Parents Strike in Kadima-Tzoran Over School Solar Installations
About 1,200 students in Kadima-Tzoran skipped school as parents protested solar panel installations over radiation concerns and waterproofing odors.
About 1,200 students in three schools in Kadima-Tzoran did not attend classes on Tuesday morning. The reason is a strike initiated by their parents in protest against the installation of solar systems on the roofs of educational institutions and out of concern over prolonged exposure to radiation.
At 7:30 AM, parents gathered for a demonstration in front of the local council building, under the slogan of a demonstration for our children, demanding a comprehensive radiation check in all educational institutions and examining alternatives for placing the systems on school roofs. The strike takes place in the Yigal Alon and Nitzanei HaSharon elementary schools and the Gvanim junior high school.
Almost eight months ago, the head of the council invited the chairs of the parent leaderships in Kadima-Tzoran to inform them that solar systems were about to be installed on school roofs, Yoni Tager, chair of the parent leadership at Yigal Alon School, told mako health. During the meetings, we understood that these were large and disturbing facilities that would be placed on the roofs of educational institutions, and then the parents' opposition began.
Radiation Levels Found in Classrooms
According to Tager, preliminary tests were conducted yesterday on behalf of the council in two classrooms located along the route where the electrical infrastructure of the new system is expected to pass, and values of 5 and 6 milligauss were measured in them. Following the measurements, he says, it was decided not to use those classrooms. The test was not conducted in all classrooms, he claims. If such values are found even before the new systems are operating, we want to understand what will happen after the installation. We expected the council to conduct tests in all schools and not settle for two classrooms.
Avner Sass, a father of three children in the settlement, says that the parents demand a comprehensive survey before the project is completed. We want an independent tester on our behalf and a radiation survey in all schools, not just where the new route will pass, he says. We want everything to be done safely and transparently. When we are not allowed to conduct our own test, it raises concern.
We expect the council to conduct tests in all schools and not settle for two classrooms. There is no reason to sacrifice children's health for money.
Health Concerns and Official Stance
He says that the parents' concern is also based on research and consultation with professionals. The World Health Organization refers to studies that found an increase in the risk of childhood leukemia with prolonged exposure to levels of 3-4 milligauss and above. Prof. Elihu Richter from Hadassah, who spoke with us, argued that even at a level of above 1 milligauss, there is room for caution when it comes to prolonged exposure of children. He adds: our children are being used for profits, it is simply unfair, Sass says.
Later, he strongly criticized the conduct of the head of the council: we discover a crazy level of exposure to cancer and she sits in the office and does not talk to us. This is simply bullying.
One of the teachers at Yigal Alon School, who is in her 32nd week of pregnancy, says that there is also concern among the staff. God-fearing fright. It is scary to know that radiation was found in schools and not examined in depth. I am pregnant and very worried.
Waterproofing Odors and Official Response
It is important to put things in order here. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, there are currently no regulations in Israel that set a binding threshold for magnetic field strength from the electricity grid. However, the ministry recommends planning electrical installations so that in places where there is prolonged exposure, the daily average during the highest exposure does not exceed 4 milligauss.
It is important to note that the World Health Organization does indeed point to a statistical link found in studies between prolonged exposure to magnetic fields at these levels and childhood leukemia, but emphasizes that it has not been proven that the exposure itself causes the disease. It is also important to distinguish between the solar panels themselves and the accompanying electrical system: the concern over magnetic fields is mainly related to electrical equipment, cables, and inverters, not the mere presence of the panels on the roof. However, since these are children, and in view of the fear of a possible risk link, no parent is willing to actually endanger children.
To the controversy surrounding radiation, another concern was added this morning. According to parent representatives, waterproofing work carried out on the roof of Yigal Alon School created a strong odor inside the building. According to Tager, staff members present at the scene reported burning eyes, headaches, and vomiting. As a result, he says, the council decided to stop work during school hours and even considered closing the school.
Kadima-Tzoran Council response: Kadima-Tzoran proudly joins over a hundred authorities that have already joined the renewable energy revolution. Solar collectors have been installed in public institutions for many years, after their contribution to the environment was proven, and their safety is unquestionable.
