Wi worry?

In recent weeks, a few parents of the Lynbrook School District have expressed concerns about the students’ use of Wi-Fi in their classrooms. Parents asked questions, and shared comments about any possible dangers or health risks associated with radiation exposure to their children at recent board of education meetings.

“This technology is very different from radio and television,” said parent Christine Basile. “All devices are transmitting. Radio and television are not transmitting…”

Basile spoke about several issues with the technology following a presentation by Dr. Paul Lynch on Sept. 14. Detailing the district’s reasons for going “wireless,” Lynch said that the technology allows for information to be available to all students at the same time, in addition to being a future requirement for accessing the internet on tablet–size computers. He explained that Wi-Fi is available in numerous places, including hospitals. “We want kids to check in with the information … get to the cloud, bring information down...”

Using Wi-Fi gives off non-ionizing radio waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation that does not carry enough power to ionize atoms or molecules. Wi-Fi produces low power, and is similar to baby monitors and cordless phones, Lynch said in the presentation. He also said waves drop in strength as they move away from wireless access points, known as the law of the inverse square.

The district had contacted several health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nassau County and New York State Departments of Health. Only the CDC and Environmental Protection Agency responded. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the CDC stated “there is no consistent evidence that radiation from Wi-Fi devices would adversely affect the health of students and staff,” according to a letter from John Howard, director of NIOSH. The letter also stated that Wi-Fi gives off less RF radiation than cell phones, and that type of radiation is far less powerful than that from X-rays and ultraviolet light —well -known causes of cancer. NIOSH scientists are still reviewing possible health effects from radiation.