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Parental concern over Wi-Fi radiation sparks lawsuit

updated 11:35 pm EST, Tue November 11, 2003

Parents sue over Wi-Fi risk

ABCNews reports that parents of a Wi-FI- and iBook-equipped school are suing the school district over . The suite sites "75 percent" of nonindustry-sponsored studies that show "some biological effect" that occurs because of wireless radiation exposure. "Effects of exposure include reduced absorption of calcium, headaches, and even the threat of senility." The school board now cautions students and teachers to stay at least eight inches away from wireless hubs -- the distance advised by most manufacturers.

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11/11, 11:54pm | report spam | close Reply |
so the monitor is better?

So the leave the classroom to go to the libary and use I assume desktops with CRTS and all the evil radiation. But wait theres more. They get carpal tunnel from the mice and elf from the PC's power supply.

Please!!!!!!!!!!!

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11/11, 11:57pm | report spam | close Reply |
Baiman

Please note this baiman guy has a portable telephone at home and a microwave.

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11/12, 12:00am | report spam | close Reply |
How the h***...

...could someone get closer than 8 inches to a WiFi hub unless they are sitting right on top of it???? Frivolous lawsuit. Stupid letigious parents. They are rich and live in a rich school district where their kids get to use the latest technology and all they can do is b**** and sue. I can't believe how ungrateful some people can be. Most students use books that are missing pages and are decades out of date, if they are lucky enough to get a text book at all. Someone should sue these parents for being jerks and for further bilking the school districts out of even more money. My school district can't even afford to put seatbelts ($20 a seat) in their aging buses to meet the new DOT regulations. Sad. If these parents don't want their kids using computers they should pack them up and send to my school district so my kids can use them.

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11/12, 12:03am | report spam | close Reply |
Unbelievable

the stupidity of those parents. I wonder how many of them use cell phones and work in offices where there is a wireless network. Complete idiots.

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11/12, 12:16am | report spam | close Reply |
The morons

probably stuff their children with McDonald's c*** food and candy anyway. Bet you they smoke, too.

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11/12, 12:28am | report spam | close Reply |
Rednecks

period

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11/12, 12:28am | report spam | close Reply |
Sue-happy soccer moms

these moms should send their kids to one of my local schools. Radiation will be the least of their concerns. Getting shot, taking crack, getting knocked-up, gangs, getting their asses kicked: these are real concerns in the rest of the world. They should be grateful their kids are actually getting a worthwhile education. This is so pathetic. The current mentality of the typical parent is just plain kooky.

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11/12, 12:29am | report spam | close Reply |
Uhoh

The suite sites "75 percent" of nonindustry-sponsored studies that show "some biological effect" that occurs because of wireless radiation exposure. "Effects of exposure include reduced absorption of calcium, headaches, and even the threat of senility."

Headaches? You don't think any of the toxins in the carpet, paint, walls, desks, food, water, computers, chalk, whiteboards, hamsters, etc, can't give you headaches?

Threat of senility? Is that like "OK, no one move. If you bring that wireless hub any closer, I swear, I'll go senile!" "Oh, watch out! He's just crazy enough to do it!"

Oh, and I don't know how to tell these people, but you're exposed to wireless radiation everywhere. Maybe they should shield the schools in aluminum foil (don't forget the hats!).

And are the non-industry sponsored studies any more reliable than the industry ones? Who's sponsoring these studies? 75% of them could be sponsored by the "Clear out our airwaves action committee".

This wouldn't be a problem if they had just got Centrino laptops instead. But, no, its the deadly apple machines.

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11/12, 12:39am | report spam | close Reply |
this is serious

I think wireless technology could be bad for you. Do you stand in front of the microwave while you cook food? No, of course not. Streaming particle energy isn't people friendly.

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11/12, 12:53am | report spam | close Reply |
Cell Phones

Also note that ALL of the studies are for technologies not on the 2.4ghz band. Mostly cell phones that you hold right next to your head.

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11/12, 01:03am | report spam | close Reply |
one thing....

we're all going to die.

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11/12, 01:19am | report spam | close Reply |
serious?

"Streaming particle energy isn't people friendly."

You're right. Radio waves... like.... RADIO! (ARRGH!) TV! (OH NO!) Cordless and Cell Phones! or even HIGHER frequency, Visible Light! (oh the humanity!)

http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/ALSTool/EMSpec/EMSpec2.html

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11/12, 01:21am | report spam | close Reply |
the problem

The problem is that when these parents should have been in science class learning about the electromagnetic spectrum, they were in another part of the school because their parents wanted to protect them from the /lead/ in pencils.

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11/12, 01:40am | report spam | close Reply |
Streaming particle energy

A recent study shows that ANY kind of streaming causes cancer.
I stopped using streamed audio and video, and uninstalled RealPlayer and QuickTime from my Mac.
I even avoid going near water streams, because water is made out of particles and you never know.
Streaming is bad, m'kay?

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11/12, 01:56am | report spam | close Reply |
Ban DHMO

DHMO (Dihydrogen Monooxide) is a killer that can be found in EVERY home in the US!

- Inhalation of DHMO causes rapid death.
- DMHO is found in all forms of caner.
- DMHO in its gas form can cause serious burns.

Ban DMHO today!

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11/12, 03:17am | report spam | close Reply |
25% of American children

are overweight and 60% of adults. That's not healthy either, and scientifically proven so. Maybe some kids should sue their parent for feeding them junk food and Coke.

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11/12, 04:41am | report spam | close Reply |
Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide

AMEN! BAN THAT DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE STUFF...no wait a minute...AAAHHH! I just drank some. I shall die now!

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11/12, 06:27am | report spam | close Reply |
This is insane

The risk of using WIFI accesspoints is orders of magnitudes less than the risks of using normal cell-phones:

1. The RF emission of an apple airport station has a max. emission power level of 30 milliwatts (15 dBm) while cell-phones typically have max. emission power level of up to 2 watts (33 dBm) (This is for GSM, I don't know the figures for the phones used in the US). Typical emission from normal use of cell-phones is approx. 0.6 watts (28 dBm) This means that the RF emission from a typical airport basestation is around 20 times lower than that of a typical cell-phone.

2. Since electromagnetic fields decrease with the square of the distance (inverse square law) distance is very important when evaluating risks of RF emission. Typically your exposure to WIFI happens at a distance of several meters for basestations and 40-50 cm for mac with an airport card. Cell-phones on the other hand are typically used at a distance of approx. 1-2 cm from your body (your brain!). Using the inverse square law; the field is at least 20^2 = 400 times less at the typical distances involved when you're exposed to WIFI compared with the distances involved when using a cell-phone.

If we combine the above arguments we can conclude that the typical (normal use) exposure from an airport card or base-station is 8000 times less than that of a cell-phone. Or course it could be argued that the exposure from cell-phones are limited to the amount of time you spend speaking in the phone, while exposure from airport systems last as long as you are in the vicinity of base-stations and airport-enabled macs. OK, if we take this into account, typical usage of the cell-phone might amount to half an hour pr. day, while the typical exposure to WIFI (in a school) might amount to max. 8 hours a day. Let's do the math: 8000*(0.5h/8h) = 500 times lower risk. This is still significantly less (especially considering that many kids in europe use their cell-phones for more than an hour every day).

So maybe parents should start suing telcos or cell-phone manufactures instead. But it is important to note, that even in the case of cell-phones, the studies of health risks have not yet been able to scientifically verify any long term damage as a result of cell-phone usage.

/M.

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11/12, 08:30am | report spam | close Reply |
Grog say technology bad!

Technology scare Grog. Make gods bring big thunder.

Grog like stone. Stone good.

Idiots!

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11/12, 08:47am | report spam | close Reply |
wireless phones

The 800 Mhz, 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz phones used in homes have many of the same frequencies used by computer wireless. I suppose they don't consider those a health risk. Oh and how about those cell phones? You get more radiation from an electric razor!

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11/12, 08:58am | report spam | close Reply |
Stupid people

This just puts in print my theory of why stupid people should not be allowed to breed!

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11/12, 09:06am | report spam | close Reply |
Missing the big picture

This is just another group of parents who are either looking for a quick buck or lack involvement in their childs education. There are bigger issues out there that they won't take responsibility for...one such is "over scheduling children" and "obesity". Yep! There is no such thing as "pick up" baseball games anymore. Everything is organized to the max. And obesity is a major problem...parents are too concerned with their agendas than their children...so TV and Xbox become a babysitter.
Not to mention, the majority of parents in America have little to no involvement in their childs education. When I was in school(1978-1990), the parents knew the teachers and principles...if you got out of line, the teacher was in the right..no questions...and then you got it at home.
I am sorry, but I am pretty disguisted with the parents today that grew up during the late 60's. They were pegged right...."the ME generation".

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11/12, 09:29am | report spam | close Reply |
Calm

Apparently there is little documented evidence to support the parents' concerns so far. But all the name calling and stereotypes being tossed around makes me think that the iBook supporters on this forum are not so evolutionarily advanced themselves. My guess is that most of the people in this forum have equally wacked ideas on other topics, and that these supposedly anti-tech parents are probably at least as educated as the other.

I would not be surprised if 9 out of 10 people spewing off here do not have any first-hand knowledge to support their position. They are just blind sheep like the others. Does the concern have anything to do with the frequency? Or is it about signal strength? Or is it about prolonged exposure? Or something else? You would have to read the arguments in the lawsuit.

Also, the arguments along the lines of, "Well, this more common place thing is actually worse," are kind of pointless. It's kind of like saying, "Listen, we already have toxins in our water supply, so adding more that are less toxic won't hurt."

It might also be worth noting that in the past things have come along that were "proven perfectly safe" and were later found to have undesireable effects.

I don't share the opinions of the parents in this case, but think there is a better way to resolve the problem than ridicule and slander.

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11/12, 09:50am | report spam | close Reply |
Riducule and Slander

Ridicule and Slander!

Currently I am typing on a Mac with my face 2 inches from the monitor, while cooking popcorn in a microwave that is right next to my head, with a Wifi hub on the other side, and wearing my cell phone taped to the top of my head.... think I have a case?

;)

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11/12, 09:54am | report spam | close Reply |
Re:Ridicule and slander

Only if you get brain cancer and in that case just make sure your family knows about it.

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11/12, 09:56am | report spam | close Reply |
Microwaves

I think wireless technology could be bad for you. Do you stand in front of the microwave while you cook food? No, of course not. Streaming particle energy isn't people friendly.

Well, first, if its cooking for a long time, no, but that's because I have better things to do than stare at the microwave for 5 minutes. If its short time, then yes, for I don't believe the c*** about microwaves being emitted and frying your brain out.

Now, regarding the safeness of wireless, it was pointed out by one person about CRTs. CRTs are much more dangerous than WiFi, as they are "always on", and you're more likely to be near a CRT than a wireless basestation (um, the whole point of wireless is so you don't need to be near the router. if you're going to be 1 foot away, use a cable and save $200). And the major issues with CRTs isn't sitting in front of it, its the kids behind and to the left/right, where most of the radiation spits out, and you know how labs are set up, row after row of computers. Hmmm, not safe at all.

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11/12, 10:33am | report spam | close Reply |
cool

ban wireless laptops! SUE SUE SUE, Get Rich Quick!

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11/12, 11:25am | report spam | close Reply |
re: Microwaves

They tell people with pacemakers to stay away from live microwaves, so it seems that some form of energy is being emitted.

Just so you know... the majority of energy from a CRT comes out the *back* of the monitor. Monitors also have to meet emissions guidelines; I believe it's called TCO.

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11/12, 11:47am | report spam | close Reply |
I"m not a shame

I"m not a shame to call these Parents stupid and moronic!! And every one that sides with them dumb and irnorant fools.

HAHHAAHAHAHAHA
DIE MADA FUCKERS!!!!!
where's my gun and drugs, hahahahahaha

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11/12, 11:56am | report spam | close Reply |
re: i" m not a shame

I think maybe you are "a shame"; apparently you don't know how to use the English language very well. Maybe you should go back to school being sharing your ignorant comments.

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11/12, 12:48pm | report spam | close Reply |
eggs

Does this mean I can fry an egg on top of my base station? Just curious, thanks.

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11/12, 02:33pm | report spam | close Reply |
WiFI suit.

I read the suit as it was posted on WiFi Networking News and read some of the stuff posted in their local papers.

This problem in the school district in question has been brewing for 2+ years. The group in Oak Park(STOP-Safe Technology for Oak Park) sued as a last resort since they claim the district isn't listening.

What they really are is "True Believers" who in the face of all facts, forge ahead with the satisfaction that they are right.

They presented some 400+ studies and reports. They quote a Dr. Henry Lai on west cost(Seattle?) but the problem is that no researchers have been able to replicate his results. And that is the story. None of the reports STOP presents has been replicated and some go back to Russian Microwave studies from the 70's. All of the papers/reports/studies are on Cell Phones and Cell Towers, not WiFi. They claim it doesn't matter. The even lower esposure is causing concern.

Their data, unreplicated, asserts that there are changes to the blood-brain barrier. But no determination of good or bad. Ergo, STOP contends that the district should then "Turn off the network until it is proven safe". Which is absurd.

The group, STOP, does not understand WiFi. They equate it with Cell Phones...as if the kids were in the beam of a rf flashlight the moment they walk into schools.

Also, STOP quotes a retired physicist, as to the exposure from RF the kids get from an Airport. Did he make any, ANY measurements in a school,classroom or similar situation? Of course not. He called Lucent, got some numbers and CALCULATED the result. Taking nothing into account as the background RF in the school, or the materials of the building. Steel frame buildings affect Wifi, since the steel can act like a Faraday Cage, absorbing the signal. STOP, though takes his word as gospel. I'm sure he's well intentioned, but he has a consulting company specializing in EMF remediation. Same for one of their other experts, Cindy Sage. Did I forget to mention that neither of them have any professional training in bioelectromagnetics?

OTOH, the district's expert, Dr. David McCormick of IIT did the largest EMF study, some 7 years, and knows all the players in this issue. STOP brushes him aside as though he's an amateur scientist.

Of note is that the suit presents no one actually damaged by the WiFi. It alludes to potential future harm. It asks for no money, unless the court so decides. Instead, they are suing to have have the WiFi network turned off until proven safe.
20 years, maybe.

IOW, they're well-intentioned, but mmisguded and don't understand the science. And this is classic of "True Believers". Other relatives of the STOP folks are involved in trying to get Nuclear Power shut down in Illinois, and probably elsewhere as well.

One person in a local paper there put it in perspective by allud

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11/12, 03:25pm | report spam | close Reply |
re: Microwaves

The reason people with pacemakers are warned against being around microwaves is the possibility of re-programming or worse, turning off their pacemakers, largely with older models that were adjusted using RF transmitters.

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11/12, 05:07pm | report spam | close Reply |
how sad..

read the last paragraph of the article. The daughter of the father who is suing has to leave the classroom every time they use the iBook lab. Truly pathetic. Poor child. Stupid parent. How embarrassing.

I hope I don't turn out to be this kind of parent.

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11/12, 10:03pm | report spam | close Reply |
Stupid bonehead parents

If they only knew the truth about the wood used in pencils they would try to sue the pants off the school district: it contains toxins that result in respiratory distress and long term exposure to the sawdust from sharpening wooden pencils can potentially cause lung cancer. ISYN!

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11/13, 01:18am | report spam | close Reply |
Media is irresponsible

And the media choose to report something like thatwithout balance info is looking for controversy.

The typical media tactic, spread the threat, and it'll get your attentions, you're afraid of the unknown and they win. Too bad that also increase the anxiety of the society, reacting everything in the name of fear.

When will media learn to do the right thing?

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Parental concern over Wi-Fi radiation sparks lawsuit

updated 11:35 pm EST, Tue November 11, 2003

Parents sue over Wi-Fi risk

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so the monitor is better?

Baiman

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serious?

the problem

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wireless phones

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eggs

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how sad..

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