Second Ontario private school disconnects WI-FI over health fears
Posted October 11, 2011 12:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A second private school in Ontario has decided to disconnect its wireless internet network citing health concerns but it doesn’t look like the country’s biggest school board will be following suit.
Wayside Academy is an independent Catholic school in Peterborough with 51 students from kindergarten to grade 12.
Principal Adam Parker told 680News in light of the World Health Organization warning about radiation from wireless technology, the school decided to err on the side of caution.
“A number of parents approached us with concerns of the health risks with WI-FI being in the school and we already we had a no electronic device policy for our students within a school setting,” Parker explained.
Parker said any computers needed for administrative staff or teachers are hard-wired.
In September, Pretty River Academy in Collingwood dropped its wireless connection. The private school has about 150 students.
The World Health Organization has identified wireless technologies including cell phones as emitting radiation however the WHO has nothing conclusive to link the level of radiation to health problems. Health Canada has said the radio frequencies emitted by wireless devices are extremely low and are not associated with any health problems.
The country’s biggest school board, the Toronto District School Board, currently has WI-FI in 413 schools and education offices. A board official told 680News the network is compliant with the protection standards set by Health Canada and the TDSB is continually monitoring existing and new research.
