Dear Takoma Park Council,

We support a Proclamation by the City of Takoma Park that raises awareness about the microwave radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices. With the Proclamation's  information, people can choose safe technology and learn simple steps to reduce their exposure.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states, "Children are not little adults and are disproportionately impacted by all environmental exposures, including cell phone radiation. Current FCC standards do not account for the unique vulnerability and use patterns specific to pregnant women and children".

Peer-reviewed studies have shown that carrying and using a phone directly against the soft tissues of the torso, as many users do, may result in reduced fertility, damaged sperm,  breast tumors, cardiovascular problems, increased cancers and other biological effects.

We call on the Takoma Park Council to take immediate action on this issue. We hope this Proclamation will be passed in Cities, States and Countries across the World.

Wireless Radiation Proclamation

WHEREAS, more people use cell phones and wireless devices today than ever before because of their convenience and portability; and,

WHEREAS, Takoma Park considers the health and welfare of it’s  citizens a priority; and,

WHEREAS, growing research links long term use of wireless devices with increased risks of brain cancer, reproductive damage, neurological damage and other illnesses; and,

WHEREAS, on or about May 31, 2011, a working group of the International Agency for the Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified radio frequency radiation as emitted by cell phones, WiFi and other wireless devices as a possible human carcinogen, and put out a report that asserts, inter alia, that the chance of a cell phone user becoming a brain cancer patient doubles once he or she reaches the ten year mark of using a cell phone for at least 30 minutes per day; and,

WHEREAS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics pregnant women and children are more vulnerable to this radiation and these long term risks may be greater for children than adults because they absorb the radiation deeper into their bodies as their skulls are thinner and their brains and bodies are smaller and faster growing; and,

WHEREAS, recent reports have continued to highlight  the risks of wireless  radiation such as Yale University’s report that prenatal exposures affect brain development and behavior in offspring and the Government Accountability Office’s review advising that cellphone tests and standards should be revised; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to cell phones, other wireless devices such as home cordless phones, tablets, laptops, baby monitors, smartmeters, wireless printers and body worn fitness trackers also emit radio frequency radiation; and,

WHEREAS, manufacturer manuals and user guides of these devices state in various ways that the devices emit radio frequency radiation and that consumers should always keep the device at a distance  away from their heads and bodies so as to reduce their bodies exposure to this radiation and so that it will not exceed current exposure guidelines; and,

WHEREAS, the recommended distance for cell phones is often just under an inch and the recommended distance for tablets, laptops, baby monitors and printers is around 8 inches; and,

WHEREAS, these recommended distances are based on exposure limits that only protect against the thermal (or heating) effects of wireless radiation and do not consider non thermal effects from long term exposure meaning that even these manufacturer specified distances are not proven safe; and,

WHEREAS, the EPA states, “Scientists continue to study the effects of long-term exposure to low levels of RF. If you are concerned, you can takethese simple steps to reduce exposure to RF radiation: 1. Limit use - Reduce the number and length of your calls or time spent on a wireless device. 2. Use hands-free devices - Using hands-free devices keeps mobile phones away from your head.3. Increase distance between the wireless device and your body; and,

WHEREAS, several states of the United States of America have introduced legislation to more adequately warn their residents about keeping wireless devices away from heads and bodies; and,

WHEREAS, simple steps such as holding the device farther away from your ear and body, powering off devices and routers when not in use, choosing wired home phones and preferring wired internet connections significantly reduces radiation exposure and absorption; and,

WHEREAS, other countries such as Israel, France, Belgium and India have developed policies to advise parents of the risks of wireless devices, recommended decreasing  children’s wireless exposure  and require that cell phones be sold with headsets; and,

WHEREAS, cell phones are important for communication and safety reasons, but all people, and especially parents of young children, should be aware of how to reduce risks from wireless use; and,

WHEREAS, internet connectivity is critically important for our daily life, and internet connection choices such as ethernet connections and non wireless routers exist as a safe alternative without wireless radiation emissions for fixed locations at home, work and school;

NOW THEREFORE, we urge citizens to become aware of the risks associated with prolonged wireless use and to take steps necessary to mitigate these risks to themselves and the children in their care.

NOW THEREFORE, Takoma Park hereby encourages that all local, state and federal government agencies sworn to defend the public’s health and safety take all reasonable steps to vigilantly monitor and report publicly the information disclosed by ongoing scientific and medical research about the possible effects of wireless device radiation upon adults, teenagers, and children.

Environmental Health Trust: Schools and Safe Technology
http://ehtrust.org/schools-and-safe-technology/

National Association for Children and Safe Technology
http://www.nacst.org/10-facts.html

SaferEMR.com (Joel M. Moskowitz, PhD)
http://www.saferemr.com/

The Baby Safe Project
http://www.babysafeproject.org/

The Bioinitive 2012: A Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Fields
http://www.bioinitiative.org/

The article below was recently published in the  Santa Clara Medical Association Bulletin: Shallow Minds: How the Internet and Wi–Fi in Schools Can Affect Learning By Cindy Lee Russell, MD
VP-Community Health, Santa Clara County Medical Association

  Read it here: http://www.sccma-mcms.org/Committees/EnvironmentalHealth.aspx

It is imperative that citizens be advised  to follow the cell phone manufacturers' instructions (buried in the fine print where not easily found) to keep the phone away from the body when ON and connected to a wireless network.

Wireless radiation was never tested for long term safety. Current FCC government radiation exposure levels were developed thirty years ago. FCC regulations  are only set for protecting the public from the heating effects within 30 minutes of exposure. They are NOT  set for protecting the public from the daily 24 hour exposure in our environment today.

People need the facts in this Proclamation so they can make informed decisions about their health. Federal regulations may not change for decades. This Proclamation is a simple and free way to raise the awareness of the community.