Wi-Fi in schools: Alberta parents debate its safety

Some Alberta parents are concerned about Wi-Fi in schools and the effect it could have on their children's health.

"I started investigating into this issue a few years ago and I quickly learned that many many medical organizations have put out warning and cautions about this issue," said Edmonton parent and teacher Marcey Kliparchuk.

Wi-Fi uses radio frequency (RF) signals to relay information wirelessly.

Kliparchuk says there is a growing public concern that radiation emitted from RF signals can cause cancer, leukemia and autism.

"I'm not a scientist, however I am looking at the science," said Kliparchuk.

She quotes a 2011 study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The study classified RF electromagnetic fields among 284 other agents that are "possibly carcinogenic to humans."

Falling in the same category is lead, DDT,pickles and coffee.

"Even if these frequencies are in the same category as coffee we wouldn't force-feed children coffee eight hours day," saidKliparchuk.

She is part of aconcerned parent group have proposed a list of recommendations to limit the use ofWi-Fiin the classroom.

• Install switches in classrooms to allow routers to be turned offwhen they're not inuse.
• SettingWi-Fisystems so radiation levels are as low as possible.
• Alberta school boards, parent and teacher associations work together tosupport a provincial symposium regarding the safe use of Wi-Fi in schools

Kliparchuk says thesesuggestions will be put forward in a resolution that will be debated at the Alberta School Councils' Association'sannual meetingin Edmonton from April 24-26. The organization is partnerswith the Alberta SchoolBoards Associationand the Alberta Teachers' Association.

If supported,the parents' association will lobby the provinceto implement the changes.