Parents file class action suit claiming that wireless network is harmful to their children
A group of parents in Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (Ill.) has filed a class action lawsuit in state court claiming that the wireless network installed by the district is harmful to their children. The suit, which legal experts believe is the first of its kind, claims that the district installed the wireless local network in the classrooms despite a “body of evidence” that finds exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to be especially harmful to children. The plaintiffs’ complaint alleges that there are “more than 400 scientific articles, summaries, and references outlining the health risks from low-intensity radio frequency radiation exposure.” The plaintiffs also accuse the district of refusing to invite experts to explain the available research. The district, through spokeswoman Gail Crantz, responded that it found the allegations “curious,” because over a two-year period both sides had several experts testify and the board concluded that wireless technologies are safe. While other school districts that have installed wireless networks have found no harmful effects, some experts in the field argue that parents’ concerns should be taken seriously. Bob Moore, executive director of information technology at the Blue Valley Unified School District (Kan.), believes that “[s]chools need to do their homework and be well informed about the implementation of any new technology, Wi-Fi included.” Oak Park is continuing to use its wireless network, even though the plaintiffs requested the district shut it down until the district can prove it poses no health or safety risk.
eSchool News
By Cara Branigan
Full story: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStorytw.cfm?ArticleID=4712
[Editor’s Note: The complaint, with appendices detailing studies on electromagnetic radiation, is available below.]
Legal complaint: http://www.nsba.org/cosa2/wireless.pdf