This month, ten children were pulled from an Encinitas charter school by their parents. The location was the Innovations Centre, a Julian Charter School leasing space from the Encinitas Beach Chapel at 510 S. El Camino Real. The reason? 14 so-called "stealth" cell antennas were found to be on the property, hidden from view in the steeple of the church and incorporated into parking lot lighting.
Parents hired an engineer to measure the RF radiation levels, which turned out, not surprisingly, to be within a range that many scientists say can lead to bioeffects and even potential adverse health impacts. The Center for Electrosmog Prevention (CEP), a La Mesa-based national nonprofit that seeks to improve the public health by reducing electrosmog pollution takes a position on this scenario, which is more extreme than most, due to the number of antennas, though fewer antennas would also be of concern. CEP recommends immediate closure and relocation of this school as a precautionary measure.
We recommend that all parents, leaders, and members of the congregation, as well as those at adjacent churches, businesses, and residences, become informed and read the BioInitiative Report 2012 Conclusions about the known bioeffects of this type of radiation, even at low levels. . Radiofrequency radiation is now known to be a cancer risk, breaks DNA, is toxic to cells, can cause infertility, and is implicated with coronary and brain problems, along with much more. Scientist say it very well may be associated with the development or worsening of autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders, along with asthma and immune system problems. Children are known to be most susceptible to this type of harm. They should be protected. CEP supports the Resolutions of the Governing Board of Los Angeles Unified School District in 2000 and 2009, "opposing the siting of cellular facilities on or in close proximity to schools, to ensure individuals, especially children, are protected from the potential health effects associated with exposures to extremely low frequency electromagnetic [ELF-EMF] and radiofrequency radiation [RFR]". LAUSD has also banned Wi-Fi from its schools. They use fiberoptic cable so that the children will not be exposed to electromagnetic fields. CEP suggests that the County and San Diego County School District adopt and enforce similar resolutions for all schools that protect children and staff from what are now known bioeffects of exposures to electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation, which is a B2 carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization.
Bioeffects are extensive from this type of radiation, include those occurring in just a few minutes exposure, with adverse health impacts predicted from chronic exposures. As Director of CEP and a parent, I am horrified that young children would attend school in classrooms and eat their lunches within just a short distance to 12+ cellular antennas that their parents knew nothing about. We are missing much-needed laws that would protect our children and the surrounding community from EMF and RFR. Until we have them, we must be vigilant and find out if our churches and schools have cell towers or antennas. We must insist on wired computers, not wireless, in our schools. In the end, health is more important. What good is an education if you lose your health getting it? I am also concerned about others on the property and nearby.
As a churchgoer, I would also be very concerned, based on the independent research I have read. Lastly, I have a question. How many of these children have reported headaches, dizziness, breathing problems, lethargy, irritability, hyperactivity, attention problems, or learning problems? How many special needs students are there at this school, how many special education evaluations? Even with no signs, since chronic exposure may take time to show adverse health impacts according to scientists, who is going to be responsible for any future health issues that might result? I sincerely hope there are none. We must take steps that ensure this doesn't happen again to any other families.
Susan Brinchman
Director and Founder, Center for Electrosmog Prevention
P.O. Box 655
La Mesa, CA
91944
director@electrosmogprevention.org
www.electrosmogprevention.org
