The lack of long-term research associated with Wi-Fi exposure has raised concern amongst some Jasper parents and residents about the technology in schools.
Wi-Fi is a low-level radio frequency energy that allows for wireless data communication. Most schools in the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) have Wi-Fi or will have Wi-Fi, said Betsy DeClerq, Jasper school trustee. Every new school constructed in Alberta, including the Jasper Joint School Facility, will have Wi-Fi, she adds.
DeClerq was unaware of the potential risks associated with Wi-Fi until she was contacted by a few people in town.
Art Jackson was one of those people.
He is concerned about the long-term effects associated with Wi-Fi exposure because the technology hasn鈥檛 been around long enough to document such results.
In October 2012, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine released a statement that connected adverse health effects like headaches, learning disabilities, and altered immune responses to Wi-Fi exposure.
鈥淭here have been a lot of warnings that come out of the research because [researchers] don鈥檛 know the impact it鈥檚 going to have over time,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he main issue is there鈥檚 so many unknowns, why would we risk it?鈥�
Select schools in Ontario and B.C. have banned Wi-Fi, including St. Vincent Euphrasia elementary school in Meaford, Ont. and the Sannich School District near Victoria, B.C.
鈥淚 did a little looking into [Wi-Fi] and I also spoke with the School Advisory Council (SAC) about it when I received comments because I wanted everyone to be aware,鈥� said DeClerq, who also discussed the concerns with GYPSD鈥檚 school board.
No decisions were made at the board level, she said, but if there鈥檚 more input from the community and parents, the board will revisit the issue.
鈥淎t this point there鈥檚 hardwiring and Wi-Fi [in the Jasper Joint School Facility], that鈥檚 what the design is,鈥� said DeClerq, but removing Wi-Fi and having only hardwire ports is an option if there鈥檚 more advocacy from parents and the public.
Wi-Fi is seen as an 鈥渆ducational tool鈥� for students, plus the tablets at Jasper鈥檚 schools only work with Wi-Fi, they cannot connect to the internet via hardwire.
Alberta Health released a document in 2012 that dispels concerns about Wi-Fi鈥檚 negative health effects and the Chief Medical Officer of Health鈥檚 official stance is that the use of Wi-Fi in schools 鈥渄oes not pose a health risk to staff or students.鈥�
鈥淭he issue with this document is that it cites Health Canada research that was conducted in 2009,鈥� said Jackson. 鈥淭he research [Alberta Health] refers to is so out of date, the most current stuff has come out this year.鈥�
Sarah Makowsky
[email protected]
