Wi-Fi-equipped schools pose 'potential health and safety risk's

[TomW]

TORONTO — Schools equipped with wireless Internet pose a "potential health and safety risk" to staff and students, warns a report Monday by a union representing 45,000 teachers.

The eight-page report by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association recommends that schools stop installing new Wi-Fi networks over the risk of potential health effects.

It also urged that computers be connected to the Internet only via hardwired connections, as part of an effort to avoid this "hazard in the workplace."

"We do not know what the long-term effects of low-level non-ionizing radiation are on those who are exposed," said the report by the union's health and safety committee.

"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)."

The union's members work in 1,400 Catholic schools across Ontario.

Last year, a handful of primarily private schools in the province banned Wi-Fi over safety concerns, but this is the first time a teachers' group has spoken out about the controversial issue.

Health Canada maintains there is no evidence that low-level exposure to wireless Internet is a threat to one's health.

But the report concluded that schools should take a more precautionary approach with this relatively new technology.

"The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practised," it said.


Linnguyen@Postmedia.com



Read more: http://www.canada.com/health/equipped+schools+pose+potential+health+safety+risk+union/6145848/story.html#ixzz1mIk54uYI

[Jeckle]

They want wi-fi so students can go to school, but learn online
Cut back on teachers that way.
It has already begun. I know a grade 10 student that is taking principle math. They do ALL learning online and the only teacher there is a computer teacher.

[TomW]

They want wi-fi so students can go to school, but learn online
Cut back on teachers that way.
It has already begun. I know a grade 10 student that is taking principle math. They do ALL learning online and the only teacher there is a computer teacher.

That would make it official...computers/Internet are now part of every aspect of our lives.

[Jeckle]

That would make it official...computers/Internet are now part of every aspect of our lives.

Yup, and when your solar flares reach Earth we will be phucked.

See....see what you've done! I tried not to, but solar flares are now on my list of things to prepare for.

Aaarrrggggg! Thanks Tom.

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