January Newsletter Compares Levels of Radiation Between Cell Towers and
KPRDSB Classrooms (click here to become informed)
What We Believe
Kawartha Safe Technology initiative supports the use of technology in the classroom. However, due to the international scientific concerns and uncertainty surrounding the use of wireless technology and electromagnetic fields, we advocate for the use of safe, wired technology.
In The News
Clickhere to find out details about the most recent events regarding Wi-Fi and electromagnetic radiation in the news. Some recent news items include:
1. Dr. Magda Havas, a Professor at Trent University, speaks to CBC Radio about the dangers of Wi-Fi. 2. Kevin O'Dwyer, President of OECTA, speaks to CBC about OECTA's position paper on wi-fi. Click here for the five minute broadcast. 3. The Peterborough Examiner reports, Board of Health Sending Letter to School Board Questioning Installing of Wi-Fi in Local Schools 4. The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association(OECTA) publishes their position paper of Wi-Fi in schools on January 31, 2012, and they say,"The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practiced."
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| Click here to read Toronto's Prudent Avoidance Policy |
Most Children Don't Have Arms One Metre in Length
The Ontario Environmental Protection Agency records radiation levels as “Laptop uploading/downloading file, measured 1 metre away from laptop Wi-Fi card," and "Average of measurements taken at different distances from laptop."
More to come on this topic.
More to come on this topic.
Consider
- There are no studies that show Wi-Fi is safe for children. The World Health Organization is studying the issue until 2015 and at that time will make a statement.
- Children are not little adults. Their bodies are in a heightened state of growth and development, their immune systems are not as strong, and they have thinner skulls. They are much more susceptible than adults to environmental dangers of all kinds.
- School Wi-Fi systems are VERY STRONG and can be much stronger than home Wi-Fi systems. Furthermore, home Wi-Fi systems can be turned off when not in use. School sytems cannot turn off access points and they run at FULL POWER 24 hours per day / seven days per week.
- Schools in Europe are taking precautions. In France, Wi-Fi is being removed, after 10 years of use, due to health problems. Switzerland is now offering free fibre optics (a hardwired system that is faster, safer, and more secure than wireless) to all schools that promise not to use Wi-Fi.
- Children are not little adults. Their bodies are in a heightened state of growth and development, their immune systems are not as strong, and they have thinner skulls. They are much more susceptible than adults to environmental dangers of all kinds.
- School Wi-Fi systems are VERY STRONG and can be much stronger than home Wi-Fi systems. Furthermore, home Wi-Fi systems can be turned off when not in use. School sytems cannot turn off access points and they run at FULL POWER 24 hours per day / seven days per week.
- Schools in Europe are taking precautions. In France, Wi-Fi is being removed, after 10 years of use, due to health problems. Switzerland is now offering free fibre optics (a hardwired system that is faster, safer, and more secure than wireless) to all schools that promise not to use Wi-Fi.
Symptoms to Watch For
Some common side effects associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation coming from Wi-Fi sources include (but not limited to):
-dizziness;
-nausea;
-headache;
-lack of focus;
-joint pain / discomfort;
-racing heart;
-memory loss;
-fatigue;
-skin rash.
-dizziness;
-nausea;
-headache;
-lack of focus;
-joint pain / discomfort;
-racing heart;
-memory loss;
-fatigue;
-skin rash.
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"People should keep computers, such as laptops, away from their body to minimize exposure... (regarding wi-fi), more research is needed."
"If there are concerns, then an independent party should come in and measure the levels in schools."
"(I) hope the school board also posts online its methodology for getting those readings. That's critical."
Dr. Ray Copes, Director, Environmental and Occupational Health, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion
"It is no longer possible to ignore the peer reviewed and published scientific evidence for biological harm from long term low level microwave radiation in the non-ionizing spectrum. Any and all statements that there is no peer reviewed and published science showing harmful biological effects is false and misleading. While microwave radiation in the non-ionizing spectrum is unable to break chemical bonds directly, it is definitely able to cause DNA and cellular damage indirectly. This can no longer be denied."
Una St. Clair
Citizens for Safe Technology
“Thank you for your note. I have met with a number of groups and organizations who have brought forward their health concerns. I have taken the opportunity to forward concerns to the Minister of Health. The Provincial government mandates the provision of education however most delivery decisions are made by local boards governed by local trustees. These individuals have jurisdiction in this matter. As with any new technologies I believe we need to continue to monitor deployment.”
Jeff Leal, MPP Peterborough
"People should keep computers, such as laptops, away from their body to minimize exposure... (regarding wi-fi), more research is needed."
"If there are concerns, then an independent party should come in and measure the levels in schools."
"(I) hope the school board also posts online its methodology for getting those readings. That's critical."
Dr. Ray Copes, Director, Environmental and Occupational Health, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion
"It is no longer possible to ignore the peer reviewed and published scientific evidence for biological harm from long term low level microwave radiation in the non-ionizing spectrum. Any and all statements that there is no peer reviewed and published science showing harmful biological effects is false and misleading. While microwave radiation in the non-ionizing spectrum is unable to break chemical bonds directly, it is definitely able to cause DNA and cellular damage indirectly. This can no longer be denied."
Una St. Clair
Citizens for Safe Technology
“Thank you for your note. I have met with a number of groups and organizations who have brought forward their health concerns. I have taken the opportunity to forward concerns to the Minister of Health. The Provincial government mandates the provision of education however most delivery decisions are made by local boards governed by local trustees. These individuals have jurisdiction in this matter. As with any new technologies I believe we need to continue to monitor deployment.”
Jeff Leal, MPP Peterborough
Proximity, Duration, and Intensity
It is important to understand that these three things, proximity, duration, and intensity, must all be considered when assessing one's exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The closer a person is to the source of the electromagnetic radiation (or wireless access point), the stronger the electromagnetic fields will be. The length of exposure is another factor that must be considered. Safety Code 6 states that human exposure should not exceed 10W/m2 for more than six minutes. Safety Code 6 does not address lower levels of exposure for much longer durations of time (e.g. a full school day for a child, five days a week, 10 months a year, for 14 years). Intensity is also important. The stronger the electromagnetic radiation, the more damage there is to the body.
Concerns Surrounding Canada's Safety Code 6
The Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy In The Frequency Range From 3kHz to 300 GHz (otherwise known as Canada's Safety Code 6, can be ordered through Health Canada.
Safety Code 6 was last updated in 2009. Safety Code 6 is based on the thermal effects (heating of body tissue) in a 6-foot, 200 pound adult male. These guidelines apply only to average exposure measured for a maximum of 30 minutes. They do not assure safety for greater than 30 minute durations. They do not protect or claim to protect against biological effects at subthermal or microthermal exposure levels.
As the World Health Organization states, "Children are not little adults." They are not 6 feet in height and do not weigh 200 pounds. Children in our schools are exposed to Wi-Fi for six hours per day, five days per week.
Safety Code 6 was last updated in 2009. Safety Code 6 is based on the thermal effects (heating of body tissue) in a 6-foot, 200 pound adult male. These guidelines apply only to average exposure measured for a maximum of 30 minutes. They do not assure safety for greater than 30 minute durations. They do not protect or claim to protect against biological effects at subthermal or microthermal exposure levels.
As the World Health Organization states, "Children are not little adults." They are not 6 feet in height and do not weigh 200 pounds. Children in our schools are exposed to Wi-Fi for six hours per day, five days per week.
Here's What Industry Canada Has to Say About RF Energy and Biological Responses
The biological effects from laboratory studies reported in scientific peer-reviewed literature include those related to changes in temperature, blood brain barrier, melatonin, calcium efflux, DNA damage and gene expression. However, not all these biological effects have been established or are considered to be health effects. For example, blood brain barrier and melatonin effects have not been consistently replicated. Studies on DNA strand breaks have also failed numerous independent attempts at confirmation and calcium efflux changes are considered to be more of a biological response than an adverse health effect. Several laboratory studies have looked into whether RF energy can initiate and promote cancer. The overwhelming majority of these studies have found no evidence that RF energy damages DNA or that it is likely to act as an initiator or a promoter of carcinogenesis. "
(Taken directly from Industry Canada's Frequently Asked Questions on Radiofrequency Energy and Health)
We have concerns about this statement. First of all, it would appear that Industry Canada is acknowledging that biological responses from electromagnetic fields is occurring. Secondly, they do appear to state that quite significant biological responses are occurring (e.g. blood brain barrier effects). Finally, it would also appear that they acknowledge that some studies have found that" RF energy does damage DNA or is likely to act as an initiator or promotor of carcinogenesis."
(Taken directly from Industry Canada's Frequently Asked Questions on Radiofrequency Energy and Health)
We have concerns about this statement. First of all, it would appear that Industry Canada is acknowledging that biological responses from electromagnetic fields is occurring. Secondly, they do appear to state that quite significant biological responses are occurring (e.g. blood brain barrier effects). Finally, it would also appear that they acknowledge that some studies have found that" RF energy does damage DNA or is likely to act as an initiator or promotor of carcinogenesis."
