Saturday 19 November 2016

Health Canada Denies The Proven Dangers of Microwave Radiation

To: Canadian Minster of Health, Dr. Philpott and Members of the Standing Committee on Health (HESA)

This is unacceptable from public officials who are accountable to us, the public. We should not have to protect ourselves from our own government or remind you to do the job you were elected to do—protect our health and safety rather than supporting an industry that is knowingly doing us harm.

You have refused to accept, acknowledge or act upon the scientific evidence of the harm caused by wireless radiation, but you will soon be forced to do so. Continue to deny and distort the facts, and you will create the most costly epidemic of illness ever. It will require guts and integrity to admit your negligence and tackle the problem now, before it escalates out of control.

http://olgasheean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Heads-in-the-sand-pies-in-the-sky-1.pdf

http://olgasheean.com/heads-in-the-sand/


 heads in the sand

Canada’s Health Minister Caught Misleading Canadians about Safety of their Wireless Devices

The EMF-Portal is an extensive literature database with an inventory of 23,675 publications and 5,823 summaries of individual peer reviewed scientific studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields.
How much more evidence do we need when School Officials, Health Officers and Government Officials are unable to provide parents with ONE STUDY that says microwave radiation exposure is safe for children and the unborn?


A Canadian cancer specialist who testified before the Parliamentary Committee says Philpott’s failure to acknowledge the Committee’s findings is dangerous.  “We are already seeing increases in Glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer,” said Dr. Anthony Miller, a cancer epidemiologist with the University of Toronto, who has been an advisor to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
“This type brain cancer has been directly connected to cell phone use,” he said, referring to the findings of a $25 million US government study released in June.

Dr. Riina Bray - Medical Director, Environmental Health Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, Testifies at the Parliamentary Health Committee
We see EHS in people who have predisposing stressors such as cardiac arrhythmias, neurological problems, physical and mental exhaustion, previous prolonged exposures as with teachers and technicians working in wireless institutions, the airline industry, computer and information technology, and health professionals in institutions where wireless technology is used for monitoring.


The U.S. National Toxicology Program

“The Journal includes experimental research findings that long-term exposure to Wi-Fi caused DNA damage to the testes indicating that the testes are a more sensitive organ to RF radiation. Research results also showed prenatal exposures to Wi-Fi increased oxidative stress in the brain and liver of pregnant rats and their newborns. In addition, the published studies indicated RF-EMF during pregnancy can damage neuron development in the cerebellum, damage spinal cord development, and induce oxidative DNA damage in brain….

"When combined with the positive results of the U.S. National Toxicology Program bioassay [http://ehtrust.org/ntp-toxicology-carcinogenicity-studies-/] that found significant increases in specific types of highly aggressive and malignant tumors, the experimental evidence showing that wireless radiation can be damaging to human health has become stronger. The challenge to regulators around the world is what to do now that we have this growing experimental evidence of harm. Do we continue to wait for proof that humans are damaged by the same exposures or do we take precautionary steps to reduce and limit those exposures?" asks Robert Morris MD PhD, Senior Medical Advisor to Environmental Health Trust which has posted the key findings [http://ehtrust.org/special-issue-medical-journal-journal-c/] from each of the papers on their website.”

http://www.sciencedirect.com/sci…/journal/08910618/…/part/PB



Bioassy

Nokia's Technology Director, Matti Niemelä: Mobile Radiation Destroyed My Health

Matti Niemelä is one of Nokia's former technical directors, and has been involved in the development of many of the early mobile phones for Nokia. Matti became seriously ill from mobile industry microwave radiation. In addition, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies suggest that radiation can increase the risk of MS.
Niemelä believes that we have been silent for too long about the risks. He is particularly worried about children. But the Vice President of Nokia claims: "All Nokia products fulfill international requirements and limits."



American Academy of Pediatrics Issues New Recommendations to "Reduce Exposure to Cell Phones"

"They're not toys. They have radiation that is emitted from them and the more we can keep it off the body and use (the phone) in other ways, it will be safer," said Jennifer A. Lowry, M.D., FAACT, FAAP, chair of the AAP Council on Environmental Health Executive Committee in the AAPs press release on the NTP Study Results.


childradiation

Sunday 25 September 2016

The Berkeley case “Right to Know” - Conflict of Interest

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Ellen Marks, California Brain Tumor Association


Ninth Circuit Court Judge Friedland's Conflict of Interest
​On September 13 ​the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the CTIA- Wireless Association's appeal in their lawsuit against the City of Berkeley's Cell Phone Right to Know ordinance which was implemented in March, 2016. A decision has not yet been rendered.
Video of hearing below. ​ 
       
The three presiding judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals were Judge William Fletcher, Judge Morgan Christen and Judge Michelle Friedland. The potential conflict of interest rests with Judge Michelle Fri​edland.
 
Friedland's husband's career included design engineering​ in the wireless telecommunication industry with Cisco Systems, a member of the CTIA- wireless association​


This case has high visibility on the basis of constitutionality of the law and because the CTIA is represented by Theodore Olson, past Solicitor General for  George W. Bush. The City of Berkeley is defended pro bono by Harvard Constitutional Law Professor Lawrence Lessig. Lessig is also a past United States presidential candidate.

The outcome of this​ case​ is much anticipated as many cities and states​ are awaiting this critical ​ruling as they plan to enact their own versions of Berkeley's cell phone right to know label.

California Attorney General Harris's office submitted an Amicus Brief in support of Berkeley with concerns that a ruling against Berkeley's ordinance may harm other important disclosures protecting the welfare of California citizens. 

During the hearing Judge Michelle Friedland seemed to have an unfavorable opinion regarding the City of Berkeley's position giving consumers the right to know. This predisposed bias was present in the form of questions and statements ​made by the judge.
The case before the federal Court of Appeals is CTIA-The Wireless Association v. City of Berkeley et al., case number 16-15141.

In past yea​rs Friedland also submitted an amicus brief supporting the work of Theodore Olson in regard to prop 8 (same sex marriage).


What The Telecom Industry Doesn't Tell You, But Does Tell It's Investors...

UPDATE: National Toxicology Program Cell Phone RF Breaks DNA - September 6, 2016
The NTP results provide “strong evidence for the genotoxicity of cell phone radiation,” Ron Melnick told Microwave News. Melnick led the team that designed the NTP study; he is now retired. This “should put to rest the old argument that RF radiation cannot cause DNA damage,” he said.  DNA breaks were also seen in the brains of the RF-exposed mice, though the increases were less pronounced than among the rats. The NTP has not yet released the tumor results for its study in mice.

cell phones


Dr.Karl Maret, MD, with degrees also in electrical engineering and biomedical engineering, talks about Wi-Fi and EHS (electrohypersensitivity) in children.
We are now at 1800 time’s faster speeds than we were back in 1997 with 1st generation Wi-Fi. (The higher the speed the greater the potential for interference within our bodies) Used a German dosimeter to record levels of Wi-Fi radiation exposures on an EHS child at school and correlates symptoms (headaches) to chart of Wi-Fi signals - when the Wi-Fi levels were high, the student developed headaches. Human brain has 5-million magnetite crystals/gram tissue, and these crystals absorb wireless radiation.


What The Telecom Industry Doesn't Tell You, But Does Tell It's Investors...
 Liability



Wireless radiation impairs the body’s ability to protect itself from toxic chemicals by damaging the blood-brain barrier.
The brain’s protective barrier—called the blood-brain barrier—is composed of tightly knit endothelial cells, which line the walls of the blood vessels in the brain, creating a barrier that blocks the entry of chemicals and toxins. However, replicated research shows that wireless radiation increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, allowing more movement of toxic chemicals into vulnerable organs. In other words, the toxic chemicals circulating in our blood from everyday exposures have an easier time reaching our brain. Imagine our brain has a strong fence around it. Wireless pokes holes in the fence.

Damaged Blood-Brain Barrier


cellphonewarning

 

The law: When is an employer or school liable for the health effects imposed on others from their wireless technology?

Increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in the Nordic countries with main focus on Swedish data
Radiofrequency radiation in the frequency range 30 kHz–300 GHz was evaluated to be Group 2B, i.e. ‘possibly’ carcinogenic to humans, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO in May 2011. Among the evaluated devices were mobile and cordless phones, since they emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). In addition to the brain, another organ, the thyroid gland, also receives high exposure. The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in many countries, especially the papillary type that is the most radiosensitive type.

Thyroid Cancer


Cell Phone Radiation Boosts Cancer Rates in Animals;
$25 Million NTP Study Finds Brain Tumors


U.S. Government Expected To Advise Public of Health Risk

"At least four different epidemiological studies have found an association between the use of cell phones and acoustic neuromas."


Acoustic Neuromas



New report by Dr. Martin Pall on relationship between microwave radiation and neurological and psychiatric conditions.
These have been known for several decades, but the public is still being exposed.
“Two U.S. government reports from the 1970s to 1980s provide evidence for many neuropsychiatric effects of non-thermal microwave EMFs, based on occupational exposure studies. 18 more recent epidemiological studies, provide substantial evidence that microwave EMFs from cell/mobile phone base stations, excessive cell/mobile phone usage and from wireless smart meters can each produce similar patterns of neuropsychiatric effects, with several of these studies showing clear dose–response relationships. Lesser evidence from 6 additional studies suggests that short wave, radio station, occupational and digital TV antenna exposures may produce similar neuropsychiatric effects.”


The law: When is an employer or school liable for the health effects imposed on others from their wireless technology?

http://en.geovital.com/risks-regulations-and-liability-around-exposing-people-and-students-to-wireless-technology-emf-radiation-part1/

The Law

Sunday 31 July 2016

Our Moms Who Care


We need your support!
The action is to have concerned Moms send an email to their local MP and to the Minister of Health Jane Philpott through our new campaign website. Over the past few months, C4ST has had meetings with well over 30 MP’s.  We thank MP Casey, MP John Oliver (Oakville) and the other members of the current HESA committee for their decision to present this report to the 42nd Parliament.

The current government now has 120 days to respond although the Minister of Health, Jane Philpott's office is expected to receive a copy of the report a month before that (mid September).

Our Moms Who Care campaign focuses on three main asks. C4ST is asking Minister 
 Philpott to:

1.Provide a comprehensive response to the 2015 HESA REPORT 

2.Implement all the 2015 HESA recommendations from the report “RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND THE HEALTH OF CANADIANS”

3.Call for an full updated review of Safety Code 6, Health Canada’s guidelines regarding wireless radiation exposure, based on the significant evidence-based science that has been made public in the last 12 months. 

Please go to the website specially created for this campaign at www.MomsWhoCare.ca and send an email to your MP and Minister Philpott stating your concerns. 

Then please share the campaign with all your family, friends, and neighbors. We have received feedback from several MP’s that individual emails have a far greater impact to them than petitions in determining what is important to the constituents in their Riding.

Our social media pages for the Moms Who Care campaign are found at:

www.facebook.com/MomsWhoCareCanada

www.twitter.com/MomsWhoCareC4ST


We encourage you to take a few minutes and send an email to your MP and Minister of Health asking them to provide better protection for Canadians from the harmful effects of wireless radiation.

Sample of email to send:
To: Minister Jane Philipott       jane.philpott@parl.gc.ca


cc: Link for finding your Member of Parliament
http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/…/HouseO…/MemberByPostalCode.aspx…


Dear Minister Jane Philipott;

I am writing to you today regarding my concerns of the dangers of wireless radiation exposure, particularly for children. I am concerned about the use of WiFi in schools, cell tower locations and smart meters.

In the last year, there has been significant scientific evidence providing more strong support that Safety Code 6 does not protect Canadians. For example see the recent results from the $25m US National Toxicology program that shows a link between cell phone radiation and cancer in rats. http://microwavenews.com/news-center/ntp-cancer-results. Also, here is the link to a recent summary of an additional 60 studies that show harm at or below Safety Code 6 current levels. http://momswhocare.ca/…/Over-60-pdf-studies-2016-showing-ha….

It is my understanding that Health Canada's response to the HESA report entitled, “RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND THE HEALTH OF CANADIANS” is due Oct. 15, 2016. I am requesting that you provide a comprehensive response to the 2015 HESA report as well as implement all of the recommendations in that report. I am asking you for an updated review of Safety Code 6, Health Canada's guideline for wireless safety.

Thank you for protecting our children.



Mandatory Exposure to Microwave Radiation In Our Schools Has Left 11 Year Old With No Where To Go To School


Tyler is now 11 years old and has a recognized disability, EHS (electro hypersensitivity), which means with accumulative and prolonged exposure to microwave radiation from wireless technology, he experiences severe headaches, accompanied with vomiting, extreme fatigue, insomnia and now night terrors. For the past 4 years he has been shuffling between three different School Districts to avoid the mandatory exposure, which School Officials have decided, is ‘crucial’ to teach the curriculum. 
 
Around April 2012, Tyler, who was then 7 years old and in Grade 2, started coming home with severe headaches that corresponded with increasing fatigue and sleeping difficulties. The first few times Tyler was asked to place his finger where it hurt and he would touch the top of his head. But later, as the headaches increasingly became worse to the point of nausea, Tyler was unable to touch the pain, stating it was in the middle of his head. 

After many weeks of taking Advil and Tylenol to alleviate severe pain in his head, we knew something was seriously wrong. We were discussing the problem with some parents on the school ground and discovered a Wi-Fi router had been installed in the school just weeks before. 

Tyler’s pediatrician requested that Tyler return to school with the Wi-Fi transmitter turned off so he could start a process of elimination to see if the Wi-Fi was giving Tyler the headaches. Our request to the first School District was denied. We were told they couldn’t turn the Wi-Fi off, even though they weren’t using it, because it would set a precedent. If they turned it off for us they would have to turn it off for everyone. 

Tyler was unable to complete grade two with his friends and we were dismissed from the first School District.
For the next 4 years Tyler was moved around within Victoria and Saanich School District and he has now graduated into Middle School where we were assured that there was only 25% coverage. We were told he would be placed as far away from the Wi-Fi routers as possible so he could attend school with his friends.

On Friday Sept. 11, I received call to pick Tyler up because he had a severe headache. Tyler suffered through the long drive home and immediately went to bed to see if he could alleviate his pain. He started vomiting around 5:00 pm and his headache carried on until he finally fell asleep around 8:00 pm that evening.

Throughout that time Tyler was given the recommended doses of Tylenol and Advil as per his doctor instructions but nothing seems to alleviate his pain. 

These headaches are debilitating, excruciatingly painful and the longer he is exposed the more severe his headache, nausea, extreme fatigue and insomnia will be. Unfortunately with electro- hypersensitivity (EHS) avoidance is the only answer. 

We were assured there was only 25% Wi-Fi coverage in Royal Oak Middle School as per the policy 3120 where in fact the school has 100% coverage and able to download 30 laptops from a commercial Wi-Fi router three classrooms away. We were never informed about the Front Row Audio System emitting microwave radiation on another radio frequency and how the students were encouraged to use their cell phones in class. 

Now Tyler has suffered 8 injuries this year alone from the accumulative and prolonged exposure to the Microwave Radiation from two different frequencies. 

As a temporary solution Tyler was pulled out of his homeroom and placed in a separate room downstairs. Tyler was really upset, frustrated and angry about being downstairs for 5 hours a day with no contact with any of his peers. He feels he was dumped downstairs and forgotten, left there to do his work on his own. He was frustrated that he can go a day or two with out even having anyone checking on him to see how he’s doing. 

Imagine, being 11 years old and your only social contact with your peer’s is in a school setting, but you are isolated in a room by yourself. Tyler really wants to be back in a classroom with his peers, to have the teacher in the room to actually teach him and to ask questions when help is needed like all other grade 6 students.
He has now lost contact with all his friends. 

Tyler enters and exits the school as quickly as possible, keeping his head down to avoid eye contact in fear of being questioned about the situation. Tyler has expressed feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, loneliness, anxiety and is losing hope of ever finding a school where he can make friends. Tyler is a shy, gentle boy who just wants to be accepted by his friends and be a part of the school community, something he has yet to experience. 

As part of the school experience students have an opportunity to meet socially and form friendships with others who have common interests. Tyler has a fundamental right to participate and socialize with his peer group and have the opportunity to build life skills that include communication, cooperation, and teammanship. These foundational components help to form a person into their adulthood and extend long beyond school years. Tyler has yet to experience a sense of connectedness and school community that is so crucial for his academic and adult life. 

As of April 20th 2016, Tyler has been attending school for 1-1⁄2 hours on Wednesdays in the room downstairs with a teacher one on one. The rest of the week he is sitting at home when he should be participating in activities with his friends at school. 

Tyler initially was so excited about attending Middle School this year only to have his expectations crushed. 

Every attempt to attend school has resulted in another painful injury from the microwave radiation that blankets the inside of the school. Tyler should be provided with reasonable accommodation, affording him inclusion and dignity while building his self-esteem and personal growth, but sadly he has only experienced the burden of isolation. 

Tyler has the right to access public education in a safe learning environment free of known carcinogens, especially when safer hard-wired connections to the Internet already exist. 

On June 22, 2016, our appeal to the Board of Trustees in the Saanich School District to turn off one Wi-Fi transmitter, the Front Row Audio System and set of policy of no “Cell Phone Use During School Hours” in one section of the school and no cost to the school, was denied and dismissed. 

Tyler has nowhere to go to school for Grade 7. 


NO SAFE PLACE TO LIVE


Olga Sheean a former employee of the World Health Organization in Geneva and now a resident of Vancouver, BC, has written a wonderfully articulate and passionate letter to Gregor Robertson, Mayor of the city of Vancouver, about electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and the dangers of WiFi proliferation.

Once upon a time...
...the Earth was flat. Smoking was good for you. Thalidomide was great for morning sickness. Asbestos made for excellent insulation. Nuclear power was the way to go. GMO crops were a godsend to farmers everywhere. And hydrogenated oils were a cost-effective choice. Now, we have Wi-Fi and mobile networks, connecting us with everyone, everywhere, every second of every day... and creating a pervasive, virtually inescapable, unprecedented, unchecked, uncontrolled and rapidly escalating proliferation of radiation in our environment. But don’t worry; the Mayor of Vancouver says it’s safe!

“Although being exposed to harmful radiation without one’s consent and beyond one’s control is clearly a violation of one’s human rights, it’s hard to determine just how many of those rights are being violated. There’s the right to equal opportunity, the right to sustain a livelihood, the right to access all the services and amenities available to non-EHS citizens, the right to good health, the right to live in a safe environment, the right to choose whether to be exposed to harmful radiation and maybe even the right to exist, given the foregoing. It might even be considered a denial of our very humanity, given our natural reaction to radiation and the body’s inevitable tipping point of Intolerance for the ever-escalating levels. We all have tipping points of intolerance—…”


http://olgasheean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/NO-SAFE-PLACE-Letter-to-Gregor-Robertson-240716.pdf 


Sunday 29 May 2016

Parents and Teachers’ Unions in Canada, USA, UK, and Germany Have Done Their Research and Do Not Support WIFi in Schools


2016 - New York PTA Calls For Wi-Fi To Be Turned Off

Notice of Wi-Fi Radiation Legal Liability Was Served to New York School District Board of Education Members
The Wi-Fi Task Force was formed to gather information. Then it was disbanded by the Board of Education without any transparency in the process.
Parents served the New York Onteroa School District Superintendent Victoria Mclaren and Board of Education members a notice of their liability concerning the health risks from the Wi-Fi installation in this New York school district on the March 15, 2016 Board of Education Meeting.

"You have been urged to hardwire all your computers in the schools."

" Ignoring the above documented information and documented statements and proceeding with the use of Wi-Fi routers in the schools, you are committing willful blindness and can be liable for child negligence, or possibly even "negligent endangerment of child" which carries with it criminal law repercussions if any student gets injured from the schools Wi-Fi system and a parent decides to press charges."
In this video an Onteora School District Trustee reads the Phoenicia PTA's Letter
where the PTA calls for the Wi-Fi to be turned OFF.



2016 - Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation

Is calling for a moratorium on WIFI. In the Limestone School District they have taken the issue to the school trustees. “The Teacher Union’s president says there is a growing mountain of evidence that WIFI can pose health risks.” according to a recent news report. Andrea Loken/OSSTF District President stated in news interview that, “There are thousands of published peer reviewed papers that are indicating adverse health effects from WIFI and we are seeing an increased awareness around this issue worldwide.”


2016 - Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario

Is also calling for a “WIFI moratorium until further health studies are done, and lawmakers can catch up with new regulations.” 

2014 - United Federation of Teachers
200,000 teachers and educational professionals in New York City

Advisory: Wireless radiation is emitted by the myriad of wireless devices we encounter every day. It was once thought to be relatively harmless. However, we now know that wireless radiation can cause non-thermal biological effects as well, including damage to cells and DNA, even at low levels.
http://www.uft.org/our-rights/wireless-radiation

2014 – New York State Teacher’s Union NYSUT
1,200 local members
"We have enough evidence to justify taking action and we are not willing to wait until our members, their children and the students suffer health consequences from not doing anything," 
-Paul Pecorale, Vice President of the New York State United Teachers Union.
2014 - National Education Association
“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.”  
“Students and/or their parents/guardians, education employees, and the public should be notified of actual and potential hazards.”
“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.”
“The Association also believes in the development and enforcement of health and safety standards specifically for children.” Read Section C-19 of the NEA 2013-2014 Resolutions

2013 - BCCPAC Resolution: On/Off Switches for WiFi Routers and Protocol for Use of Wireless Devices
  800 Public School PCs & DPACs in BC

Adopted by strong majority votes (140-94) on May 4, 2013. Last year, the two resolutions passed by BCCPAC called for a halt in installing wireless network where other networking solutions are feasible, and for the creation of at least one fully-wired school at each level per school district. This 2013.11 resolution focuses on schools which already have WiFi installed and cannot get it removed right now.   

Please read the resolution along with the rationale, which contains important safety information not just for the school environment, but for homes as well. Please share this information with parents, grandparents, teachers, school administrators and school board trustees. We demand that safety protocol be put in place.
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/BCCPAC-Resolution-Passed-OnOff-Switches-for-WiFi-Routers-and-Protocol-for-the-Use-of-Wireless-Devices-in-Schools,19,3111

2013 - Greater Victoria Teacher’s Association (GVTA): WiFi in Schools
The GVTA recommends a precautionary approach to the School District with regard to provision of wireless internet in schools.
The precautionary approach comes from the environmental movement and has been adopted as common practice in areas regarding potential environmental, ecological or biodiversity damage. It suggests that the lack of significant evidence is not enough of a reason to be unconcerned. The fact that many other countries have instituted regulations to protect children, seniors, pregnant women and other susceptible populations should be the guide for a District policy on WiFi installation and use in the worksites.
The GVTA recommends:
1.     The blanket approach to WiFi coverage needs to be amended.
2.     WiFi free schools should be available for those people who appear to be affected by EMRs and/or EMF.
3.     Staff approaching the Health and Safety Representative with concerns or reporting to be 'electrically hypersensitive' should be advised to:
o        keep a record of any adverse health effects they consider to be caused by exposure to WiFi/WLAN at work; and
o        report any adverse health effects and concerns to their GP.
4.     The use of router stations that will shut down when not in use or no connection is established.
5.    Strategic placement of the routers or only using them in places where they are needed most.
6.     Use of routers that comply with international standards such as those used in Europe (Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland for example).
7.     Minimal or non-use within elementary schools and middle schools.
8.     Before any wireless networks can be set up within a worksite, a complete wireless survey needs to be conducted, so the issue is transparent and open.
9.     Consider developing a policy and regulations governing the use of cell phones and other such devices that utilize WiFi technology, similar to the policy developed by the National Association of Head Teachers in the UK. (Online Safety: a toolkit for early years settings. April 2010. Chpt. 5, Appendices 2)
10. If WiFi routers are installed that annual monitoring and quantification of EMRs and EMFs be conducted annually during regular instructional hours, and that reports are made available via the SD61 website.

2013 – BC Teachers Federation

40,000 teachers

RESOLUTION PASSED AT BCTF Annual General Meeting

The BC Teachers' Federation has adopted this Wi-Fi resolution to protect teachers' health. March 18, 2013
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/RESOLUTION-PASSED-AT-BCTF-Annual-General-Meeting,19,3018

2013 - Canadian Teachers' Federation

Over 200,000 teachers across Canada
Recommendations
  • That Safety Code 6 include a recommendation for prudent use of Wi-Fi whenever possible including the recommendation to limit consistent exposure in schools by turning off wireless access points when not in use.
  • That Safety Code 6 exposure thresholds be based upon both thermal and biological effects of exposure to Wi-Fi
  • That the Expert Panel recommend an education program regarding the relative safety of Wi-Fi exposure and that appropriate resources be developed to educate the public regarding ways to avoid potential exposure risks of Wi-Fi access points and devices.”
http://www.ctf-fce.ca/Research-Library/wifi-final-2014-ENG.pdf 

2013 - ELEMENTARY TEACHERS FEDERATION OF ONTARIO (ETFO)
 
Represents 76,000 teachers
Elementary Teachers Want Cellphones Turned Off In Class - For Health Reasons
by Dan Blakeley, Aug 17, 2013
"Citing workplace safety, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has passed resolutions asking that cellphones be turned off in classrooms, unless a student has special permission, and that WiFi transmitters in schools be in the open and clearly marked. The federation is worried about the health risks associated with radiation from the devices. The resolutions are non-binding; it's up to school boards to decide policy on wireless devices."
            From a CBC news report:
"In a separate resolution, ETFO [Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario] voted to study the effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, the potentially harmful radiation emitted by cellphones. A report is due on the matter in February."
Resolutions (2) passed at Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario (EFTO) Annual General Meeting:
1)    15 August 2013, Resolution - 53. Peel Teacher Local: 
"That ETFO study the impact of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, including the possible implications for schools and members, with a report with recommendations to the February 2014 Representative Council.
 Rationale:
There are growing health and safety concerns regarding the widespread use of technologies, which produce and emit non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. It is estimated that over one million Canadians have an environmental sensitivity to this radiation and experience serious physical and biological effects. As has been the case with other known societal health dangers, the health effects of long-term exposure to this radiation may not be known for some time. Widespread exposure to wireless communication devices and infrastructure in Ontario schools can be a potential workplace hazard. Further study is needed to ensure the safety of members."
2) 15 August 2013, Resolution - 90. Peel Teacher Local:
“That ETFO, through OTF, lobby the Ministry of Education, the Ministry or
Labour, and the Ministry of Health to ensure that school boards:

1. Follow the 'Right to Know" legislation under the Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act by clearly labelling the location Of Wi-Fi access points

2. Develop a hazard control program related to wireless microwave radiation through the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC).”
Please see attachment or go to “Session 7" at: http://annualmeeting.ca/?page_id=6

Ontario Teachers' Union Votes To Ban Cell Phones In Classrooms
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/08/17/ontario-cell-phone-classrooms-etfo_n_3773730.html)

2013 - United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA)  

40,000 teachers & staff

“UTLA will abide 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.”




2013 - UK: Voice - The Union for Education Professionals

20,000 members

 “In the last few years there has been a great weight of evidence from around the world which suggests that exposure to electromagnetic radiation can have long-term health impacts, particularly on children, and that exposing young children (from birth to 12) to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) can produce changes in cell formation, genetic changes, and potential cancers.

Exposure levels are only half the story; length of exposure is crucial too. Long exposures at lower intensity levels may be as damaging as high exposure levels for short periods hence our concern about wireless networks in schools and nurseries.

It is a considerable concern that in schools we are installing wi-fi systems and we have no clear evidence that they are safe. Our concern is that until they are declared to be safe and proven to be safe we should not be installing them in schools.

The difficulty is that once installed in schools, they are switched on constantly. Whether the children are using them or not, they are exposed to that level of radiation.

Voice has advocated that new wi-fi systems should not be installed in schools, that existing systems should be turned off when not required and that schools should consider whether they really need to use wi-fi, which was developed to facilitate Internet access on the move rather than to be used as a convenient alternative to cables in dedicated IT facilities.”

2012 - BCCPAC - The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

- 800 Public School PCs & DPACs in BC
- Studied WiFi issue for THREE years

2012 AGM Resolutions adopted for Parent Choice and Precaution:

#18 calls on Boards of Education to "cease to install Wi-Fi and other wireless networks in schools where other networking technology is feasible."

#17 "calls on each Board of Education to have one public school at each education level (elementary, middle, secondary) that is free of Wi-Fi, cordless phones and cell phones. This school will only be equipped with wired computers and wired telephones for personal, educational and administrative purposes."
http://www.bccpac.bc.ca

2012 - The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association

37,000 teachers

A position regarding the use of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation, including WiFi, in the workplace:

Summary
1. We do not know what the long-term effects of low-level non-ionizing radiation are on those who are exposed (workers and students). No form of radiation can be deemed ‘safe’ as it depends on the constitution of the individual exposed, the amount of exposure as well as a sufficient amount of time to pass to observe any health effects that have a long latency period (i.e. cancer).

  2. The WHO has classified low-level non-ionizing radiation in the microwave band associated with celluar phones as a class 2b carcinogen (possible carcinogen) and Health Canada has warned about limiting the use of handheld personal electronic equipment such as cellular phones among youth. Initializing WiFi for personal electronic equipment will result in an unpredictable exposure as use varies.

 3. A segment of the population are environmentally sensitive (a disability according to the Canadian Human Rights Commission) to low level non-ionizing radiation and may experience immediate physical/biological reactions when exposed.

 4. Employers including School Boards have the duty to accommodate persons with disabilities including that of electro-hypersensitivity. A widespread investment in a redundant WiFi network may limit the ability to reduce WiFi exposure thereby accommodating workers with an electro-hypersensitivity disability.

 5. The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practiced.

 6. The purposeful introduction of non-ionizing radiation transmitters, such as WiFi, into the work place is considered to be the introduction of new equipment that presents a potential health and safety hazard for workers. As such, it is the duty of the Joint Health and Safety Committee to develop a hazard control program to; assess the risk of injury from the potential hazard, recommend controls to be applied to address the hazards, and to monitor the effectiveness of the applied controls.

 7. Administrative and physical control methods to address the hazards of non-ionizing radiation, such as WiFi, in the workplace are readily available and relatively easy to apply. Application of controls would be completely consistent with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) approach and the precautionary principles as well as the general duty clause, Section 25 (2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

 Recommendations

 I. OECTA recognizes that there is a growing concern regarding the potential adverse health effects of the use of wireless technology, which requires the broadcasting of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, typically in the radio/microwave frequency band.

 II. OECTA recognizes that the installation of WiFi microwave transmitters and the expanded use of wireless devices in Catholic schools and educational facilities across the Province of Ontario may present a potential Health and Safety risk or hazard in the workplace.

 III. OECTA recognizes the need to provide information to the Joint Health and Safety Committee(s) at the local Unit level regarding the potential hazards and prudent avoidance control measures regarding the presence of non-ionizing radiation (WiFi) in the workplace such that they may exercise their powers as established under S. 9(18) the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
 
 IV. OECTA post this position paper on the OECTA website.

2010 - Greater Victoria Teachers' Association

"The GVTA recommends a precautionary approach to the School District with regard to provision of wireless Internet in schools. The precautionary approach comes from the environmental movement and has been adopted as common practice in areas regarding potential environmental, ecological or biodiversity damage. It suggests that the lack of significant evidence is not enough of a reason to be unconcerned. The fact that many other countries have instituted regulations to protect children, seniors, pregnant women and other susceptible populations should be the guide for a District policy on WiFi installation and use in the worksites."

The GVTA Wireless in Schools Webpage states now that:
  • Wi-Fi free zones should be available.
  • On/Off routers recommended and record any adverse Wi-Fi health effects.
  • Minimal or non-use within elementary schools.
2010  - UK VOICE - The Union for Education Professionals

20,000 members
"Voice has advocated that new Wi-Fi systems should not be installed in schools, that existing systems should be turned off when not required and that schools should consider whether they really need to use Wi-Fi, which was developed to facilitate Internet access on the move rather than to be used as a convenient alternative to cables in dedicated IT facilities.”
http://www.safeschool.ca/uploads/WiFipositionpaper2.pdf


2009 - UK ATL: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

More than 160,000 members

35,000 members
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549419/Teachers-voice-fears-of-Wi-Fi-health-risk.html


2006 - Germany GEW: Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (Education and Science Workers’ Union)

WiFi Safety in Schools  -  16:9 The Bigger Picture (about 14 minutes):