P-05-1030 Preventive measures on wireless devices in nurseries and primary schools, Correspondence – Petitioner to Committee, 26.10.20
Dear Janet Finch-Saunders and
the Petitions committee.
Thank you for your letter received on the 22nd of October regarding
the petition I ran on taking preventative measures on wireless
devices in nurseries and primary schools.
I would like to consider some key points in response.
The attached document explains that essentially The Welsh
Government are guided by Public Health Wales (PHW) who in turn
advised by Public Health England (PHE) on matters relating to
health effects from wireless networks
The document states that PHE concluded that there are no special
steps required to reduce exposure to these waves and there are no
current reasons why it should not continue to be used in
schools.
I would like to ask whether PHE, PHW and the Education Ministers
are aware of guidelines set out in resolution 1815 Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly from 2011 ?
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=17994
It clearly states in 8.3.2. concerning the protection of children
that , I quote
For children in general and particularly in schools and
classrooms give preference to wired internet connection
I general terms 8.1.4. quote;
to pay particular attention to electrosensitive people who suffer
from a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields and
introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation
of wave free areas not covered by the wireless network.
Therefor you must put in place an alternative with special measures
to protect children and provide options for parents/carers who do
not consent to their children being involuntary exposed.
With this there needs to be a national curriculum that
doesn’t revolve around equipment at such a young age , when
children and even parents and teachers are not even aware of the
exposure.
The document from Kirsty Williams explains the results of the
research supporting PHEs view that exposures from wifi are
low in relation to The international Commission on Non-ironising
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guideline and when compared to
similar exposure from mobile phones.
So you are clearly aware that there is exposure upon the children,
teachers and parents within the schools, therefor it doesn’t
seem unreasonable to have a risk assessment for each school using a
full range spectrometer.
I would like to stress all wireless devices that transmit and
receive these signals consist of intermittent bursts of radio
frequency energy that will exceed the average. Remember, ICNIRP
levels are only set to protect direct effects such as electric
shock and body tissue heating.
These frequencies appear to have more or less potentially harmful
biological effects on plants, insects and animals as well as the
human body even when exposed to levels that are below the official
threshold values.The levels are not very precautionary.
Experts in the field provide concrete examples of simple and
practical means of reducing the exposure to these indoor fields and
eliminating certain health problems such as headaches, insomnia,
coughs, dizziness and depression etc.
If Kirsty Williams is so committed to continuous improvements in
Education Technology across Wales , then a risk assessment would be
in her interest , as this would make her liable if the dangers of
these exposures were not tested with the appropriate
equipment.
We are not satisfied that you have provided sufficient guidance to
local authorities and schools, rushing this equipment whilst
ignoring European guidelines.
Parents/carers and teachers who have responsibilities to protect
children are not receiving this information what so ever about
exposure from short term and long term health effects. There has
not been any information handed out anywhere since this equipment
has gone in place.
Does the Education Digital Standards that assist the schools under
the connectivity options advise European Guidelines?