Safe Tech for Schools Maryland: "No safe level of this radiation has been determined by any health agency and therefore we have no safety assurances" Writes Cancer Researchers Dr. Lennart Hardell and Michael Carlberg In A Letter To MCPS Calling For "Wired Instead Of Wi-Fi" in Schools

"Wi-Fi in schools, in contrast to wired internet connections, will increase risk of neurologic impairment and long-term risk of cancer in students. Promoting wireless technology in schools disregards current health warnings from international science and public health experts in this field."

-Dr. Lennart Hardell states to MCPS

To Montgomery County Public Schools CEO Dr. Andrew Zuckerman,

Regarding: Wireless technology should not be used in schools or pre-schools

due to health risks for children and employees

It has come to my attention that MCPS has measured the radiofrequency radiation in several of your schools. I also understand the district is sharing information with parents and teachers and staff about the potential health risks of wireless radiation. Based on current published scientific studies, we urge your administration to educate themselves on the potential risks from wireless technologies in schools, and to choose wired teaching technologies. The well-being and educational potential of our children depends on it.

High-speed connectivity to schools is important but it can be a wired instead of Wi-Fi. Wireless classroom infrastructure and wireless devices for schoolchildren should be avoided for these reasons:

Wireless radio frequency radiation emissions were classified as a Possible Human Carcinogen (group 2B) by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in May 2011. One of the signers, Dr. Hardell, was part of the evaluation group.

The IARC classification holds for all forms of radio frequency radiation including RF-EMF emissions from wireless transmitters (access points) in schools, tablets and laptops.

Epidemiological studies show links between radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure and cancers, neurological disorders, hormonal changes, symptoms of electrical hypersensitivity (EHS) and more. Laboratory studies show that RFR exposure increases risk of cancer, abnormal sperm, learning and memory deficits, and heart irregularities. Fetal exposures in both animal and human studies may result in altered brain development in the young offspring, with disruption in learning, memory and behavior.

The research showing increased brain cancer has strengthened since the IARC 2011 classification as new research has been published which repeatedly shows a significant association after RF exposure. In addition, tumor promotion studies have now been replicated showing cancer promotion after exposures at low levels. Therefore, it is our opinion and that of many colleagues that the cancer risk classification should move to an even higher risk classification.

The evidence for these statements is based on hundreds of published, peer-reviewed scientific studies that report adverse effects at levels much lower than current ICNIRP and FCC public safety limits. Compliance with government regulations does not mean that the school wireless environment is safe for children and staff (especially pregnant staff).

As researchers in cancer epidemiology and radio frequency radiation exposures, we have published extensively in this area and it is our opinion that schools should choose wired Internet connections. Multiple epidemiological research studies show that exposures equivalent to 30 minutes a day of cell phone use over ten years results in significantly increased cancer risk. (Please update your Radio Frequency FAQ on cancer risk with this information).

What will be the health effect for a child exposed all day long in school for 12 years? Wireless networks in schools results in full body low level RF-EMF exposures that can have a cumulative effect on the developing body of a child. No safe level of this radiation has been determined by any health agency and therefore we have no safety assurances. Cancers can have long latency periods from first exposure until diagnosis) and it will take decades before we know the full extent of health impacts from this radiation. The statistics and effects will be borne by the children you serve.

Wi-Fi in schools, in contrast to wired internet connections, will increase risk of neurologic impairment and long-term risk of cancer in students. Promoting wireless technology in schools disregards current the health warnings from international science and public health experts in this field.

We recommend that your school district install wired internet connections and develop curriculum that teaches students at all ages safer ways to use their technology devices. If cell phones and other wireless devices are used in the school curriculum (as many schools are now doing with Bring your Own Device Policy) then there should be educational curriculum in place and well posted instructions in classrooms so that the students and staff use these devices in ways so that exposure to the radiation is reduced as much as possible.

Supporting wired educational technologies is the safe solution in contrast to potentially hazardous exposures from wireless radiation.

Respectfully Submitted

Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD
Department of Oncology,
Orebro University Hospital
SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden

Michael Carlberg, MSc
Department of Oncology,
Orebro University Hospital
SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden

(Hardell and Carlberg then have a list of scientific references below this text.)

Who is Dr Hardell?
Dr. Hardell is the foremost researcher in environmental exposures and cancer. He worked on Agent Orange in the 80s calling it out to be a cancer risk. He was met with refusal to acknowledge his work by policymakers who were later found to be on Monsanto's payroll. Watch the video at the end of this blog to hear him tell that story. He and Michael Carlberg have worked on the issue of wireless exposure and cancer risk for the last decade extensively publishing in the field.