Could WiFi and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) signals be harming bunches of grapes? In 2016, a research team from Jadavpur University and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research performed a set of experiments (both practical and computer-modeled) to find out.
Some background :
“Number of wireless communication towers in India is increasing at a faster rate along with increased demand of voice and data services. Consequently, all plants and fruits get also exposed to radiation and absorb radio frequency energy due to their high dielectric properties. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis has been performed in a bunch of grapes having high water content due to plane wave RF exposure.”
The team’s analysis showed that :
“Estimated SAR results are alarming especially in GSM 1842.5 MHz and Wi-Fi 2450 MHz [..]”
And suggest that more research is required :
“[..] it requires further botanical, biochemical and biophysical analysis to comment on adverse effects of RF energy absorption in bunch of grapes and ensuing food values w. r. t non exposed grapes growing far away from RF/microwave antennas.”
See: SAR analysis in a typical bunch of grapes exposed to radio frequency radiation in Indian scenario in 2016 International Conference on Microelectronics, Computing and Communications (MicroCom)