Posted by Bob on 8/13/2013 to
Wireless
Original Source
Despite government agencies still saying that radiofrequency (rF) electromagnetic radiation is “safe”, the vast majority of independent science is showing, more than ever, that low-level chronic exposure causes health damage and disease. In addition, an alarming number of individuals – including a growing mega-list of children in schools – are experiencing symptoms of ill health caused by radiation exposure. The sheer number of individuals reporting health effects, and the sheer number of published papers reporting health effects, are creating a critical situation which can no longer be ignored.
Despite government agencies still saying that radiofrequency (rF) electromagnetic radiation is “safe”, the vast majority of independent science is showing, more than ever, that low-level chronic exposure causes health damage and disease. In addition, an alarming number of individuals – including a growing mega-list of children in schools – are experiencing symptoms of ill health caused by radiation exposure. The sheer number of individuals reporting health effects, and the sheer number of published papers reporting health effects, are creating a critical situation which can no longer be ignored.On March 6th, 2013, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union, representing over 45,000 teachers and other workers in Los Angeles, passed a motion to protect schools from hazardous electromagnetic fields. The UTLA joins a growing list of organizations and teachers’ unions taking a position against unnecessary sources of wireless and microwave radiation in schools. (See also: 40,000 teachers in Ontario against wi-fi)
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the largest school district in California and one of the largest in the world. During the 2011-2012 school year, LAUSD served 662,140 students, and had 45,473 teachers and 38,494 other employees and is the second largest employer in Los Angeles county. LAUSD plans to spend $500 million to install Wi-Fi in every classroom and provide every student with a tablet or laptop, as part of a new curriculum which aims to bring schools and students up to date with modern technology.
The initial $50 million pilot phase for this project was discussed at a school board meeting on February 13, 2013. Although written and oral testimony was presented to the board in opposition to this plan based on concerns about the health and safety of students and employees from continued exposure to wireless radiation, the board approved the pilot plan.
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06 March 2013
Health and Human Services Committee 3-6-13 #1:
Moved by Kevin Mottus, seconded by John Cabrera.
“I move that UTLA will adopt by current National NEA Policy for Environmentally Safe Schools which states that all employees and stakeholders should be informed when there are changes in their exposure to environmental hazards including electromagnetic radiation and that all stakeholders and the public should be notified of any actual and potential hazards. UTLA will advocate for technological solutions that maintain technology upgrades while not increasing employees exposure to electromagnetic radiation”.
“Rationale: The NEA National Policy Resolution C-19 Environmentally Safe Schools states as follows:
2012-13 NEA Resolution, Section C-19 Environmentally Safe Schools
The National Education Association believes that all educational facilities must have healthy indoor air quality, be smoke-free, and be safe from environmental and chemical hazards, and be safe from hazardous electromagnetic fields.
“The Association further believes that school districts must inform all stakeholders when changes in their exposure to electromagnetic radiation occur. Additional health hazards should not be created when facilities are altered or repaired.”
” The Association believes that school districts must post MSDS and OSHA standards. Students and/or their parents/guardians, education employees, and the public should be notified of actual and potential hazards. All stakeholders should be involved in developing a plan for corrective action. The Association also believes in the development and enforcement of health and safety standards specifically for children. (1989, 2009)”
“In May of 2011 based on the latest research, The World Health Organization classified electromagnetic fields as a Class 2B Carcinogen along with Lead and DDT. Current FCC guidelines for electromagnetic radiation explicitly do not cover children or pregnant women. According to NEA Policy our employees have the right to know about changes in their environment which may have adverse health effects.”
Section C-19 in full:
From the 2012-13 National Education Association (NEA) Resolutions, section C-19 Environmentally Safe Schools:
“The National Education Association believes that all educational facilities must have healthy indoor air quality, be smoke-free, be safe from environmental and chemical hazards, and be safe from hazardous electromagnetic fields.
School districts should conduct periodic testing for harmful water and airborne particles/agents that are detrimental to the health of students and education employees and shall report the results publicly. Further, school districts must complete corrective actions to eliminate the problems and report results in a timely manner.
The Association also believes that it is incumbent on local education providers to be forthcoming with information regarding mold infestation and other indoor environmental hazards in school facilities.
The Association also believes in the establishment and enforcement of standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including temperature and humidity recommendations, to ensure health and safety. The Association further believes that pesticide use should be minimized and, if used, advance notice given of location and date of application.
The Association supports ongoing training and certification of education employees who work in potentially hazardous situations. This training must include proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and instruction on Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Additional health hazards should not be created when facilities are altered or repaired.
The Association believes that school districts must post MSDS and OSHA standards. Students and/or their parents/guardians, education employees, and the public should be notified of actual and potential hazards. All stakeholders should be involved in developing a plan for corrective action. The Association also believes in the development and enforcement of health and safety standards specifically for children. (1989, 2009)”
source of 2012-13 NEA Resolutions: www.nea.org/assets/docs/nea-resolutions-2012-13.pdf
SEE ALSO:An eye-opening Canadian television news (16:9) documentary on wi-fi in schools: http://youtu.be/aJ29PMJa6hw
A summary of thousands of published scientific papers concluding damaging health effects caused by rF electromagnetic radiation (including ‘smart’ meters and wi-fi): www.bioinitiative.org
40,000 teachers in Ontario, Canada against wi-fi in schools: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/13/ontario-catholic-teachers-union-recommends-pulling-plug-on-wi-fi-in-schools/
Letters from researchers and medical docters, presented to the LA School Board: http://takebackyourpower.net/another-harvard-doctor-warns-about-wi-fi-in-schools/