Ontario teachers' union votes to ban cell phones in classrooms

Ontario teachers' union votes to ban cell phones in classrooms

Federation also voted to label Wi-Fi access points in schools

CBC News 

Posted: Aug 17, 2013 5:31 PM ET 

Last Updated: Aug 17, 2013 5:43 PM ET

TheElementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario voted to ban the use of cell-phones in classrooms at their general meeting Friday night. (Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press)

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario voted to ban the use of cell phones in classrooms at their general meeting Friday night.

The new rules state that mobile devices should be turned off and stored during school hours, unless special permission is given.

The federation also voted to label Wi-Fi access points in school, and to continue to study the effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, the potentially harmful radiation emitted by cell phones. They are looking to have the use of cell phones recognized as a potential workplace hazard for teachers.

"There is cause for concern for members' health and safety, especially women," said Sandra Wash, a teacher representing the Peel district.

The study’s results will be released in February.

Health Canada has said that the majority of research to date does not support a link between exposure and poor health.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/08/17/toronto-cell-phone-ban.html