“Cell Phones May Be Harmful to Your Health”
Following in the footsteps of San Francisco, the Arcata City Council voted 4-0 (Mark Wheetly was absent) to have city staff draft up an ordinance that would require cell phone retailers within city limits to disclose the radiation levels of the phones they sell. Despite the a lack of scientific consensus as to whether or not cell phone use contributes to brain tumors and other health risks, Councilmember Shane Brinton, who proposed the ordinance, said in a memo to the city that the move follows the tradition of the precautionary principle — even if there is no conclusive evidence about the harm produced from a substance or product, it’s better to act in the assumption that there is a potential harm to the public.
From the memo:
“There are two main reasons to move forward with this proposal. The first is that Arcata consumers deserve to have access to this information. By passing this ordinance now, we will be helping them make informed choices for themselves and their families. The second reason is that everyone deserves to have access to this information. By taking a strong public stand on this issue, we will be strengthening the movement for SAR disclosure legislation at the state and federal levels.”
Brinton further elaborated at the meeting that it is the city’s role to instigate these regulations since the state and federal government has failed, primarily due to the strong cell phone lobby and other monied interests in the legislative bodies.
Federal regulations dictate that SAR levels (the term for the radiation emitted by cell phones and how quickly it is absorbed by body tissue) must be disclosed, but not on packaging. Often, SAR levels can be found online through either the manufacturer’s website or by consumer watchdog groups. Attempts to compel the cell phone industry to disclose SAR levels failed in California recently, and legislation at the federal level is making its way to Congress.
Brinton brought up during the meeting that the cell phone industry sent a letter to the city warning of potential litigation if the city pursues the course San Francisco took, but as of yet, SF has not been sued. The rationale for that is the Federal Communications Commission, which has jurisdiction over cell phones, has ruled them to be safe.
The city will now research and draft an ordinance, which will come back to the council sometime down the line.
You can watch the video from the council meeting here.
