Wireless Technology

In 2007, the German Parliament recommended that wireless technology should be avoided in the workplace and home and replaced with wired connections where ever possible.

Wireless technology enables computers, phones, baby monitors and other devices to communicate without the need for cables.

Wireless internet has effectively infiltrated our schools, businesses, cafes and homes which makes it almost impossible to avoid – especially if you live or work in built-up areas or multistorey buildings. Unlike the frequencies used in radio and TV, this technology uses a pulsed microwave radiation like mobile phones, except it does so on a continual basis. There is growing concern amongst parents, teachers and some scientists about its impact on a growing child. I am concerned about the growing number of people and children showing signs of insomnia and electrical hypersensitivity who attribute their symptoms to the time they installed wireless technology in their homes and schools. Only time will tell.

WHAT ARE PROGRESSIVE COUNTRIES DOING ABOUT WI-FI ?

Germany:

• German Federal Government has recommended that the use of WLAN in the workplace or home should be avoided, recommending conventional hard wired connections instead
• German teachers union for education and knowledge (GEW) has told its members to resist the rollout of WiFi in schools on safety grounds
• Bavarian Parliament has recommended that no schools in the province use wireless LAN networks

France:

• Members of the French Senate present a bill in 2009 to restrict the exposure to electromagnetic fields. Article 15 states that "where possible, existing Wi Fi installations will be replaced by wired networks within 5 years.."
• City of Herouville St Clair, France is the first city in the world to take steps to ban Wi Fi in all primary schools in 2010
• The library - Bibliotheque Nationale de France has foregone the installation of WiFi following concerns raised in the Bio-Initiative Report

Canada:

• Lakehead University, Ontario has installed fibre-optic cables as opposed to Wi Fi because of health concerns

England:

• A handful of schools have removed their WiFi systems because of concerns from parents regarding adverse health effects

Austria:

• The Austrian Medical Association is lobbying against the deployment of Wi Fi in schools

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

Around 3% of the population are electrically sensitive with children being the most vulnerable because they are growing, their immune and nervous systems are still developing and because their skulls are thinner than adults.
Of concern, is that there are no studies to date that have specifically looked at the impact of this type of radiation on children. Adverse health effects that are occuring in people sensitive to this type of radiation include:

• headaches and dizziness
• heart problems: increased heart rate (tachycardia) and irregular beats (arrhythmias)
• nausea
• insomnia

For more information about Wi Fi concerns around the globe, click here . Also check out the Powerwatch website.

TESTING

Testing for radio/microwave frequencies requires highly technical and expensive equipment. Furthermore it requires a good knowledge and understanding of the complicated nature and physics of microwave frequencies. There is where a building biologist maybe of assistance. Once hot spots are identified, remediation measures such as shielding may be required. The cost will vary depending upon the size of the home or workplace. For details, click here.

SOLUTION

The best advice I can give you is to always use a hard wired connection. If you do not wish to do this, you should turn off the router when the computer is not in use especially at night before you go to bed.