Article: International Policy Actions on Wireless by Governments, Authorities and Schools

Bavaria:The State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs: "For precautionary reasons the Federal Office for Radiation Protection recommends for schools that if a wireless network is used to place its components in suitable locations and to prefer the use of wired network solutions whenever possible." In 2007 Parliament recommendation to all schools to not install wireless LAN networks.

Frankfurt: "In Frankfurt's schools there will be no wireless networks in the short or mid term. The Local Education Authority did not wish to conduct a "large scale human experiment," said Michael Damian, spokesperson of the Head of the School Department Jutta Ebeling.

Austria: "The official advice of the Public Health Department of the Salzburg Region is not to use WLAN and DECT in Schools or Kindergartens." -Gerd Oberfeld, MD.

The Austrian Medical Society has issued cell phone safety guidelines stating that cell phones should be used for as short of a time as possible and that children under 16 should not use cell phones at all. They also state that wireless LAN leads to high microwave exposure.

United Kingdom: The UK National Health Service offers specific Recommendations for children and cell phones as "children are thought to be at higher risk of health implications".

"Children should only use mobile phones for essential purposes and keep all calls short. "
For the public they have "recommendations to help lower any potential long-term risks" which include keeping calls short, keep phone away from the body on standby mode, only use it when the reception is strong and use a phone with an external antenna.

European Environment Agency: "All reasonable measures to be taken to reduce exposures to electromagnetic fields, especially radiofrequencies from mobile phones and particularly the exposures to children and young adults. Current exposure limits to be reconsidered."

India: 2012 The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued EMF guidelines with new Exposure Limits lowered to 1/10 of the ICNIRP level, SAR labeling on phones.

Official guidelines for cell phone use include: Headsets, Speakerphones, limiting cell use, increasing distance from devices, and choosing landlines.

2013: Supreme Court of India upheld the High Court of the State of Rajasthan decision to remove all cell towers from the vicinity of schools, hospitals and playgrounds because of radiation "hazardous to life."
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has an EMF webpage
Zilla Parishad orders removal of all cellphone towers near schools citing exposure to "harmful radiation".

Russia:The Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection has repeatedly warned about electromagnetic radiation impacts on children and recommended WiFi not be used in schools.

"Thus, for the first time in the human history, children using mobile telecommunications along with the adult population are included into the health risk group due to the RF EMF exposure."
"In children, the amount of so-called stem cells is larger than in adults and the stem cells were shown to be the most sensitive to RF EMF exposure."
"It is reasonable to set limits on mobile telecommunications use by children and adolescents, including ban on all types of advertisement of mobile telecommunications for children."
Decision of Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection 2008, "Children and Mobile Phones: The Health of the Following Generations is in Danger"

Canada: Health Canada offers "Practical Advice" on reducing exposure to wireless radiation.

Recommendations: 1. Limit the length of cell phone calls, 2. Replace cell phone calls with text, use "hands-free" devices and 3. Encourage children under the age of 18 to limit their cell phone usage

2015: National Bill C-648 Introduced into the House Of Commons," An Act Respecting the Prevention of Potential Health Risks From Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation" would require manufacturers of all wireless devices to place specific health warning labels clearly on packaging, or face daily penalties /fines and/or imprisonment.

Resolution 1815: In 2011 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe issued The Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields and Their Effect on the Environment.
A call to European governments to "take all reasonable measures" to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields "particularly the exposure to children and young people who seem to be most at risk from head tumours." The Resolution calls for member states to:

Implement "information campaigns about the risk of biological effects on the environment and human health, especially targeting children and young people of reproductive age. "
"Reconsider the scientific basis for the present standards on exposure to electromagnetic fields set by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, which have serious limitations, and apply ALARA principles, covering both thermal effects and the athermic or biological effects of electromagnetic emissions or radiation."

"For children in general, and particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren on school premises."

United States: Legislation has been introduced at the state and national level. Some Communities have issued proclamations, resolutions and and started initiatives to inform the public of wireless health issues.

2014 California, Berkeley: 11/18/2014 The Berkeley City Council adopted a referral to the City Manager asking the City Manager to draft a cell phone "right to know" ordinance. Once this ordinance is enacted, Berkeley will become the first city in the nation to require cell phone retailers to provide those who purchase a new phone an informational fact sheet which informs buyers to read the user manual to learn the cell phone's minimum separation distance from the body.
2014 New York: Wireless Router Labeling in all Suffolk Public buildings:12/2014 The Suffolk County Legislature passed legislation to require all county buildings to post notices that wireless routers are in use such as, "Notice: Wireless technology in use." The resolution, sponsored by Legis. William Spencer (a physician), warns that every wireless device emits radio frequency radiation or microwave radiation. It notes that studies "that have looked at the effects of low-level RFR radiation on human cells and DNA have been inconclusive."

2014 Maryland, Greenbelt: The Greenbelt Maryland City Council voted unanimously on November 24, 2014to alert citizens about the fine print warnings and possible health risks of cell phones and wireless devices, to send the FCC Chairman a letter urging the adoption of "radiation standards that will protect human health and safety." They also voted to oppose cell towers on school grounds.

2012 Wyoming: Jackson Hole issued a Proclamation of Cell Phone Safety which cites concern over long term health effects as well as the increased risk the radiation poses to children.

2012 Florida: Pembroke Pines, passed Resolution 3362 expressing the City's "Urgent Concerns" about Wireless Radiation and Health and which encourages citizens to read their manuals and presents information on how to reduce exposure by using a headset or speakerphone. Jimmy Gonzalez, an attorney who had developed brain cancer after heavy cell use, initially petitioned the Commission. Watch the Video of his powerful testimony here.

2010 California, San Francisco: Cell Phone Radiation (How to Reduce Exposures) Webpage launched.

2010 California: Burlingame California City Council voted to include cell phone safety guidelines in their Healthy Living in Burlingame initiative (WHO classification and consumer precautions).

2010 Maine, Portland :Mayor Mavodenes, Jr. declared October "Cell Phone Awareness Month"

Proposed Legislation

2014, City of Berkeley California City Manager and Community Health Commission initiates action for warning sticker s on cell phone boxes.
2012 The Cell Phone Right to Know Act H.R. 6358 was introduced receiving strong support from many organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics. (AAP Letter here.) This legislation called for labels on mobile devices at point of sale, a comprehensive national research program to study whether exposure to wireless devices causes adverse biological effects directed by NIEHS and the EPA and exposure level regulation.
2014 The Maine LD 1013"The Wireless Information Act" passed the State Senate and House but then failed to pass the second vote. The Bill requires manufacturer's information on radio-frequency exposure be visible on the outside of the cell phone's product packaging.
2014 Hawaii Senate Bill SB 2571 was introduced calling for a warning label encouraging consumers to follow the enclosed product safety guidelines to reduce exposure to radiation that may be hazardous to their health.

The San Francisco Cell Phone Right to Know Ordinance was signed in 2011 requiring cell phone retailers to distribute an educational sheet created by the San Francisco Department of Environment that explains radiofrequency emissions from cell phones and how consumers can minimize their exposure. The CTIA sued the city and settled with the City to block implementation of the Ordinance in exchange for a waiver of attorneys' fees. The City Cell Phone Radiation Webpage remains online.

SB 932 California,HM 32, New Mexico,HB 1408 Pennsylvania, and SB 679 Oregon.

Parent Teacher Organizations Taking Action

2014 United Federation of Teachers ( teachers, nurses and professionals working in New York City).

New Wireless Radiation Webpage states, "Wireless radiation is emitted by the myriad of wireless devices we encounter every day. It was once thought to be relatively harmless. However, we now know that wireless radiation can cause non-thermal biological effects as well, including damage to cells and DNA, even at low levels.
Resources posted on their site include Dr. Moskowitz' Reducing Your Exposure to Wireless Radiation and the BabySafe Project brochure What You Need to Know About Wireless Radiation and Your Baby. "Taking certain precautions around wireless radiation is appropriate for our most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women."

2014 New York State Teacher's Union NYSUT: A federation of more than 1,200 local unions.

NYSUT hosted a Webinar: Risks of wireless technologies and protecting children and staff in schools.

2013Canadian Teacher Federation's Brief (200,000 elementary and secondary school teachers)

"CTF is concerned about the lack of definitive research regarding the adverse health effects of Wi-Fi.
"We propose a prudent approach to the use of Wi-Fi, especially where children are present."
"We recommend an education program regarding the relative safety of Wi-Fi exposure and that appropriate resources be developed to educate the public regarding ways to avoid potential exposure risks of Wi-Fi access points and devices."
"Pedagogical needs could be met in schools with an approach that limits exposure to Wi-Fi."

2013 United Teachers of Los Angeles, representing 40,000 teachers and staff

Resolution passed: "I move that UTLA will abide by current National NEA Policy for Environmentally Safe Schools which states that all employees and stakeholders should be informed when there are changes in their exposure to environmental hazards including electromagnetic radiation and that all stakeholders and the public should be notified of any actual and potential hazards."

2013Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario- over 76,000 teachers