Another school switches off wi-fi in health fears

Rrose Selavy · 4th October 2009, 02:21 PM

Not quite sure about this. So one parent's objections is enough to prompt the removal of a technology yet it was deemed safe enough to use mostly elsewhere else but even if objections are mostly irrational, or without strong evidence they could still render use effectively impossible, as a precaution?

Quote:

Another primary school in Northern Ireland has decided not to use wireless technology after a parent cited health fears, it has emerged. Ballycarrickmaddy Primary removed its wi-fi system last year.
The Department of Education said there was no evidence of any health risk and only one other school in NI has decided not to use it, using on cables instead.
The other school is Ballinderry PS in County Antrim, where the principal Ian Thompson, took the decision.

He said: "We don't really know the biological end of this, which is the thing which really concerns us," he said.
"It's all right saying there's no heat from it, we accept that, but we don't know what's going on inside.
"I would like more reassurance really."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8274180.stm

nathan · 4th October 2009, 02:42 PM

It's enough to make one think about creating a story about how compressed digital music (i.e. 'mp3s') is full of harmful overtones[*] that are transmitted by headphone leads and can cause developmental retardation in pubescent youths.
[*] generated as an artifact of the decoding scheme, of course.

Brian-M · 4th October 2009, 05:46 PM

Clearly just a new variation of the "Oh no! Electromagnetic waves are BAD!" hysteria.
So far we've seen the same reaction about:

Power Lines
Radio Broadcast Towers
Mobile Phones
Microwave Ovens

And now;

Wi-Fi

I doubt this [electromagnetophobia?] is going to vanish anytime soon, no matter how scarce the evidence found to support it. Personally, I'm not worried. I've recently installed a wi-fi ASDL broadband modem in my home, and I'm not the least bit concerned.

Eos of the Eons · 4th October 2009, 06:38 PM

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&so...rlz=1W1ADSA_en

gak! There is sure a market for these woo woo cures. Guess who made up the scares??

Lisa Simpson · 4th October 2009, 06:57 PM

There is a huge controversy in my neighborhood, because there is a church here that is leasing part of their parking lot to T-Mobile for a cell phone tower. Neighbors have been coming 'round trying to get me to sign a petition using scare tactics (OMG! Won't someone think of the children!).

Dancing David · 4th October 2009, 08:27 PM

Where I live in central illinois radon is a much more dangerous situation.

i assue that the risk from gasoline fumes and cosmic radiation is also higher. TV set i am sure kick out a high number of high energy particles every now and then.

Wireless is freaking slow.

Skeptic Ginger · 4th October 2009, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by nathan

It's enough to make one think about creating a story about how compressed digital music (i.e. 'mp3s') is full of harmful overtones[*] that are transmitted by headphone leads and can cause developmental retardation in pubescent youths.
[*] generated as an artifact of the decoding scheme, of course.

Shhh! No one knows that yet and I still have money riding in that market.

fagin · 5th October 2009, 06:36 AM

I've had wifi for years and have never suffered any adverse gak ug groo arrg

Guybrush Threepwood · 5th October 2009, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Rrose Selavy

Not quite sure about this. So one parent's objections is enough to prompt the removal of a technology yet it was deemed safe enough to use mostly elsewhere else but even if objections are mostly irrational, or without strong evidence they could still render use effectively impossible, as a precaution?

Quote:

Another primary school in Northern Ireland has decided not to use wireless technology after a parent cited health fears, it has emerged. Ballycarrickmaddy Primary removed its wi-fi system last year.
The Department of Education said there was no evidence of any health risk and only one other school in NI has decided not to use it, using on cables instead.
The other school is Ballinderry PS in County Antrim, where the principal Ian Thompson, took the decision.

He said: "We don't really know the biological end of this, which is the thing which really concerns us," he said.
"It's all right saying there's no heat from it, we accept that, but we don't know what's going on inside.
"I would like more reassurance really."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8274180.stm

It's Nordies, what can you say

ponderingturtle · 5th October 2009, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Dancing David

Where I live in central illinois radon is a much more dangerous situation.

i assue that the risk from gasoline fumes and cosmic radiation is also higher. TV set i am sure kick out a high number of high energy particles every now and then.

Some early TV sets were serious X ray sources

jakesteele · 5th October 2009, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Lisa Simpson

There is a huge controversy in my neighborhood, because there is a church here that is leasing part of their parking lot to T-Mobile for a cell phone tower. Neighbors have been coming 'round trying to get me to sign a petition using scare tactics (OMG! Won't someone think of the children!).

I don't know how the laws work in Ireland, but in America there is an epidemic of law suits by people looking to make the big score. If the school refused to remove the wi-fi, then there would be the inevitable law suit. All they've got to do is find the right 'expert witness' and off to the race track they go.

Expert witness are basically hired guns for sale. There have been many times in a court case where two opposing witnesses look at the same evidence and come to two different conclusions, depending on which side is paying them. I'm sure the parents would find the right 'soul-dead land shark' to put enough reasonable doubt in the jurors minds.

Alareth · 5th October 2009, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Lisa Simpson

There is a huge controversy in my neighborhood, because there is a church here that is leasing part of their parking lot to T-Mobile for a cell phone tower. Neighbors have been coming 'round trying to get me to sign a petition using scare tactics (OMG! Won't someone think of the children!).

These are also the same people that bitch about poor cellular service.

NoZed Avenger · 5th October 2009, 11:58 AM

I just set up a new wireless network in my apartment.

(1) Have I just killed all my neighbors? and
(2) My computer sees something like 20 other usable networks in range. Have they just killed me?

4th October 2009, 02:21 PM	#1
Rrose Selavy Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,156	Another school switches off wi-fi in health fears Not quite sure about this. So one parent's objections is enough to prompt the removal of a technology yet it was deemed safe enough to use mostly elsewhere else but even if objections are mostly irrational, or without strong evidence they could still render use effectively impossible, as a precaution? Quote: Another primary school in Northern Ireland has decided not to use wireless technology after a parent cited health fears, it has emerged. Ballycarrickmaddy Primary removed its wi-fi system last year. The Department of Education said there was no evidence of any health risk and only one other school in NI has decided not to use it, using on cables instead. The other school is Ballinderry PS in County Antrim, where the principal Ian Thompson, took the decision. He said: "We don't really know the biological end of this, which is the thing which really concerns us," he said. "It's all right saying there's no heat from it, we accept that, but we don't know what's going on inside. "I would like more reassurance really." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8274180.stm

4th October 2009, 02:42 PM	#2
nathan witty nothing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Renaissance Italy Posts: 1,792	It's enough to make one think about creating a story about how compressed digital music (i.e. 'mp3s') is full of harmful overtones[] that are transmitted by headphone leads and can cause developmental retardation in pubescent youths. [] generated as an artifact of the decoding scheme, of course.
	__________________ Crank works have one advantage: they don't really lose anything in translation. Skeptic That's the beauty of Paranormal claims - there are no failures, only newly discovered restrictions on the ability. Ashles

4th October 2009, 05:46 PM	#3
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,049	Clearly just a new variation of the "Oh no! Electromagnetic waves are BAD!" hysteria. So far we've seen the same reaction about: Power Lines Radio Broadcast Towers Mobile Phones Microwave Ovens And now; Wi-Fi I doubt this [electromagnetophobia?] is going to vanish anytime soon, no matter how scarce the evidence found to support it. Personally, I'm not worried. I've recently installed a wi-fi ASDL broadband modem in my home, and I'm not the least bit concerned.
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,049

4th October 2009, 06:38 PM	#4
Eos of the Eons Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Alberta Posts: 13,253	http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&so...rlz=1W1ADSA_en gak! There is sure a market for these woo woo cures. Guess who made up the scares??
	__________________ Motion affecting a measuring device does not affect what is actually being measured, except to inaccurately measure it. the immaterial world doesn't matter, cause it ain't matter-Jeff Corey my karma ran over my dogma-vbloke The Lateral Truth: An Apostate's Bible Stories by Rebecca Bradley, read it!

4th October 2009, 06:57 PM	#5
Lisa Simpson THE Lisa Simpson Administrator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 123 Fake Street Posts: 14,830	There is a huge controversy in my neighborhood, because there is a church here that is leasing part of their parking lot to T-Mobile for a cell phone tower. Neighbors have been coming 'round trying to get me to sign a petition using scare tactics (OMG! Won't someone think of the children!).
	__________________ In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes at issue. - Wallace Sayre Facts are satanic litter on the heavenly highway to blind faith! - Betty Bowers

4th October 2009, 08:27 PM	#6
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 18,354	Where I live in central illinois radon is a much more dangerous situation. i assue that the risk from gasoline fumes and cosmic radiation is also higher. TV set i am sure kick out a high number of high energy particles every now and then. Wireless is freaking slow.
	__________________ Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blast on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us.- Walt Kelly wow Mr.Philospher, you need some custard poured over your head mayhaps? -kittynh "Exhibit 1338A as to why the Politics forum is "where rational thought goes to die."-Carlitos

4th October 2009, 11:57 PM	#7
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 19,317	Originally Posted by nathan It's enough to make one think about creating a story about how compressed digital music (i.e. 'mp3s') is full of harmful overtones[] that are transmitted by headphone leads and can cause developmental retardation in pubescent youths. [] generated as an artifact of the decoding scheme, of course. Shhh! No one knows that yet and I still have money riding in that market.
	__________________ Sk'p' 'el (Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.) (*Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.)

5th October 2009, 06:36 AM	#8
fagin Muse Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 516	I've had wifi for years and have never suffered any adverse gak ug groo arrg
fagin Muse Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 516	__________________ Reverend of the Universal Life Church

5th October 2009, 06:50 AM	#9
Guybrush Threepwood Trainee Pirate Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: An Uaimh Posts: 510	Originally Posted by Rrose Selavy Not quite sure about this. So one parent's objections is enough to prompt the removal of a technology yet it was deemed safe enough to use mostly elsewhere else but even if objections are mostly irrational, or without strong evidence they could still render use effectively impossible, as a precaution? Quote: Another primary school in Northern Ireland has decided not to use wireless technology after a parent cited health fears, it has emerged. Ballycarrickmaddy Primary removed its wi-fi system last year. The Department of Education said there was no evidence of any health risk and only one other school in NI has decided not to use it, using on cables instead. The other school is Ballinderry PS in County Antrim, where the principal Ian Thompson, took the decision. He said: "We don't really know the biological end of this, which is the thing which really concerns us," he said. "It's all right saying there's no heat from it, we accept that, but we don't know what's going on inside. "I would like more reassurance really." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8274180.stm It's Nordies, what can you say

5th October 2009, 09:14 AM	#10
ponderingturtle Orthogonal Vector Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ossining NY Posts: 18,760	Originally Posted by Dancing David Where I live in central illinois radon is a much more dangerous situation. i assue that the risk from gasoline fumes and cosmic radiation is also higher. TV set i am sure kick out a high number of high energy particles every now and then. Some early TV sets were serious X ray sources
	__________________ Sufficiently advanced Woo is indistinguishable from Parody "There shall be no poofing in science" Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Force ***** on reasons back" Ben Franklin

5th October 2009, 09:57 AM	#11
jakesteele Muse Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 521	Originally Posted by Lisa Simpson There is a huge controversy in my neighborhood, because there is a church here that is leasing part of their parking lot to T-Mobile for a cell phone tower. Neighbors have been coming 'round trying to get me to sign a petition using scare tactics (OMG! Won't someone think of the children!). I don't know how the laws work in Ireland, but in America there is an epidemic of law suits by people looking to make the big score. If the school refused to remove the wi-fi, then there would be the inevitable law suit. All they've got to do is find the right 'expert witness' and off to the race track they go. Expert witness are basically hired guns for sale. There have been many times in a court case where two opposing witnesses look at the same evidence and come to two different conclusions, depending on which side is paying them. I'm sure the parents would find the right 'soul-dead land shark' to put enough reasonable doubt in the jurors minds.
jakesteele Muse Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 521	__________________ Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

5th October 2009, 10:58 AM	#12
Alareth Sarcasm Distribution System Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 4,046	Originally Posted by Lisa Simpson There is a huge controversy in my neighborhood, because there is a church here that is leasing part of their parking lot to T-Mobile for a cell phone tower. Neighbors have been coming 'round trying to get me to sign a petition using scare tactics (OMG! Won't someone think of the children!). These are also the same people that bitch about poor cellular service.
	__________________ Stellar Visions \| Stop Sylvia Browne \| Alareth Does Art! Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak "Hi mjd[1982]. Don't worry about breaking any news to us, you're really in very little danger of ever doing that." - Stellafane

5th October 2009, 11:58 AM	#13
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,793	I just set up a new wireless network in my apartment. (1) Have I just killed all my neighbors? and (2) My computer sees something like 20 other usable networks in range. Have they just killed me?
	__________________ There is no substitute for good manners. Except fast reflexes.