|
Home > Archive > Health Forum > March 2006 > Canadian University Bans Wireless Networking, Citing Health Concerns
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Canadian University Bans Wireless Networking, Citing Health Concerns
|
|
| Tim Campbell 2006-02-25, 4:20 pm |
|
Friday, February 24, 2006
Canadian university Bans Wireless Networking, Citing Health Concerns
By ANDREA L. FOSTER
The president of Lakehead University, in southwestern Ontario, says
that he will not allow the institution to deploy a wireless network on
the campus out of concern that the electromagnetic frequencies such
systems emit could endanger students' health.
The president, Frederick F. Gilbert, became concerned about the health
effects of wireless networks after reading studies done by scientists
for the California Public Utilities Commission, said Marla Tomlinson, a
spokeswoman at Lakehead, a 7,000-student institution in Thunder Bay,
Ontario. The California scientists concluded that people exposed to
electromagnetic wavelengths might be at risk of developing cancer and
recommended further investigation.
Wireless networking uses radio frequencies instead of cable lines to
allow computers to communicate with one another, and the transmitters
for such systems generate electromagnetic fields, known as EMF.
Mr. Gilbert was unavailable for comment on Thursday, but Ms. Tomlinson
said he would elaborate on his views on Monday. He has served as
president of Lakehead since July 1998, and the university's Board of
Governors recently extended his contract through May 2010. He holds a
doctorate in zoology from the university of Guelph, in Ontario, and is
interested in wildlife management, environmental studies, and natural
resources.
The university appears to be the first to cite health concerns in
deciding against wireless networking.
Many technology experts, however, discount the idea that wireless
networks pose serious health risks.
Todd Seavey, director of publications at the American Council on
Science and Health, said that the health risks, if any, from being
exposed to the electromagnetic field from a wireless network would be
minuscule.
"There are a tiny handful of scientists who claim that EMF can cause
harm, but they're way out of the mainstream," Mr. Seavey said in an
interview on Thursday. "They've been relegated to their own obscure
journals."
The council, based in New York City, is made up of scientists who
believe that health and environmental public-policy decisions are too
often based on unsubstantiated scientific claims. Mr. Seavey expressed
his opinion on the issue on Thursday on a council blog called
HealthFactsAndFears.
Despite Lakehead's policy on wireless networks, the institution
encourages students to use the Internet via hard-wired connections at
cafes and other settings on the campus.
Lakehead is "completely connected to the World Wide Web through a
comprehensive fiber-optic network," Eleanor S. Abaya, Lakehead's
director of communications, said in a written statement. "Computer labs
are located throughout the campus."
"The university will continue to monitor research on wireless
technology on an ongoing basis and, at an appropriate time, re-evaluate
the university's current position on the issue," the statement said.
At least one other professor has raised similar concerns about wireless
networking. Paul C. Engelking, a chemistry professor at the University
of Oregon, is proposing that his institution allow instructors to turn
off wireless access in lecture halls, in part, because of health
concerns (The Wired Campus, January 25).
In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Engelking likened students' exposure
to electromagnetic fields in lecture halls -- particularly large ones
where 300 to 500 students might be using their laptop computer's
wireless connection -- to the way meat is cooked in a microwave oven.
"In those conditions you would be having 300 to 500 watts of microwave
power in that lecture hall," Mr. Engelking said. "You would be
essentially sitting in a microwave oven at low power."
But Mr. Engelking acknowledged that he originally wanted the university
to adopt his proposal because students with laptops were too often
distracted in class by personal online activities -- like gambling --
to engage in class discussions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----
Copyright =A9 2006 by The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/02/2006022402t.htm
| |
| Raymond Arritt 2006-02-26, 12:49 pm |
| Tim Campbell wrote:
> The president of Lakehead University, in southwestern Ontario, says
> that he will not allow the institution to deploy a wireless network on
> the campus out of concern that the electromagnetic frequencies such
> systems emit could endanger students' health.
Fark.com gave this one its coveted "Dumbass" tag, summarizing the story
as "Lakehead university president bans WiFi networks because they may
cause cancer. Last seen wandering around campus in tinfoil hat mumbling
about a MLB satellite monitoring him."
| |
|
| Shashdot.org posters made a lot of fun of this as well. One of the posters
goes to school there. It just so happens that the university president's
area of research happens to be the effects of WiFi range radiation.
| |
| Caisey 2006-02-26, 5:49 pm |
|
TP wrote:
> Shashdot.org posters made a lot of fun of this as well. One of the posters
> goes to school there. It just so happens that the university president's
> area of research happens to be the effects of WiFi range radiation.
so he knows what hes talking about
| |
| Mark Probert 2006-02-26, 5:49 pm |
| Caisey wrote:
> TP wrote:
>
> so he knows what hes talking about
Not all experts know what they are talking about, even in their own field.
| |
| vernon 2006-02-26, 5:49 pm |
|
"Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
news:zKpMf.2080$rH6.726@fe12.lga...
> Caisey wrote:
>
> Not all experts know what they are talking about, even in their own field.
Most of my career was bargaining or intervention without giving a lot of
"expertise", not they were aware of.
A expert is someone who lives in a different neighborhood or country and
gets paid to give any opinion you want.
There is no such thing as an expert at ANY college campus unless they are
teaching as a side job. The good ones I ran into were teaching and used the
professor's pay to go directly to IRS for taxes. They started in order to
find open minded students to HIRE at or before graduation.
| |
| Mark Probert 2006-02-26, 5:49 pm |
| vernon wrote:
> "Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
> news:zKpMf.2080$rH6.726@fe12.lga...
>
> Most of my career was bargaining or intervention without giving a lot of
> "expertise", not they were aware of.
>
> A expert is someone who lives in a different neighborhood or country and
> gets paid to give any opinion you want.
>
> There is no such thing as an expert at ANY college campus unless they are
> teaching as a side job.
Depends on the discipline. A friend of mine is an expert in the
Philosophy of Science, and I do not think McDonald's needs him.
The good ones I ran into were teaching and used the
> professor's pay to go directly to IRS for taxes. They started in order to
> find open minded students to HIRE at or before graduation.
>
>
| |
| vernon 2006-02-27, 12:50 am |
|
"Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
news:ZEqMf.2152$rH6.1463@fe12.lga...
> vernon wrote:
>
> Depends on the discipline. A friend of mine is an expert in the Philosophy
> of Science, and I do not think McDonald's needs him.
I can't imagine an "expert" in the Philosophy of Science. I can see and
Expert on its varied application or histoy. "Philosophy" by definition is a
generality.
I guess that's why PhD is such a ruse.
[vbcol=seagreen]
>
>
> The good ones I ran into were teaching and used the
| |
| Peter Bowditch 2006-02-27, 10:50 am |
| "Tim Campbell" <timcall@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
>Friday, February 24, 2006
>
>
>Canadian university Bans Wireless Networking, Citing Health Concerns
>By ANDREA L. FOSTER
>
>
>The president of Lakehead University, in southwestern Ontario, says
>that he will not allow the institution to deploy a wireless network on
>the campus out of concern that the electromagnetic frequencies such
>systems emit could endanger students' health.
>
>The president, Frederick F. Gilbert, became concerned about the health
>effects of wireless networks after reading studies done by scientists
>for the California Public Utilities Commission, said Marla Tomlinson, a
>spokeswoman at Lakehead, a 7,000-student institution in Thunder Bay,
>Ontario. The California scientists concluded that people exposed to
>electromagnetic wavelengths might be at risk of developing cancer and
>recommended further investigation.
I assume that this "university" doesn't have a physics department. If they did then the
physicists in it might be able to comment on the competency of "scientists" who used
expressions like "exposed to electromagnetic wavelengths".
Is the "university" going to hold all classes at night time in light-sealed rooms? The
rooms should also be faraday cages as well, I suppose, just in case some "electromagnetic
wavelengths" from the local radio station get in.
>Wireless networking uses radio frequencies instead of cable lines to
>allow computers to communicate with one another, and the transmitters
>for such systems generate electromagnetic fields, known as EMF.
>
>Mr. Gilbert was unavailable for comment on Thursday, but Ms. Tomlinson
>said he would elaborate on his views on Monday. He has served as
>president of Lakehead since July 1998, and the university's Board of
>Governors recently extended his contract through May 2010. He holds a
>doctorate in zoology from the university of Guelph, in Ontario, and is
>interested in wildlife management, environmental studies, and natural
>resources.
>
>The university appears to be the first to cite health concerns in
>deciding against wireless networking.
>
>Many technology experts, however, discount the idea that wireless
>networks pose serious health risks.
>
>Todd Seavey, director of publications at the American Council on
>Science and Health, said that the health risks, if any, from being
>exposed to the electromagnetic field from a wireless network would be
>minuscule.
>
>"There are a tiny handful of scientists who claim that EMF can cause
>harm, but they're way out of the mainstream," Mr. Seavey said in an
>interview on Thursday. "They've been relegated to their own obscure
>journals."
>
>The council, based in New York City, is made up of scientists who
>believe that health and environmental public-policy decisions are too
>often based on unsubstantiated scientific claims. Mr. Seavey expressed
>his opinion on the issue on Thursday on a council blog called
>HealthFactsAndFears.
>
>Despite Lakehead's policy on wireless networks, the institution
>encourages students to use the Internet via hard-wired connections at
>cafes and other settings on the campus.
>
>Lakehead is "completely connected to the World Wide Web through a
>comprehensive fiber-optic network," Eleanor S. Abaya, Lakehead's
>director of communications, said in a written statement. "Computer labs
>are located throughout the campus."
>
>"The university will continue to monitor research on wireless
>technology on an ongoing basis and, at an appropriate time, re-evaluate
>the university's current position on the issue," the statement said.
>
>At least one other professor has raised similar concerns about wireless
>networking. Paul C. Engelking, a chemistry professor at the University
>of Oregon, is proposing that his institution allow instructors to turn
>off wireless access in lecture halls, in part, because of health
>concerns (The Wired Campus, January 25).
>
>In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Engelking likened students' exposure
>to electromagnetic fields in lecture halls -- particularly large ones
>where 300 to 500 students might be using their laptop computer's
>wireless connection -- to the way meat is cooked in a microwave oven.
>
>"In those conditions you would be having 300 to 500 watts of microwave
>power in that lecture hall," Mr. Engelking said. "You would be
>essentially sitting in a microwave oven at low power."
>
>But Mr. Engelking acknowledged that he originally wanted the university
>to adopt his proposal because students with laptops were too often
>distracted in class by personal online activities -- like gambling --
>to engage in class discussions.
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Copyright © 2006 by The Chronicle of Higher Education
> http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/02/2006022402t.htm
Bizarro world!!
--
Peter Bowditch aa #2243
The Millenium Project http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles
Australian Council Against Health Fraud http://www.acahf.org.au
Australian Skeptics http://www.skeptics.com.au
To email me use my first name only at ratbags.com
| |
| Mark Probert 2006-02-27, 10:50 am |
| vernon wrote:
> "Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
> news:ZEqMf.2152$rH6.1463@fe12.lga...
>
> I can't imagine an "expert" in the Philosophy of Science. I can see and
> Expert on its varied application or histoy. "Philosophy" by definition is a
> generality.
>
> I guess that's why PhD is such a ruse.
Not really. This fellow is attempting to apply physics and math to
understand the fundamentals of how the universe works. He has PhDs in
Physics, Math and Philosophy.
>
>
>
| |
| vernon 2006-02-27, 10:50 am |
|
"Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
news:v3EMf.3$s25.1@fe12.lga...
> vernon wrote:
>
> Not really. This fellow is attempting to apply physics and math to
> understand the fundamentals of how the universe works. He has PhDs in
> Physics, Math and Philosophy.
>
Physics is science.
Math is used as a crutch to help in physics analysis, mostly statistical
(repeatable verification).
Philosophy is another term for religion, theist or non-theist.
That doesn't meant they don't work in concert, but assumed similarities
should be limited.
Here are some of the areas of overlap except they haven't been able to give
realist mathemetical answers.
There is no such reality as matter (an extention of unified field theory)
OR, there are no such physical entities as protons, neutrons electrons.
The string theory.
It's absolutely great fun and challenging as long as one does not assume
they found an answer.
"The more you know, the more you know you don't know"
Oh, yes, you would be surprised at the mathematical and psychological
studies at McDonalds. Public desire is the easiest. What really is a
challenge is to analyse the reporting by owners and managers and cashiers of
actual monies taken in and distributed based on the tons of meat, potatoes,
lettuce, etc. processed.
[vbcol=seagreen]
| |
|
|
"vernon" <here@here.com> wrote in message
news:4402440f$0$6512$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com...
>
> I can't imagine an "expert" in the Philosophy of Science. I can see and
> Expert on its varied application or histoy. "Philosophy" by definition is
a
> generality.
Science is just another philosophy and/or religion. I've taken Philosophy
of Science courses but didn't realize there was a Ph.D. track.
| |
|
|
"Caisey" <newanduseless@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1140991628.803695.95470@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...
>
> TP wrote:
posters[vbcol=seagreen]
president's[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> so he knows what hes talking about
>
No. He stood up at a town meeting and gave his talk. He didn't know what
he was talking about. He made no cites, only FUD. He never said there was
danger with WiFi, just that who knows what evil might lurk. The students
believe the danger is that it'll cost money the university doesn't have.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/articl...06/02/23/029224
| |
| vernon 2006-02-27, 5:49 pm |
|
"TP" <tpallTRASH@THISrealtime.SPAMnet> wrote in message
news:dtv88001nlr@enews2.newsguy.com...
>
> "vernon" <here@here.com> wrote in message
> news:4402440f$0$6512$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com...
>
> a
>
> Science is just another philosophy and/or religion. I've taken Philosophy
> of Science courses but didn't realize there was a Ph.D. track.
>
>
Look up PhD in a dictionary. See what the initials stand for.
| |
| vernon 2006-02-27, 5:49 pm |
|
"TP" <tpallTRASH@THISrealtime.SPAMnet> wrote in message
news:dtv8ir01o18@enews2.newsguy.com...
>
> "Caisey" <newanduseless@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1140991628.803695.95470@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...
> posters
> president's
>
> No. He stood up at a town meeting and gave his talk. He didn't know what
> he was talking about. He made no cites, only FUD. He never said there
> was
> danger with WiFi, just that who knows what evil might lurk. The students
> believe the danger is that it'll cost money the university doesn't have.
>
Forget Canada, there are school districts in the United States that NOW
forbid cell phone repeaters to be installed on tall school buildings for
fear of the electromagnetic waves. We won't tell anybody of the forces
around any computer or computer monitor or T.V. (They are not high but 10
times that of wi-fi or cell antenna)
| |
| Caisey 2006-02-27, 5:49 pm |
|
TP wrote:
> "Caisey" <newanduseless@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1140991628.803695.95470@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...
> posters
> president's
>
> No. He stood up at a town meeting and gave his talk. He didn't know what
> he was talking about. He made no cites, only FUD. He never said there was
> danger with WiFi, just that who knows what evil might lurk. The students
> believe the danger is that it'll cost money the university doesn't have.
>
> http://hardware.slashdot.org/articl...06/02/23/029224
Even though it just so happens that that happens to his area of
research?
| |
| vernon 2006-02-28, 12:49 am |
|
"Caisey" <newanduseless@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1141075639.675417.276750@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
>
> TP wrote:
>
> Even though it just so happens that that happens to his area of
> research?
Who said?
Why?
He is a clown.
He is looking for notoriety.
| |
| Peter Bowditch 2006-02-28, 12:49 am |
| "vernon" <here@here.com> wrote:
>
>"Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
>news:ZEqMf.2152$rH6.1463@fe12.lga...
>
>I can't imagine an "expert" in the Philosophy of Science. I can see and
>Expert on its varied application or histoy. "Philosophy" by definition is a
>generality.
>
>I guess that's why PhD is such a ruse.
I'm sorry you don't have one.
>
>
--
Peter Bowditch aa #2243
The Millenium Project http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles
Australian Council Against Health Fraud http://www.acahf.org.au
Australian Skeptics http://www.skeptics.com.au
To email me use my first name only at ratbags.com
| |
| Peter Bowditch 2006-02-28, 12:49 am |
| "vernon" <here@here.com> wrote:
>
>"Mark Probert" <markprobert@lumbercartel.com> wrote in message
>news:v3EMf.3$s25.1@fe12.lga...
>
>Physics is science.
Yes.
>Math is used as a crutch to help in physics analysis, mostly statistical
>(repeatable verification).
So you haven't studied physics or maths, I see.
>Philosophy is another term for religion, theist or non-theist.
Nor have you studied philosophy.
>
>That doesn't meant they don't work in concert, but assumed similarities
>should be limited.
There are no assumed similarities.
>Here are some of the areas of overlap except they haven't been able to give
>realist mathemetical answers.
>
>There is no such reality as matter (an extention of unified field theory)
I doubt that this is believed by any physicist, mathematician or philosopher, or any
combination of the three.
>OR, there are no such physical entities as protons, neutrons electrons.
That's hardly news.
[vbcol=seagreen]
>The string theory.
>It's absolutely great fun and challenging as long as one does not assume
>they found an answer.
>"The more you know, the more you know you don't know"
>
>Oh, yes, you would be surprised at the mathematical and psychological
>studies at McDonalds. Public desire is the easiest. What really is a
>challenge is to analyse the reporting by owners and managers and cashiers of
>actual monies taken in and distributed based on the tons of meat, potatoes,
>lettuce, etc. processed.
>
>
>
--
Peter Bowditch aa #2243
The Millenium Project http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles
Australian Council Against Health Fraud http://www.acahf.org.au
Australian Skeptics http://www.skeptics.com.au
To email me use my first name only at ratbags.com
| |
|
|
"vernon" <here@here.com> wrote in message
news:44039620$0$2861$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com...
> He is a clown.
> He is looking for notoriety.
>
>
I've been writing all sorts of replies to your inane posts and kept deleting
them. Finally, you came up with the words to describe yourself and I didn't
even have to write them.
| |
|
|
| vernon 2006-02-28, 10:50 am |
|
"TP" <tpallTRASH@THISrealtime.SPAMnet> wrote in message
news:du0k5j01kge@enews2.newsguy.com...
>
> "vernon" <here@here.com> wrote in message
> news:44039620$0$2861$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com...
>
> I've been writing all sorts of replies to your inane posts and kept
> deleting
> them. Finally, you came up with the words to describe yourself and I
> didn't
> even have to write them.
>
And YOU are an Electronics engineer who has designed and used many RF
devices? I am.
You probably are very aware that the emf and rf energy given off by your
computer and computer screen (although safe according to most) is about ten
times what you would be exposed to in the typical wi-fi environment.
According to his kind, you should avoid being with 3/4 miles of any
electrical transmission lines.
He is a clown.
He is looking for notoriety.
And probably mentally unstable.
| |
|
|
"Rich" <joshew@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message
news:V5VMf.8$Bu6.1@tornado.socal.rr.com...
>
> No it is not. The word is from the Greek "philos," love, plus "sophia,"
> learning, knowledge, or wisdom. Nowhere does it imply faith, which is the
> universal component of religion.
Philosophy is not a form of religion, but science is just another form of
faith. Not a religion, unless you happen to believe Paul/Tom Math. is the
god he thinks himself to be. There are people who believe as fervently in
shamanism, in all sorts of thing that don't involve the scientific method.
Then of course, there's Christian Science and many people from the Eastern
tradition who say they are doing things scientifically when they are
actually doing things methodically.
|
| |
|
|