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“A wifi classroom is like the inside of a microwave oven set at very low power. Children are exposed to that wifi radiation six hours every school day, five days a week, and for several months during the year.” –
Magda Havas, Associate Professor of Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, Canada
While we understand the importance of technology for learning in schools, it is critical that it is used safely to reduce children’s exposure to damaging wireless radio-frequency (RF) radiation. As more schools are introducing this technology and some are implementing the use of tablets in classrooms, we strongly urge educational institutions and relevant government agencies to use the Precautionary Principle where children are concerned.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO USE TECHNOLOGY SAFELY IN SCHOOLS, for the benefit of students, teachers and staff.
Teachers and Parents – Start your Research Here on Wifi in Schools – Information for Schools
Ending the Digital Myth about Electronic Devices in Classrooms – Prof Tom Butler, UCC https://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/ending-the-digital-myth-about-electronic-devices-in-classrooms-359977.html
The wifi system used in schools will be considerably stronger than that used at home, as more routers are needed producing much higher microwave signal strength to cover a larger area to reach many classrooms and many devices. As well as higher strength microwave signals from the wifi routers, each separate tablet or device will be emitting microwave radiation.
Children’s skulls are thinner and tissues of a child’s head, including the bone marrow and the eye, absorb significantly more energy than those in an adult head. It is scientifically accepted that children are more vulnerable to the biological effects of microwave exposure than adults due their rapidly developing body systems. Children’s stem cells are more affected by microwave radiation and exposing them to even more at school at these levels is a major cause for concern. Non-ionizing Radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volumeo102
It is strongly advised that schools use wired ethernet connections rather than wireless (wifi). If wifi is used in a school, it should only be used for short periods to download information (ideally away from children) and turned off the rest of the time. Routers are best placed as far away from children as possible. Tablets should be used in Airplane Mode.
School officials could be personally liable for exposing children and staff to microwave radiation in our schools. Lloyd’s insurance company does not cover health damage caused by electromagnetic radiation from wifi and wireless devices https://www.jrseco.com/lloyds-insurance-company-does-not-cover-health-damage-caused-by-electromagnetic-radiation/
June 2019 USA: Oregon Passes State Bill on Wireless Radiation and Health in School: https://ehtrust.org/first-in-the-nation-oregon-passes-state-bill-on-wireless-radiation-and-health-in-school/
Symptoms of WiFi in Schools – Frank Clegg, Former President of Microsoft Canada
School WiFi Networks could put Children’s Health at Risk https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/school-wifi-networks-could-put-12602188
‘Wifi Networks must be Removed from Schools to Stop Children getting Cancer’, Teachers insist https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1168547/Wi-fi-networks-removed-schools-stop-children-getting-cancer-teachers-insist.html
In the UK, 15 year old Jenny Fry suffered with EHS symptoms from wifi but her school refused to safeguard her and other students against wireless radiation effects. She took her own life in June 2015 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews
The Emerging Link between Wireless and Autism
Measurements of Radiofrequency Radiation with a Body-Borne Exposimeter in Swedish Schools with Wi-Fi
SEE HERE FOR MORE VIDEOS & PRESENTATIONS ON WIFI IN SCHOOLS
Dr Sarah Starkey – Lecture Techology and Education – May 2018
Professor Martin L Pall – Wi-Fi and other EMFs may be particularly damaging to young people https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118300355?via%3Dihub#s0020
Excerpt : Most arguments that have been made that microwave frequency EMFs may be much more damaging to young children have centered on the much smaller skulls and skull thickness in young children, increasing the exposure of their brains to EMFs (Gandhi and Kang, 2001; Gandhi et al., 2012). However there are other arguments to be made. EMFs have been shown to be particularly active in producing effects on embryonic stem cells (Lee et al., 2014; Belyaev et al., 2009; Markovà et al., 2010; Czyz et al., 2004; Xu et al., 2016; Bhargav et al., 2015; Odaci et al., 2008; Uchugonova et al., 2008; Wang et al., 2015; Teven et al., 2012). Because such stem cells occur at much higher cell densities in children, with stem cell densities the highest in the fetus and decreasing with increasing age (Belyaev et al., 2009; Markovà et al., 2010), impacts on young children are likely to be much higher than in adults. The decreased DNA repair and increased DNA damage following EMF exposure strongly suggest that young children may be increasingly susceptible to cancer following such exposures (Belyaev et al., 2009; Markovà et al., 2010; Czyz et al., 2004). EMF action on stem cells may also cause young children to be particularly susceptible to disruption of brain development (Xu et al., 2016; Bhargav et al., 2015), something that may be relevant to autism causation. These are all very problematic issues and we cannot rule out the possibility that there are other problematic issues as well. Redmayne and Johansson (2015)reviewed the literature showing that there are age-related effects, such that young people are more sensitive to EMF effects. It follows from these various findings that the placement of Wi-Fi into schools around the country may well be a high level threat to the health of our children as well being a threat to teachers and any very sensitive fetuses teachers may be carrying, as well.
WORLDWIDE ACTION
Some schools around the world are already proactive in this regard, and it is encouraging that some countries are taking positive steps
France – In January 2014 a law was passed in France banning wifi in nursery schools, and limiting wifi use in elementary schools Read HERE. In 2018, France is to ban use of smart phones in schools.
Cyprus – The Cyprus Minister of Education and Culture issued a Decree on January 31, 2017, marked “urgent” to all Directors of Kindergartens and Primary Schools, with specific measures to eliminate and minimize wireless radiation exposure to children in schools. “We have taken the decision to have the wireless network Wi-Fi disabled in all Public kindergartens in Cyprus,” reads the Decree. Wireless is to be removed from all Cyprus kindergartens, and wireless installations have been halted in elementary schools and limited to administrative offices. Read HERE
Israel – Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav announced the city, third largest in Israel, is immediately removing Wi-Fi from its schools, saying “When there is a doubt, when it comes to our children, there is no doubt.” Read HERE
Russia – 2012 – Russian National Committee of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (RNCNIRP) and possible health risks of Wi-Fi technology. Recommendations to schools and kindergartens. https://www.scribd.com/document
Parent’s success in stopping WiFI installation at Australian school https://www.emfacts.com/2015/11/parents-success-in-stopping-wifi-installation-at-australian-school-2/
WARNINGS TO SCHOOLS ABOUT WIFI
February 2017 – Reykjavik Conference Technology Wireless Radiation and Children’s Health https://ehtrust.org/science/key-scientific-lectures/2017-reykjavik-conference-technology-wireless-radiation-childrens-health/
Reykjavik Appeal on Wireless Technology in Schools
In August 2015, retired US Government Scientist, Ronald M Powell PhD, sent warning letters to Public Schools and Libraries in USA about the use of wireless devices and impact on health. A Message to Public Schools & Libraries re Wireless
Letters by Medical Doctors/Public Health Experts to Schools on Wireless Health Risks in Schools – Environmental Health Trust
Doctors Warn Against Wifi in Schools
Is Wi-Fi in Schools Safe? – Boston Parents Paper July 2015
In April 2016, following a television documentary on dangers of wifi, the Mayor of Haifa, Israel have ordered the removal of WiFI from all schools. Read HERE
IRELAND
Here in Ireland, there are many concerned parents trying to get their schools to use safe and more secure wired internet connections. However schools are sadly ignoring these concerns and relying on government and the Board of Education’s advice that wifi is safe. WiFi HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN SAFE FOR CHILDREN.
In 2012 The Irish Doctors Environmental Association sent the Safe Schools Report to all schools in Ireland and subsequent IDEA Wifi In Schools 2013 below. Has your child’s school read this important information, and what are they doing to safeguard your child’s health?
In January 2020 Ireland For Safe Technology contacted all 3962 primary and secondary schools in Ireland to alert them to the fact they need to be using safe wired internet connections rather than potentially dangerous WiFi (wired over wireless).
Information for your School
Irish Doctors Environmental Assoc – warning letter to schools 2013
Dr Madga Havas Open Letter to Schools
Harvard Pediatric Neurologist & Scientist – warning letter about wifi in schools
LIST AND DETAILS OF LETTERS WRITTEN BY DOCTORS TO SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE Parents for Safe Techonology
The following websites are excellent sources of information particular to the safety of children in schools:
https://www.techsafeschools.org
https://www.mothersforsafetech.co.uk/
Facebook Parents for Safe Technology Ireland
WiFi in Schools Awareness Ireland
www.SSITA.org.uk Safe Schools Information Technology Alliance
www.parentsforsafetechnology.org
www.safetechforschoolsmaryland.ie
As stated by University Researchers, Government Scientists and International Scientific Advisors; a minimum of 57.7% of schoolgirls exposed to low-level microwave radiation (Wi-fi) are at risk of suffering stillbirth, foetal abnormalities or genetically damaged children, when they give birth. Any genetic damage may pass to successive generations.
MORE ON WIFI IN SCHOOLS – VIDEOS
More about Children and wifi and mobile phones on Children Page
Electromagnetic Sense Ireland 