Calls for Safe Technology in Schools

Q: First School in the USA to Turn off the WIFI?
A: Great Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis. They took the WIFI out.


  • Doctors Recommendations to the Los Angeles School District : Halt  Wireless Technology
When the LAUSD proposed a billion dollar wireless iPad program, several leading experts wrote letters and testified to the LA School Board recommending against installing wireless in the schools due to the serious health issues.

Currently teachers have organized several protests that funds were being used for iPads rather than much needed school building repairs.  You can read more about their actions and see pictures of dilapidated school buildings at the Facebook page entitled Repairs not iPads which has over 5000 likes.


  • Oregon: A father  in Oregon sued the public school system to get wireless out of schools.  Please see his website to read all of the important Declarations by scientists.


  • Los Angeles: The United Teachers of Los Angelespassed a Resolution in 2013 on the hazards of electromagnetic radiation.
 Read More about PTA Actions here

  • Rhode Island: A Science Teacher has lead an initiative to hardwire schools in her District and received strong community support.  She brought in an expert, organized a community meeting, and now has concerned members in the Council and Committee.


These are only a few of the many Actions that Parents and Teachers are taking to achieve Safe Technology in Schools.  



National Association for Children and Safe Technology
Current Actions in The United States

At this time, Parents, Teachers, Doctors and Citizens are organizing to bring this issue to the forefront.  It is a quickly changing landscape at all levels of government.

Current Actions in the United States include:
  • A Current Review of  Exposure Limits by the Federal Communications  Commission which asked if a "precautionary" approach with children is necessary.
  • Parents and Teachers publicly asking for safe technology in schools. Parents around the country are raising this issue in their schools.  We are regularly contacted  by parents wanting more information on how to address this issue in their school and communities.
  • Cell phone right to know laws:  At the National and State level, legislation is being proposed that would inform consumers of:  1. the health issues related to wireless safety  2. the fine print warnings embedded in their cellphones that consumers do not know exist.
  • Local Government Proclamations  several Juristictions have made Official Proclamations in order to raise awareness of the health issues related to Wireless Devices.
  • Wireless Safety Initiatives: Communities are coming together to share educational resources with children and families on how to reduce exposure
  • Public Actions by Activists:  In an effort to raise awareness citizens have  organized social actions and protests.

Facebook Sites


The  Campaign for Radiation Free Schools : This group keeps up to date on school related issues.

Electromagnetic Safety: This is Dr Moskowitz's  Facebook page where he posts current news in EMF's.

Direct Action:

Watch Health Advocates in Action

US Medical Community


The American Academy of Pediatrics has repeatedly called on the United States Government to adopt standards that protect children’s health and well-being from radiation emitted by cell phones and other wireless devices. They also have strongly supported RIGHT TO KNOW legislation.


"Although wireless devices sold in the United States must ensure that they do not exceed the maximum allowable SAR limit when operating at the device’s highest possible power level, concerns have been raised that long-term RF energy exposure at this level affects the brain and other tissues and may be connected to types of brain cancer, including glioma and meningioma."


The  2013 AAP Submission to the FCC here.

Please read a Time News article  on the issue.

AAP Letter in Support of Cell Phone Right to Know.

Harvard Ethics Law Professor Lawrence Lessig talks about  cell phone radiation and pledges to defend Maine's cell phone awareness legislation .
Maine March 9, 2014
See 44:35 - 49:50 of this lecture


Regulations and Policy Initiatives

​

The FCC is reviewing exposure standards NOW. 
The FCC NOI asked "whether additional precautions may be appropriate in some cases, for example with respect to children. ...In the Inquiry we ask whether any precautionary action would be either useful or counterproductive, given that there is a lack of scientific consensus about the possibility of adverse health effects at exposure levels at or below our existing limits. Further, if any action is found to be useful, we inquire whether it could be efficient and practical.”


Hundreds of Submissions have been filed  by Doctors, Citizens and even City Governments calling for more protective limits due to the research showing biological health effects at radiation levels far below current "safe" exposure standards. .

To access these papers go to the FCC'  Proceeding Number 13-84 or See Dr Moskowitz' blog on  FCC Submissions.


National Right to Know Legislation

H.R. 6358 The Cell Phone Right to Know Act was introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. This LAW is called  for:
1) Right-to-know information:  warning labels on cell phones,
2) A new national research program to study cell phones and health
3) For the Environmental Protection Agency to update the outdated SAR (Specific Absorption Rate).

H.R. 6358 was introduced in August 2012 and died in Committee.  However, not before receiving strong support from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Letter here. EWG  Press Release here.


2014 Maine Cell Phone Right to Know Bill
On March 11, 2014, the Maine House of Representatives passed the  "The Wireless Information Act" on a vote of 83-56.  On March 18, the Maine Senate passed the amended bill on a 21-14 vote. Then, cell phone industry lobbyists killed the bill by co-opting the Democratic House leadership to switch their votes from approval to disapproval.  It died.
Press Release

2014 Hawaii  Senate Bill SB 2571 
D-Sen. Josh Green of Kona, Ka‘u introduced this  measure calling for cell phones sold in Hawaii to come with a health warning — similar to what smokers see on the sides of cigarette packages to warn them of danger. Doctors  wrote  a letter to Senator Roslyn Baker as it went to Committee.


2013 San Francisco The Cell Phone Right to Know Ordinance
San Francisco was the first city and county in the nation to pass cell phone safety legislation.  The “Right to Know” ordinance passed the Board of Supervisors unanimously and was signed by Mayor Lee on August 2, 2011.  The ordinance requires cell phone retailers to distribute an educational sheet created by the San Francisco Department of Environment that explains radiofrequency emissions from cell phones and how consumers can minimize their exposure.

CTIA, the wireless industry's lobbying arm, sued the city and moved its annual trade show out of the city.  Years later San Francisco settled the case with the CTIA in exchange for a waiver of attorneys' fees. The City has a Cell Phone Information page with the information.  Please watch Josh Hart and Ellie Marks place the recommended  labels on cell phones in a fun video we have to your right (Direct Action). 

Cell Phone Awareness Proclamations
  • Jackson Hole Wyoming issued a Proclamation of Cell Phone Safety October 1, 2012, declaring October “Cell Phone Safety Awareness Month.”   The proclamation cites concern over long term health effects as well as the increased risk the radiation poses to children.
  • Pembroke Pines, Florida Resolution 3362 expressed the City's "Urgent Concerns" about Wireless Radiation and Health. This action was initiated by lawyer Jimmy Gonzalez who developed a brain tumor on the side of the head where he carried his cell phone.
  • Portland Maine, Mayor Nicholas M. Mavodenes, Jr. declared October  “Cell Phone Awareness Month” in 2010.

Cell Phone Awareness Initiatives
  • Washington DC: April 2013 Dr. Devra Davis testified to the Washington D.C Health Committee Council on Cell Phone Safety Awareness.   Video here
  • Wyoming:  The Environmental Health Trust has started community education initiatives in high schools in Wyoming sharing information on how to reduce exposures. 
  • California:  On August 15, 2011, the Burlingame city council voted to include cell phone guidelines as part of their Healthy Living in Burlingame initiative. The guidelines  included the WHO classification and precautions a consumer can take if concerned.


Proposed Legislation
  • New Mexico, 2011: State Rep. Brian F. Egolf (D-Santa Fe) sponsored HM 32,
    which directs the state government to “study available literature and reports       on the effects of cell phone radiation on human health.”
  • Pennsylvania, 2011, HB 1408 also would mandate a label on cell phone packaging. "This device emits electromagnetic radiation, exposure which may cause brain cancer.  Users, especially children and pregnant women, should keep this device away from the head and body."
  • Oregon, Sen Chip Shields D-Portland introduced SB 679 (would require retailers in the state to affix the warning labels on phones and the phone's packaging).

A Thank You to the Environmental Health Trust for this policy information.