WiFi In Schools
While no one can deny the convenience of a wireless internet connection, no one can prove its safety either. As WiFi in schools becomes the norm, a small group of experts are speaking out against it.
1. Dr. David Carpenter, MD, Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment, Professor of Environmental Heath Sciences at Albany University, states;
“Chronic, such as all-day, school exposure, is more likely than short and intermittent exposure, such as cell phone use, to produce harmful health effects, and is likely to do so at lower exposure levels. Children are more vulnerable to RF/MW radiation because of the susceptibility of their developing nervous systems. “
2. Professor Lukas H. Margaritis, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, University of Athens, Greece, states;
“Having done experiments on cellular model systems we have found an effect from electromagnetic radiation from WiFi. I have strongly suggested for years now that they should be used only if absolutely necessary in the home and not at all in schools. There is no reason for having WiFi in schools since there is an alternative – wired connections which are safer and faster.”
3. Dr Belyaev Dr.Sc., Head Research Scientist, Cancer Research Institute, Slovak Academy of Science, Slovak Republic; Associate Professor in Toxicological Genetics, Faculty of Natural Science, Stockholm University, Sweden, states;
“To my opinion, which is based on 25-year research of non-thermal effects of microwaves, usage of Wi-Fi and cell/mobile/smart phones in the classroom should be either forbidden or reduced as much as possible. I believe that the majority of scientists with long lasting experience in this scientific field are of the same opinion. Several national authorities have already advised limiting usage of mobile communication by children.”
4. Professor Dr. Franz Adikofer, MD, Chairman of the Pandora Foundation for Independent Research states;
“While the use of mobile phones is the result of people’s free choice, their exposure to W-LAN and other wireless applications is mostly compulsory. Especially concerned are children in schools where this technology has been given preference to wired computers. Since our knowledge on possible adverse effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is still rather poor, it is obvious that at present the biggest biophysical experiment of mankind is underway- with an uncertain outcome.
In May 2011, the uncertainty has been strengthened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’. The decision was mainly based on the results of epidemiological studies that observed after long-term (>10 years) and intensive use of mobile phones an increased risk for brain tumors exactly at the side of the head at which the mobile phone was used. Not discussed, however, was research that shows changes in the structure and functions of genes. Had they been included in the evaluation, the classification would not have been ‘possibly carcinogenic’ but rather ‘probably carcinogenic’.”
5. Samuel Milham MD, MPH, Epidemiology and Public Health, Formerly Washington State Department of Health, USA, states;
“Wireless technologies have no place in schools. I strongly recommend that where they exist, they be replaced by fiber-optic cables and hard wiring.”
