The Current Thinking on Tests for EMFs

Last month, citing a potential health hazard caused by high electromagnetic fields at Dixie Canyon Avenue Elementary School in Sherman Oaks, anxious parents persuaded school officials to relocate an electrical transformer away from a portable classroom.

Several scientific studies have suggested that electromagnetic fields, often referred to as EMFs, may present a small increased risk of cancer, although a causal link has not been proven. To date, only nine campuses in the more than 600-school Los Angeles Unified School District have been tested for elevated EMFs, but district officials have said they will review building plans to identify other campuses where transformers may be creating high levels.

Should all schools be tested for high levels of electromagnetic fields?

Lisa Keating, president of the Parent-Teacher Assn. at Mayall Street Elementary School in North Hills, where a fence was erected last year to shield students from an electrical transformer:

“I think absolutely every school should be checked. We definitely want all schools tested. There’s a lot of hidden things with EMF, like overhead wires. There are also dangers such as computers. There could be faulty wiring. There are a lot of hidden dangers. . . . The district is looking for direction. They want someone to tell them what to do. That’s why I’m hoping that we can get this resolution passed (at the California State PTA convention in May) to force legislators to take action. . . . I definitely think parents need to be more informed on this issue. I don’t want people to be afraid of electricity--it’s something we need. Just be cautious.”

Bill Rivera, assistant to Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Sid Thompson:

“(Testing) will be done on a case-by-case basis. Schools who have concerns and make requests will be tested. It’s a very complicated issue. We are not in the business of regulation. We comply with all health and safety standards . . . (but) there are not standards with respect to EMF. We are involved with things like asbestos removal because there are standards. . . . Our resources are not unlimited. There are other very, very important areas where standards have been set and there is a definite need to meet those standards. We don’t have the people and the money to do widespread (EMF) testing. There is no agreement among people in this field as to whether or not there is a link between EMF and an increased risk of cancer. In order to allay the concerns of parents, we have gone ahead and taken action by moving the transformer at Dixie Canyon. We’ve taken steps in the absence of regulations.”

Louis Slesin, editor of Manhattan-based Microwave News, which has been covering EMF-related issues since 1980:

“I think (testing) is the place you start. When it comes to schools, you’re putting all the community’s children in one place. That’s a concentrated risk. We now know enough to take this issue very seriously. If there are high EMF levels, then they’re all at risk. We don’t know the extent of the risk, but we know there’s something going on there. . . . It’s the parents and teachers who are most concerned. They’re the ones who work in the schools. The incentive or pressure always comes from them. . . . I’m certainly not advocating that you bury all the (power) lines in California. I’m saying there’s a lot of middle ground. Understanding where the hot spots are is a good place to start.”

Jeffrey Fried, father of two Dixie Canyon students and the person who brought the issue to the school’s attention:

“I think what’s needed is getting someone down to the schools and just walking around like I did and see if there are any huge transformers butting up against the classrooms. That’s not a major project, it’s just a very simple thing. You walk around and look for transformers and if you find anything, you test it then. (Schools) do things when pressure is on and they fear for their image. . . . There should be a policy (about where) to place these things in the future. The policy should be to put them as far away from children as possible. It’s something that can be avoided. There’s no reason to think that your child will come down with some horrible disease, but there’s still that remote possibility.”