wi-fi poses health risk

Radiation from Wi-Fi networks which enable our burgeoning online communications may be killing off magnificent trees.

Trees planted close to a wireless router had bleeding bark and dying leaves, says a Dutch study. The revelation will raise fears that Wi-Fi radiation may also be having an effect on the human body and supports parents who have campaigned to stop wireless routers being installed in schools, the Daily Mail reports.

The city of Alphen aan den Rijn in the Netherlands ordered the study after officials found unexplained abnormalities on trees. Researchers took 20 ash trees and for three months exposed them to six sources of radiation.

Trees placed closest to the Wi-Fi source developed a 'lead-like shine' on their leaves which was caused by the dying of the upper and lower epidermis -- the leaf's skin. The Wageningen University scientists behind the research, also discovered that Wi-Fi radiation could slow the growth of corn cobs.

In the Netherlands, 70 per cent of all trees in urban areas show the same symptoms, compared with 10 per cent five years ago, the study found. Trees in densely forested areas are not affected, according to a Wageningen University statement.

The Dutch health agency issued a statement, stressing that "these are initial results and they have not been confirmed in a repeat survey."