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Ontario Parents Say School Wi-Fi Networks Make Kids Sick
Parents in the town of Barrie, Ontario, Canada, want their school district to disable its Wi-Fi network because, they claim, it's making their kids sick. According to a report by The Canadian Press, parents say that, after the district went wireless, kids from 14 different schools displayed symptoms -- including headaches, dizziness, nausea, faster heart rates, memory loss, trouble concentrating, skin rashes, hyperactivity, night sweats and insomnia. Rodney Palmer and other members of the Simcoe County Safe School Committee say the kids don't display these symptoms at home. "I'm not saying it's because of the Wi-Fi because we don't know yet, but I've pretty much eliminated every other possible source," Palmer told the Press.
The concerned parents volunteered to pay any costs the schools might incur by going back to a wired network, but the school board ignored this proposal. Now it appears some parents, like Palmer, might send their kids to other schools or home school them because of this bizarre rash of illness.
We've been skeptical, at best, of claims regarding Wi-Fi's harm, simply because electromagnetic sensitivity is a dubious disease, though some studies have shown links between cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation. Yet, in an interview with the CBC, former Harvard research consultant Susan Clarke said, "We have statistics that show that children, especially young children, are going to absorb much more radiation than older children and adults because of their thinner skulls and because the size of their brains more closely approximates the size of the wavelength being deployed." Any parents that buy into this, of course, would have to switch off microwaves, cell phones and cable boxes, and remove their children from any airports or coffee shops (whe re wireless runs rampant).
This is not to suggest that the switch to Wi-Fi isn't going to interfere with small brains and school kids, but Palmer's claim that he's "eliminated" all possible culprits is certainly hyperbole. We have to wonder. Is it really so strange that kids are sicker during school days than on the weekends? [From: CBC News, via: Slashdot]
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Comments
45
Subscribe to commentsJaniceAug 17th 2010 7:36PM
I tried Wifi in my house and had to go back to a wired router because I developed the EXACT same sypmtoms those kids had plus elevated blood pressure. I'd eliminated everything but the Wifi router. Within 24 hours of reverting back to a wired router, ALL of my symptoms went away.
carlAug 17th 2010 7:49PM
We gotta be more careful people !!!The technology we have now is so so great...
However, we wont know the true heath damaged caused by such technology until
probably 50 years from now....They`ve been so many products that our government
deemed safe (lead paint, aspestos, ect...) only to find out that, 30-40 years later, people`s health has been getting damaged all along. When a cellphone gets super hot in my ear & when that microwave cooks my meal half the required time... i know something isn`t quite right ... i just cant prove it yet !!!!
I`ll just have to wait another 30 years...
William ClarkAug 17th 2010 8:06PM
L K Tucker, I Agree. However, These Symptoms Are Not Just Specifically Found InCrew Memebers Of The Belgian Polar Expedition of 1898, But Are Common In Everyday Life. That's Why You See Lots Of Comercials About Aleve And Excedrine. One Major Thing That Could Cause These Symptoms In Younger Children Is Too Much Video Games Or Television. Just By Playing A Video Game, Kids Can Become Flushed And Have Even A High Fever. Also, If You're Over Tired, You Will Feel A Little Sick, Such As A Headache.
The Radiation In Younger Kids Is Very Dangerous; Only If You're Letting Your 4-Month Old Hold A Joystick And Stare At The Microwave For A Few Hours. Devices Such As Home Gaming Systems And Computers Do Release Radiation, But Not At Such An Alarming Amount That It Would Cause Symptoms!
I Believe That The Parents Of These Children Should Not Blame The School System Because Of Wi-Fi, But Instead Control The Amount Of Balanced Exercise/ Video Game Time That Their Children Recieve And Send Their Kids To Bed.
joeAug 17th 2010 8:07PM
It is apparent why this country is in such a sad state. Stupid people don't believe there is a problem with anything until thousands get sick and die. Are any of you scientists who can prove that cell phones and wi-fi make don't people sick? Of course not,highly unlikely. Probably some of the same dummies who don't believe in global warming. I can feel the electromagnetic energy against my head that a cell phone puts out. But most of you who deny these claims probably can't and have thick skulls or numb brains.
salvyncAug 17th 2010 8:10PM
This could be true. It is weird but I am allergic to the heater. In Winter I have to choose from staying cold or deal with all the sneezing and dripping nose. Well not when I am at work because they won't turn off the heater just so I can be happy.
So please be a little open minded about this situation or go experience yourself.