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Excitation of Atoms

The addition of a discrete amount of energy (called excitation energy) to an atom or a molecule that results in its alteration, ordinarily from the condition of lowest energy (ground state) to one of higher energy (excited state). Excitation may result from absorption of a photon or from collision with energetic electrons. The life span of an excited electron is usually very short; when the electron returns to its ground state or to a state of lower energy, energy is released.   

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Noble Gases

A group of chemical elements that occur as gases under standard conditions.The six noble gases that occur naturally are helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and the radioactive element radon (Rn). These six elements are found in the last column of the Periodic Table. Noble gases are very stable and therefore they have very low chemical reactivity. 

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Semiconductor

A semiconductor is a solid material that has intermediate electrical conductivity – between an insulator and a conductor.

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Doping

A process whereby impurities are intentionally introduced into a semiconductor for the purpose of increasing its electrical conductivity (a semiconductor is a solid material that has intermediate electrical conductivity – between an insulator and a conductor).

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Exposure to Radiation from the Electric Grid in Schools

 

One of the sources of electromagnetic radiation in the school environment in Israel is that emanating from the electric grid (Extremely Low Frequency – ELF). Among the electric installations emitting radiation in the vicinity of educational institutions are: high tension wires above and below ground, electricity pillars, transformers, primary and secondary electric boards, etc.).

 

The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Israel Electricity Company (IEC) stated their positions regarding radiation from the electric grid in the school vicinity in a collaborative position paper published on this subject, entitled "Electromagnetic radiation in the student environment" in a Ministry of Education CEO Circular and in the recommendations of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

An electrical cabinet

An electrical cabinet

 

All these bodies agreed that the precautionary principle should be implemented to reduce the exposure of students to a minimum, while balancing between the level of risk due to exposure and the economic and social costs of  making changes in the infrastructure.

 

In a 2010 Position Paper (pdf document available for downloading - Hebrew), a number of operational approaches were proposed, to reduced exposure from the electric grid.  Among other issues it was agreed that in installing a new electrical system or maintaining an existing one in an educational institution or in its vicinity, the responsible body – the Electricity Company or the Ministry of Education would ensure that the system be installed and maintained in such a way that the electromagnetic fields in its vicinity would be minimal.  It was also agreed that the Ministry of Environmental Protection would monitor the radiation levels within schools, and would give precedence to measurement at locations where information on electric boards in walls adjacent to classrooms was available.

 

The 2013 Ministry of Education CEO Circular included guidelines regarding radiation from the electric grid in schools.  According to these,  in every school where communications equipment and end-devices have been installed, radiation measurements would be performed by authorized personnel before and after installation and operation, to ensure that the radiation levels were in accordance with Ministry of Environmental Protection requirements.

 

The Ministry of Environmental Protection conducted an experimental project to measure electromagnetic radiation levels in 40 schools throughout the country.  In May 2013 preliminary results of sample measurements of radiofrequency (RF) radiation from electrical equipment in 25 schools were published, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The findings showed that in no case did the exposure level from external sources deviate from the permitted levels.  Conversely, deviations in exposure to radiation from internal equipment inside the schools were detected.

 

As a result, the Ministry of Environmental Protection recommended placing the electric boards at a distance of about 1.5 meters from students' desks.

 

In 2014 further radiation measurements were performed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection.  Many additional measurements were made by local authorities and the Ministry of Education.  Where exposure levels exceeded the permitted levels, site solutions were found to reduce the levels, and those were remediated.

 

Policy in Israel

 

In Israel, a legally binding threshold regarding exposure to magnetic and electric fields from electric installations has not been defined by law.

The recommendations for maximal permitted exposure limits  to radiation from electric installations are:

  • 2,000 milligauss for short-term exposure (momentary exposure)
  • Daily average of 4 milligauss, measured on the "busiest" day (continuous and prolonged exposure) 

Policy and Legislation on the Use of Wi-Fi in Israeli Schools

In general it may be said that non-ionizing radiation emitted by routers and end-user-devices for wireless communication networks is very low. However, in Israel and abroad, there are opponents to the installation and use of wireless networks in public places, specifically in schools.  Given the Ministry of Education's responsibility to protect the health and safety of students, and because of the public debate on this issue, the Ministry has addressed the need to strike a balance between using the Wi-Fi network in educational institutions in Israel, and the possible health effects of such use. This subject is discussed in detail in the sections listed below.

Illustration: Portable computers and wireless (Wi-Fi) router

Illustration: Portable computers and wireless
(Wi-Fi) router
     

 

 20.3.16

Ministry of Education's National E-Learning Program

 

Smartphone alongside books – to illustrate access to information and education using advanced technologies

Smartphone alongside books – to illustrate access to information and education using advanced technologies

 

       

We cannot imagine today's world without the technologies of communication via mobile and cordless phones, tablets, and computers.  Educational systems in many countries throughout the world (e.g. Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, USA) use these technologies for pedagogic purposes, to adapt to the learning processes of the 21st century

In 2003 the International Communication Union (ITU), a branch of the United Nations Organization, stated as its goal the introduction of access to knowledge through rapid communication technologies in all schools throughout the world by the year 2015.

 

Israel also decided to introduce information technology to the teaching environment in order to enhance it. Starting in 2011, Israel enabled schools to gradually adjust the National Program of the Education System to the 21st century.

 

The program deploys in schools the basic infrastructure that enables the use of advanced technologies in teaching, learning and assessment.

 

Some of the technologies used in the educational system involve emission of non-ionizing radiation at radiofrequencies.  While there is scientific uncertainty as to the general health effects of exposure to this radiation, there is a consensus among most groups involved in this field that exposure should be minimized, in accordance with the precautionary principle.  This decision was strengthened after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2011 classified non-ionizing radiation at radiofrequencies as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'.

 

Consequently, the National ICT program is to be implemented with utmost care, while assessing the benefits and drawbacks of using these technologies compared to the alternatives (such as wired communication, which does not involve exposure to radiofrequency radiation).

 

Since more and more technological systems work with wireless communication (Wi-Fi), the educational system is faced with a challenge in deciding which technologies to use in which situations.

 

The following chapter briefly reviews the ICT program operating in Israeli schools

 

Supreme Court Debate on the Subject of Wi-Fi in Schools

In August 2012 a petition filed on behalf of the National Parents' Association, the Forum for Cellular Sanity and other groups against the Minister of Education, the Deputy-Minister of Health, and the Minister of Environmental Protection,  was presented to the Supreme Court.  The petitioners demanded that the Ministry of Education not be allowed to install or operate wireless Internet connections in schools.  Their chief claim was that the Ministry of Education's policy on this issue was unreasonable and should be cancelled, because exposure of students to non-ionizing ra

Supreme Court Rejects Petition on the Use of Wireless Networks in Schools

 

In August 2012 a petition filed on behalf of the National Parents' Association, the Forum for Cellular Sanity and other groups against the Minister of Education, the Deputy-Minister of Health, and the Minister of Environmental Protection was presented to the Supreme Court.  The petitioners demanded that the Ministry of Education not be allowed to install or operate wireless Internet connections in schools.  Their chief claim was that the Ministry of Education's policy on this issue was unreasonable and should be cancelled, because exposure of students to non-ionizing radiation could lead to serious harm to their health. Moreover, they claimed that the Ministry of Education's policy as outlined in the 2013 CEO Circular did not reflect its 'true' policy and was not in accordance with the situation in practice.

 

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