The German government has warned against using wi-fi. 37 The warning applies to everyone, not only children. In France, members of the Senate presented a bill in 2009 proposing that wired connections be obligatory in public buildings, and that wi-fi installations be replaced by wired networks. 38 The director of the French Health and Security Agency (Affset) has said that “the time for inaction (on wireless devices) is past”. 39 His remark followed Affset’s publication of a report showing that radiofrequency radiation affects cellular functions. 40 In Paris, the Bibliothèque nationale de France has foregone installation of a public wi-fi system on health grounds. 41, The city of Hérouville St. Clair is removing all wi-fi equipment from primary schools, the mayor of the city saying, “our job is to protect people’s health”. 42 43
In Austria, the Austrian Medical Association is pressing for a ban on wi-fi in schools. The Public Health Department of the Salzburg Region has advised schools and kindergartens not to use wi-fi systems. 44, 45
The European Parliament has said that it is greatly concerned by the Bio-Initiative Report on electromagnetic fields, issued by an international group of scientists and public health experts. 46 The Parliament has advised the 27 member states that they should introduce effective protection for the general public from electromagnetic fields. The Bio-Initiative Report states that “the consequence of long-term exposures in children ... is unknown a this time ... [and] could have serious implications for adult health and functioning in society.” It recommends “that wired alternatives to wi-fi be implemented, particularly in schools and libraries.”