several studies, cellular phones have been found to affect the health of some individuals. The emergence of wireless technologies such as wireless LANs (WLAN) and the feted Bluetooth have raised similar questions, since these radio devices emit radio frequency electromagnetic energy. Fanning this argument is the fact that both of these technologies operate in the same 2.4GHz frequency spectrum as microwave ovens.
In September 1992, the Standards Coordinating Committee 28 of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) approved the IEEE Standards for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, IEEE C95.1-1991.
This standard came to fruition after serious scientific research, and deliberations between various stakeholders. The report states: "Measurements have shown that routine exposure of users and other persons to low power portable and mobile transceivers and cellular telephones do not induce rates of [radio frequency] absorption that exceed any of the maximum permissible rates of energy absorption defined by these guidelines".
Therefore, based on present knowledge, the exposures from low-power transceivers are considered to be without risk for the users and the public. (Quoted from the IEEE USAB Entity Position Statement Human Exposure to Radio frequency Fields from Portable and Mobile Telephones and other Communication Devices, 2 December 1992.)
"These standards have proved, after more than 40 years of research, that exposure to the radio frequencies that wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and WLANs emit is harmless to humans," states Andre Rossouw, Toshiba product manager at SDD. "Toshiba is committed to the wireless revolution, and have been first to market with such products as the Toshiba Bluetooth PC card. Toshiba conforms to all international standards, and thus ensures users that all Toshiba wireless technology is safe," he explains.
Wireless technology is poised to drastically alter the way we communicate and interact with hardware and each other. Bluetooth and WLANs will free us from all cables, enabling us to move, work, play and live in a free and untethered environment. "The safety of this technology is imperative, and has been proved to be harmless," concludes Rossouw.
SDD distributes a comprehensive range of Toshiba products to its large dealer base.
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SDD, the focused IT company in the Siltek Technology Chain Group, is SA's largest broad-based distributor of information technology. SDD encourages black empowerment opportunities and is the partner of choice of several leading vendors. It distributes a wide range of 'best of breed' hardware and software products, as well as peripherals, components and consumables.
SDD configures branded hardware and builds-to-order Xylo, Vision and Fujitech, its own range of PCs. SDD has branches in Gauteng, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Namibia. Outside SA, the company has partnerships in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Siltek Limited
Siltek Limited leads the southern African technology supply chain. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1969, Siltek comprises several complementary operating companies, each of which is a key player in its niche focus area.
Siltek Limited is grouped into three main operating divisions, namely Volume Distribution, Specialist Distribution and Supply Chain Services. Companies in the Volume division are SDD, Workgroup and MemtekMMW. Specialist Distribution consists of Siltek Telecoms, Chemetrix, Siltek Healthcare Solutions, Siltek Midrange Solutions and Intelligent Systems. Imperitek, Merchandise IT and Siltek Finance make up the Supply Chain Services division.
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