Saturday, February 11, 2012

Board of health sending letter to school board questioning installing of Wi-Fi in local public schools


Board of health sending letter to school board questioning installing of Wi-Fi in local public schools

By KENNEDY GORDON Examiner Staff Writer

Updated 1 day ago
The local board of health wants to know why the public school board went ahead with a plan to install Wi-Fi systems in all its schools even as parents raise concerns that the technology can cause harm.

“Can we not encourage them to used wired (Internet) until more information is in?” asked board member Jim Embrey after a presentation by members of the Kawartha Safe Technology Initiative during Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the board.

“It seems like a no-brainer to me.”

The meeting was held at the Peterborough County-City Health Unit.

Kathy McDermid of the initiative gave a short presentation outlining her group’s concerns that the radiation from wireless Internet can have health effects, particularly on children exposed to it over the course of a school year.
“Can we not encourage them to used wired (Internet) until more information is in? It seems like a no-brainer to me.”
Jim Embrey
She cited new research claiming the radiation given off by wireless routers and computers is more powerful than previously thought.



“This is the equivalent of placing a cell tower in each and every schoolyard,” she said.
Several other members of the group were in the audience.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has been phasing in wireless Internet networks in all its schools, replacing the older hard-wired connections.

While no link has been proven, the concerns are enough to call for a moratorium until all the facts are in, McDermid said, explaining that the World Health Organization has classified the radiation from cell phones and wireless Internet a Class 4b, meaning it may be a potential carcinogen but has not been studied enough.

She asked the board to request that the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board used wired Internet until Wi-Fi is declared Class 4, or safe, acknowledging the health board doesn’t really have a say.

“I think policy set out by this board could be a strong guiding force,” she said.

McDermid told the health board schools want to see more children using laptops, netbooks and even their own tablets and smartphones, making the need for Wi-Fi more important.


“If it means people can’t come in with their laptops and their whatevers, so be it,” said Coun. Henry Clarke, a health board member. “Hardwire (the schools) and be done with it.”

Cavan Monaghan Mayor John Fallis made a motion that the health board write to the school board to inquire why the decision was made to go wireless. The motion was carried.

“I think this community is very interested in where this is going,” said health board chairman Andy Sharpe, deputy mayor of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen.

NOTE: The Peterborough County-City board of health gave its thanks to Dr. Dick Ito, the health unit’s dental consultant, for his work on the Healthy Smiles program over the past five years. He was presented with a framed print … Health unit administrative assistant Wendy Freeburn gave board members a presentation on A Day In The Life of the health unit’s busy secretaries … board members will experiment with electronic agendas on laptops in the weeks to come, slowly replacing paper agendas.

kgordon@peterboroughexaminer.com

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3465655

Friday, February 10, 2012

The influence of microwave radiation from cellular phone on fetal rat brain.


Electromagn Biol Med. 2012 Jan 23. [Epub ahead of print]

The influence of microwave radiation from cellular phone on fetal rat brain.

Source

Institute of Chemistry and Bacteria Detection, Department of Public Health, Shandong University , Shandong , China.

Abstract

The increasing use of cellular phones in our society has brought focus on the potential detrimental effects to human health by microwave radiation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the intensity of oxidative stress and the level of neurotransmitters in the brains of fetal rats chronically exposed to cellular phones. The experiment was performed on pregnant rats exposed to different intensities of microwave radiation from cellular phones. Thirty-two pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups: CG, GL, GM, and GH. CG accepted no microwave radiation, GL group radiated 10 min each time, GM group radiated 30 min, and GH group radiated 60 min. The 3 experimental groups were radiated 3 times a day from the first pregnant day for consecutively 20 days, and on the 21st day, the fetal rats were taken and then the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HT) in the brain were assayed. Compared with CG, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) found in the contents of SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA in GM and GH; the contents of SOD and GSH-Px decreased and the content of MDA increased. The significant content differences of NE and DA were found in fetal rat brains in GL and GH groups, with the GL group increased and the GH group decreased. Through this study, we concluded that receiving a certain period of microwave radiation from cellular phones during pregnancy has certain harm on fetal rat brains.
PMID:
 
22268709
 
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22268709

Cell Phones Shown to Negatively Influence Fetal Brains


Cell Phones Shown to Negatively Influence Fetal Brains

NaturalSociety
February 8, 2012
pregnantright4 210x131 Cell Phones Shown to Negatively Influence Fetal BrainsCell phones – the incredibly convenient device that make our lives infinitely easier. While these phones have created great steps forward in communication, talking on them comes at a price. The massive increase in cellular phone use in our current society has resulted in a large degree of research examining the potential negative health effects they have on human health. Very recent research has shown that microwave radiation emitted by cellular devices negatively influence fetal brains.

Cell Phones Shown to Negatively Influence Fetal Brains

The experiment took 32 pregnant rats and divided them into 4 different groups, with one of them receiving no exposure to microwave radiation. The other three groups were exposed to different intensities of microwave radiation from cellular phones, with each of them being subjected for different amounts of time. Group 1 was radiated for 10 minutes each time, group 2 was radiated for 30 minutes, group 3 for 60 minutes, and group 4 not at all. Each of the groups receiving radiation were radiated 3 times a day from the first day of pregnancy then for 20 days thereafter. On day 21, the rats’ brains were tested.
The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate intensity of oxidative stress and the level of neurotransmitters in the brains of pregnant rats exposed to cell phones. The study concluded with:
“Through this study, we concluded that receiving a certain period of microwave radiation from cellular phones during pregnancy has certain harm on fetal rat brains.”
This research comes just before Greek scientists demonstrated how frequency electromagnetic fields, namely cell phones, portable phones, WiFi, and wireless computer equipment alter important protein changes in the brains of animals.
Does this you should stop using cell phones? While it may be challenging to completely abandon your cellphone, it is simple to take some precautionary measures so that the convenience comes at a lesser price. Holding the cell phone further away, not placing it near you while not in use, and talking on it less are all solutions to reduce exposure. The World Health Organization has even found cell phone use to be in the same cancer-causing category as lead, engine exhaust, and chloroform.
With cellphone subscriptions outnumbering the people in the U.S., it is important to take your own measures to reduce EMF exposure.


Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/cell-phones-shown-to-negatively-influence-fetal-brains/#ixzz1lycjs6sh

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Johny Mnemonic: Future World Where People Are Made Sick From Wireless Device Electromagnetic Radiation


In 1995, a Canadian movie was released featuring Keanu Reeves. I was called Johnny Mnemonic. It was about a future world where the citizens were made ill from the radiation emitted by wireless devises. Here is a clip from the film. During the making of the film, Sony pictures, the movie distributors objected strongly to several scenes, took control of the film and re-edited the picture. It turned into a fiasco. But it is now getting a cult following as the movie provides a prophetic view of our future.

New Studies Reveal Stunning Evidence that Cell Phone Radiation Damages DNA, Brain and Sperm


New Studies Reveal Stunning Evidence that Cell Phone Radiation Damages DNA, Brain and Sperm

Released: 5/18/2011 10:20 AM EDT
Embargo expired: 5/23/2011 6:00 AM EDT
Source: Environmental Health Trust
Editor’s note: Scientific papers and bios available for media interested in learning more about the different studies. We are also making available presenters at the conference. A program has been provided with this story. 
Newswise — Cell phones are a ubiquitous part of our lives. New independent studies offer stunning proof that confirms findings from the Council of Europe—pulsed digital signals from cell phones disrupt DNA, impair brain function and lower sperm count. A meeting convened by Environmental Health Trust, with the Turkish cancer society, and Gazi University, revealed new research on this important issue showing damage to DNA, brain and sperm. Dr. Devra Davis, a member of a Nobel Peace Prize team, chairs this meeting with Prof. Nesrin Seyhan , WHO and NATO advisor who is head and founder of Biophysics Department and Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory at Gazi University in Ankara and founder of the Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (GNRP) Center.
Prof. Seyhan’s work confirms and strengthens the finding, that just four hours of exposure to RF-EMF disrupts the ability of human brain cells to repair damaged genes. Other new important work from Australia shows damage to human sperm. “We are deeply concerned about what this could mean for public health,” noted Prof Seyhan.
“This work provides a warning signal to all of us. The evidence justifies precautionary measures to reduce the risks for everyone of us,” says Prof. Wilhelm Mosgoeller from the Medical University of Vienna who has led European research teams, who found that RF-EMF induce DNA breaks. New studies carried out by scientists in Turkey, Russia and Israel, have investigated a variety of biological effects triggered by cell phones. Two years after false accusations against scientists who described DNA breaks, now the recent results finally show, that exposure induced DNA breaks are real.
On May 23, 2011, a think-tank of experts organized by Gazi University and EHT convened at a workshop in Istanbul, Turkey to share explosive independent studies on this topic. Titled “Science Update: Cell Phones and Health,” the workshop will be held in Cibali Hall at the Kadir Has University, which is located in Istanbul, Turkey.
The workshop is co-sponsored by leaders in cell phone safety, including the Environmental Health Trust, The International Commission on Electromagnetic Safety, Gazi University and Athens University. The workshop coincides with the launch of Dr. Davis’s book, Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family (Innobook, 2011) in Turkish.
The workshop will attract an array of leaders in the field, who will be discussing underreported, highly thought-provoking research never investigated in North America. The invited speakers include Prof. Dr. Murat Tuncer, Head of Cancer Control Department at The Ministry of Health of Turkey; Dr. Lukas H. Margaritis, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics at the University of Athens; Dr. Nesrin Seyhan, of Gazi University’s Biophysics Department; Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Mosgoeller of the Medical University of Vienna; Dr. Annie Sasco, Director of Epidemiology at INSERM/National Institute of Health in Bordeaux, France; Dr. Lukas H. Margaritis, Professor Emeritus in Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics at the University of Athens; Dr. Siegal Sadetzki, Cancer & Radiation Epidemiology Unit, Gertner Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel- Hashomer 52621, Israel and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel and Dr. Devra Davis, from Environment Health Trust in the US.
Impact of Cell Phones to Reproductive Heath and Cell Death
Among the highlights of the conference a research team at the University of Athens will discuss how insect studies have demonstrated that acute exposure to GSM (Global System for Mobile) signals brings about DNA fragmentation in insects’ ovarian cells, and consequently a large reduction in the reproductive capacity of the insects. Further studies demonstrated that long exposures induced cell death to the insects in the study.
Cell Phones Impact to the Fetus
Workshop attendee Dr. Adamantia Fragopoulou, leader of a team at the University of Athens, will share a finding about embryonic development taking place in the presence of a mild electromagnetic field. Throughout the gestation period, exposure to radiation for just six minutes a day affects the bone formation of fetuses. The team suggests that this is possibly caused by the interaction of cell phone radiation with crucial molecules and ions involved in embryogenesis.
Cell Phones and How it Impacts the of the Young Brain
Dr. Seyhan will share work performed at Gazi University demonstrating that the increasing use of cell phones—and the increasing number of associated base stations—are becoming a widespread source of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. This work suggests that some biological effects are likely to occur even with low-level electromagnetic fields. The team concluded that 900 and 1,800 MHz radiation levels is related to an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in young adult male rats. The rat’s brains can be used to correspond to the brains of human teenagers. This research is motivating by the fact that children are increasingly heavy users of cell phones; at higher frequencies, children absorb more energy from external radio frequency radiation than adults, because their tissue normally contains a larger number of ions and so has a higher conductivity. They conclude limiting cell phone and cordless phone use by young children and teenagers to the lowest possible level and urgently ban telecom companies from marketing to them.
In addition, research from a team at the University of Athens will share their studies demonstrating that rats exposed to cell phone radiation were unable to remember the location of places previously familiar to them. This finding is of potentially critical importance for people, who heavily rely on spatial memory for recording information about their environment and spatial orientation.
For more information log on to www.saferphonezone.com

Smart meters causing concern for homeowners, some believe could be harmful to health


Smart meters causing concern for homeowners, some believe could be harmful to health

Contact 5 put the device to the test



Posted: 02/08/2012
Last Updated: 25 minutes ago

By: Dan Krauth By: Dan Krauth
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - With new technology come new concerns. 
Smart meters have sparked concern across the country.  In fact, entire cities have put the installation of the meters on hold and many anti-smart meter websites have been created.

That concern has spread to South Florida as Florida Power and Light is in the process of replacing old analog meters with new wireless smart meters on every home by next summer. 

Last November, the Contact 5 Investigators first reported on fire concerns surrounding the installation of the new technology.

Now, some homeowners are going to extreme measures to prevent a meter from being installed on their home due to new health concerns.

They’re worried the wireless energy that is emitted from the device could be harmful to their health over time. 

“We can't shut it off, it’s 24-7,” said Stephanie Austin of Vero Beach.  “It’s not harmless technology,” she said. 

A spokeswoman for Florida Power and Light said the technology is harmless and that there are no health effects whatsoever.

"Ninety nine percent of the time it's dormant, it works with a two way radio and what it does is it transmits energy usage only," said Marie Bertot of FPL. 

The Contact 5 Investigators put the wireless device to the test.   Using high tech testing equipment they tracked just how much wireless energy comes from the device and compared those levels with other wireless items you use every day, like cell phones.

We’ll have the results of our Contact 5 Investigation Thursday night on NewsChannel 5 at 11.



Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/smart-meters-causing-concern-for-homeowners-some-believe-could-be-harmful-to-health#ixzz1luYM1mZX


Germany Decides Genetically-Modified Foods Are Not Welcome


Germany Decides Genetically-Modified Foods Are Not Welcome


Germany Decides Genetically-Modified Foods Are Not Welcome
































German chemicals giant BASF is closing its biotech division in Germany. The move was prompted by massive resistance to genetically modified food among both the public and politicians. GM opponents are jubilant, while some researchers are complaining this is another case of German hostility to technology.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/germany-decides-genetically-modified-foods-are-not-welcome.html#ixzz1luXfYevQ

A position regarding the use of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation, including WiFi, in the workplace


A position regarding the use of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation, including WiFi, in the workplace

OECTA Provincial Health and Safety Committee

www.oecta.on.caTable of Contents

Introduction What is Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation? 2 Health Canada’s Position 2 The World Health Organization and Other Jurisdictions 2 Exposure Increases with Use 4 Effects From Exposure 4 Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity 4 Environmental Sensitivity is a Disability 5 Role of the Joint Health and Safety Committee 5 Hazard Control and Prudent Avoidance 5 Summary 7 Recommendations 7 Appendix – Occupational Health and Safety Act 8
2

Introduction
   There are growing health and safety concerns regarding the widespread use of technology, such as cellular phones and wireless computer networking (WiFi), which produce non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. It is estimated that at least 3 percent of the population has an environmental sensitivity to the radiation that is emitted by these devices and, as a result, experience serious immediate physical/biological effects when exposed. As has been the case with other known societal health and safety issues, such as exposure to cigarette smoke or asbestos, the health effects of unprecedented long term exposure to this radiation may not be known for some time. Widespread use of, or exposure to, wireless communication devices and WiFi technology in Ontario schools, can be positioned as a potential workplace hazard.
This paper examines what is currently known about the impact of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, reviews the implications it can have for Ontario schools, including OECTA members, and makes recommendations to the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association on the issue.

What is Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation?
Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation is part of the low frequency/energy and longer wavelength electromagnetic spectrum. The subset of the non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation spectrum that is discussed in this paper occurs below the visible light spectrum and is created by human technological intervention and is not usually created to any major extent by natural processes. Non-ionizing radiation was traditionally thought to be of no harm because it is of low enough energy that an ionizing effect, a process known to cause immediate damage to the human tissue and DNA (cancer causing), does not occur. Familiar forms of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation are; the visible spectrum, infrared (heat), radio/television and radar/microwave. Most of our wireless communications devices including cellular/home wireless (DECT) phones and WiFi use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency band.

Health Canada’s Position
Health Canada has deemed that the low levels of this microwave radiation, which are emitted through such vehicles as cell phones and WiFi, are safe because they are below the threshold limit values (TLV) that have been set in their standard called Safety Code 6 (SC6) Guideline of 1000 μW/cm2, (pronounced micro watts per centimetre squared) for microwave radiation. As long as exposure is below the SC6 threshold, Health Canada considers the radiation to be ‘safe’.

The SC6 guideline is based on a short-term (6-minute average) exposure in an adult male. As such, it does not take into consideration longer-term exposure or effects on slighter individuals and young children. SC6 considers only thermal (heat based) tissue effects and does not consider other biological effects of this radiation to assess safety. Furthermore, SC6 Guidelines are also only intended for federal buildings and do not necessarily apply to schools.

The World Health Organization and Other Jurisdictions
On May 31, 2011, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as a class 2b carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic or cancer causing to humans). They citied biological effects recognized in adult cellular telephone studies for their decision. This categorization by the WHO prompted Health Canada to issue an advisory calling for prudent avoidance of cellular phone use among children and youth. No long term studies have been done regarding mobile phones on children or regarding WiFi on adults or children.

Other countries have more stringent guidelines than Canada. For example in Russia, exposure to 1000 μW/cm2 (SC6 Guideline for microwave radiation, which includes WiFi) is only allowed for 15 minutes per day. In Canada, children can be exposed all day and every day to this level. The Czech guidelines for pulsed microwave radiation, which is known to be more harmful than non-pulsed radiation, allow exposure to 4 μW/cm2for a 6-hour day (school day) which is only 0.4 percent of the SC6 Guideline.
Switzerland, China, Hungary and Poland also all have stricter guidelines than Canada. Their guidelines are stricter because they are not solely being based on heating of the body. They also include consideration of other biological, such as changes in calcium flux, changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and damage to DNA.

Exposure Increases With Use
When a WiFi network is turned on, any radiation exposure would be only due to the radiation emitted from the wireless transmitter’s beacon signal, with little or no use of clients on the wireless network. Each wireless device that connects to the network is a new non-ionizing radiation emitter that opens a new exposure stream over and above the beacon signal strength, which will add to the overall exposure of anyone in the nearby field. Often, testing done to measure the impact of the radiation from the wireless network is done based on the transmitter’s beacon signal only, and does not take into consideration the impact of having multiple clients on the network at the same time. If the long-term goal is to encourage widespread use of the wireless network by personal electronic devices such as IPads, IPods, smartphones as well as notebooks or laptop computers, then exposure levels to this radiation will be unpredictable and higher than simple measurements would imply.

If ‘safe’ implementation is based on emissions being lower than Health Canada’s SC6 TLV of 1000 μW/cm2 then employers must ensure that this limit is not breached through a hazard control program that should include periodic field monitoring. This type of monitoring program is the jurisdiction of the JHSC as described in the OHSA S. (9)(18).
  
Effects from Exposure
There are reports of a number of immediate biological effects that are experienced with exposure, such as; headaches, nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, weakness, pressure in the head, and a racing or fluttering heart (tachycardia). Moreover, students are considered to be more susceptible to microwave radiation because of their age and their earlier stages of development.

Implementation of WiFi technology in schools will produce unprecedented exposure to microwave radiation of approximately 6 hours each school day, 5 days a week, for 40 weeks each year. This will be without any studies being done to determine the effects of either the short-term or long-term effects of this microwave exposure on adults as well as children.

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity
A portion of the population are estimated to be affected in some way by an environmental sensitivity called electro-hypersensitivity, which is an increased sensitivity to non-ionizing radiation, and may become ill when WiFi is initialized.
“Approximately 3 percent of the population (over 1 million Canadians) has been diagnosed with environmental sensitivities (ES) which include multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and electromagnetic sensitivity.”
1 Park J and Knudson S. Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms. Statistics Canada. 12-1-2007.

Some studies show that adults who are electrically sensitive react to this frequency (2.4 GHz) at levels 0.3 percent of SC6 Guidelines.2
The reactions include heart irregularities, a rapid heart rate and changes to the regulation of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. These are biological effects and do not involve microwave heating to the body. 
  
Unlike with other forms of hypersensitivity, peanuts for example, the general public may not yet associate any of these symptoms with exposure to non-ionizing radiation such as WiFi. Sufferers feel unwell and attribute their state to some other cause. Currently our workplaces are smoke-free and nut-free regardless of the minority of the population being affected.

Environmental Sensitivity is a Disability
Environmental Sensitivity, including electro-hypersensitivity, is recognized as a disability under the Canadian Human Rights Code. As such, all workplaces, including educational institutions (schools) have a duty to accommodate students and staff diagnosed with environmental sensitivities.3,4

Employers have a duty to accommodate persons with environmental sensitivities under the Canadian Human Rights Code as well as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).5

Role of the Joint Health and Safety Committee
Any potential hazard in the workplace falls under the power and the jurisdiction of the Joint Health and Safety Committee(s) (JHSC), as established in S. 9(18) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) – see appendix A. It is within the powers of the Joint Health and Safety committee for each workplace to identify potential hazards and make recommendations for the establishment of hazard control programs to address hazards in the workplace.
  
Joint Health and Safety Committees have the ability to include all potential hazards, such as non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, in a hazard control program developed for the workplace. These hazard control programs are developed locally to oversee the application and monitoring of appropriate control measures to minimize worker injury.

Hazards are required to be eliminated where possible or at least have the risk of injury reduced by the application of controls. A hazard control program can be established to address the potential for injury from non-ionizing radiation, including WiFi.

Hazard Control and Prudent Avoidance
2 Havas et al, “Provocation Study Using Heart Rate Variability Show Microwave Radiation from 2.4 GHz Cordless Phone affects autonomic nervous system,” Eur. J. Oncol. Library Vol. 5. 3 Canadian Human Rights Commission. Legislation and Policies: Policy on Environmental Sensitivities. June 15, 2007. www.chrc-ccdp.ca/legislation_policies/policy_environ_politique-en.asp

4 Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHR): Guidelines on Accessible Education at www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/Guides/AccessibleEducation?page=AccessibleEducation- CREATING.html#Heading262 (see “Accounting for Non-Evident Disabilities”). 5

  Wilkie, C. & Baker, D., “Accommodation for Environmental Sensitivities: Legal perspective,” Canadian Human Rights Commission, May 2007

Administrative and physical controls are most effective when applied at the source of the hazard. Controls gradually decrease in effectiveness as you move along the path of the hazard, with the least effective being at the worker level (wearing personal protective equipment). Controls for WiFi would best be guided by the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), as well as by applying the concept of prudent avoidance (of non- ionizing radiation). Section 25 (2)(h), of the OHSA states “An employer shall take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker”.
Examples of prudent avoidance control measures may include, but need not be limited to:
The continued use of wired technology as most existing buildings are currently wired with Ethernet.
Ensuring new buildings/construction includes a fully wired Ethernet infrastructure. Where new network connections are required, add to the existing wired network by
running new wiring to that location. It is still less expensive to add the odd Ethernet drop each year than to add a completely redundant wireless system to the entire facility.
Where new wired locations are not practical, consider using a PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter (or similar technology) to pass a network signal through existing electrical lines.
D-Link® is just one manufacturer that offers PowerLine Ethernet Adapters that allow the use of existing electrical wiring to act as Ethernet wires to create or extend a network by turning every power outlet in to a potential ethernet port.
Where a wireless connection is required, use single application wireless routers (similar to home use wireless routers) which can be temporarily connected to an existing Ethernet port within the room/area, eliminating the need to permanently wire a router. A classroom or conference room can be made wireless for only the class/conference time period.
Pre-plan the deployment of permanently installed wireless routers such that they can be easily recognized and turned on or off, either manually or electronically, to provide access only when necessary.
Consider placing wireless routers to service smaller zones so that use in one area does not produce undue exposure in others. Create ‘WiFi enabled areas’ (and therefore ‘WiFi disabled areas’) such as in libraries or cafeterias that provide limited scheduled access to the network if necessary.
Other components of a control program may include but need not be limited to:

Labelling of all transmitter locations - Workers have the right to know about potential hazards.

A maintenance/monitoring program for the wireless access points to ensure no over powering or excessive emissions occur. The JHSC has a duty to monitor exposure of existing WiFi installations because exposure during peak use, with most clients connected, should not exceed the SC6 TLV of 1000 μW/cm2.


Summary
1.We do not know what the long-term effects of low-level non-ionizing radiation are on those who are exposed (workers and students). No form of radiation can be deemed ‘safe’ as it depends on the constitution of the individual exposed, the amount of exposure as well as a sufficient amount of time to pass to observe any health effects that have a long latency period (i.e. cancer).
2.The WHO has classified low-level non-ionizing radiation in the microwave band associated with celluar phones as a class 2b carcinogen (possible carcinogen) and Health Canada has warned about limiting the use of handheld personal electronic equipment such as cellular phones among youth. Initializing WiFi for personal electronic equipment will result in an unpredictable exposure as use varies.
3.A segment of the population are environmentally sensitive (a disability according to the Canadian Human Rights Commission) to low level non-ionizing radiation and may experience immediate physical/biological reactions when exposed.
4.Employers including School Boards have the duty to accommodate persons with disabilities including that of electro-hypersensitivity. A widespread investment in a redundant WiFi network may limit the ability to reduce WiFi exposure thereby accommodating workers with an electro-hypersensitivity disability.
5.The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practiced.
6.The purposeful introduction of non-ionizing radiation transmitters, such as WiFi, into the work place is considered to be the introduction of new equipment that presents a potential health and safety hazard for workers. As such, it is the duty of the Joint Health and Safety Committee to develop a hazard control program to; assess the risk of injury from the potential hazard, recommend controls to be applied to address the hazards, and to monitor the effectiveness of the applied controls.
7.Administrative and physical control methods to address the hazards of non-ionizing radiation, such as WiFi, in the workplace are readily available and relatively easy to apply. Application of controls would be completely consistent with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) approach and the precautionary principles as well as the general duty clause, Section 25 (2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Recommendations
I. OECTA recognizes that there is a growing concern regarding the potential adverse health effects of the use of wireless technology which requires the broadcasting of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, typically in the radio/microwave frequency band.
II. OECTA recognizes that the installation of WiFi microwave transmitters and the expanded use of wireless devices in Catholic schools and educational facilities across the Province of Ontario may present a potential Health and Safety risk or hazard in the workplace.
III. OECTA recognizes the need to provide information to the Joint Health and Safety Committee(s) at the local Unit level regarding the potential hazards and prudent avoidance control measures regarding the presence of non-ionizing radiation (WiFi) in the workplace such that they may exercise their powers as established under S. 9(18) the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
IV. OECTA post this position paper on the OECTA website.

Appendix Occupational Health and Safety Act [R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 9 (18)] Powers of committee S (9)(18) (18) It is the function of a committee and it has power to,
(a) identify situations that may be a source of danger or hazard to workers;
(b) make recommendations to the constructor or employer and the workers for the improvement of the health and safety of workers;
(c) recommend to the constructor or employer and the workers the establishment, maintenance and monitoring of programs, measures and procedures respecting the health or safety of workers;
(d) obtain information from the constructor or employer respecting,
(i) the identification of potential or existing hazards of materials, processes or equipment, and
(ii) health and safety experience and work practices and standards in similar or other industries of which the constructor or employer has knowledge;
(e) obtain information from the constructor or employer concerning the conducting or taking of tests of any equipment, machine, device, article, thing, material or biological, chemical or physical agent in or about a workplace for the purpose of occupational health and safety; and
(f) be consulted about, and have a designated member representing workers be present at the beginning of, testing referred to in clause (e) conducted in or about the workplace if the designated member believes his or her presence is required to ensure that valid testing procedures are used or to ensure that the test results are valid. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 9 (18).

http://groups.google.com/group/do-you-have-microwave-sickness/browse_thread/thread/9f315df7661c11aa