Children are particularly vulnerable to quack diagnoses and treatments.
This is a part of a misguided opinion by Jeanne Hubbach, MD about a child [X]’s apparent symptoms:
It is my opinion, based on my medical training and experience, especially my training in Environmental Medicine that [X] is being adversely affected by prolonged exposure to WIFI at school. Due to biochemical individuality some people are more susceptible to these effects than others. This should be considered seriously since subtle changes are occurring for all even if it is apparent in only a few.
Acting on Hubbuch’s unfounded advice, the boy’s parents sued his school for refusing to turn off the WiFi. Hubbuch has been known as a member of the questionable organizations American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS).
There is no compelling evidence that anyone can be sensitive to WiFi or that Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome exists.
Science-based Medicine has a good discussion of the case.
Full complaint: The parents’ full complaint.
More coverage:
- The Daily Beast: Parents Sue School Over Son’s ‘WiFi Allergy’
- Parents Frivolously Sue School over Nonexistent Wi-Fi Sickness. Why Are Courts Actually Giving Them a Chance?
See also:
CBC News: No proof B.C. boy’s migraines caused by Wi-Fi, tribunal rules [A different child from the above]
photo copyright flickr user xt0ph3r (license: CC BY-SA 2.0)