W.E.E.P. News
Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News
21 October 2010
Safe Fiber Optics in Swiss Schools
October 21, 2010. While the rest of the world rushes onwards with the wireless revolution, Switzerland and the country's largest telecom provider – SWISSCOM – have decided to light up the public school's wired networks using fiber optics FOR FREE! But there is one catch – the schools must use LAN – local area networks. NO WiFi allowed. And this offer even includes pre-schoolers! Click here to read more about Swisscom's offer.
We produced a short video that I hope will provide some insight as to why the Swiss government and Swisscom are so forward thinking in matters related to children's health and education. After you watch the video – explore the links to the Swiss Office of Public Health website. No need to read between the lines, just pay attention to the bold text.
Video on Microwave Radiation Dangers in your Home:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAnrmJ3un1g
For more information and live links visit:
http://www.magdahavas.com/2010/10/20/free-internet-access-in-swiss-schools-no-wifi/
Dr Magda Havas
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Examining the health costs of high-tech gadgets
Research by Dr. Avendano shows link between infertility and Wi-Fi use
Technology can make our day-to-day lives easier but at times we risk losing control due to a lack of awareness of the potential consequences to our health.
Recent trials by the medical team at Nascentis Reproductive Medicine Center in Cordoba, Argentina, analyzed the effects of electromagnetic radiation from portable computers connected to Wi-Fi on sperm and reproductive ability.
When using our laptops, often placing them on our laps, we soon feel the heat they emit. Other studies have shown evidence of possible side effects by cell phone electromagnetic radiation on sperm quality, and as far as laptops, potential danger was attributed to the heat given off during their use.
Argentine doctors wanted to delve deeper into the issue, and their research has shown that exposure from being in proximity to laptops connected to Wi-Fi causes a reduction in sperm motility associated with DNA damage to these cells, with a reduced reproductive capacity in males.
The experimentation was carried out in Dr. Conrado Avendano's lab – he's the biochemist specializing in andrology who coordinated a team of doctors composed of Ariela Mata (embryology lab director), Andres Juarez Villanueva (endoscopy department director), and Cesar Sanchez Sarmiento (medical director).
In an interview granted to our paper, Dr. Avendano affirms that "sperm vitality and motility was examined during experimentation. The spermatozoa were exposed to electromagnetic radiation for about three of four hours – they didn't die but there was a notable reduction in their motility, which is indispensable for fertilizing the female ovum."
"Meanwhile," continues Dr. Avendano, "there was a significant increase in sperm that showed evidence of damage in their DNA molecules. Sperm DNA fragmentation has been shown to decrease the chance of natural conception."
What could the damaging consequences be to sperm cells' DNA fragments which you observed in-vitro during the process of fertilization, and in particular, during embryo and fetus development?
"Sperm DNA damage has been linked to poor rates of conception, impaired embryonic development, an increased incidence of miscarriage, and the appearance of various kinds of morbidity in the offspring, including childhood cancer.
Studies on animal models have been revealed that sperm with damaged DNA can successfully fertilize the oocyte but it may reduce the rate of pre-implantation, embryo development, and number of offspring."
Your research highlighted the risks to men. Is it also possible that there are risks to a woman's reproductive system as a result of improper and prolonged use of electronic equipment connected to a Wi-Fi system?
"We speculate that the electronic magnetic fields (EMF) generated by Wi-Fi may decrease sperm quality in vivo. It is well known that EMF can penetrate the tissues, so it would be possible that this radiation also impacts female gametes. However, we have not studied that sowe cannot be sure – it would be necessary to do studies to confirm it."
Based on your medical experience and current trials, can you make recommendations to our readers — particularly to youth — on the correct use of laptops connected to Wi-Fi networks and electronic equipment in general?
"We recommend not placing laptops on the lap while in use, especially if these are connected to Wi-Fi. At least until science can study the real impact of this radiation on reproductive health."
Your research will be presented next October at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Denver, Colorado. What are your expectations?
"Nascentis is a new reproductive medicine centre and this is our first international presentation. Although these are preliminary results, we believe that it may have good acceptance in the reproductive medical community and allow us to expand our knowledge on sperm quality."
Publication Date: 2010-10-24
Story Location:
http://www.tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=10620
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Parents wants WiFi out of schools
By ELIZABETH BOWER EXAMINER STAFF WRITER
http://www.peterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2809790
WiFi technology, used to connect computers to the Internet without wires, must be immediately banned from Peterborough's schools because it emits radiation that can cause headaches, dizziness, mood dis-o rd e r s and a racing heart -- especially in children, a parent said during a meeting Wednesday night.
Malini Menon told a group of 60 people at the Evinrude Centre that the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board should stop its plan to phase in the technology in schools unless there's scientific evidence that it's safe.
"The board only knows there's no evidence to suggest WiFi is unsafe --well, sorry, that's not good enough," Menon told the crowd at the public meeting organized by the local chapter of Citizens for Safe Technology.
Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Pellizzari, who wasn't at the meeting, has said there is no consistent evidence that exposure to radio frequency signals from wireless networks has an adverse impact on the general population.
However, a common comment from audience members and speakers was that there are concerns about WiFi across the world -- so if there's even a possibility of it being harmful, why use it when schools could instead use alternate safe technology such as fibreoptics.
Otherwise, Menon said, it's tan-t a m o u nt to using children as "guinea pigs."
WiFi in schools is industrial strength compared to WiFi used in homes, said Trent University associate professor Magda Havas, who conducts electromagnetic radiation research.
The base stations, a circular object generally affixed to a ceiling to emit the signal to computers, is radiating constantly in schools so a child would be exposed to the radiation whether he or she is using the technology or not, Havas said.
Havas said parents from across North America have contacted her about their children getting heart
palpitations and headaches after WiFi was installed in their schools.
She said teachers have contacted her about getting sick but they fear to speak out because of potential ridicule.
People have accused Havas of being a fear mongerer, she said.
"But I think fear is anti-productive.... I want to empower you with information to make an intelligent decision," she told the crowd.
The public board was excited to approve its technology plan, including phased-in WiFi in the schools, but didn't consider health concerns at the time, trustee Brian Cowie told the crowd.
"I think there needs to be more talk about it," Cowie said, after listening to the presentation.
Public board trustee Shirley Patterson told the crowd the board shouldn't risk children's health if there's a chance WiFi is harmful.
It'd be considered unethical if a researcher wanted to microwave children for 1,200 hours per year for 14 years so it's ridiculous that WiFi is allowed in schools where children will be exposed to the radiation for that same length of time, said Citizens for Safe Technology member Sheena Symington.
It's a "no brainer" that WiFi should be banned in schools, said public board trustee candidate Jean Grant.
"I fought the school board before and I will fight the school board again," she said to applause, referring to the fact she won her fight against the public board when the board expelled her son after hearing stories of the sale and consumption of marijuana at a party that wasn't during school time or on school property. "I'm willing to do whatever I can."
ebower@peterboroughexaminer.com
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Fight against WiFi
Suggestions on how to make WiFi safer in schools, according to Trent University associate professor Magda Havas, who researches electromagnetic radiation:
* Turn WiFi off when not in use.
* Disconnect it in rooms that don't use computers such as kindergarten.
* Let pupils and students choose if they want to use Wifior cable.
* Have WiFi-free zones.
* Document health concerns from staff and students who say WiFi is making them sick.
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Examiner Online Poll
In yesterday's online poll we asked readers whether city and county taxpayers are getting a good return from the tax money spent of the Little lake Musicfest -- 52% said yes.
Today we ask, Do you think it is unsafe for WiFi wireless Internet to be used in local schools?
Go to our website to vote or view up-to- date results.
Article ID# 2809790
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