Dale Dougherty in O’Reilly’s Radar Blog writes:
Our town, Sebastopol, had passed a resolution in November to permit a local Internet provider to provide public wireless access. This week, fourteen people showed up at a City Council meeting to make the claim that wireless caused health problems in general and to them specifically. These emotional pleas made the Council rescind its previous resolution.
So, a few people in this town strongly believe a wide variety of problems are caused by low frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMF). Some label the problem as “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” or EHS.
An online petition collected 235 “signatures” opposed to public Wifi in Sebastopol. The resolution reads: “The convenience of this technology does not warrant the increase in radiation and the potential risks to the health of our community.”
Now, I don’t know that wireless (or electricity) is without harm. I can read the research that does exist and learn more — if I have the time and reason to do so. However, I do not like the smell of fear, and when people justify actions based on their own fears, I become suspicious that the concern is unwarranted. If it wasn’t wifi, it would be flouride. Something is needed to affix to their anxiety. I can only be glad that they weren’t alive when the city decided on electrification a century ago.
I plan to write an editorial for our local paper. I’d appreciate hearing from you on this issue if it has come up in your community.
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