Cell Phone Radiation Symposium in San Francisco; Smart Meter Concerns Aired in Santa Barbara


A symposium on the hidden health effects of cell phones held May 1 at the University of San Francisco featured State Senators Mark Leno and Leland Yee and other experts and activists. Senator Leno’s remarks are now up on YouTube. He is sponsoring a state-level cell phone right to know bill. The cell phone industry is fighting the city of San Francisco because of its new cell phone safety notification rule.

Environmental Health Trust’s Director of Government Affairs Ellie Marks, one of the organizers, praised San Francisco’s stand and continued, “We are also greatly encouraged by Senator Leno’s introduction on April 25th of SB 932, new legislation designed to implement cell phone warnings for the entire state of California.”

A Santa Barbara forum held April 28 focused on concerns about wireless smart meters as that community is set for a mass installation coordinated by Southern California Edison. SCE had accepted an invitation, but was a no-show at this event.

A report from the scene counted about 300 attendees. “People were very upset when they heard how much personal data will be collected from the smart meters. They were also very disappointed that SCE backed out and was a no-show at the last minute. A Santa Barbara City Councilman spoke up and said that he and 2 other council members are going to ask the City Council to send a letter to SCE about the smart meters, and to hold some public hearings about them. This was greeted with applause.”