Thank you for your correspondence received by Dr. Pellizzari on ...

Thank you for your correspondence received by Dr. Pellizzari on February 22, 2012 expressing your concern about the safety of wireless communication systems (Wi-Fi) in schools. The correspondence will be provided to the Board of Health at its March 14th meeting. Recently there have been concerns raised about possible adverse health effects from radiofrequency energy emitted from Wi-Fi, particularly with regard to students. Many parents are trying to educate themselves about this issue and it can be difficult to get a clear answer. This can be very unsettling when it involves something as dear to us as the health and safety of our children. The radiofrequency band has widespread use and the public has been exposed to these frequencies for decades however Wi-Fi is a relatively new application of the radiofrequency (RF) band. Many other technologies use the RF band, including cell phones, television and radio, home cordless phones, and microwave ovens. Exposure to RF from Wi-Fi represents only a small proportion of a person’s exposure to RF. Research indicates that exposure to RFs from Wi-Fi is very low - 1000 times or more below exposure guidelines in Safety Code 6. The spectrum of electromagnetic frequencies is divided into non-ionizing and ionizing bands. The ionizing bands and ultraviolet radiation frequencies are of most concern as they are known to be carcinogenic. The RF band is a band of non-ionizing radiation that ranges from 3 kilohertz to 300,000 megahertz and lacks sufficient energy to break chemical bonds. Wi-Fi exposure research demonstrates that a child typically using a laptop with a wireless router receives less than 1% of the specific absorption rate for a typical mobile phone. In addition, the maximum and median Wi-Fi exposures are significantly below limits set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. It is reassuring to know that extensive reviews conducted by the Health Protection Agency in the United Kingdom, Health Canada, the Royal Society of Canada and Public Health Ontario on the potential effects of Wi-Fi conclude that there is no evidence of health risks associated with exposure to Wi-Fi. While those who claim Wi-Fi is dangerous say evidence about its safety is inconclusive, it is important to understand that inconsistency and, in some cases, conflict between the results of individual scientific studies often happens in health research. However, good public health decisions can still be made. That is why public health officials such as Health Canada and Public Health Ontario take into account the entire body of scientific research when considering the potential health effects of a certain issue instead of selecting specific studies to support a particular opinion. There has been some confusion related to the classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of cellular phone use as a possible carcinogen. The IARC did not make this classification for wireless devices like Wi-Fi which are of much lower power densities. Resolution 1815, which was passed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 2011, recommends that preference be given to wired Internet connections in schools however the Council does not provide a weight of evidence approach for its recommendations. Research on potential health effects from Wi-Fi exposure is an active field of investigation. For this reason, up-to-date reviews of scientific research which follow a weight of evidence approach are far more useful for informing debate and sound policymaking than reliance on individual studies. I want to reassure you that the use of Wi-Fi does not pose a public health risk. The weight of evidence abundantly shows that as long as exposure to radiofrequency energy emitted from Wi-Fi equipment in

schools is below the safety limits established by Health Canada, there is no convincing scientific proof that this equipment is dangerous to students. In fact, there is profuse research concluding that Wi-Fi exposure is not only well within recommended limits, but is only a small fraction (less than 1%) of what is received during typical use of cellular phones. As you continue to study the health effects of Wi-Fi it is important to seek out resources that consider the full scope of credible research into this area. Many of these can be found on the Health Unit’s website at www.pcchu.ca . If I can be of further assistance please contact me at (705)743-1000. Sincerely yours, Shawn Telford-Eaton Public Health Inspector Peterborough County-City Health Unit 10 Hospital Drive Peterborough, ON K9J 8M1 PH: 705-743-1000 x 287 Fax: 705-743-2897 Email: [email protected]