TITLE: Prohibiting the siting of Cellular Phone Masts or Antennae on School buildings and School grounds.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: BCCPAC urge school boards and municipal governments to prohibit the siting of cell or mobile phone masts aka antennae in any areas regularly used by students such as school buildings and school grounds.

RATIONALE; Parents are concerned about potential health risks to youth and therefore will be concerned about allowing the siting of cell base stations at their schools. There is still much controversy regarding the effects of Radio Frequency Radiation, even at very low levels, on biological systems and scientific research has been unable to provide proven safe exposure limits. Exercising a practice of prudent avoidance and limiting exposures to known or suspected harmful agents such as RFR would be expected especially where there may be additional health risks for children due to their smaller sizes, makeup and less developed bodies that are still undergoing significant physiological changes. Health problems associated with exposures to RFR include: depression, irritability, headache, ringing in the ears, cardiovascular problems and sleep disruption (1); leukemia (2); decreased reproductive function (3); motor function, memory and attention of school children affected (4).

Dr. Henry Lai, a bioengineer at the University of Washington and leading expert in the bioeffects of electromagnetic radiation has studied this field for 2 decades. He is quoted "Exposure of RFR from mobile telephones is of a short term, repeated nature at relatively high intensity, whereas exposure to RFR emitted from cell masts is of long duration but at a very low intensity. The biological and health consequences of these exposure conditions need further understanding." He is also quoted "I have come to the conclusion that exposure to radio frequency radiation (RFR) from use of mobile phones and possibly from chronic exposure to phone masts and transmission towers, has not been proven to be safe. To deny any possible health effects from RFR emitted from wireless communication devices is scientifically not defensible given the growing evidence of RFR bioeffects."

A report from the Royal Society of Canada, "A Review of the Potential Health Risks of Radiofrequency Fields from Wireless Telecommunication Devices", March 1999 has comments and conclusions found within it that indicate there is more research to be done regarding bioeffects of RFR. For example, on page 9, Health Effects, Toxicological Studies they comment "Because DNA damage can result in serious health consequences, the possibility that low energy non-thermal RF field exposures can cause DNA damage remains a concern. Further research is needed to clarify this possibility." In the conclusion of this document by an expert panel, on page 109, we find "The panel also believes that many of the studies in humans and animals addressing the potential for adverse health effects do not have sufficient power to rule out completely any possibility of such effects existing. The panel supports additional research in this area."

(1) Preliminary Study of Symptoms Experienced by People Living in Vicinity of Cellular Phone Base Stations, Santini,R. et al, 2002.

(2) Hocking, 1996, Dolk 1997.

(3) Magras and Xenos, 1997.

(4) Kolodynski, 1996.

Two books from journalist B. Blake Levitt are recommended reading:

1. Cell Towers Wireless Convenience? Or Environmental Hazard? Proceedings of the "Cell Towers Forum" State of the Science/State of the Law December 2, 2000.
2. Electromagnetic Fields A Consumer's Guide to the Issues and How to Protect Ourselves. (1995).

DESTINATION; B.C. Ministry of Education, B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development, B.C School Trustees Association, B.C. Association of Municipalities.