What Are the Dangers of Radiation From Invisible Pet Fences?
Wireless pet fences use an invisibly buried wire to mark a boundary. When approached, the radio signal emitted by this wire activates a collar that conditions pets to avoid the fence and remain inside the boundary. Invisible pet fences use a very low transmission power and do not pose a radiation hazard to either humans or animals.
How Wireless Fences Work
Wireless--or invisible--pet fences are a system of signal-emitting wires buried in the ground to delineate a boundary. When a pet goes near the boundary, a battery-powered collar delivers a warning sound and, if the pet continues to approach, a small electric shock. Through learning, the pet becomes conditioned to remain within the boundary.
Ionizing Radiation
The form of radiation with the most potential to harm living organisms is ionizing radiation. Examples of ionizing radiation include radioactive materials and X-ray tubes.
Non-Ionizing Radiation
Non-ionizing radiation doesn't harm DNA in the way that ionizing radiation can. Low frequency, low power non-ionizing radiation generally has no effect on biological tissue. Examples of non-ionizing radiation include moonlight, radio signals and light bulbs.
Wireless Pet Fence Radiation
Wireless pet fences use non-ionizing low frequency radio waves at very low power. Based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, the low frequency and weak transmission power of wireless fence systems are harmless to humans and animals.
Power Comparisons
A big-city radio station can broadcast at 50,000 watts.
A typical light bulb uses 75 watts.
A standard walkie-talkie can broadcast five watts.
A typical wireless fence system uses between five and 15 watts spread across several hundred feet of buried wire.
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Writer Bio
Aaron Zvi has been a writer and photojournalist for 10 years in Washington, D.C., and the Middle East. A student of political science and psychology from the University of Maryland, he also does technical and market analysis for a green technology company. His work has appeared in local newspapers, commissioned research and a patent or two. He began writing professionally in 1998.
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