Electromagnetic Waves : The Precautionary Principle Soon in Schools
Le Parisien.fr / AFP, 19 March 2013 (translated from French)
It is the first time that the precautionary principle will be applied in France to children. Failing to succeed with adoption of their draft legislation on electromagnetic waves in January, the ecologist deputies have obtained approval of draft school reform legislation for precautionary measures in schools.
Voted Tuesday at the National Assembly, an amendment of the law stipulates that the public service establishment of the digital educational program foreseen by the text favors “wired” connections, that is, Ethernet, rather than Wi-Fi.
The amendment defended by the Green Party was intended to « push the State and local authorities to protect children, notably the youngest, from the influence of waves”, in the name of the “precautionary principle”. Since 1995, the Barnier Law suggests that “in the absence of certainty, taking into account current scientific and technical knowledge, the adoption of effective and corresponding measures aimed at preventing risk of serious and irreversible harm to the environment at an acceptable economic cost must not be delayed”.
The debate on the health impact of waves emitted by cell phones, Wi-Fi connections and mobile phone antennas is not closed, even though in 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified these waves as possibly carcinogenic. Mobile phone operators are relying on the latest advice of the “Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire” (Anses), dating from 2009, to avert danger. Anses must update this opinion between now and this summer.
In January, a new study revived the hypothesis of a link between the use of cell phones and cancer. This report by the European Environment Agency, considered that calling while driving not only would be dangerous because of potential accidents but could also increase the risk of brain cancer. In fact, many harmful waves would be picked up at the moment when a device passes from one mobile antenna to another. The Agency thus calls for urgent measures to reduce the possibility of tumors.
Also in January, the ecologist deputies had presented a draft law aimed at reducing exposure to electromagnetic waves. But the text, even before being examined in depth in the House, had been sent back to the committee, the Green Party denouncing an outright “burial”.
Doubts about the application
Concerning the modernization of schools, « we are not against « digital public service”. On the contrary, but the precautionary principle must be applied in daycare centers and pre-schools”, the EELV Deputy from Calvados, Isabelle Attard pointed out. It is thus a victory, “the first time that we are going to apply the precautionary principle concerning children,” acknowledged the ecologist deputy.
According to Yves Durand, the Deputy of the PS du Nord Party and rapporteur of the draft legislation on school reform, application of the amendment is however “minimal”. “We are going to see how it applies,” he said.
The entire bill, voted at the first reading in the Assembly, must now be examined in the Senate.
http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/ondes-electromagnetiques-le-principe-de-precaution-bientot-dans-les-ecoles-19-03-2013-2653379.php
(Translated by the Editor of this blog.)
Do you have an update on France and this bill? Thank you
ReplyDeletePlease confirm that you have received this message which comes from Etienne Cendrier, Robin des Toits, spokesperson for EMF concerns in France: He says, "This amendment must still pass before the French Senate. We are not at all certain that the amendment will survive passage in the Senate; the industrial lobby is very powerful and has very much contaminated, alas, a number of Parliamentarians."
ReplyDelete