Protective Policy by Governments

FRANCE

France has banned Wi-Fi in kindergarten, restricts Wi-Fi in school by having the wireless off as the default setting, and teachers have wired (not wireless) computers for Internet access. In-school networks are being hardwired, and in situations where wireless is needed it is turned on only for a short duration in the classroom as needed and turned off after use. France also has banned cell phones in elementary/middle schools and started educating the public years ago with public health initiatives about how to reduce exposure. 

CYPRUS

Cyprus has removed Wi-Fi from elementary classrooms and has a strong public awareness campaign educating parents, teenagers, and pregnant women. 

BELGIUM

Belgium has banned cell phones manufactured for young children and also banned Wi-Fi in the kindergartens of Ghent.

ISRAEL

Israel has banned Wi-Fi in nursery schools, restricts Wi-Fi in elementary grades, bans cell phones in classrooms, has a national institution educating on how to reduce cell phone radiation, and has a limit of 4 mG for EMF. 

FRENCH POLYNESIA

French Polynesia also has removed Wi-Fi from nursery schools and turned the wireless off as the default setting, in addition to launching a major public health campaign for the country.

CITIES WORLDWIDE

Mayors are calling for wired networks to replace Wi-Fi networks in schools in several cities in Europe such as Borgofranco d’Ivrea and Turin in Italy and Haifa, Israel. 

The video to the left is the Chief of Technology in Haifa Schools presenting how he hardwired the classrooms. 

EUROPEAN PARLIMENT 

In 2011, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) passed Resolution 1815 “The Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields and Their Effect on the Environment,” which calls on European governments to “take all reasonable measures” to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields “particularly the exposure to children and young people who seem to be most at risk from head tumours…and particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by school children on school premises.”  

UNITED STATES 

In the United States, laws are launching government investigations into wireless exposures in schools, school districts are taking steps towards safer technology. 

• In 2019, Oregon passed a bill, SB283, which directs the Oregon Health Authority to review peer-reviewed, independently funded scientific studies of health effects of exposure to microwave radiation, particularly exposure that results from use of wireless network technologies in schools, and to report to a Legislative Educational Assembly in 2021. 

• In 2017, the Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health And Protection Advisory Council issued first ever state recommendations for reducing wireless exposure in schools by providing wired—rather than wireless—Internet connections.

• The California State PTA passed a resolution on electromagnetic fields resolving to educate and inform decision makers and school communities on risk reduction policies for electromagnetic radiation.  

• Onteora School District, and Ashland in Massachusetts, have “Best Practices” to turn off the Wi-Fi when not in use and keep devices away from the body—posted in every classroom. 

• Several school districts (Petaluma, Montgomery County) have policies that tablets and notebook computers should be on tables (not laps)—prompted by parents raising the health issue of Wi-Fi in school.

• The Los Angeles school district prohibits school cell towers and has set a wireless exposure limit that is 10,000 times lower than FCC limits, recognising the existence of biological effects. 

• The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Association has released an educational curriculum  for students, elementary through high school. 

5G IN SCHOOLS

Many schools are becoming test beds for 5G equipment despite the fact that scientists are warning that 5G technology presents serious health implications.

• New Hampshire passed HB 522 “An act establishing a commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology,” which created an expert Commission to study the health and environmental impacts of 5G. The Commission meets monthly and interviews international experts. The meeting notes and agendas are all online.

TEACHER UNIONS

Teacher Unions have issued resolutions, developed briefing materials and are urging education and protections for both teachers and staff.  

• The  New York State Teachers Union issued a resolution on safe technology entitled “Hazards of Wireless Radiation Emission” hosted a webinar “Risks of wireless technologies and protecting children and staff in schools” issued a press release on their “Best Practices For Schools.”

• The United Educators of San Francisco passed a Resolution on Safer Technology calling for information on reducing cell phone use to be posted in classrooms and hosted informational  webinars. 

• 2016 the  Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario called for a “WI-FI moratorium.”  

• In 2013,  Canadian Teacher Federation issued a briefing document, “The Use of Wi-Fi in Schools,” recommending an education program to educate the public regarding ways to avoid potential exposure risks of Wi-Fi access points and devices.” 

SCHOOLS REMOVING THE WI-FI 

Private schools are also taking steps to remove sources of wireless and educate their parents, students, and teachers. 

• Upper Sturt Primary School has a “WiFi and Cell Phone Policy,” providing an example of policy independent schools can practically implement.

• Castle Hill High School installed special plugs so that the wireless WAP antennas are OFF except when the teacher decides to use them in each classroom. The school has a policy to inform and educate students about cell phones and wireless radiation, and officially recommends reducing exposure. They teach students to turn OFF the wireless on their devices.

• Schools that have removed Wi-Fi include L’Isola dei Tesori, Caledon East Children’s Centre, and the City of Lakes Waldorf School. 

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