Spotlight on Town wi-fi ‘mesh’ safety spotlight (From Swindon Advertiser)

Spotlight on Town wi-fi ‘mesh’ safety spotlight

1:40pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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THE HEALTH impacts of Swindon’s wi-fi scheme are to be discussed during an ‘emergency’ health overview and scrutiny meeting tonight.

Wireless and health experts, councillors and concerned members of the public will gather tonight at the Civic Offices at 6pm to scrutinise the effects of a wi–fi mesh – which is expected to cover the entire borough before June.

Evidence is also to be heard from at least one doctor who will claim that wi-fi will be tested in Swindon before it is properly been looked at by scientists.

Dr Alex Parfitt, who has contacted the council about the wi-fi scheme many times, said: “There is on-going research at the Health Protection Agencies Dosimetry Department (HPADD) on this subject.

“Conclusive results have not been made and a second phase of laboratory research is due to start.

“A paper by the HPADD acknowledges that in-situ (i.e. out of the laboratory) experiments are required as they have not yet been conducted.

“In my mind we are about to undertake real-world testing before the scientists.”

Two medical expert from the Primary Care Trust – Dr Jenny Harries and Dr Bruce Bolan – will also present evidence and give a slide presentation on the available scientific data.

Although it is not yet known what they will say, the most up to date evidence says there is no link between RF exposure (radiowaves), which are emitted from wi-fi transmitters, and cancer.

Peter Mallinson, who chairs the committee, said he felt obliged to put together a meeting – despite safety assurances by the manufacturers and his party – in order to ensure due process has been followed.

“I would compare this meeting to an MOT,” he said.

“When you buy a car the manufacturer tells you how much emissions the car releases, but then you have to go and prove it during the official tests.

“I want those responsible for wi-fi to prove to me that the signals emitting from the transmitters are below what are considered safe levels.

“This is what we are here for, to hear from expert witnesses.”

An Health Protection Agency (HPA) spokeswoman said: “We have looked at the studies from all over the world and there is no consistent evidence that exposure to wi-fi adversely effects the health of the general population and we see no reason the equipment should not be used.

“The signals are very low power, typically 0.1 watt in both the computer and the router.”

Rikki Hunt, who is running the project alongside the council and IT company aQovia, will also be answering questions at the meeting.