Please disable Wi-Fi on Laguna Beach School Campuses

We the undersigned request that the Laguna Beach Unified School District please disable the Wi-Fi network on school campuses and continue computer educational lessons and internet access on the existing fiber optic network.

We are a group of families concerned about our children being overexposed to microwave radiation from Wi-Fi hotspots, cell towers, hidden panel antennas and other wireless sources.

All public schools in Laguna Beach currently have a Wi-Fi network installed that covers every classroom and the school grounds.  This means that all children and teachers are being exposed to low level microwave radiation and higher level radiation in the Wi-Fi hotspots the entire duration they are at school. However all schools in Laguna Beach also have a fiber optic network running for the same purpose - internet access, email communication, etc. Fiber optic networks are safe and do not emit microwave radiation.

From our observation, most classrooms are not using Wi-Fi for educational purposes (especially the younger grades such as Kindergarten), and if they are, they can achieve the same learning lessons from the fiber optic network internet connection, computer installed software programs or using paper and pencil.

There have been warnings for over a decade from researchers, scientists, doctors, professors and governments, mainly from outside the US, that microwave radiation is potentially harmful to children, and should be reduced or avoided.  This has led many school districts worldwide to ban Wi-Fi in their schools.

Today there is more evidence from top scientists regarding long-term (24 x 7), low intensity exposure to RF radiation and the data being revealed is alarming. Children are the most vulnerable since their skulls are thinner (EMFs penetrate much deeper into children's brains and are more conductive due to their higher water and ion concentration) and organs are still developing. Children absorb 50 percent more electropollution than adults. One study finds that a cell phone call lasting only two minutes can cause brain hyperactivity that lasts up to an hour in children. Other studies have linked an increased risk of leukemia and other cancers due to DNA damage from the radiation, and heart arrhythmias/palpitations.  Other effects reported from studies were headaches, memory loss, dizziness, visual disruptions, loss of focus, sleep disruptions, blood disorders and behavior problems. Another major area of concern is how radiation affects bone marrow, which produces your blood cells. Henry Lai at the University of Washington, a long-time microwave researcher, said, "If the target is bone marrow, then the radiation is hitting red and while blood and stem cells. One small change may be all it takes."
 

"Prohibit Wi-Fi and cell phone use in schools, and keep cell antennas at least 1,500 feet away from school sites," recommends Dr. Magda Havas, a professor of Environmental & Resource Studies at Trent University, Canada, where she studies the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation and electromagnetic fields. "Wi-Fi in school settings is industrial strength," said Havas. She asserts it has biological effects, including increased pulse rates, and presented evidence from a Canadian primary school where Wi-fi was installed and where several students exhibited symptoms including headaches and increased heart rates. Havas recommends urging schools to adopt only fiber-optic, wired networks. In addition her studies show that dirty electricity can raise blood sugar levels in diabetics and people at risk for diabetes. "Exposure to electromagnetic pollution in its various forms may account for higher plasma glucose levels and contribute to the misdiagnosis of diabetes," she writes.

Libby Kelley, former public health policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who now directs the Council on Wireless Technology Impacts, calls for greater caution regarding the introduction of wireless signals and devices near our children.  She says, "Until we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that this technology can be safely used by children, we are behaving like irresponsible adults by treating our children as guinea pigs in this uncontrolled experiment."

Locally many school boards advise against Wi-Fi such as the Los Angeles School Board, Glendale School Board, etc. Outside the US, many cities have already banned Wi-Fi in their schools and government agencies have issued warnings.  Here are some of the headlines: France bans Wi-Fi in schools and public libraries. Frankfurt, Germany Bans Wi-Fi in public schools. Bavarian federal state parliament advises schools against Wi-fi. England: The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) with 160,000 members warn against Wi-Fi. England schools dismantle wireless networks. BBC show Panorama reveals Wi-Fi in classrooms is 3x higher than the high beam from a cell tower. Austria Medical Association pressing for a ban on wi-fi in schools. GreenWarriors of Norway oppose wi-fi in schools.

How do we know it is safe as the wireless industry claims? The FCC limits were set in 1996, well before the explosion of Wi-Fi and Smart phones which require more powerful wireless networks. The wireless industry is only required to regulate itself from these outdated guidelines which were based on short-term (3 and 6 minute) public exposure studies. It is unfortunate but our country's FCC limits are obsolete, many other countries such as China, Russia and Italy are much lower.  Canada has the same limits as the US and Toronto's Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends Health Canada's Safety levels for microwave exposure be lowered by a factor 100X.

There is not one government or wireless industry study that claims it is safe over long term exposure or on the effects on children. International organizations such as WHO claim studies are "inconclusive" and that more are needed, therefore they see no link that EMFs are harmful until proven otherwise.

Dr. Magda Havas PhD., issued a public warning to all School Boards saying "It is irresponsible to introduce Wi-Fi microwave radiation into a school environment where young children and school employees spend hours each day."

Thank you for your support it is appreciated.

Respectfully,

Concerned Laguna Beach Families Group