I reviewed volumes of scientific studies and found that symptoms of heavy metal toxicity are similar to symptoms of exposure to EMR. I also saw overlap between autism and exposure to EMR. Scientists get curious with an overlap of one. I saw an overlap of fifty biological dysfunctions, including genetic alterations, retina optic damage, increased inflammatory reactions, immune shifts, geno toxicity, increased oxidative stress, altered fetal development and increased auto-immune risks. The list goes on--which tells us that more research is warranted. Until then, there's no harm in trying the two-week trial.
I've also learned to consider my office a lab: if a child becomes hyperactive in my waiting room and calms down outdoors, that gives me a clue that his home environment or my waiting room may need EMR reduction.
To filter magnetic fields and shield radiofrequency fields, I recommend that you first take measurements with gauss and RF meters--or hire someone who's qualified to do so. You'll need to repeat measurements annually, since new transmitters frequently go up without notice. Also, since some filtering and shielding equipment can actually worsen EMR exposure, it's important to know the return policy of whatever you purchase.
As researchers explore possible environmental contributors to autism, they'd be remiss not to include EMR. Indeed, we're all researchers now, in our high-tech world. Our children are like canaries in the coal mine. We might welcome our children's agitated behaviors as indications that we need to use technology more safely. By making technology safer, we are also likely to improve health for ourselves, wildlife and the planet.
Andrew Goldsworthy, PhD, retired lecturer in biology, Imperial College, UK
Some genetic forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can be accounted for by known mutations in genetic coding for ion channels that result in an increased concentration of calcium in neurons. This can lead to neuronal hyperactivity and the formation of sometimes inappropriate synapses, which in turn may lead to autistic behaviors.1
Just after birth, a child's brain goes through an intense period of becoming aware of new sensory input, e.g. recognizing his or her mother's face, her expressions, and eventually other people and their relationship to him or her.2 During this process, the neurons in the brain make countless new connections, and the brain stores what the child learns. Connections that are rarely used are pruned. The patterns that remain could become fixed into the child's brain. This pruning process is completed by the time of sexual maturation.3
If the child is exposed to RF fields during this pruning process, the production of too many and often spurious signals will generate frequent random connections. These will not be pruned, even though they may not make sense. Because the pruning process in children exposed to RF fields may be more random, these children--who may have more brain cells than the rest of us, and some may actually be savants--may lack the mindset for normal patterns of social interaction. This may then contribute to the various autistic behaviors.
Like mobile phone signals, Wi-Fi signals can also cause cell membranes to leak and calcium ions to flow through them in a relatively uncontrolled manner.4 In the classroom, this may result in children's brains losing the ability to concentrate.
Further, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) such as that from Wi-Fi, cell phones and their base stations may affect the body like light does at night--and inhibit melatonin production. Melatonin is a sleep hormone and a powerful antioxidant. It can reverse oxidative stress that results from radiation.5
While scientists explore further how EMR exposure reduces melatonin production and study whether EMR-induced oxidative stress contributes to autism--along with many other questions--we ought to abide by the Precautionary Principle and first, do no harm to our children.
Wi-Fi should therefore be considered an impediment to learning, rather than an aid. Wi-Fi may be particularly hazardous to pregnant teachers, since exposing the brain of a fetus or a very young child to EMR may prevent normal brain development.6
It's also important for teachers to document observed changes in behavior and learning with and without Wi-Fi so that a child's future teachers understand his or her optimal learning environment.
Because of genetic and environmental variability, not everyone will suffer the same symptoms. Some may not suffer at all. For the sake of those who do suffer, Wi-Fi is not a good idea in schools--or anywhere else for that matter. Cabled Internet access is a healthier choice.
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