EMF Educator Banned From National PTA Convention
Letter in reply to the ban: https://drive.google.com/file/
June 20, 2016
Executive Director, P.T.A.
Dear Mr. Monell;
I read your letter and am somewhat stunned at your position. I was not aware of the actions of Mr. Mottus. He lives in L.A. and I am in Portland, OR. Given your fear about disruption, it is not necessary that he come to the conference.
It was my intent to distribute paper materials that have already been delivered to the convention site, informing educators and others of the biological effects of wireless devices in schools and what is happening internationally as more scientists, educators, agencies and organizations become aware of the potentially devastating short and long term medical problems caused by chronic, pulsed microwave exposure. Your position that opposition to wireless devices in schools is a "danger to children" is utterly unsupportable. In fact, thehardcore, forefront science confirms that opposition to wireless is morally, ethically and legally necessary. The position of Wireless Education Action and our agenda was never a secret. Jennifer Bradley, National PTA | Corporate Alliances Specialist, was informed in detail with regard to the educational service we have intended to provide at the conference. Thus, your sudden, untimelyobjection to our agenda is unwarranted. Moreover, you have not provided any defense of your decision to lock me and the agenda out of the conference. I have numerous emails to and from Ms. Bradley detailing our mission and have incurred considerable expense in relation to the convention that cannot be retrieved so I expect to be reimbursed for the cost of my plane ticket which was $465 and is unrefundable.
Our position on wireless devices in schools is informed by thousands of scientific studies, the latest of which, a definitive study that has already modified the positions of other US health and environmental agencies, was just completed last month by the US National Toxicology Program and is referenced below with a quote from the American Cancer Society just last month. Additionally years ago, Norbert Hankin of the Environmental Protection Agency was quoted in a letter saying FCC standards do not protect against long term chronic exposure! (I suggest you read the entire document linked here)
It is extremely dangerous and potentially legally liable to adopt an uninformed position, when the safety of children is in question. Considering your influential position with the PTA, you are obligated to become informed of all matters of safety even if it challenges your beliefs. It is mandated throughout your mission statement. To ignore data or misinform parents and educators by omission has the potential to cause harm. Since microwave devices including wi-fi routers are categorized in the highest emerging risk category by Swiss Re, an insurance risk management company, the telecommunications industry can no longer get coverage for liability insurance. Liability will fall on school boards, administrators and organizations that have been informed of the risk but choose not to inform the public.
Personal opinions should never dictate policy that is solely informed by corporate salespeople, software and hardware companies and stakeholders whose lobbying efforts and advertising budgets determine the flow and content of information.
It is the high duty of PTA officials, school boards, administrators and others in related organizations and agencies to be completely informed so as to do no harm to children that are under your jurisdiction. No telecommunication corporation or representatives thereof have ever made the claim that wi-fi and other wireless devices used in schools are safe. Do you feel comfortable with that? Wireless devices were never pre-market safety tested.
There have been numerous examples of environmental toxins that were considered safe until policy caught up with science. Tobacco, asbestos, plastics, pesticides (they used to spray DDT on school children to prove it's safety), thalidomide, artificial sweeteners and fructose to name just a few. Now we have children exposed to microwave radiation for 7 hours each day for 14+ years. There are at least a dozen studies that confirm 4 hours on a lap top can cause damage to men's sperm as well as damage to DNA.
As part of my work as an advocate, I recently ran for city council in Portland OR as a single issue candidate. My platform was advocating for the replacement of wireless internet connections with wired connections and getting cell towers off of school grounds. Endorsing my campaign were; Dr. Devra Davis the Nobel Prize winning founder of the Environmental Health Trust, and a staunch advocate of getting microwave devices out of schools; Professor Barrie Trower, former microwave weapons specialist for the British MI5; Frank Clegg, former CEO of Microsoft Canada; Ellie Marks, President -- California Brain Tumor Association and Lloyd Morgan, Senior Research Scientistfor E.H.T. As a result of my candidacy I have been invited to present before the Portland City Council regarding the issue of wireless in schools. The incumbent I was running against, Amanda Fritz, a Cambridge educated psychiatric nurse, understands the risk after being informed during the campaign. I have also been working closely with our State Representative, Alissa Keny Guyer who invited a world renowned scientist, Dr. Martin Pall and a medical doctor, Dr. Paul Dart to give a half hour presentation before the Health Committee of the State House regarding the imminent public health emergency facing the most vulnerable--children and pregnant women. Dr. Martin Pall & Dr. Paul Dart Address the Health Committee of the Oregon State Legislature on the Dangers of Exposure to Microwaves from Wireless Technology and Wi Fi in Schools Feb. 24, 2014
As a result of that meeting Rep. Keny-Guyer introduced House Bill 3350 which would require that parents and teachers be informed of the fact that Classroom environments are a Class 2B Carcinogen as so designated by the World Health Organization in 2011. Schools teach about tobacco, drugs, alcohol and safe sex but do not inform children and their parents of the many potentially devastating health effects of microwave radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices. Wi-Fi Utilizes the Most Lethal Microwave Frequencies 0.95 and 2.45 GHz —Dr. Magda Havas, BSc, PhD
The resistance among educators and bureaucrats, is potentially harmful for students as they should be learning, in health classes, about the hazards of wireless devices and how to use them more safely since that is the world they are growing up in. The "debate" on safety, prolonged by industry propaganda (similar to that used by the tobacco industry many years ago), is now over as referenced in the statement by the American Cancer Society below. In other words, there is no longer a debate as to whether microwave emitting devices are potentially harmful as science now confirms that they are. Prior to the current study, the W.H.O. classified microwave radiation from all wireless devices as a Class 2B Carcinogen.
Your position statement (below), that advocating for the removal of wireless devices is contrary to the PTA mission can easily be challenged and cannot possibly be sustained by any science. It also conflicts with statements to the contrary by statewide PTA organizations (see other PTA statements re: wireless below).
Your statement: "The National PTA has determined that Wireless Education Action's positions that wireless classrooms are a danger to children, that the government is covering it up, that schools are microwave radiating children without real safety standards, and that wireless systems should be banned from schools and other locations where children are exposed to them, are not consistent with National PTA'smission, position statements, resolutions or policies."
-- (Please see numerous PTA, and other organization and agency policy statements supporting our position at the end of this letter below).
There are not only many thousands of peer reviewed scientific studies that show biological harm but hundreds that show psychological problems caused by excessive screen use causing device addiction and changes in brain function as well as disruption to the learning process. Smart phones and Ipads are changing the way our brains work and erasing our memory.. The Mirror.
Our children are mere pawns in this vast corporate feeding frenzy that is being enabled by those willfully ignorant and afraid to look beyond the crucible of corporate culture. Standing up for the safety of our children and their genetic integrity might be a logistical nightmare and aninconvenient truth but should be the first priority of any and all organizations advocating for the health and safety of children -- especially in school. The PTA has an obligation to students, parents, teachers and school staff to become informed on the challenges of wireless technology and update it's members:
HARVARD DR. WARNS AGAINST WI FI IN SCHOOLS Feb. 8th Letter to L.A. Unified School District
A Message to Public Schools and Public Libraries About Wireless Devices Posted on August 21, 2015 Ronald M. Powell, PhD.
Dr. Anthony Miller, World Health Organization Expert to MCPS Warns: “Wi-Fi networks in schools and cell towers on your school grounds could significantly increase the cancer risk in your community,” warns Read Dr. Martha Herberts Letter Read Dr. Anthony Miller’s Letter Read Dr. Lennart Hardells Letter . Read Dr. Carpenters Letter Read Dr. Olle Johanssons Lertter HERE. Read Cris Rowan, occupational therapist Letter Here Read Katie Singers Letter HERE. Read Cindy Sage and Trevor Marshals Letter Here Read Ellie Marks Letter Here Read Arthur Firstenbergs Letter HERE. Read Mikko Ahonen PhD, Lena Hedendahl MD and Tarmo Koppel MSc PhDs Letter
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
David Morrison /
Wireless Education Action
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Letter in support of David Morrison:
To: klester@pta.org; lmccline@pta.org; ltoney@pta.org; kkirchoff@pta.org; nmonell@pta.org; dian@dischaffhauser.com; CLG_News <clg_news@legitgov.org>; ptairwatchers@mailhaven.com; ptawdirector@zoho.com; PTA Convention Registrar <pta@showcare.com>; 2016 National PTA Conference & Convention <leads@showcare.com>; 2016 National PTA Convention and Expo Manager <exhibits@pta.org>;ptamemb@irvingtonschool.com; pta@alamedaschool.org; ptapres@irvingtonschool.com; ptanews@irvingtonschool.com;ptatreas@irvingtonschool.com; ptasec@irvingtonschool.com; Portland Council PTA <ptaclothingcenter@comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 9:37 AM
Subject: Participation in National PTA Convention
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 9:37 AM
Subject: Participation in National PTA Convention
Hi David
I applaud your for your efforts to raise awareness about the well researched dangers of wireless radiation in schools. The harm being done today by exposing children to powerful microwave radiation is likely to cause them long term health problems for the rest of their lives and cause early death for many. A list of those diseases and illnesses that may be expected is here: http://www.bioinitiative.org/
I find it disgusting that the National PTA would deny you the right to educate convention participants about the dangers their children face from wireless radiation and deny convention participants the opportunity to learn about the most dangerous situation that children have ever faced while attending school. The huge increase in mental health problems, depression and suicide amongst children has only occurred since they have been exposed to strong wireless radiation in their schools and homes etc.
The National PTA lists Amazon Kindle as a National Sponsor http://www.pta.org/about/
The Kindle is a device that needs Wi Fi or 3g wireless, as a means of connectivity (fully wireless and doesn't require a computer to download content) https://www.amazon.ca/gp/
This surely is a serious conflict of interest for the Nation PTA, as over sixty years of scientific evidence clearly shows serious biological effects are caused by exposure to microwave radiation. This partnership with a company that has a commercial interest in wireless devices, appears to put sales and profit over health and safety of children. It also seems to have tainted their thought and consideration process. They should reconsider their stance and place the health and safety of children first.
If the National PTA had any concern about the health and safety of children, not only would they allow you space at their convention, but they would not charge you any fee for your kind and excellent efforts to protect the young. They also have a responsibility to provide leadership and education to their membership on this critically important subject It is such an important subject for children and parents that it should be the top agenda item at the convention.
Sincerely
Martin Weatherall
Co Director WEEP
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Further letter of support:
Dear
National PTA Executive Director Nathan Monell,
I am very concerned to read your letter sating that that the National PTA
has made a determination on the issue of the health risk
of wireless radiation to children. You state you are barring a health advocacy
organization from sharing information at a table at the National PTA Conference
in Florida because you determined the issue (educating on classroom technology
and school cell tower health and safety issues) is not in alignment with the
PTA's mission?
I did not realize that the issue was ever evaluated in a systematic way
by the National PTA. Was there a vote?
It
is my understanding that some PTAs are, in fact, asking for the schools
to be hardwired in order to be prudent, and protect the children from this
"possible carcinogen." Please note that Onteora Elementary School PTA has sent
letters to their school district calling for the removal of wireless.
You
can access that information here.
Other PTA's are halting plans for cell towers to be placed on their schools.
In
light of the scientific uncertainty, this certainly makes sense.
I am a member of the PTA in Montgomery County Maryland. As a social
worker I worked for years in the school system directing an intensive therapy
program in special education and am now at an ADHD clinic. I also have two
school aged daughters so this is a personal and professional issue for me
because it affects my clients well being, as well as my
family.
What information did the National PTA review to determine that health
concerns are not consistent with the National PTA's mission? As far as I know
there has been no dialogue on this. When was it brought to the table? Was there
a vote?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that children are more
vulnerable to this radiation. Please see the letter they wrote in 2012 to Congress and in 2013 to
the FCC.
I
got involved in this issue after I consulted a top pediatrician in regards to my
daughter's health who specifically told me to reduce exposure. It was his
words that helped me understand that credible evidence existed. His name is Dr.
Jerome Paulson. At the time he was Chair of the Environmental Health Committee
of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Director of the
Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health & the Environment.
He told me " it seems prudent to limit children’s exposure to cell phone radiation through the use of hand’s free devices and by texting" when I asked about cell phones and children's health. Please see him quoted on this issue in this Time article "Pediatricians Say Cell Phone Radiation Standards Need Another Look."
Wireless, of course, exposes children to the same type of radiation (radio-frequency) but at full body exposure and more directly to reproductive organs. In classes in our district, children are told to place laptops on their laps in classrooms and children are on laptops in almost every class in some schools. I attached some scientific images that show how deeply the radiation is absorbed into children from a tablet and laptop.
I
understand that at first glance this issue seems incomprehensible but once you
take time to read the information from credible sources (not industry funded
science) you understand that this radiation is absorbed more deeply into
children's brains and bodies as stated by the International Agency for the
Research on Cancer. I do not believe in conspiracy theories but I
certainly understand how the tobacco companies and the lead paint industry have
protected their product. Harvard Press just
published a book on this very issue and talks about wireless networks in
schools specifically.
Scientists who have worked for the wireless companies are stating that
the companies they used to work for are protecting their products. I hope
you will consider hearing from scientists like George Carlo who was hired to
lead a 25 million dollar program in the 90's on radio-frequency radiation and of
course Dr. Franz Adlkofer, former Executive Director of the VERUM Foundation for Behavior and Environment to discuss his research showing radiofrequency (wireless) radiation damaged human cells who spoke at Harvard about his research recently.
I
have attached two documents for you to review. One is written by Dr. Cindy
Russell of the Santa Clara Medical Association and the other is a list of what
other countries are doing in regards to the health risks posed by this
radiation. Over a dozen countries are calling for reduced exposure to
children.
I also hope that you will take time to understand the important
results of the new study by the NIH National Toxicology Program confirms that
the safety limits we have in place are not protective. A very informative Q and A can be found at the Environmental Health Trust website. Dr. Paulson
sent me to this site ehtrust.org when I asked him his opinion on radio-frequency
radiation and children's health four years ago.
I was so thankful to hear that this issue was going to be shared at the
National PTA Conference and I am deeply troubled to hear that Mr. Morrison and
fellow Oregon parents at Wireless Education Action are not being allowed to
share such important information. Most PTA's and most parents are unaware of the
issue and it would serve them to learn more so they can make informed opinions.
I would
also add that I am concerned about the risk to pregnant staff and students as
the Chief of Obstetrics at Yale, Dr. Hugh Taylor, is recommending pregnant women reduce exposure to wireless and cell
phone radiation. See the recommendations of the BabySafe Project signed onto by
Dr. Taylor and 100 physicians here. This makes sense as pregnant women are perhaps the most vulnerable.
Dr. Taylor's own research showed brain damage (poor memory and increased
hyperactivity) from exposures. This was presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Conference
a few months ago and I attended the Symposium at the Baltimore Convention
Center. See
the press conference here that has slides of the presentations by Harvard
and Yale doctors.
I am very much in support of technology in the classroom but would
advocate for wired computers. This is the simple, practical solution and
eliminates the children and staff's exposure to radio frequency radiation. I
think the PTA could best serve the community by opening up a dialogue on this so
parents and teachers can have all the facts.
I am aware that last year Dr. Devra Davis wrote you a letter about this issue but was not aware of a response?
Please let me know when the National PTA reviewed this issue
and what materials were reviewed and how the current opinion was
determined. Was there a vote on this issue and I somehow missed it?
Thank you so much,
Theodora Scarato LCSW-C
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