Saturday, September 4, 2010

Wi-Fi Concerns Should Lead to Updated Regulations / Doctor puts City Hall on notice / EMF-Omega-News

W.E.E.P. News

Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

5 September 2010

Wi-Fi Concerns Should Lead to Updated Regulations

Written by Carol Hughes, MP Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Saturday, September 4th, 2010 Wawa News

http://www.wawa-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6949&Itemid=99999999

Last spring I attended the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health meetings that investigated the health effects of microwaves from wireless devices such as cell phones and Wi-Fi. At that time, I was approached by a group from Collingwood who reported an illness cluster in their school that is consistent with microwave exposure.

The Simcoe County District School Board had installed a blanket microwave Wi-Fi system throughout every school, and the parents at Mountain View Elementary School in Collingwood had begun to report an illness trend involving childhood headaches, nausea, vertigo, insomnia, and even tachycardia (a heart condition requiring medical attention). Some parents had spent the last 18 months in and out of doctor's offices with a novel collection of symptoms that disappeared only when the children were in school.

They have documented their concerns and reported them to the Simcoe County School Board, only to be told the Wi-Fi system is perfectly safe according the Health Canada.

While at committee we heard from Health Canada officials who defended the department's Radiofrequency Exposure Guidelines (Safety Code 6), only to have those same guidelines questioned by international research scientists whose research show that people can experience biological changes in the presence of these low-level microwaves. One scientist also warned about an increased prevalence of cancer if Health Canada's "safe" limits for microwave exposure are not lowered.

Health Canada officials confidently stated there is "no cause for concern that Wi-Fi is dangerous."

What they should have said is that Safety Code 6 is sufficient, in their opinion. As we heard in committee, there is no consensus among research scientists that microwave radiation is safe, and Health Canada did know that. In a study by the Royal Society of Canada, commissioned by Health Canada in 1999 and updated in 2001, there is conclusive evidence that potentially dangerous things happen from microwave exposure.

Those things include weakening the blood brain barrier which protects us from disease, increasing certain enzymes known to promote cancer, and changing behaviour. This is hardly promoting a safe learning environment for young children. According to the Royal Society Report, young children are among the most vulnerable when it comes to microwave exposure. The report is clear that these biological changes happen well below the current "safe" limits set by Health Canada.

Health Canada's guidelines are not protecting us. They are outdated and designed for a grown man at 6 minutes of exposure. They don't take into account a 4 year old girl getting microwave exposure for 6 hours a day, five days a week, for 14 years of public school. That is the environment right now in Simcoe County schools, and other school Boards across the country about to roll out microwave transmitters for blanket Wi-Fi coverage because Health Canada tells them it's safe.

Health Canada must tell Canadians the full story when it comes to microwave irradiation of children. What we're doing by exposing them to all day Wi-Fi in school is really a big experiment, with unknowing volunteers.

Carol Hughes, Member of Parliament

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avon Lake doctor puts City Hall on notice over cell tower health concerns

http://www.avonlakeledger.com/avon-lake-doctor-puts-city-hall-on-notice-over-cell-tower-health-concerns-p1189-1.htm

The small brown buildings are handicapped housing.

Sept. 1 – By Lori E. Switaj

An Avon Lake doctor has put City Council and Mayor KC Zuber on notice that he will be bringing what he considers to be "major health concerns" with a 150-ft. WiFi/cell tower, to the forefront at upcoming meetings.

Dr. Mike Summerfield sent an e-mail to each councilmember and the mayor last week that he will bring up the issue at subsequent council meetings. Several council members, however, dispute the health concerns and say there is misinformation about cell towers, and specifically the placement of that particular tower.

Summerfield is one of numerous Westwind subdivision residents concerned over the tower that Clearwire Wireless LLC, is looking to build behind the Learwood (Giant Eagle) Plaza. Residents are claiming, among other issues, that the tower is unsightly and close to a handicapped residence. Summerfield is taking it one step further and saying he—and other residents—are concerned about potential health issues.

"This email is to inform you that at all of the upcoming meetings I am going to talk about the potential health risks of this tower," Summerfield's e-mail said. "Health risks that will affect my wife, my children, my friends and my neighbors. I didn't sign their gag clause. I believe I am correct in that the US Constitution ensures me the right to freedom of speech. No Telecommunications Act of 1996 is going to tell me otherwise."

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 does not prohibit discussion of health issues; it does however, prohibit government entities from making decisions based on health issues. Avon Lake's own ordinances essentially repeat that decision.

"The ruling says, we can't make a determination based on health issues," Fenderbosch said, adding that council members have taken an oath to uphold the law. "That's a Federal law. I'm not a medical professional and I'm not a scientist; I am a facilitator as a public representative," Fenderbosch added.

Fenderbosch also pointed to the city's own planning and zoning ordinance, 'Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Facilities regulations."

"In that code, it specifically points out what we can and cannot do whether on planning or council can evaluate wireless," she said. The code also states, "A wireless telecommunications facility shall not produce at any time power densities which exceed the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C95.1-1992 standard for human exposure."

Fenderbosch pointed to an American Cancer Society report that noted that towers are not deemed harmful.

"They address what actually is a cell tower and how it works," she said. "They talk about radio frequencies. These are not microwaves (the tower is emitting). Its radio frequencies. It's very different and very low." (See link below.)

Whether that appeases Summerfeld and other residents remains to be seen. Summerfield said he has met with Councilman Dan Bucci and council president Greg Zilka, touring the property with them.

"I have gathered enough information to make an intelligent, rational and well informed decision about the tower," Summerfeld said. "What I've found is that it's not an aesthetic issue. It's not a property value issue. It's not a cheaper Wi-Fi or better cell phone coverage issue, and I pray that nobody on City Council is basing their decision on this. The issue here is that of a major health concern."

Summerfield also brought up the issue that the tower would be in very close proximity to residences that house handicapped individuals.

"This tower is also steps outside of a handicap accessible housing facility, whose residents weren't even given the courtesy of being notified," Summerfield said.

Fenderbosch said city law requires notification to home and building owners within 300 feet of the tower and said management of the handicapped residences were notified. She added that the city went beyond the 300 foot notification and contacted homeowners in a 400 foot radius of the tower.

In response to Summerfield's correspondence, Councilman David Kos responded to other council members that "this cancer scare issue is completely false, citing this link to the American Cancer Society.

"There is no higher or more reputable authority, in my opinion on this matter," Kos responded. "I hope that after reading this, any thoughts or concerns are put the rest. I understand residents not wanting to look at a tower; however this cancer scare issue is completely false. The FM radio in your car and the microwave oven in your kitchen emit as much frequency or more than a cell tower/phone."

Summerfield said he will be providing documentation at upcoming meetings showing "several scientifically sound studies that have found that cell towers are either unsafe or that there currently is a lack of evidence to support the assumption that they are safe."

He is also asking each council member and the mayor to guarantee him that the tower will not have any harmful effects on any of his children "over the next 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 plus years."

A lawyer for Clearwire has publicly stated that since Planning Commission has approved the tower and the plans meet the city's requirements, a "no" vote by council would likely land the city in court.

The next scheduled City Council meeting is Monday, Sept. 13 at 7:30pm in council chambers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMF-Omega-News

--------

Our links:

http://tinyurl.com/yjpu7wg
http://tinyurl.com/93epp
http://tinyurl.com/9w2sx
http://tinyurl.com/aotw3
http://tinyurl.com/oya9t
http://tinyurl.com/jyemw
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EMR-EMF/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emf-omega-news/
________________________________________________________________________
Note: EMF-Omega News belongs to the Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society), Umbrella Organization of the Citizens and Initiatives for the Protection against Electrosmog.
Editor and responsible for the content: Citizens' Initiative Omega, member in the Buergerwelle. Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society), which works on non-profit base. Our messages are the result of many hours of daily research, roundup and editing. If you would like to support our activity for people around the world with a donation or an aid fund unique or on regular base, you can do it: Recipient: Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society), bank-connection: Hypo Bank Augsburg, account-No 2250284, BLZ 720 200 70, IBAN: DE83 7202 0070 0002 2502 84, SWIFT (BIC): HYVEDEMM408.
Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society), Umbrella Organization of the Citizens and Initiatives for the Protection against Electrosmog: 1. Chairman Siegfried Zwerenz, 2. Chairman Barbara Eidling, Mailing address: Lindenweg 10, D-95643 Tirschenreuth, phone 0049-(0)9631-795736, fax 0049-(0)9631-795734, e-mail pr@buergerwelle.de, Internet http://www.buergerwelle.de . Thank you.

If you have information which you would like to share with your friends and colleges around the world and which are from common interest, please send us this information, we will send them out.

Disclaimer:

The information in our EMF-Omega-News are derived from sources, which we believe to be accurate but this cannot be guaranteed.

We are not responsible for any errors or omissions and disclaims any liability incurred as a consequence of any of the contents of this resources.

Web site www.weepinitiative.org e-mail contactweep@weepinitiative.org

To sign up for WEEP News: newssignup@weepinitiative.org (provide name and e-mail address)

W.E.E.P. – The Canadian initiative to stop Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution

Friday, September 3, 2010

Wi Fi illness in the Home / Wi-Fi issue at Catholic board / Schooled on Cell Tower Waves / Tower radiation / Wi-Fi critics / Debate of Wi-Fi in Alberta schools

W.E.E.P. News

Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

4 September 2010

This is being distributed with permission of the author. Her last name has been removed for privacy.

-magda

Re: Wi Fi illness in the Home

August 28, 2010

Dear Dr. Havas:

Two weeks ago I noticed a small news item about parents wanting Wi Fi out of their schools in Simcoe County. The next night, I took a look at the Wi Fi 'box' at the foot of my bed, and decided to unplug it.

The results were immediate. I couldn't believe it! I felt energized, and I felt like all the nerves in my body were 'coming back to life'. Over the last two weeks I have felt so good – I've got my life back!

Two years ago I bought a new desktop computer, and since I had a laptop as well I decided to go 'wireless'. People at work said: "Go for it – it's great!" When the chap from Rogers came to install it, he suggested a shelf beneath the TV in my bedroom. Since this was going to be pointing directly at me, in my bed, and wasn't far away, I did ask him if it would be all right. Would I have any problems? Without hesitation, he indicated everything would be fine. It was installed and that was the last I thought about it.

Between then and two weeks ago….

Ø My leg muscles were getting weaker. (I walk a lot, so this didn't make sense.)

Ø I was listless, had no energy, and, now that I look back, I know was depressed. (This was huge for me.)

Ø My body felt different – a lack of appetite and I was constipated; I had back problems (sciatica and muscle spasms).

Ø I had a summer cold that I just couldn't shake. (I have had two, maybe three, colds over the past 10 years, so this was highly unusual for me.)

Of course, when I had the back problems and then the cold, I spent more time in bed – putting heat on my back and feeling rotten – and, you guessed it, I was spending more time close to my Wi Fi!!!

I did continue to work, but I took the subway two stops instead of walking. And, work was about all I did. I no longer walked by the lake or in the park, groceries were a chore, and forget any other kind of shopping. I was in bed before 9:00 (which wasn't a good thing, obviously). And all that happened was that more and more of my energy was disappearing.

Earlier in the same evening that I unplugged THE BOX, I was talking to my sister and told her I felt so terrible I was going to go to the doctor to request a chest x-ray and echocardiogram because I was fearful that my heart problems (congestive heart failure) from twelve years ago were returning. Well, I haven't had to do that!!

The last two weeks have been a totally different story! I have my life back and I love it!

People love 'their technology' – their microwaves, cell phones, wireless laptops – but these side effects are too big a price to pay. This just may be the 'cigarette' of this generation. The problem is, it's invisible, so the battle will surely be long and difficult.

I find your website very informative and I do applaud you for what you're doing – thank you so much!

In case you haven't seen it, here's an article I came across the other day. It basically describes my experience – just change 'office' to 'bedroom'.

http://kimknight101.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/the-startling-effects-of-wifi-wireless-appliances/

Yours truly,
JoAnne
Mississauga,
Ontario, Canada

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wi-Fi issue rears head at Catholic board

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2737969

Concerns about the effects of wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) on children's health are about to reach the Catholic school board table.

Colleen Genno is among a group of Orillia parents asking the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board to abandon Wi-Fi and, instead, plug in.

A letter from Genno, accompanied by signatures from 10 other parents of students at Monsignor Lee Catholic School, cites warnings from the scientific community about the impact of Wi-Fi on students.

"There have been strong warnings that these systems should not be placed in schools. We believe that parents have not been informed of these warnings or the potential danger, in order to give informed consent to send our children into such an environment on a daily basis," the letter reads.

Genno's four-year-old son will be starting junior kindergarten at Monsignor Lee this year -- maybe. If the board doesn't get rid of Wi-Fi in the school, she will consider home-schooling her son.

"It's not worth my four-year-old's life to say, 'Maybe it's safe,'" Genno said Tuesday.

The issue came to Genno's attention when she received a pamphlet from the Simcoe County Safe School Committee, a group that's trying to gauge the impact of Wi-Fi on local students and get boards to reduce the use of the technology in schools.

"Then I did some research on the Internet. I really didn't know what Wi-Fi was," Genno said. "My family's always tried to keep our children as healthy as possible. We don't want to have wasted all our time on this and send our kids to an unsafe school."

Genno is also concerned about the safety of her two nieces who currently attend Monsignor Lee and a nephew who will be starting this year.

One of her nieces has attention problems, and the family is beginning to wonder if Wi-Fi has anything to do with them.

The problem, Genno noted, is no one knows. Wi-Fi's impact on kids' health hasn't been tested.

"It's too much of a coincidence that these children are sick," she said of other children reporting various symptoms that disappear when they're away from Wi-Fi.

"I don't want to have to go through leukemia or anything like that," she said of some of the more extreme conditions that some believe are caused or intensified by Wi-Fi.

Genno's letter and petition will be an informational item on the board's Sept. 8 meeting agenda.

"I'd like it not in the school at all," she said. "There's no reason it can't be plugged into the wall like we are at home."

A decision on the matter isn't likely in the short term, said Orillia trustee and board chair Jim Canning.

"It's a very, very difficult one to deal with because no one's really sure about the science," he said. "I really don't know whether there's a connection or there's not a connection (between Wi-Fi and health problems). We're going to have to discuss that at the board level."

Anytime such concerns are brought to the board's attention, "we should try to have the best science we can find," Canning said, adding the board and province should continue to investigate.

Regarding the possibility of parents pulling their kids from school because of Wi-Fi, Canning said, "It would be unfortunate, but people have to do what they have to do."

"A parent would have to follow their own gut feeling," he said.

The board has Wi-Fi access points in all of its schools, but "it's not prevalent throughout the entire school," communications director Diane Legg said.

Also, at this point, "Health Canada, the Ministry of Education, the medical officer of health do not believe any students are at risk" due to wireless Internet in schools, she noted.

Those authorities say Wi-Fi is used at safe and acceptable levels in schools, but that's not good enough for Genno.

"Vioxx was 'safe,' too, then everybody had a stroke," she said.

Wi-Fi is "really not necessary," she argued, especially for elementary school students.

Genno also wants the board to keep wireless Internet out of the new Monsignor Lee school when it is built.

ntaylor@orilliapacket.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Residents Get Schooled on Cell Tower Waves

Residents attend a forum to learn more about the potential dangers of electromagnetic radiation.

http://calabasas.patch.com/articles/residents-get-schooled-on-cell-tower-waves

By Charlene Ross

WOODLAND HILLS--Concerned Calabasas and Agoura Hills residents made their way to Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills on Thursday evening to learn about the potential health risks of cell phone antennas and Wi-Fi technology.

The talk, by Canadian electromagnetic radiation expert, Dr. Magda Havas, was organized by Rina Baraz Nehdar, a 39-year-old Fountainwood resident and mother of three.

"I understand that the school district is in dire straits and needs to find creative ways to find funds, but I don't think earning money by letting cell phone companies build antennas on school property—where our children spend over six hours a day—is worth the cost to their health," said Nehdar.

Nehdar first became involved in the cause in fall 2009, after learning that a cell antenna was going to be installed at Lindero Canyon Middle School. Along with other concerned mothers, the group persuaded the city of Agoura Hills to stop the tower from being erected and to extend a temporary moratorium on new cell antennas within the city for another year.

In Agoura Hills, there is currently an antenna at Agoura High. In neighboring Calabasas, antennas have been placed on both the high school campus and A.E. Wright Middle School.

Havas showed a brief film on Mountainview School in Collingwood, Canada, where students spoke of headaches, dizziness, displacement and the inability to concentrate after Wi-Fi technology was installed in their school. These students had never experienced the symptoms before wireless networking was installed, and did not have these symptoms after leaving campus.

"Children absorb more energy, have weaker immunes systems and grow more rapidly than adults," Havas said. "This makes them more susceptible to developing problems from all of this exposure. It is imperative that we get cell phone antennas and Wi-Fi out of our schools."

Havas was joined by Elizabeth Kelley, who spoke about the implications of new cell phone "right-to-know" legislation in San Francisco, and proposed cell phone research and labeling legislation in Congress.

Havas and Kelley answered questions from residents after their presentations. The talk was scheduled for 8 to 9 p.m., but Havas and Kelley stayed past 10:30 p.m. to answer questions from the audience.

"You can be sure that the cell phone industry is just as motivated to keep you in the dark about the dangers of electromagnetic radiation," Havas said, likening telecommunication companies to the tobacco industry. "One hundred years from now, society is going to look back at the dangers of this technology and say, 'What were those people thinking?' "

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Govt to formulate guidelines if tower radiation harmful

Published on Fri, Sep 03, 2010

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/cnbc-tv18-comments/govt-to-formulate-guidelines-if-tower-radiation-harmful-_482792.html

A panel of the ministry of environment will study the impact of radiation from mobile phone towers. Sources say the ministry will formulate guidelines on installing such towers if the findings show that radiation from the towers has an adverse impact, report CNBC-TV18's Mehak Kasbekar and Malvika Jain.

Telecom companies may have to pay dearly if it is proven that they are impacted by electro-magnetic radiation from mobile towers. Concerned by studies that show that the avian creatures are impacted by signals from mobile towers, the environment ministry has commissioned its own panel to assess the impact.

Sources said that if any adverse impact is proven, the environment ministry will formulate guidelines for regulating the erection of mobile towers. This will mean that the mobile phone companies would be required to seek additional approvals for erecting the towers. Environmentalists are elated by the news of the study.

Ravi Singh, Secretary General, WWF says, "The action of the government in forming such a panel is correct. Obviously there is a concern and this is a step in the right direction."

As per current norms, mobile service operators are already required to get clearance from the wireless planning and coordination wing of the dept of telecom, municipal corporations and state governments.

While the companies are willing to cooperate with the Ministry, industry representatives say they should be included in the decision making process and that the state agencies need to stop putting up additional clearance requirements for the sector.

Rajan Mathews, Director General, COAI adds, "We would like to work with all arms of the government to ensure that the environment concerns of various govt departments are taken care of. But having said that we would like to say that there ought to be some order and criteria about which matters are resolves and taken care of."

The telecom industry claims radiation from mobile towers is lesser than that of television towers. But many studies conducted in countries like Spain and Belgium indicate that sparrows and storks get adversely impacted by radiation from the towers. Environment Ministry officials maintain that the study is in the preliminary stages and it would take time to arrive at conclusion.

Also watch the accompanying video.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wi-Fi critics now coming out

SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

http://www.merrittnews.net/article/20100902/MERRITT0302/100909987/-1/MERRITT03/wi-fi-critics-now-coming-out

JOHN O'CONNOR, NEWS EDITOR

While Ottawa and industry continue to peddle the notion that it is
still inconclusive about the alleged dangers posed by wireless
technology, despite the availability of overwhelming scientific data
that it is harmful, Canadian school children—the most vulnerable of all
Canadians—suffer the most.  Last week, British scientist Barrie Trower,
a former naval weapons expert, rang the alarm bell at the University of
Toronto about the immediate dangers posed by Wi-Fi to school children
exposed to it. He warned that future generations could face genetic
disorders as a result of prolonged exposure to low-level radiation
waves.  The warning comes just weeks after a group of Ontario parents
went public that their kids were coming home from school sick, possibly
as a result of wireless radiation emissions from Internet routers in
the schools.   Shockingly and without any regard for erring on the side
of caution, some critics downplayed the claims and said kids were just
making excuses in an attempt to get out of school. Others said that
Wi-Fi is everywhere and it makes no difference if we turn it off in the
schools. But isn't reducing exposure the first step? When smoking was
proven to be harmful, there was not an outright ban overnight. It took
a long time and small steps to eventually minimize human exposure to
toxic cigarette smoke. Wi-Fi, or more accurately, electro-smog, should
be treated the same way.  Unfortunately, the Simcoe County School Board
in Ontario sided with Ottawa and Industry Canada's flawed, outdated
Safety Code 6 and quickly stifled the alarm. It said it would not
remove the wireless infrastructure from schools.  Another school in
Ontario, Brock University, was warned this week by Prof. David Fancy
about Wi-Fi health dangers.  Trower, now a professor at Dartmoor
College, said in the Ottawa Citizen last week, "When I realized these
same frequencies and powers (as weapons during the Cold War) were being
used as Wi-Fi in schools, I decided to come out of retirement and
travel around the world free-of-charge and explain exactly what the
problem is going to be in the future."  He went on to say that children
are affected differently than adults when exposed to wireless emissions
and said "low-level microwaves can damage the ovaries in girls."  "That
girl could have a genetically deformed child, and that could be carried
through generations," Trower said.   "You are not just risking the
current health of your children, you are risking the future generations
of your children."  Predictably, Health Canada issued a statement last
week strumming the old "everything is OK, there's nothing to see here"
line, holding up Safety Code 6 as their "proof."  The recent debate
wouldn't be the first time concern has been brought up in Canada over
wireless emission safety. In 2003, the Vancouver School Board banned
any future cellphone tower masts from being put up on its property.
What's more, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
placed a ban on using fire halls as base stations for cellphone and
microwave towers. The IAFF produced a lengthy, scholarly report citing
dozens of reports by scientists who have carried out studies showing
the negative biological effects as a result of exposure to low-level
electromagnetic radiation.  So, why haven't B.C. school boards put the
students first in this matter, erred on the side of caution, and set
the precedent in Canada? After all, British Columbia does have a
reputation for being the most health-conscious.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authorities debate safety of Wi-Fi in Alberta schools

Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc., Ph.D., researches the health effects of ... The large number of Wi-Fi naysayers in the collection may explain why there's ...

http://www.country95.fm/news/news-detail.asp?ID=2983

Web site www.weepinitiative.org e-mail contactweep@weepinitiative.org

To sign up for WEEP News: newssignup@weepinitiative.org (provide name and e-mail address)

W.E.E.P. – The Canadian initiative to stop Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution

WEEP News

by: Martin Weatherall

As a Canadian independent foundation, WEEP acts as an umbrella organization and focuses on progressive initiatives that bring increased awareness, policy change, and entrepreneurial activity around the issues of safe Electro Magnetic emissions.

WEEP News is a service provided by WEEP to keep those interested in and affected by Wireless, Electric, & Electromagnetic Pollution, informed on a daily basis, of all the current issues and initiatives in the world today.

weepinitiative.org

The opinions expressed in the WEEP news are not necessarily those of WEEP and its members.

Please see
Content Disclaimer

View current news and search for past articles.

Search by category or by date in the Archives section (below)

To get back to the main news page just click on "Show all Posts" at the top of the page