Sunday, December 28, 2008

Is Wireless Radiation Dangerous?

I wonder about the electro-radiation in my home from our wireless transmitter for our computer-internet connection. I increasingly get the feeling that I can "feel" it at the computer, sometimes get headaches or my hands get "hot" (resting near the keyboard). I've been strongly considering going back to CAT-5e hardline connections and getting rid of the wireless. Are there risks? I have young children as well. This is an issue that has been lingering for years

One thing you have to be careful of, when dealing with issues like this, is pseudoscience. You often find conflicting information regarding the harmful effects of wireless radiation, especially from cell phones. You should seek advice from a TRUSTED source in such matters. Thus, I won't be giving you an answer.

Pay attention to the results of the Interphone study on cell phone usage. If they don't find a risk, then it is doubtful that your wireless connection poses a risk.

Also, I seriously doubt your hands are getting "hot" from your router. Router's typically put out 10's of mW of power, which is a really small amount.

Interphone Study Links
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
International Herald Tribune



Thursday, December 11, 2008

Candle Meditation

I would like to practice a kind of meditation where you stare at a candle light as the meditation object (Trataka). Although this practice involves alternating between looking at the flame with open eyes and than looking at the after image with your eyes closed, I find it much comfortable for me to simply stare at the candle flame for an hour a day (which pretty much provides the same desired effects for me). I am only concerned about the health of my eyes which I read somewhere that performing this kind of meditation can damage my retinas if performed for more than 2 months at a stretch. I plan to meditate for life as it is a great pursuit, however I would like to know if this meditation object is safe for a lifelong meditation pursuer as myself.

I'm afraid that I can't give you much help with this question. All I can say is that candles give off visible and infrared light. The eye is especially sensitive to visible and near-infrared light, which falls into what is called the Retinal Hazard Region of the optical spectrum. Given the low brightness of a candle, I would guess that there isn't a high risk of retinal damage, though there could be other physiological issues.
You'd need to seek advice from an eye doctor to know for sure. However, there are several things you can do to reduce the potential risks of injury,

  • Don't stare at a candle. Can you stare at something else and get the same effect?
  • Use a dim candle and sit as far away as you can.
  • Keep the lights on in the room



Monday, September 15, 2008

Where Can I Find Candle that Changes Color as it Burns?

Some where in the past I saw a very pretty candle that changes colors as it supposedly burns and I believe it was powered by a battery or something.

I think you are referring to the fake candles that use LED's to mimic a real candle. Here are some links for you to try:

http://www.bluegoosecandlesandmolds.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/12150/subcatid/0/id/325044

http://www.lighting-china-supplier.com/d-p13153498-Candle_with_Multi_Color_Changing_Light/

http://www.epromos.com/product/8825707.html

I couldn't find any references to a multi-color wax candle. It would be a challenge to make because you would have to put additional chemicals in the wax to make the flame different colors. This would be a neat thing for somebody to try and make.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Can staring at a light bulb for periods of one to two minutes at a time cause permanent eye damage?

Incandescent light bulbs are generally safe to look at. I am wondering why would you stare at an incandescent light bulb for such a long time?

One might think that a 50W incandescent light bulb is more dangerous than a 50 mW laser pen (1000 times less power) but power is only one factor to consider. (Also 50W represents the power consumed by the incandescent light bulb, the emitted power is significantly less than that).

The main factor that makes the laser pen MUCH more dangerous is that the light pen emits a collimated beam, all of which could potentially enter the eye, whereas the light bulb emits in all directions. The amount of power that gets into your eye from the light bulb drops off significantly with the square of the distance from the bulb (if you move twice as far away, the power drops by a factor of 4).

Another factor to consider is the size the the image on your retina. A lightbulb is an "extended source" whereas the laser pen is a "point source". This means that the size of the image spot on the retina will be larger for a lightbulb, and the energy density will be less, reducing the risk of injury.

Also, don't stare at the sun! Staring at the sun is dangerous.