2013:  United Teachers of Los Angeles Adopts National NEA Policy

for Environmentally Safe Schools

16.  HOR 3-6-13 #16  (Health and Human Services Committee  3-6-13 #1):   Moved by Kevin Mottus, seconded by John Cabrera.
            I move that UTLA will adopt 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.  UTLA will advocate for technological solutions that maintain technology upgrades while not increasing employees exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
            Rationale:  The NEA National Policy Resolution states as follows:
“C-18 Environmentally Safe Schools
The National Education Association believes that all educational facilities must have healthy indoor air quality, be smoke-free, and be safe from environmental and chemical hazards, and from hazardous electromagnetic fields……..
The Association further believes that school districts must inform all stakeholders when changes in their exposure to electromagnetic radiation occur.  Additional health hazards should not be created when facilities are altered or repaired.
The Association believes that school districts must post MSDS and OSHA standards. Students and/or their parents/guardians, education employees, and the public should be notified of actual and potential hazards. All stakeholders should be involved in developing a plan for corrective action. The Association also believes in the development and enforcement of health and safety standards specifically for children. (1989, 2004).”
In May of 2011 based on the latest research, the World Health Organization classified electromagnetic fields as a Class 2B Carcinogen along with Lead and DDT.  Current FCC guidelines for electromagnetic radiation explicitly do not cover children or pregnant women. According to NEA Policy our employees have the right to know about changes in their environment which may have adverse health effects.
Health and Human Services 3-6-13 #1 Vote: Y 11 N 0 Abstain 1                       PASSED
HOR 3-6-13 #16 Vote:                                                                                  PASSED

Parents For Safe Technology