Resources on the Health Risks of Wi-Fi in Schools
This page maintains a large compilation of resources on Wi-Fi and cell phones in schools. It is continuously updated a few times a year.
If you are just starting to get educated on this issue we recommend you first go to EHTs Toolkit on Wi-Fi in School.
Questions and Answers on Wi-Fi and Cell Phones in Schools: This two pager is filled with links and resources on why and how to reduce wireless radiation exposure at schools.
Checklist on How to Reduce EMF and Wireless Radiation for Schools : A list of actionable steps every school can take to eliminate and reduce EMF exposure at school.
Letter on School Wi-Fi and Health for Principal
This draft letter compiles the latest research and you can take portions of it or all of it to send it to your school administrator to begin this important conversation on safe technology.
Letters by scientists on wireless and cell towers for school administrators: This webpage has a compendium of letters (downloadable PDF’s) written to school officials regarding wireless in schools and cell towers at schools.
Peer Reviewed Published Science on Wireless Radiation, Wi-Fi Specifically
Youtube Playlist on Wi-Fi in Schools: News Reports on schools removing the Wi-Fi and scientific lectures.
EHT’s Wireless Radiation and Children’s Health 2015: This long document provides information and links to sources that discuss the critical issues regarding school technology, including: Health Issues and Best Practices for Technology. The second half of the document contains internet-linked research studies.
Safe Schools 2012. A document detailing medical and scientific experts calling for safe technologies in schools.
Wi-Fi in Canadian Schools: A Health and Safety Issue: Read a detailed document of peer-reviewed scientific studies (50) documenting potentially harmful biological effects of Wi-Fi frequency (2.4-2.45 GHz) at or below Health Canada’s Safety Code. (Note: Canada, Australia and US RF Limits are similar)
International Precautionary Policy by Governments: Over twenty countries are taking various action to reduce radiation exposure to children. This document details each country and the various policy and policy efforts underway. EHT updates it 4 times a year.
Children & Wireless FAQs Fact Sheet: This Q and A details many questions that parents and school officials have about this issue.
2012 AAP Letter for the Cell Phone Right to Know Act: This letter from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) details the organization’s support of the Cell Phone Right to Know Act, and states that children are more vulnerable to cell phone radiation. The AAP also wrote the FCC in 2013 calling for a review of RF guidelines.
Upper Sturt Primary School WiFi and Cell Phone Policy: The Upper Sturt School has an excellent safe technology policy on WiFi and Wireless that can be used as a template for other schools looking for an example of how to approach this issue.
Schools, Unions & PTAs Precautionary Actions: Many unions and PTA’s are taking action on this issue. This is the current list with hyperlinks.
CHPS Low EMF Criteria Fact Sheet: The Collaborative for High Performance Schools has developed Best Practices for LOW EMF classrooms that details how schools can replace wireless networks with wired networks.
Big Data: A Paradigm Shift in Education: Read Peter Hensigner’s report on digital media and children’s development which looks at health, safety, learning and and privacy issues.
Generation Zapped: This film is an excellent introduction to the issue and many schools are screening the film to educate the school community.
What resources can I share with friends so they can educate themselves about this issue?
Environmental Health Trust Educate Yourself Page
Grassroots Environmental Education
The BabySafe Project for Pregnant Women
What resources exist for detailing best technology practice in a school setting?
Letter on Wi-Fi in School for Principal: This has the latest research and you can send it to the administrator to begin this important conversation on safe technology.
Checklist on How to Reduce EMF and Wireless Radiation for Schools : A list of actionable steps every school can take to eliminate and reduce EMF exposure at school.
Several organizations have developed best practices for schools. Several teacher unions and governments have as well. Please see the below information.
Collaborative For High Performance Schools Low-EMF Best Practices Criteria
Best Practice Standards for Screen and Radiation in Schools Safe Schools policy: by Cris Rowan, Dr. Lennart Hardell, Tarmo Koppel, Sveinn Kjartansson and Stella Saemundsdottir
Best Technology Practices Example: Upper Sturt Wireless Policy
Canadian Teacher Federations Brief “The Use of Wi-Fi in Schools”
Read policy efforts by governments such as France, Israel, Belgium and Spain.
What materials detail simple steps that families can take at home to reduce exposures?
Vienna Medical Association Cell Phone Tips Full Poster Printable PDF
Doctors Advice on Cell Phones Brochure
Doctor’s Advice on Wireless Brochure
BabySafe Recommendation Booklet for Women, PDF of Printable Poster
EHT’s Ten Steps to Safe Technology
What resources can I share with my pediatrician?
New Jersey Education Association “Minimize health risks from electronic devices” Article, PDF of Recommendations
Read a the Santa Clara Medical Bulletin article by Dr. Cindy Russell on Schools and Wireless
EHT’s Briefing Wireless Radiation and Children’s Health
Safe Schools 2012, Wi-Fi in Canadian Schools: A Health and Safety Issue
Upper Sturt Primary School WiFi and Cell Phone Policy: A great example of policy independant schools can practically implement.
Collaborative for High Performing Schools Low EMF Criteria/Blueprint For Schools: This criteria gives plans to school on how to reduce and eliminate exposures.
Consumer Reports, CNN Sanjay Gupta, The Today Show, Green America, Canada AM,
Connecticut Department of Health, Vienna Medical Association, Cyprus Medical Association,Athens Medical Association, Child and Youth Service Geneva Switzerland, EMF Scientist Appeal
American Academy of Pediatrics Letter to the FCC on Radiofrequency Fields 8/29/2013
AAP Letter to Rep. Kucinich Support of H.R. 6358, Cell Phone Right to Know 12/2012
Textbook of Children’s Environmental Health, 2013 Edited by Philip J. Landrigan and Ruth A. Etzel, Chapter 41. Electromagnetic Fields by Kurt Straiff, Robert Baan, and Neela Guha
The BioInitiative 2012 Report on Electromagnetic Fields
Where can I learn more about the science?
Environmental Health Trust webpage on science and health
Environmental Health Trust Compilation of Published Research on Wi-Fi Radiation
TRANSCEND Research Program (Martha Herbert)
EMF Portal An extensive literature database from Aachen University
Collaborative on Health and the Environment/Electromagnetic Fields
Wi-Fi in Canadian Schools: A Health and Safety Issue: Read a detailed document of peer-reviewed scientific studies (50) documenting potentially harmful biological effects of Wi-Fi frequency (2.4-2.45 GHz) at or below Health Canada’s Safety Code. (Note: Canada, Australia and US RF Limits are similar)
I am concerned about all the screentime in school. Where can I learn more about the impact of screens and social media on children’s development?
Campaign for a Commercial free Childhood Website
How to Make a Family Media Use Plan AAP HealthyChildren.org
Children, Adolescents and Media
The Impact of Social Media Use on Children, Adolescents and Families (AAP Clinical Report)
Children, Adolescents, Obesity and the Media (AAP Policy Statement)
Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media (AAP Policy Statement)
Media Use By Children Younger Than 2 Years (AAP Policy Statement)
Talking to Kids and Teens About Social Media and Sexting
Center on Media and Child Health: Boston Children’s Hospital
What are experts recommending to schools about wireless radiation?
Environmental Health Trust has written several letters to school districts and educational institutions recommending safe wired technology in school.
In 2015 scientists wrote the Secretary of Education. Please click here to see the letter. In addition Dr Davis wrote several school umbrella organizations such as the National Education Association and National Association of Independent Schools (Please see the bottom of this page for the full list of letters by EHT.)
Letters to the Montgomery County Maryland School District: Dr. Martha Herbert’s Letter, Dr. Anthony Miller’s Letter, Dr. Lennart Hardell’s Letter , Dr. Carpenters Letter, Dr. Olle Johansson’s Letter, Dr. Devra Davis’ Letter , Cris Rowan’s Letter, Dr. Martin Pall’s letter, Katie Singer’s Letter,Cindy Sage and Trevor Marshal Letter, Ellie Marks Letter , Arthur Firstenberg Letter, Mikko Ahonen PhD, Lena Hedendahl MD and Tarmo Koppel MSc PhDs Letter, Cece Doucette’s Letter, Alisdair Philips Letter, Lloyd Morgan’s Letter , Peter Sullivan’s letter.
2014: Four Expert Letters on Wifi in School sent to the Fay School
Dr. Blank, Dr Johansson, Dr. Sinatra, and Dr. Carpenter advising against Wireless systems.
Canada
2017: Dr. Hugh Scully Testimony to the City of Toronto
2015: Wi-Fi in Canadian Schools: A Health and Safety Issue:
2015: Open Letter to the Canadian Council of Education Ministers asking for removal of wireless radiation from school environments. This council oversees all Ministers of Education in Canada.
by Cris Rowan, BScOT, BScBi, SIPT
2011: Dr. Steven Sinatra Letter to the Kawartha School Board
Additional Letters of Note:
2015: Message to Public Schools about Wireless Devices by Ron Powell, PhD
2014: Frank Clegg’ Letter to Denmark’s Committee on Radiation Protection on school.
2014: Letter to Education Super Highway CEOs by Bioinitiative Report Co-Editors in response to the CEO’s calling for the FCC to quickly create a school wireless infrastructure.
2013: Irish Doctors Environmental Association Letter
Letters to the Los Angeles Unified School District, California.
Olle Johansson’s Letter, Dr. Martin Blank’s Letter, Dr. Joel Moskowitz, Dr. Martha Herbert’s Letter
Letters from the Environmental Health Trust to School Administrators and Organizations
In August 2014, Dr. Devra Davis sent letters to the following organizations informing them of the potential health risks of wireless networks in their schools. The letters detail how schools can use safe technology best practices and raise awareness on this issue to protect students and staff. Please click on the links below to download these letters.
Letter to U.S. Secretary of Education from EHT on Wireless in Schools October 13 2015
National Association of State Boards of Education
National Education Association
National Association of Independent Schools
National Catholic Educational Association
AISNE-Association of Independent Schools in New England
Independent Education
Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools
National Association of Private Schools
National Parent Teacher Association
Friends Council on Education
National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools
National Association of Catholic School Teachers
Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Services
Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
New Jersey Association of Jewish Day Schools
PARDeS: Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools
For more scientific evidence on the negative health impact of wireless radiation, refer to our Wireless Radiation FAQ’S. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
