Health concerns over Toronto WiFi plan

Health officials in Toronto want to learn more about the potential impacts Toronto Hydro's planned citywide WiFi network might have on the citizenry.

While Hydro officials insist studies have shown wireless to be safe, city Health Department officials want to address concerns from residents who worry that constant exposure to WiFi signals might make them sick.

Toronto Public Health told the Toronto Sun Friday that the department was in the early stages of trying to learn more about the project.

The project that Toronto Hydro announced this week involves development of a WiFi network that will not only allow it to use smart electricity meters but will provide low-cost wireless broadband over virtually the entire city.

"Cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors ... there's a lot of stuff that has used this spectrum for a long time," Hydro spokesman Dave Dobbin told the Toronto Sun Friday. "If something concrete comes along and says this is bad, we will take immediate action at that time."

Copyright 2006 by United Press International