Wireless and Health Issues
Discussion
I thought this was settled a long time ago, but apparently I've got to go and meet with a few school parents to discuss their concerns as they believe wireless equipment in a building is causing their children long term health issues.
I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
Not trying to be funny or intending any offence whatsoever, but it doesn't sound like you are qualified to take those discussions and the person who is asking you to do so should know better.
Unfair and unreasonable to put you in that situation.
Personally, I'd politely decline to be involved in such a meeting.
Unfair and unreasonable to put you in that situation.
Personally, I'd politely decline to be involved in such a meeting.
sgrimshaw said:
Not trying to be funny or intending any offence whatsoever, but it doesn't sound like you are qualified to take those discussions and the person who is asking you to do so should know better.
Unfair and unreasonable to put you in that situation.
Personally, I'd politely decline to be involved in such a meeting.
I'd agree. This smacks of daft parents more than anything else.Unfair and unreasonable to put you in that situation.
Personally, I'd politely decline to be involved in such a meeting.
"Where there's blame...."
Not your battle, don't get involved - tell them to take it up with the Government...
MattyB_ said:
I thought this was settled a long time ago, but apparently I've got to go and meet with a few school parents to discuss their concerns as they believe wireless equipment in a building is causing their children long term health issues.
I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
Do the parents listen to the radio or watch TV at home?I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
Wifi, cellphone, bluetooth, and radio are all effectively of the same kind of wavelength of electro-magnetic radiation (more than a few cm to 100s of metres). They are all non-ionising and are not capable, through any known mechanism, of making changes in DNA to cause cancer.
The epidemiological studies also show that there has not been an increase in brain cancer, which is what would be expected if these type of radio waves caused cancer given the explosion in cell phone usage from mid 1990s to now .
The above means that there is no evidence to support the view that non-ionising radio waves cause cancer. It does not mean that the lack of evidence proves that it doesn't, this is always an understanding issue when talking about data and proof.
The epidemiological studies also show that there has not been an increase in brain cancer, which is what would be expected if these type of radio waves caused cancer given the explosion in cell phone usage from mid 1990s to now .
The above means that there is no evidence to support the view that non-ionising radio waves cause cancer. It does not mean that the lack of evidence proves that it doesn't, this is always an understanding issue when talking about data and proof.
The simple fact is there is no proven link or definitive evidence so the approach taken by the regulations is a precautionary one.
No doubt the parents, kids have mobile phones, wifi, etc at home so I doubt the school environment is any riskier.
Personally I would stay out of it as most don't have a clue and react based on the worst scare story they have been told or read online.
The money the school would spend trying to satisfy the unreasonable demands would be better spent educating the kids.
If the outcome of the meeting is they want something done then suggest they pay for it instead of the school to avoid affecting their childs education...
No doubt the parents, kids have mobile phones, wifi, etc at home so I doubt the school environment is any riskier.
Personally I would stay out of it as most don't have a clue and react based on the worst scare story they have been told or read online.
The money the school would spend trying to satisfy the unreasonable demands would be better spent educating the kids.
If the outcome of the meeting is they want something done then suggest they pay for it instead of the school to avoid affecting their childs education...
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 9th October 18:52
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 9th October 18:53
MattyB_ said:
I thought this was settled a long time ago, but apparently I've got to go and meet with a few school parents to discuss their concerns as they believe wireless equipment in a building is causing their children long term health issues.
I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
What is your role in the school? This is a conversation for the head or perhaps a school governor to have, not the guy that looks after the IT equipment.I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
If you are the latter, then personally I would be refusing to have the meeting. It's not a technical conversation, it's a parent management issue.
Edited to add...if you are the former, or you decide to have the conversation anyway, then don't take any WHO data or indeed anything that talks about the science. You're not going to convince them so all you should do is state that yes, there is a wireless network and no, we're not going to turn it off. Turning this into a does it / doesn't it debate won't get you anywhere.
Edited by deckster on Tuesday 9th October 19:09
WinstonWolf said:
Do the parents listen to the radio or watch TV at home?
They don't need to. The radio and TV waves are going straight through each and everyone of us all the time. Next time the radio fades out, touch its aerial and see what a wonderful antenna you make. Assuming the access points have been configured properly then their radio output should be within the legal limits.
The kids at school will be doing far greater damage to themselves using their phones.
You may also remind the "won't somebody think of the children" mob that they should bin off the the baby monitor and the microwave oven as well.
If you really want to freak them out then type the school postcode into here
https://www.mastdata.com and show them how many phone masts are pumping out glorious phone signals at them.
Right where's my tin hat..............
MattyB_ said:
I thought this was settled a long time ago, but apparently I've got to go and meet with a few school parents to discuss their concerns as they believe wireless equipment in a building is causing their children long term health issues.
I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
As a physicist it’s hard to understand what the mechanism could be to cause harm, it just seems so wildly implausible when you look at the frequencies and energies involved.I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
No studies have shown harm, there’s no posited mechanism, and those who claimed to be able to feel the signal were shown to not be able to when tested.
I’m sorry that you have to deal with them, and wish you luck. As a starting point can you suggest that they bring some actual published studies that suggest that there is a problem?
deckster said:
...
If you are the latter, then personally I would be refusing to have the meeting. It's not a technical conversation, it's a parent management issue.
...
This.If you are the latter, then personally I would be refusing to have the meeting. It's not a technical conversation, it's a parent management issue.
...
The head should be savvy enough to simply note that there is no evidential link and that any parents having a mobile phone, wifi at home, a TV or a radio should simply let him get on with his/her job. For the rest, complain to the government first about the amount of radio waves they are bombarded with the other 70% of their days.
MattyB_ said:
I thought this was settled a long time ago, but apparently I've got to go and meet with a few school parents to discuss their concerns as they believe wireless equipment in a building is causing their children long term health issues.
I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
I would simply refuse to attend the meeting on the grounds that you simply aren't qualified in the slightest to discuss this matter or give any information on it.I'm a tech, not a doctor. I don't suppose anyone has had similar conversations and used any material used? I've got information from the WHO, but that's pretty much a "it probably won't cause cancer, but there's a small chance it might, we're not sure".
Anyone had similar chats and can advise?
I presume you are being asked to do it by the head teacher or some other superior?
Personally I would have absolutely no qualms in telling that person that I refuse to attend the meeting on the grounds that the parents making the complaints are clearly bats
t mental and probably refuse MMR injections as well.I completely agree that I'm in no way qualified to have this conversation. Both the head and a governer have already had meetings, but the parent is insistent on (in his words) "wanting to know what the school are doing to protect his children from wifi signals"
Ultimately, I'm going there as a favour - the school are one of our customers, and I do IT advisory/project work for them, of which installing wifi (years and years ago) was something I oversaw for them, hence it kinda coming back to me.
MattyB_ said:
I completely agree that I'm in no way qualified to have this conversation. Both the head and a governer have already had meetings, but the parent is insistent on (in his words) "wanting to know what the school are doing to protect his children from wifi signals"
Ultimately, I'm going there as a favour - the school are one of our customers, and I do IT advisory/project work for them, of which installing wifi (years and years ago) was something I oversaw for them, hence it kinda coming back to me.
Can you lay your hands on CE certificate for the equipment, just give them a copy of that and point them at the EU. Ultimately, I'm going there as a favour - the school are one of our customers, and I do IT advisory/project work for them, of which installing wifi (years and years ago) was something I oversaw for them, hence it kinda coming back to me.
In which case just be completely honest.
Attend the meeting, and when asked if wireless signals have the potential to affect humans physically or mentally, just say that "you have absolutely no idea".
Then when asked what you are doing to protect the children, just say "Absolutely nothing".
I appreciate this is not helpful, but there comes a time when you just have to stand your ground and be a bit of a wker IMO.
I've been in similar situations years ago when I've been told to go and meet people who were convinced that damp in a property was making their children ill.
I just told them straight they were being ridiculous and that we weren't going to do anything about it.
Attend the meeting, and when asked if wireless signals have the potential to affect humans physically or mentally, just say that "you have absolutely no idea".
Then when asked what you are doing to protect the children, just say "Absolutely nothing".
I appreciate this is not helpful, but there comes a time when you just have to stand your ground and be a bit of a w
ker IMO.I've been in similar situations years ago when I've been told to go and meet people who were convinced that damp in a property was making their children ill.
I just told them straight they were being ridiculous and that we weren't going to do anything about it.
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