(WICHITA, Kan.) — A report from The Netherlands found its way to the internet recently claiming that the signal from a Wi-Fi router was making trees sick. A local biologist says the report's findings are unlikely.
The study came from several Dutch universities and is still not published. But the initial findings were posted on several blogs and websites. It spread so quickly that the Dutch government sent out a press release explaining it. The research says the signals that get computers and cell phones on the internet wirelessly were causing trees in urban areas to grow slowly and bleed. Some leaves were even showing a lead-like shine.
The researchers admit that these findings are only preliminary, and the research has not been reviewed by other scientists. That step is an important one before the findings can be called conclusive.
"There could be other explanations [like] particulate matter," said Dr. Mark Schneegurt, a biologist with Wichita State University. "They're seeing this in urban areas. There's lots of things going on in urban areas besides cell phone towers and besides Wi-Fi."
