Health – Wi-fi safety concerns

This is now an unfortunate reality. Tragically, there are many cases being discovered by neurosurgeons around the world. An Australian neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo, of Sydney, has spoken out about the relationship. He has observed an alarming increase in brain tumours in children, behind the ear on the side that they predominantly use for their cell phone. We now live in a time where there are multiple sources of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) all around us including cell phones (and towers), wi-fi, digital cordless phones, smart meters and so on. But these applications are relatively new and the concern is that there has not been enough long-term study about the potential dangers of them, especially in children.Children are more vulnerable because they are smaller with thinner skulls and their immune systems and brains are still developing. The subject evokes a lot of emotion with the views for and against. I like to keep a balanced approach to the subject. I am pro-technology but think that we need to be sensible and thoughtful about how we use it instead of regretting the outcomes in generations to come. There are essentially three groups involved:

• Industry selling technology products.
• Informed scientists and public concerned about the health risks.
• The un-informed, who go on the ‘say so’ of others and do not investigate for themselves.

It is wise to ask “what are the probable motives of each group?” when we are delving into this subject, as it is difficult to obtain a balanced non-biased view.

Here are some critical considerations.

• There are no long-term studies proving that long-term exposure to wi-fi/cell phones is safe (this is a huge concern for children who may be exposed to it all day)
• Anyone claiming that it is safe is misinformed, because there is no hard evidence
• Some organisations use the NZ Safety Standard (from 1999) as a reference to the safety of EMR but this is outdated and irrelevant to the current concerns, especially for wi-fi, cell phones and digital phones
• Children are most at risk and we should be extra careful when their health is in question
• Many informed groups and societies around the world are removing wi-fi and other EMR sources due to some of the health problems that have occurredThere are plenty of safer ways to use the technology without the need for wi-fi and digital phones.When working in hospitals, I witnessed many suffer and die as a direct result of smoking, but 70 years ago we thought smoking was safe.To learn more, Sue Grey, an environmental lawyer and scientist, will be talking about wi-fi and the risks for children. This will be held at the Bridgehouse on September 14, from 7pm (in the back room). Come and listen to an expert and be informed.