FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
San Francisco could become the first city in the country to require radiation labels for cell phones.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/17/art.phone.store.jpg caption=""]
Mayor Gavin Newsom is backing a proposal that would require stores to post the radiation levels next to each cell phone - in a size at least as large as the price. They would also have to tell customers what the radiation levels mean.
So far - scientists don't agree whether cell phones pose a health hazard, and the Federal Communications Commission insists that all phones legally sold in the U.S. are safe.
Not surprisingly - a cell phone industry group disputes the idea that cell phone radiation is dangerous. They point to research from groups like the American Cancer Society that cell phones are "unlikely" to cause cancer... and from the World Health Organization that cell phones aren't a public health risk.
But not everyone is so sure. One advocacy group says only recently have studies taken a look at radiation effects of people using cell phones for more than 10 years. They point to research in other countries that shows increased rates of brain and salivary gland tumors - especially on the side of the head where people use their cell phones.
In any case - there are 270 million cell phone subscribers in the U.S... and, if this becomes law in San Francisco - California often times leads the rest of the country when it comes to this stuff.
Here’s my question to you: Should cell phone stores have to post radiation levels?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Michael from Fort Hood, Texas writes:
I think not only should there be a warning about cell phone radiation, but a warning that cell phone usage leads to IQ deficiency. As a soldier, I am more concerned about being killed by an idiot texting going 75 mph or trying to drive with his toes, than any threat an IED could ever pose.
Kenny from California writes:
Jack, The cell phone has become an economic giant; he who tells the truth about radiation so close to one’s brain over an extended period will be rendered a severe smiting by the colossus of wireless communications. Most knowing scientists would rather hang up on this subject.
Kevin from Washington writes:
As an electrical engineer, I would call the entire scare over cell phone radiation pure nonsense. The microwaves put out by cell phones are less than a quarter millionth of the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation, the lowest frequency of electromagnet energy that can ionize cells, corrupting their DNA. I wish people crying wolf about cell phones would simply take Physics 101.
Jordana from Amherst, Massachusetts writes:
Yes, I am an elementary school principal and children's usage of cell phones needs to be considered. If we do not start by notifying the public of some potential risks, we will have a generation that has not been protected.
Tom from Texas writes:
California again leads the nation in nuttiness. The carcinogenic plasticizers in the cell phone case are likely to be more dangerous.
Monte from Boston writes:
My old roommate represented a cell phone company in a lawsuit alleging a link between phone use and cancer, and while she never divulged any privileged information, she did start using an earphone device pretty soon after. That was enough for me.
Matthew from Orange, California writes:
Yes they should. I'm an idiot and should be informed of things that are obvious to people of intelligence. Please, hold my hand!