Upgrading technology in our schools sure sounds like a good idea. Wouldn't everyone be on board with North Kingstown's plans to install Wi-Fi in all the NK schools?
Apparently not. In fact, research points to potential health consequences--serious ones--from exposing students and staff to radiation from WIFI. And despite the fact our schools are already hardwired, the school committee plans to move forward with expanding the existing WiFi in all North Kingstown Schools.
Here is your chance to learn more BEFORE they proceed. Camilla Rees, a national figure in the growing movement to protect children against harmful radiation, is the planned speaker at an upcoming public forum. Ms. Rees is the co-author of Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution, and founder of www.ElectromagneticHealth.org.
Wi-Fi in Schools Public Form
Thursday March 13th, 7 pm
North Kingstown Community Center
30 Beach Road
North Kingstown
Mary Adkins, M.Ed. Rhode Island Regional Director of the all-volunteer, grassroots organization Citizens for Safe Technology www.citizensforsafetechnology.org , points out that this electromagnetic radiation (a legally recognized class 2b carcinogen) emitted by school WiFi networks and handheld wireless devices has possible health consequences for students, teachers, and school staff.
Says Adkins, "This forum is being held because there are many concerned parents, grandparents, and teachers who want answers, and our local school boards aren't providing them. Parents have a right to know the facts about chronic exposure to wireless radiation and the health risks this poses to our children and teachers. Other class 2b carcinogens include, Lead, DDT, Gasoline Fumes, and Chloroform--would you want your child exposed to any of these toxic substances in school? Would you want these in your workplace?"
Adkins also notes that it's important to pay attention to who is providing the studies that supposedly show no harm from wireless radiation (contrary to the overwhelming scientific studies that establish safety concerns). The Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, hired a company called URS Corporation to study the safety, but URS builds wireless facilities and is a commercial enterprise with a vested interest in Wi-Fi.
On the other hand, serious concerns about risk were expressed to the L.A. Unified School District by those with no commercial interest in supporting Wi-Fi, including Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D. of UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health and many other respected scientists as well as organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can find more details here: http://eon3emfblog.net/?p=5706
**Please note that in order to accommodate those with electromagnetic sensitivity, organizers respectfully request that cell phones be turned completely off for the duration of the event. Please leave your cell phone in the car or turn power off before entering the building. Vibrate/mute/airplane mode is not sufficient as significant amounts of radiation are still emitted from your phone in these modes and poses a hazard to those with electromagnetic sensitivity, pacemakers, electronic or metallic medical implants, and other chronic health conditions.
Note: for those who want to prevent Wi-Fi in the public schools, there is a petition you can sign at Change.org specifically to keep Wi-Fi out of North Kingstown Schools: click here.
