Cell Phone Radiation Right to Know Act - Congressman fights for consumer rights

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 by: Lloyd Burrell
Tags: cell phone radiation, consumer rights, exposure

(NaturalNews) In response to the studies and research findings uncovering the potential dangers associated with using cell phones, i.e., radiation exposure in the form of electromagnetic fields, an Ohio congressman has stepped forward. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), has done so by introducing H.R 6358, the Cell Phone Right-to-Know Act. Kucinich's goal is to supply consumers with the information needed to make informed decisions about cell phone usage in regards to the consumer's own personal safety, and the safety of any of the consumer's loved ones engaging in the same behavior.

The bill, if eventually passed into law, would be responsible for:

• Warning labels on cell phones (which would include the actual amount of radiation coming from the phone compared to the amount that is legally acceptable)
• A national research program with the goal of examining the connection between cell phone usage and the impending health consequences
• Mandating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amend and bring up to date the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) encyclopedia, SAR is a measure of the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone.
Why are these proposals important and why is now a good time to implement this bill into law?

There are several reasons.

• Kucinich shares his perspective. "Consumers have a right to know the radiation levels of cell phones and whether they are buying the phone with the lowest - or the highest - level of exposure to cell phone radiation. They also deserve to have up-to-date exposure standards that are put together by health professionals without conflicts of interest."
• In 1996, there were fewer than 50 million cell phone users in the United States. Today there are over 300 million people talking on cell phones.
• The World Health Organization (among many other health organizations), after its analysis of the research surrounding the association between cell phone usage and health concerns, came to the conclusion that cell phone usage is "possibly carcinogenic to humans."

Using a cell phone is certainly enough of a concern; however, modern telecommunication also exposes us to radiation from multiple sources including wireless technology, exacerbating any health concerns, including the possibility of cancer, we may already be experiencing from cell phone usage.

Dr. Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, leader of the Environmental Health Trust, a consumer advocacy group, and author of Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family, explains "The science is there, and the issue of cellphones and cancer is going to be huge. This could be the next tobacco."

Progressive solutions

Even though this country is a little behind in implementing new standards, India as of September 1st, 2012:

• Lowered the limits of radio frequency exposure by 1/10th of current levels
• Required SAR to be readily accessible on the surface of cell phones, not hidden in a box or manual

A popular restaurant in Los Angeles, California is also starting a precedent in relation to cell phone usage in public venues. Patrons are given the option of enjoying a cell phone free meal along with a five percent discount. Almost 50 percent of patrons welcome the break from technology and everything that comes with it. Is this a new trend? Can society heal itself by making small changes here and there? With the introduction of H.R. 6358, hopefully government policy will move the process on a little faster.

Sources for this article include:

http://kucinich.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=305900
http://www.fcc.gov
http://www.washingtonpost.com
http://www.bizjournals.com
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
http://www.sfgate.com

About the author:
Lloyd Burrell is the founder of http://www.electricsense.com/. Since falling prey to a violent reaction to his cell phone in 2002 Lloyd has spent more than 10 years researching the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on health. He is the author of an eBook entitled "How To Beat Electrical Sensitivity" which offers a solution to the growing number of people whose health is being compromised by exposure to wireless and similar technologies.

You can download his free EMF Health Report and subscribe to his newsletter by visiting his website ElectricSense.com. You can also follow him on Facebook , Twitter, Youtube and Google+.