A List of Teacher Unions and Parent Teacher Organizations
Taking Action On Wi-Fi
2014 United Federation of Teachers (Teachers, nurses and professionals working in New York City).
- New Wireless Radiation Webpage states, “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.
- Resources posted on their site include Dr. Moskowitz’ Reducing Your Exposure to Wireless Radiation and the BabySafe Project brochure What You Need to Know About Wireless Radiation and Your Baby. “Taking certain precautions around wireless radiation is appropriate for our most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.”
2014 New York State Teacher’s Union NYSUT: A federation of more than 1,200 local union.
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-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
Watch the presentation to the Canadian Government by The Canadian Teacher's Federation
2013 Canadian Teacher Federation’s Brief (200,000 elementary and secondary school teachers)
- “CTF is concerned about the lack of definitive research regarding the adverse health effects of Wi-Fi.
- “We propose a prudent approach to the use of Wi-Fi, especially where children are present.”
- “We 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.”
- “Pedagogical needs could be met in schools with an approach that limits exposure to Wi-Fi.”
- Read the Briefing The Use of Wi-Fi in Schools - Briefing Document
2015: Canadian Teacher's Magazine published CTF Sounds the Alarm on Wi-Fi
- Resolution passed: “I move that 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.”
"There is cause for concern for members' health and safety, especially women," said Sandra Wash, a teacher representing the Peel district when the Federation issued a 2014 position statement supporting an Expert Panel recommendation that Health Canada provide the public with more information about radiofrequency energy, and the safe use of wireless technology. ETFO voted to:
- Turn cell phones off in classrooms
- Label the location Of Wi-Fi access points.
- Research Radio Frequency radiation.
- Develop a hazard control program related to wireless microwave radiation through JHSC.
- Recommends a wired infrastructure as WIFI “may present a potential Health and Safety risk or hazard in the workplace...The safety of this technology has not thoroughly been researched and therefore the precautionary principle and prudent avoidance of exposure should be practiced.”
- Proposed Resolutions “the World Health Organization's classification of radiofrequency/electromagnetic fields emitted by wireless devices as a 2B possible cancer risk to humans; that the BCTF ensures all teachers have the right to work in a safe environment, including the right to work in a Wi-Fi/ wireless-free environment.”
- Recommendation to the Ministry of Education that school boards “begin immediate installation of on/off switches for Wi-Fi routers in schools, thereby reducing microwave radiation exposure and reducing health risks to members, and/or provide safer Ethernet cables or fibre optics”. Read the Wireless Resolutions and Proposed Resolutions
2013 The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) of 821 Advisory Councils representing over 500,000 parents in British Columbia passed two resolutions.
- Resolution 17 "calls on each Board of Education to have one public school at each education level 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."
- Resolution 18 calls on Boards of Education to "cease to install Wi-Fi and other wireless networks in schools where other networking technology is feasible." passed with a clear majority.
Los Angeles California Public Schools
- The LA School District Uses a RF-EMF Exposure Threshold 10,000 Less Than the FCC Limits: The OEHS supported a precautionary threshold level that is 10,000 times lower than the current Federal Communications Commission standard. Read the RF Report the LA School District Used to recommend a cautionary exposure level. RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) EVALUATION REPORT Use of Wireless Devices in Educational Settings
- 2009 LA School Board Resolution Banning Cell Towers from schools and recommending against WiFi.
- "The Board supports responsible deployment of fiberoptic broadband technology which is superior to wireless in speed, reliability, security, durability and protections it affords people and the environment from the potential hazards of exposure to radio frequency radiation."
- 2009 December Resolution Condemning Cell towers NEAR Schools as was this T-Mobile Cell Tower across the street from an elementary school. Read it here.
“As long as questions exist as to the adequacy of these federal regulations, local governments should have the ability to include consideration of health and environmental effects of these facilities.” (referring to cell towers) Read the motion by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael Antonovich
2000 LA School Board Resolution Opposing Cell Tower Placement on Schools and calling for precautions with wireless. 'Whereas, Recent studies suggest there is evidence that radio-frequency radiation may produce “health effects” at “very low field” intensities' Read it here.
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."
- 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.
2008 Lucerne Elementary Secondary Arrow Lakes District SD 10 New Denver BC, Canada Opts for “No WIFI
2001 California State PTA
- “RESOLVED, that the California PTA supports local municipal zoning setback rules of at 1000 feet or more from an operating wireless transmitter and a school or residential area; and be it further
- RESOLVED that the California PTA supports encouraging schools to use cable lines for all communications services on campus and to avoid the endorsement, purchase or use of wireless local area network systems on campus; and be it further
- RESOLVED that the California PTA recommend that teachers and students should limit use of cellular phones or other mobile devices on school property to emergencies and that cellular phones, pagers and other mobile phones be turned off and placed out of sight while the individual is on school property”
- Resolution on Wireless Equipment/Cellular Phones and Antennas Read it here.
This information was compiled from the Environmental Healthy Trust Website found at http://ehtrust.org/policy/schools-unions-and-pta-actions/
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