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Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 932 in February.
On May 10, the bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.
According to the Legislative Counsel's Digest, the bill would require cell phone retailers to prominently display – in their stores, on Web sites and on cell phone packaging – the radiofrequency energy emitted by the phones.
Because cell phones emit a form of radiation called radiofrequency energy, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established maximum exposure limits in order to prevent any possible health effects from this energy source, Leno's office reported.
Currently, information on the computer-modeled estimate of radiation released by each cell phone – a value known as the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) – is found in fine print in packaging.
“Buried somewhere around page 80 of your cell phone manual is a notice that tells you your phone emits radiofrequency energy and that holding it directly against your body could lead to exposure levels exceeding federal limits,” said Leno. “These advisories are clearly important and need to be posted where consumers can read them without the help of a magnifying glass.”
“The cell phone industry seems to be afraid that consumers might actually read their manuals and become informed about the proper way to use their phones,” said Renee Sharp, California director of the Environmental Working Group, which supports the bill. “We’re glad to see that, at least so far, the California Legislature doesn’t agree with them.”
Some members of the wireless industry have reportedly argued that the requirements would violate their free speech right.
However, Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, and president of the Environmental Health Trust, said major tech-savvy governments around the world, including Israel and France, are requiring that the SAR be posted on cell phones.
“They are also requiring that people be given simple information about reducing directed-microwave radiation from cell phones to their brains and bodies, and taking special precautions with children,” Davis said. “Evidence that cell phone radiation can have biological impacts has grown over the past two decades; this is why so many nations have issued precautionary advice, along with major cancer centers such as MD Anderson and the University of Pittsburgh.”
On May 17, the bill was read and amended for a second time, and ordered to a third reading, according to legislative records.
The bill now would require the following warning: “This device emits radiofrequency energy. Consult the user's manual for additional information on safe use.”
Removed from the required language was this warning: “Do not hold or carry it directly against the body when connected to a network or you may be exposed to levels greater than the safety limit established by the Federal Communications Commission.”
SB 932 will next be heard on the Senate floor.
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