In this chapter, we will review the deployment of WIFI, tablets, laptops and the use of smartphones in schools all over the globe. We will explain the increase in exposure and the problems expected in classes with all this additional EMF (specially RF) exposure.
In the past few years, schools around the globe have adopted several educational programs that rely on smartphones and wireless devices. The idea is to use smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other wireless devices to make the learning process easier and fun. But these devices, together with wireless routers and cellular signal busters, emit Radio Frequency (RF) radiation. This radiation is emitted from many sources (in some cases more than 4 kids with their smartphones and laptops all emitting RF), inside the classroom and creates a rich RF environment in every class. Therefore the exposure of teachers and pupils alike, in school and class, is becoming worse & worse.
EMF sources that can be found in the class:
- Electric infrastructure and power line next to the school/class – Low frequency EMF exposure
- Cell towers next to the school (RF) – RF exposure from the outside of the school
- Wireless router inside every class (RF) – Constant RF exposure from the router in every class
- 40 tablets/laptops, each for every kid, in every class (RF) – When used, add additional RF radiation inside the class.
- 40 smartphones, each for every kid (RF) – When not in use, add some RF radiation (smartphone emits RF radiation even when not in use), and more when in use.
- Cellular signal buster wherever installed (RF) – Installed in some schools and class to enhance the cellular reception (=radiation) inside the school and classes.
- Other wireless devices like smartwatches, wireless earphones (RF) – Most of them emit RF radiation all the time.
- A stationary PC for the teacher, but with wireless communication (RF) – The PC is usually wiredly connected to the network but it’s Bluetooth and wifi cards are still ON, scanning and emitting RF radiation all the time.
The combined RF exposure in the “wireless class” will usually be higher than in a “wireless house”, since many more sources are operating in much smaller area.
WIFI wireless computer networks in classes
In classes and schools, there are a lot of electromagnetic radiation sources. In a classroom with a WIFI network and many laptops connected via the wireless network, the electromagnetic radiation levels can be very high, even if all the other EMR sources are turned off. The reason for that is the wireless WIFI router and the wireless connected laptops all emit high-frequency EMR. A child who sits in this classroom will be exposed to RF EMR emitted from all the laptops around him, and from the WIFI router. This is different from home WIFI use (also not recommended) in which the user is usually exposed to RF EMR only from his laptop and from the WIFI router. In addition, we have to remember that children are more sensitive to EMR and are more affected by it.
Wired network is the right way.
The wireless computer network in-class simulation
The following simulation tries to show how kids that will be present in a classroom with “only” 9 wireless PCs and a single wireless router will be exposed to multi frequencies (WIFI signal is spectrum spread) Radio Frequency radiation from multiple sources and from several directions. In reality kids that will be present in classes with wireless network will be exposed to multi frequencies RF radiation from the WIFI router and from many (20-40) wireless PCs, multi frequencies RF radiation from the kids’ cell-phones (if permitted or if still ON), multi frequencies RF radiation from cell-phones’ towers and other RF sources outside the class and to ELF magnetic fields from the electricity infrastructure. Again I remind you, the below simulation is for “only” 9 wireless computers and one wireless router.
Simulation of electromagnetic radiation in class
International report about WIFI in schools
Several international reports about the safety of WIFI in schools were published. The ones that found no risk, based their risk assumption on one single thing. In these reports, WIFI is considered safe if the levels of RF radiation that were measured were below the ICRNIP standard. The ICNIRP standard for RF signals above 2 GHZ is 1000uW/cm2. This is an extremely high level. The ICNIRP standard is for acute exposure only and it does not cover any biological, long term damage. ICNIPR is closed comity that has been promoting for a long time the approach that the only risk in RF radiation is in levels that cause heat. One of these reports is the HPA – HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY and the second report was issued by INDUSTRY CANADA. The HPA has issued several reports in the past that reject the possible link between cancer and cellphone use. INDUSTRY CANADA relay of the Safety Code 6 issued by HEALTH CANADA which accepts the ICNIRP radiation (both RF and ELF) standards and does not accept any biological effect, change or damage caused by non-thermal levels of RF and ELF. INDUSTRY CANADA and HEALTH CANADA are responsible for approving the deployment of WiMAX, 4G cellphone network and smart radiation electric-meter and gas meters in CANADA, Both the HPA and HEALTH CANADA have repeatedly downgraded the risk of exposure to RF radiation.
If you take a look into the reports you will find that some of the RF levels that were measured were higher than levels that according to studies effect biological systems. For example in the HPA report the max level that was measured near a laptop was 2.2uW/cm2, and the level near the router was 8.7uW/cm2. In the INDUSTRY CANADA reports the max level near a laptop was 2.34uW/cm2 and 106-77uW/cm2 next to the router.
The INDUSTRY CANADA report – http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10383.html
WIFI in schools Non-Consent form
The following form is a “WIFI in schools non-consent form”. If you believe, like me, that RF EMR has some health effect and you don’t want your child to be exposed to RF EMR in school, you can fill in this form and send it to the relevant school. It might help to recruit several other parents for the task. If more and more WIFI Non-Consent forms are sent to schools the attention of this health issue caused by WiFi in schools will be much higher.
Additional info
In addition to the “WIFI Non-Consent form,” it is recommended to add scientific papers about this health effect of RF EMR and WIFI. Such a document is the “OPEN LETTER: Medical Officer of Health — WiFi in Schools” that was written by Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc., Ph.D.,
Related video clips:
RF EMR from WIFI-enabled laptop