Wireless Technology Use in Schools - Algoma District School Board

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Ministry of EducationMinisterMowat BlockQueen's ParkToronto ON M7A 1 L2Telephone (416) 325-2600Facsimile (416) 325-2608Ministere de ('EducationMin sireEdifice MowatQueen's ParkToronto ON M7A 1L2Telephone (416) 325-2600Telecopieur (416) 325-2608June 8, 2010Mr. Brad SaundersChairSimcoe County District School Board 1170Highway 26Midhurst ON LOL 1 XODear Mr. Saunders,Thank you for your letter conveying parents' concerns and the boards' deliberations regarding wirelesscommunication technologies in your schools.As you note, the World Health Organization and Health Canada have both examined the issues concerning non-ionizingradiation from wireless communication devices, and concluded that the devices are safe. The ministry is confidentthat these two organizations have the scientific, technical and public policy knowledge needed to make thisdetermination.Health Canada's Safety Code 6 is based on the latest research available to the federal government. Shouldfuture research cause the federal government to amend the code, those changes would be reflected in what is donein Ontario schools.The ministry continues to work with schools, school boards and communities to address student safety. I appreciate thetime you have taken to share your concerns. Thank you again for writing.Sincerely,Leona DombrowskyMinister of Education
Wireless Technology and Health Outcomes: Evidence and ReviewAre there human health effects related to the use of wireless internet technology (Wi-Fi)?Dr. Ray Copes, Director of Environmental and Occupational Health, Ontario Agency for HealthProtection and PromotionDr. Lawrence Loh, community medicine resident, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and PromotionBackgroundWireless internet technology (also known by its trademark name Wi-Fi) initially was conceived in themid 1980s but only came into widespread use in the mid-2000s, most notably as part of municipal freeinternetprojects 1 (e.g. Toronto Hydro OneZone 2 .) Today, wireless internet is ubiquitous in homes,hotels, airports, and public institutions such as schools, libraries and long-term care homes.Although Wi-Fi is a relatively new communication technology, use of the radiofrequency (RF) band forcommunications and other applications is not new and widespread public exposure to these frequencieshas occurred for decades. In addition to Wi-Fi, numerous other technologies also employ the RF band,including cellular phones and their base tower infrastructure, conventional television and radio signals,home cordless phones, and microwave ovens. 3The RF band is a band of non-ionizing radiation that ranges from 3 kHz – 300,000 MHz1, 4, 5. The RF bandis part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with frequencies below those associated with visible light andX-rays and higher than those frequencies associated with power lines. Unlike the much higherfrequencies associated with X-rays and ultraviolet radiation, including sunlight, RF lacks sufficient energyto break chemical bonds.Of these technologies, the bulk of research in RF has been on cellular phones. Cellular phones have beenin use longer than Wi-Fi and are associated with higher field strengths. Thus, when considering total RFexposure in terms of power density, duration, distance (from source) and frequency of exposure 6 , it isimportant to remember that Wi-Fi may represent only a small proportion of an individual’s overall RFexposure 3 .In most countries exposure limits for RF are set at the national level. Industry Canada regulates RF inCanada 7 . For protection of human health from adverse effects of RF exposure, they have adopted HealthOntario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion – 480 University Ave, Suite 300, Toronto ON M5G1V2 1
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Wireless Technology Use in Schools - Algoma District School Board

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