Students First....Safety Always

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L.J.Cripe Letter

To: Dr. Tacy Ashby: Superintendent
Dr. Skot Beazley: Principal STMS
Kay Abrams: Dir. Exceptional Student Services
Board Members : Javier Ledesma, Lisa Doche, Mark Warren, Stephanie Reese, Marvin Christensen
Patsy Heberly, Chandler Hammons Teacher

From: L.J. Cripe
Mom to Chandler Hammons (PALS Program)

Date: October 17, 2006

RE: Chandler Hammons

It has come to my attention that despite being told that the power lines would be moved from Sonoran Trails Middle School, a change in that decision took place September 19, 2006 at the School Board meeting. Instead, it was determined that the Lines WOULD NOT be moved. It was determined that 1.4 million dollars was too much money to spend on the health and well being of the children and staff of Sonoran Trails Middle School, based on what was considered “lack of evidence”.

It seems that the consensus is that there is not enough supporting evidence to indicate exposure over the course of the day (7 hours a day… 5 days a week) is unhealthy at 5.5 mG. What I have read in the HEG Report and the ET&T Report commissioned by CCUSD is that the multi-purpose room’s mG readings are currently at 5.5 mG and are projected to exceed 10.9 mG. The state of California has set 1.2 mG for its Department of Education standards. I am confused, not to mention concerned as to how that could be misconstrued as “not enough evidence”. Just because Arizona does not have any laws on its books that prohibits schools from being built near power lines, does not mean that there should not be due diligence (especially by the site committee) in determining what is in the best interest of our children’s health and safety.

I have further heard and read that “there is no real evidence that EMF is harmful”, yet on September 19, 2006, the day the Board made their decision not to move the power lines, a group of 31 European scientists representing the International Commission for Electro-magnetic Safety, urged their countries to take precautions against EMF exposure. (1) The 12 countries represented include: Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Italy, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, and US. The Resolution affirms the Catania Resolution of 2002 which states, “When there is uncertainty concerning possible adverse effects from an exposure, the risks from in-action may be much greater than the risks of action to control these exposures, and the burden of proof is shifted from those suspecting the risk to those who deny it.” (Precautionary Principal, 2002) In other words, the school would have to prove that there is no harm to our children in not moving the lines. We as parents do not have to “prove” there is harm.

In addition, there are over 85 studies that are available that do stress the negative impact EMF power lines have on the health and well-being of not only our children but also the staff that work with them. (See appendix with list of study references)

Among the studies:
There are biological effects that electrical and magnetic fields have upon molecular and cellular structure. The study indicated that the electro magnetic fields act on the plasma membrane and promote any cancers that have already formed, as well as prevent their regression. This is the same alteration that has been observed in the making of leukemia. (2)

Another mechanism under study is the effect EMF has on the inhibited production of Melatonin in the pineal gland in the brain. Reduced Melatonin increases the risk of some breast cancers and leukemia. (3,4)

A Finnish study found that chromosome abnormalities were twice as common among power linesmen as those who were not exposed. (5)

Brain function has been studied as well. Lyskof studied brainwaves in which brain reaction-time is delayed when exposed to EMF. (6) And please keep in mind we are speaking of children and teachers and staff who will all be exposed to EMF over long periods of time.

There have been 13 epidemiological studies of power lines and childhood cancers conducted since 1996. PK Verkasalo reported on the results of those studies, (7, 8, 9)

0.2 micro-teslas: Childhood cancer increased 1.5 times
Childhood leukemia increased 1.6 times
Childhood brain tumors increased 2.3 times

0.4 micro-teslas*: Childhood cancer increased 5.6 times
Childhood Leukemia increased 6 times
Childhood brain tumors increased 6 times

*0.4 µT = 4 milligauss

Keep in mind the average school exposure is 0.82 mG (Zaffanella, 1998)
The milligauss reading at the multi-purpose room is currently at 5.5 mG and is projected to exceed 10.9 mG.

This multi-purpose room is situated nearest to the power lines with the highest levels of EMF recorded. That is the room I have been told my daughter, Chandler Hammons is to occupy starting in January. When I spoke with Dr. Beazley in early October, he informed me no decisions had been made, however, I have since learned that her present classroom has been told to pack up and get ready for the move. While I realize this classroom is small, these children are the most susceptible to the ill effects of the EMF. All children and adults are adversely effected by theses levels of EMF exposure. According to Dr. Beazley, the decision the board made on September 19th, (indicating there is no danger anywhere on campus) means that no buildings at Sonoran Trails can be considered “compromised”. I must respectfully and forcefully disagree. I believe there is every reason to be concerned and further I believe there is abundant proof of the ill effects of EMF exposure. Because of this concern, I am letting you know in writing that I do not give the school permission to move my child into that room or building. Please make other accommodations for Chandler Hammons that do not include moving her to the high EMF sections of the campus.

Further, I would implore the Board and the entire administration of Sonoran Trails Middle School who made this decision to rethink their decision and to move those power lines so that the health and safety of all children and staff on campus can be returned. Please remember your mission statement:

Our Guiding principle -Students first/People always
We believe:
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment that fosters a sense of personal worth and initiative.”

1. International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (September 19, 2006) Retrieved September 26, 2006 from www.icems.eu

2. Carpenter, DO. Biological effects of electrical and magnetic fields: sources and mechanisms, vol 1, San Diego (CA): Academic Press, 1994

3. Tamarkin I et al. Melatonin inhibition and pinealectomy enhancement of 712-dimethylbenz (a) –anthracene induced mammary tumors in rats. Cancer Res 1983:41:4432—4436.

4. Hill SM, Blask DE. Effects of the pineal hormone on the proliferation and morphological characteristics of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in culture. 1988 Cancer Res 48:6121—6126.

5. Valjus J et al. Residential exposure to magnetic fields generated by 110-400 kV power lines in Finland. Bioelectromagnetics. 1995;16:365—76.

6. Lyskov E et al. Effects of 45 Hz magnetic fields on the functional state of the human brain. Bioelectromagnetics 1993;14 87—95.

7. Verkasalo PK, et al. Risk of cancer in Finnish children living close to power lines. Br Med J 1993; 307:895-899

8. Stevens RG. Electric power use and breast cancer: a hypothesis. Am J Epidemiol 1987; 125:556—61.

9. Olsen, J et al, Residence near high voltage lines and the risk of cancer in children. Br Med J 1993;307:891-5