Radiation Warnings on Cell Phones: Legislation Introduced in San Francisco and at the State Level 3

While the wireless industry maintains “scientific evidence to date does not demonstrate any adverse health effects associated with the use of wireless phones”, localities and now states are stepping up in place of the federal government to warn consumers about the dangers of cell phone radiation —

San Francisco Targets Retailers
Mayor Newsom just introduced legislation requiring retailers to post radiation information for cell phones sold in San Francisco.

Resolution Sends Hints to State, FCC
A resolution passed by San Francisco’s Commission on the Environment recommends that the State of California and the U.S. government require radiation warning labels on cell phones.

California Targets Manufacturers
Taking the hint, last week State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 1212, requiring cell phone manufacturers to provide Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) information to consumers.

Background on the California bill, with reactions from the Environmental Working Group and the CTIA-Wireless Association, is in this San Francisco Chronicle article.

Background on the scientific debate also appears in an editorial in today’s LA Times, which concludes that cell phone users are unwitting test subjects for ‘the largest human biological experiment ever’.