{"id":1555,"date":"2010-12-10T15:49:00","date_gmt":"2010-12-10T22:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=1555"},"modified":"2017-08-11T14:44:01","modified_gmt":"2017-08-11T21:44:01","slug":"children-pulled-from-maple-ridge-school-over-wi-fi-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=1555","title":{"rendered":"Children pulled from Maple Ridge school over Wi-Fi concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

http:\/\/www.bclocalnews.com\/tri_city_maple_ridge\/mapleridgenews\/news\/111635919.html<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Samantha Boutet pulled her daughter, Gabrielle (left), 7, and Amelia, 11,<\/p>\n

out of Laity View elementary over concern about the dangers of Wi-Fi internet routers. (photo)<\/p>\n

By\u00a0Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Published:\u00a0December 10, 2010 8:00 AM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parents at a Maple Ridge elementary school have pulled their children out of school over fears radiation from Wi-Fi internet routers may be harming their children.<\/p>\n

Samantha Boutet says her daughter began experiencing headaches, dizziness, and anxiety last school year at Laity View elementary. After watching a news report about possible dangers posed by Wi-Fi routers, Boutet, who is a naturopathic doctor, became convinced low-level electromagnetic radiation was the culprit.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one could tell us why she was getting sick,\u201d she said. \u201cBut the symptoms they described were the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sure enough, a wireless router was mounted on the wall in her daughter\u2019s classroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was as physically close to it as possible,\u201d said Boutet.<\/p>\n

Since every school in district is equipped with Wi-Fi routers, Boutet pulled her two daughters out of the public school system and now home-schools them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer headaches were a 10 out of 10 while she was at school, and they are down to a five out of 10 now,\u201d said Boutet.<\/p>\n

Another parent at Laity View has followed suit and pulled their daughter out of school, as well.<\/p>\n

However, a considerable body of scientific evidence suggests radiation from Wi-Fi routers is perfectly safe.<\/p>\n

In a 2006 report, the World Health Organization stated there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak radio frequency signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.<\/p>\n

Health Canada, meanwhile, has determined \u201cexposure to low-level radio frequency energy, such as that from Wi-Fi equipment, is not dangerous to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laity View principal Shelley Linton was disappointed to see the children pulled from the school, but notes that as far as the district is concerned, Wi-Fi is safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike all other schools, we follow Health Canada and school district protocols when it comes to Wi-Fi,\u201d she said. \u201cAs a principal, it\u2019s not something I can control. The district sets up and manages our network.\u201d<\/p>\n

In response to concerns about perceived health issues, School District No. 42 reviewed existing research, and found there to be no convincing evidence of a health threat associated with Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n

However, as wireless technology has become more widespread in recent years, so too have the calls for scientist to take a closer look at how this increased amount of low-level radiation affects the human body.<\/p>\n

The House of Commons\u2019 Standing Committee on Health released a report earlier this month on the potential impacts of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, from sources such as Wi-Fi, and recommends the Government of Canada fund long-term studies examining the potential health impacts of exposure.<\/p>\n

Numerous grass-roots groups around the country have contacted MPs, MLAs, and school boards, asking for a moratorium on Wi-Fi until more comprehensive studies can be completed, and for electromagnetic hypersensitivity to be recognized as a medical ailment.<\/p>\n

Boutet believes that until there is concrete evidence Wi-Fi is safe for children, schools should plug their computers back in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe science is divided, but until we know for sure, we shouldn\u2019t be putting kids at risk,\u201d she said. \u201cMy kid is the canary in coal mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n

\t\t\t