Reasons for Supporting BCCPAC's Resolutions for Choice and Precaution

Reasons for supporting BCCPAC's Resolutions for Choice and Precaution over the use of Wireless Technology in Schools:



1) Not using wireless doesn't mean not using technology. Not using wireless doesn't mean going with dial-up. Broadband wired network provides faster, more secure and more reliable connection, without microwave radiation. If money is to be spent on further upgrade, fibre optics would be the ideal choice. It is magnitude (thousands of times) faster, does not emit RF-EMF radiation and is the preferred connection in Switzerland for their students' 21st Century Learning.


2) Compared to Shaw/Telus or other consumer grade routers, the commercial grade Wi-Fi routers in schools send much stronger signals. More importantly, signal from routers is only the "background" radiation. Each wireless laptop, iPad or other handheld device has a client card which is a live antenna that also emits beacon signals. When students use these devices to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi network, they have a live antenna in direct/close contact with their bodies, emitting continual microwave frequencies (similar to each person holding a router in his hand / on his desk / having one behind his head from another student behind). Multiply that you get 20-30 times of signals in the classroom. Adding the bounced waves from metal surfaces in the room you get additional "reflection" rates.


3) Most parents are careful not to put a cellphone to the child's ear. They have no idea Wi-Fi radiation from an iPad spikes several times HIGHER than an iPhone on talking transmission. Unlike cellphone signal which is continuous during talking, the Wi-Fi signal stops and goes every few seconds, but peaks at much higher measurements. Also, when a cellphone is on standby, it only "pings" about once per minute to the celltower. When a Wi-Fi enabled device has the Wi-Fi function turned on - even NOT being connected to a network and NOT downloading anything - it still radiates with microwave that peaks every few seconds. Watch the following video of the measurements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n097VN7KB_A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVJI-0YogGo


4) Choice - What people use at home is their choice. Most parents who object to wireless in schools do not use Wi-Fi at home. In fact, wired connection at home is faster for browsing and more secure for online banking/shopping or sending personal data. We have measured many schools and most of them do not receive signals form neighbours. For those that do, the signals from neighbours would definitely be weaker than signals that come from the commercial routers inside the school, and way lower than signals coming straight from the tablet or smartphone in direct contact with the student and from the person sitting at the next chair. 


5) EHS - Some children are more sensitive to the microwave signals than others and they have valid physical reaction while attending schools with Wi-Fi routers and devices. This condition, know as Electrohypersensitivity (EHS), is a recognized disability in Sweden where there are about 500,000 patients. It is also recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Microwave radiation is mandatory and penetrating. Resolution #17 provides the only viable way for EHS students to attend school without feeling sick (headaches, heart palpitation, nausea, dizzeness etc). We have nut-free schools and scent-free schools for the similar reasons. See latest findings on EHS by French Health Research:
http://www.safeinschool.org/2012/06/ehs-electrohypersensitivity-es.html


6) What school boards have received from BC's Chief Medical Officer in referencing the level of Wi-Fi radiation for students was an industry study (Foster 2007) sponsored by Wi-Fi Alliance, the companies that make and sell Wi-Fi products. That study measured laptop radiation from "distances of 1 meter and further". It specifically stated, "The user of a laptop would be exposed to stronger fields than reported here, particularly if the antenna in the client card were close to the user's body. No attempt was made in this study to assess near-field exposures to a user of the laptop itself." (Pg.10 http://www.medfordumc.org/celltower/wifirfexposure.pdf ) The advice that school boards have been given is outdated, irrelevant to current classroom situation, and does not protect the health of children. Actual measurement of "near-field" radiation from a Wi-Fi-enabled device was 700,000 times higher. The probe of our meter was encased inside the speherical casing, about 2cm further in. If in "direct" contact, the levels would be even higher. Children are touching the device directly, in their hands or against their reproductive organs on their laps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVJI-0YogGo


7) The World Health Organization and Health Canada are both warning parents to reduce exposure for children. It is up to us as parents to take precaution. The Precautionary Principle according to the United Nations is to protect people from harm, especially irreparable harm (such as cancer, heart disease, infertility and damage in brain function as has been demonstrated to result from microwave radiation in animal studies and studies on occupationally exposed humans). The Precautionary Principle applies to such harm from technology that is "scientifically plausible but uncertain", and states that actions should be take BEFORE the harm occurs, to AVOID or PREVENT that harm. It has taken long latency period for the irreparable harm from DDT, PCB, BPA, tobacco and asbestos to show up and decades before "official" health authority ban them with certainty. Parents should absolutely have the choice to follow the advice for precaution. 
http://www.safeinschool.org/p/precautionary-principle.html

BCCPAC Voted YES to Wi-Fi Resolutions at AGM 2012

Press Release on British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

Citizens for Safe Technology Society

Press Release - May 28, 2012       

                         

PARENTS DEMAND CHOICE & PRECAUTION

The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) passed two strong resolutions concerning microwave wireless radiation technology in schools at their May 26th AGM, designed to protect children and support parental rights and choice. 

Resolution 17 "calls on each Board of Education to have one public school at each education level (elementary, middle, secondary) that is free of Wi-Fi, cordless phones and cell phones. This school will only be equipped with wired computers and wired telephones for personal, educational and administrative purposes."

Resolution 18 calls on Boards of Education to "cease to install Wi-Fi and other wireless networks in schools where other networking technology is feasible." Both resolutions were passed with a clear majority (131-93; 130-77) and many attending members verbalized their support during the discussion period. 

These resolutions referenced the WHO classification of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields as a Type 2B Possible Human Cancer Risk in May 2011, and Health Canada's subsequent warning for reduced microwave radiofrequency radiation exposure for children because "children are typically more sensitive to a variety of environmental agents."

There are more calls for protection of children from around the world, including the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, which states, "Chronic exposure to wireless radiofrequency radiation is a preventable environmental hazard that is sufficiently well documented to warrant immediate preventative public health action.... Children are placed at particular risk for altered brain development, and impaired learning and behaviour." 

It also noted that "some students in different school districts have reported adverse biological reactions such as headaches, dizziness, rapid heart rate, fatigue, and impaired concentration when exposed to radiofrequency emitted Wi-Fi and wireless devices in the school environment." This condition is known as Electrohypersensitivity (EHS), which is recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. EHS students in BC, however, currently have no alternative to avoid such exposure while attending schools."

Peter Milne, owner of an IT consultant firm in Victoria, is convinced "innovative wired solutions can be achieved in a cost effective way. When parents demand safety first - the industry will respond with safer solutions."  Susan McFee from Langley pointed out that this is the first time in history a 2B carcinogen is being forced onto children. "Schools are taking the liability away from Wi-Fi manufacturers."

Michelle Wong of the Wi-Fi Subcommittee complained about Perry Kendall, Chief Medical Officer's advice to school boards. "He referenced radiation levels with a study sponsored by the Wi-Fi Alliance - companies that make and sell Wi-Fi products. They measured laptop radiation at distances of 1 meter and further from the laptop. That study does not assess near-field exposures to a user of the laptop itself." Using an audible microwave radiofrequency meter, Wong showed the attendees the strong and continual "near-field" microwave signals from an iPad. "It is comparable to cellphone (microwave radiation). We need to know what we are putting in the hands and laps of our children."

Ingrid Truow of Richmond District Parents' Association encouraged other parents "to consider the safety of these children who are affected by Wi-Fi as we do to the children who have peanut allergy." Gwen Giesbrecht, Chair of Vancouver's District Parent Advisory Council, felt strongly that "the present circumstances could really be detrimental to the next generation." Since it's a health issue, she preferred to cease the installation of Wi-Fi in all schools rather than creating only one wired school in the district.

BCCPAC represents a membership of 821, including Parent Advisory Councils and District Parent Advisory Councils from every school district in the province. Collectively, BCCPAC represents the parents of over 500,000 students in BC.

Media Contacts:

Una St.Clair, Executive Director, Citizens for Safe Technology Society

una@citizensforsafetechnology.org 

Susan McFee, Director, Citizens for Safe Technology Society

susan@citizensforsafetechnology.org

Deleterious Effects on Growing Rat Testes of WiFi Radiofrequency Waves

Turkey (2012)

Departments of Pediatrics, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Turkey.

Immunohistopathologic Demonstration Of Deleterious Effects on Growing Rat Testes of Radiofrequency Waves Emitted from Conventional Wi-Fi Devices.
“OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects on rat testes of radiofrequency radiation emitted from indoor Wi-Fi Internet access devices using 802.11.g wireless standards.
RESULTS: We observed significant increases in serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels and 8-hydroxyguanosine staining in the testes of the experimental group indicating DNA damage due to exposure (p < 0.05). We also found decreased levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the experimental group, which may have been due to radiofrequency effects on enzyme activity (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise questions about the safety of radiofrequency exposure from Wi-Fi Internet access devices for growing organisms of reproductive age, with a potential effect on both fertility and the integrity of germ cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22465825