covariates” (Mark and Janssen, 2008).
The dangers of electromagnetic
radiation
Today, very few people are completely
insulated from the potentially damaging
effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF’s).
Children, however, are even more prone
to its dangers because their growing bod-
ies naturally absorb more radiation. Un-
fortunately, many of today’s classrooms are
ground zero for electromagnetic radiation:
computers, tablets, cell phones and Wi-Fi
all emit EMFs in similar frequencies in the
electromagnetic spectrum.
Emerging research is studying the effects
of manmade electromagnetic fields: “What-
ever the mechanism, tangible evidence of
the EMF-stress relationship exists for both
systemic (whole body) stress reactions and
cellular stress reactions. Exposure studies
have demonstrated systemic stress reactions
in the form of high blood sugar, low heart-
rate variability, altered circadian rhythms,
disruptive sleep patterns and impaired cog-
nition. Cellular stress has been evidenced
by increased levels of heat shock proteins
(HSPs, whose function is to stabilize other
proteins when the cell is exposed to stress),
oxidative stress (free radicals), breaks in
DNA strands, and excessive unbound cal-
cium inside the cell (Dunckley, p.301).
In my first period class alone, there were
26 smartphones, 37 laptops, numerous per-
sonal tablets (as well as a cart of 40 shared
with other classes), a desktop PC, and high
speed Wi-Fi – not including the EMF’s
emitted from the rows of fluorescent light-
ing. It’s only slight hyperbole to suggest
today’s classrooms are like Hiroshima fall-
out to developing bodies and brains. EMFs
have been shown to elevate blood sugar in
certain diabetics, disrupt sleep patterns and
impair cognitive performance, damage reti-
nal epithelial cells, and increase oxidative
stress. In addition, the “use of laptop com-
puters connected to the internet through
Wi-Fi decreases human sperm mobility and
increases sperm DNA fragmentation” (Av-
endano, 2011).
Is it any wonder the French government
has banned the use of Wi-Fi in its preschool
childcare facilities, and many other coun-
March | April 2019
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