The Penang State Government recently launched the free state-wide wireless@Penang and WiMax@penang broadband projects that uses wireless technology to enable the internet access by computers and laptops without the need for cables.
Projects of this scale has the potential to cause worrying health ramifications to every citizen of Penang.
wireless@penang uses wireless(Wi-Fi) technology with 750 access points(transmitters or antennae) turned on round the clock and constantly emitting pulsed radiofrequency radiation (RFR)(2.4GHz) covering the whole of Penang. Areas covered include residential, school, libraries, recreational park, hospitals shopping centres and commercial areas. WiMax@penang(frequency range of 10 to 66 GHz) will emit more powerful RFR using transmission base station to transmit a wider coverage area up to 50 km. This potentially harmful radiation or electrosmog, is invisible and cannot be avoided by anyone within the coverage areas. The groups most susceptible to these effects are infants, children, the aged, sick and electro-hypersensitive groups.
Please find links that alerted us!
Paris’ Hygiene and Security Commitee has advised to turn off Wi-Fi access in the capital’s public libraries.
http://www.wifiduck.com/2007/12/06/french-library-clerks-say-wi-fi-is-dangerous/
The Austrian Medical Association is pressing for a ban on wi-fi in schools.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549944/Warning-on-wi-fi-health-risk-to-children.html
Dr Gerd Oberfeld, Salzburg's head of environmental health and medicine, has described wi-fi as "dangerous" to sensitive people.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549944/Warning-on-wi-fi-health-risk-to-children.html
Europe's top environmental watchdog(2007) is calling for immediate action to reduce exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi, mobile phones and their masts. It suggests that delay could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking and lead in petrol.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10463870
Germany Warns Citizens to Avoid Using Wi-Fi(2007)
The Environment Ministry recommended that people should keep their exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi "as low as possible" by choosing "conventional wired connections". It added that it is "actively informing people about possibilities for reducing personal exposure".
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/germany-warns-citizens-to-avoid-using-wifi-401845.html
Professor Dennis Henshaw, professor of human radiation at Bristol University
has called for an inquiry into the dangers of Wi-Fi wireless internet
technology. (30 April 2007.)
http://www.lifedesignstrategies.com/art/electronic_smog.pdf
Adam Price MP said Wales should follow the lead of Canada, where schools no
longer used microwave signals to link computer terminals and laptops. One
school in his Carmarthenshire constituency, Ysgol Pantycelyn, Llandovery, has
removed the technology because of parental concern and the county is
currently considering whether to allow Wi-Fi in its schools at all.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=mp-urges-ban-on-wi-fi-technolgy-in-schools&method=full&objectid=18128563&siteid=50082-name_page.html
An Associate Professor at the Department of Neuroscience at the Karolinska
Institute in Stockholm has sent an advisory letter to Swedish school
governors (supplied). Dr Olle Johansson, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, has carried out experiments on radiation similar to or lower than wi-fi and found biological implications. Asked if the commission was right to set limits based on thermal effect, he said: “That’s just rubbish. You cannot put emphasis on such guidelines.”
In Mid-term Review Of The European Environment And Health Action Plan 2004-2010 - European Parliament stated:
MEPs are concerned about the lack of specific legal provisions to ensure the safety of consumer products containing nanoparticles being put on the market. They are greatly concerned at the Bio-Initiative international report on electromagnetic fields, which highlights the health risks posed by emissions from mobile-telephony devices such as mobile telephones, UMTS, Wifi, Wimax and Bluetooth, and also DECT landline telephones. It notes that the limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields which have been set for the general public are obsolete. They do not take account of developments in information and communication technologies or vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, newborn babies and children.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-36137-245-09-36-911-20080903IPR36136-01-09-2008-2008-false/default_sv.htm
The powerful overview and scrutiny committee (OSC) of Haringey council in London resolved this month that there should be "a precautionary approach" to Wi-Fi because of concerns about risks to the health of children and teachers.
With cross-party agreement, it recommended that no new Wi-Fi systems be installed and that existing ones should be discontinued pending "full consultation with parents and staff".
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/wifi-backlash-councils-urge-caution-on-networks-in-schools-457340.html
Sir William Stewart, the chairman of the Health Protection Agency, told colleagues that he would like to see monitoring of children exposed to wireless technology in schools.The chairman of Britain's Health Protection Agency, Sir William Stewart, is calling for the health risks of wireless internet or WiFi to be investigated. Stewart is particularly concerned about health of children who are more vulnerable to radiation.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549944/Warning-on-wi-fi-health-risk-to-children.html
An unpublished report by Becta, the educational technology agency, is raising
fresh concerns about the possible health effects of wireless computer
networks in schools, saying they could cause headaches. The report said the
radiation produced by any device involving wireless technology raised health
and safety questions.
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/?p=693
Philip Parkin, the general secretary of the Professional Association of
Teachers, has called for a full investigation into the networks. ‘We continue to
be concerned about the possible effects of WiFi, particularly on children whose
brains and bodies are still developing,’ he said.
http://www.rospa.com/safetyeducation/info/education.pdf
A university in Ontario refused to install WiFi due to health concerns and a school in Illinois has been sued over its WiFi system.
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=62074
Dr Olle Johansson, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, has carried out experiments on radiation similar to or lower than wi-fi and found biological implications. Asked if the commission was right to set limits based on thermal effect, he said: “That’s just rubbish. You cannot put emphasis on such guidelines.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article1816571.ece
The London Resolution (Nov. 2007) calls for no wifi in homes, schools and public places. Paris libraries have banned wifi. The European Environmental Union advises no wifi. The CA EMF program and the World Health Organization urge governments to apply the precautionary principle especially concerning children.
http://waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30500
Lakehead University(Ontario,Canada)adopted policy of no use of WiFi in those areas of the University already served by hard wire connectivity until such time as the potential health effects have been scientifically rebutted or there are adequate protective measures that can be taken.
The purpose of policy is to limit wireless connectivity based on the “precautionary principle” as there are numerous scientific studies that suggest there is a basis for concern that continuous or frequent long-term exposure to WiFi electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could have adverse health effects.
http://policies.lakeheadu.ca/policy.php?pid=178
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