You have commented 338 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Great White North
University bans Wi-Fi because of health danger of radio waves
2006-02-25

A small Canadian university has ruled out campus-wide wireless internet access because its president fears the system's electromagnetic forces could pose a risk to students' health.

Lakehead University, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, has only a limited Wi-Fi connections at present, in places where there is no fibre-optic internet connection. According to president Fred Gilbert, that is just fine. "The jury is still out on the impact that electromagnetic forces have on human physiology," Mr Gilbert told a university meeting last month, insisting that university policy would not change while he remained president. "Some studies have indicated that there are links to carcinogenetic occurrences in animals, including humans, that are related to energy fields associated with wireless hotspots, whether those hotspots are transmissions lines, whether they're outlets, plasma screens, or microwave ovens that leak."

Lakehead University published a transcript of Mr Gilbert's remarks on its website. Spokeswoman Eleanor Abaya said the decision not to expand the university's few isolated wireless networks was a "personal decision" by Mr Gilbert.
He didn't want to spring for a free tinfoil hat for everyone. And underwear.

But the president's stance has prompted a backlash from students and from Canadian health authorities, who say his fears are overdone. "If you look at the body of science, we're confident that there is no demonstrable health effect or effects from wireless technology," said Robert Bradley, director of consumer and clinical radiation protection at Canada's federal health department. He said there was no reason to believe that properly installed wireless networks pose a health hazard to computer users.

Adam Krupper, president of the Lakehead students' union, estimated about 1000 of the school's 7500 students have laptops that could pick up a wireless signal, and he said students "really, really" want Wi-Fi on campus. "Considering this is a university known for its great use of technology, it's kind of bad that we can't get Wi-Fi," he said.

Mr Gilbert is a former vice-provost of Colorado State University who holds degrees in biology and zoology. He was previously a zoology professor.
I could understand an English major, but a zoology professor?
Posted by:Jackal

#18  "Some studies have indicated that there are links to carcinogenetic occurrences in animals, including humans, that are related to energy fields associated with wireless hotspots, whether those hotspots are transmissions lines, whether they're outlets, plasma screens, or microwave ovens that leak."

Speaking of microwave ovens that leak, I had a friend in HS whose microwave was an old 70's beast that was built in to the cabinets of his parents' home. I was over there one day, goofing off and one of the other guys opened the microwave door WHILE it was still running and the thing kept running. Needless to say, I didn't have my tinfoil on, so there's no telling how messed up I am. And, on another note, what the heck's a "Carcinogenetic?" Is that something where I don't get cancer, but my kids could? Never actually heard the term, but I'm no zoologist.
Posted by: BA   2006-02-25 22:01  

#17  Mega, milli, whatever dude, it's a zoo out there!
Posted by: Inspector Clueso   2006-02-25 18:27  

#16  its sokay

i can walk on the sun.
Posted by: RD   2006-02-25 17:26  

#15  Turn snow to steam... probably not too far off the mark: 100 million watts-- the output of nearly a quarter-million microwave ovens-- pumped into that dinky 6" long antenna on the router would yield some interesting phenomena, that's for sure.

The air around the router, probably for many meters, would be ionized a harsh, brilliant electric blue; and the temperature within a few feet of it would be higher than the surface of the Sun.

Happy Surfing, Doodz!!!

Posted by: Thraimble Greque5524   2006-02-25 16:23  

#14  100 megawati megawatts? Daymn! I could set up the transmitter outside the garage and turn the snow to steam on my driveway during the worst of blizzards.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2006-02-25 15:38  

#13   Biological responses to electromagnetic fields

Posted by: john   2006-02-25 15:03  

#12  100 megawatts? Damn, I wish I had one o' them things...

Not omnidirectional, though, I think. Something pointable.
Posted by: mojo   2006-02-25 14:38  

#11  WEP is your friend, holey as it is ... heh
Posted by: lotp   2006-02-25 14:20  

#10  Crikey! You'd have indolent college kids stealing your bandwidth all the way down in Tierra del Fuego with that much power...
Posted by: Thraimble Greque5524   2006-02-25 14:06  

#9  100 MegaWatts would be a fine, fine wireless router. Bet SPoD got one.
Posted by: 6   2006-02-25 13:54  

#8  Tell him, that as soon as your born everything you do slowly kills you, so live a little.
Posted by: djohn66   2006-02-25 13:10  

#7  What about cell phones? He is not banning cell phones. Maybe he should put a Faraday Shield over the university and run everything on hydraulics. /tinfoil hat
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2006-02-25 13:02  

#6  Electric blankets are making a comeback, too.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-02-25 10:34  

#5  Just like all that cell phone brain cancer that is now in epidemic levels! Killing all our ... what? Studies proved no link and they are safe? Um... but, studies also ... false? ... um ... GLOBAL WARMING AND BUSH HATES BLACK PEOPLE!!
Posted by: mmurray821   2006-02-25 09:27  

#4  this chumps just shortened his career dramaticly me thinks
Posted by: ShepUK   2006-02-25 04:28  

#3  What a maroon. From the Ward Churchill CU Zoo University of drooling idiots.
Posted by: Inspector Clueso   2006-02-25 01:06  

#2  "have indicated"

"links"

Call me when you get some actual facts
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-02-25 00:46  

#1  Some studies have indicated that there are links to carcinogenetic occurrences in animals

That's why he's going apesh*t
Posted by: Shiter Omeatch9655   2006-02-25 00:25  

00:00