Mast Sanity will be trying to correct the imbalance in information made available to the conference delegates at Central Hall, Westminster on Wednesday 10th to Friday 12th October. [5]

< Read About Hand Held Learning 2007 here >

< Read Mast Sanity's Diary at Hand Held Learning 2007 here > 

This conference has been called to promote the use of 'handheld' gadgets in the classroom - the majority of which are 'wireless'.

Just as with other wireless/mobile gadgets (mobile phones, masts, and Wi-fi, etc) these handheld gadgets also use microwave technology, emitting microwave radiation all the time that they are being used and, indeed, to an extent whilst they are not being actively used too.

The organisers have called in Dr Repacholi to tell the delegates that continued use and promotion of Wi-fi and other hand held microwave radiation emitting devices are safe for children.[5]

We need to set the record straight

Mast Sanity Spokesperson Yasmin Skelt says “Why then is it OK to put these devices in schools, exposure from which has been shown to be equal or more than that from the main beam from a Mobile Phone Mast?[8]”

“Mast Sanity is also writing to Conference's sponsors, including 'The Guardian' to ask them to honestly look at the research evidence and withdraw their sponsorship from this industry group who are promoting microwave emitting devices to children.”

“It is a disgrace that the Department for children, schools and families and BECTA are sponsoring this event especially when BECTA engineers testing this equipment developed headaches. That report was buried.[10]”

END.

Notes and References:

[1] http://www.w-a-r-t.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/2007_carlo_ jersey_evidence_health2.pdf (P48)

Dr. George Carlo evidence to States of Jersey Health, Social Services and Housing Sub-Panel Telephone Mast Review 26th February 2007.

[2] Ecolog Report - Mobile Telecommunications and Health - Review of the Current Scientific Research in view of Precautionary Health

Protection, Ecolog-Institute April 2000 - sponsored by T-Mobil (Translated from German into English by Andrea Klein 2007)

- http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/ecologsum.php

[3] The Bioinitiative Report - http://www.bioinitiative.org

[4] Joining the Dots - Overview of Public Health Trends in Australia -

http://www.mastsanity.org/index.php?option= com_content&task=view&id=169&Itemid=1

[5] Handheld Learning 2007 Guide- http://www.handheldlearning.co.uk/hhl2007/hhl07-guide.pdf

[6] Dr. Mike Repacholi Interview - http://www.next-up.org/pdf/GatewayInterviewMichaelRepacholi20070726.pdf

[7] The Government’s expert group on mobile phones recommendation, from the leaflet Department of Health

Leaflet: Mobile phones and health

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/

PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4123979

[8] Panorama Transcript

- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6683969.stm

[9] Teacher's Ill Health (Michael Bevington)

- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article642575.ece

[10] Becta Wi-fi Report 'Buried'

- http://www.mastsanity.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=112