First Anniversary of Berkeley's Landmark Cell Phone "Right to Know" Law

First Anniversary of Berkeley's Landmark Cell Phone "Right to Know" Law

Berkeley's Cell Phone "Right to Know" Law

News Release, Electromagnetic Radiation Safety, May 12, 2016

Today is the first anniversary of Berkeley's landmark cell phone "right to know" law. The law requires cell phone retailers in the city either to post the city's safety notice about cell phone radiation or provide it to consumers.

Berkeley is the first city in the nation to pass a cell phone radiation ordinance since San Francisco disbanded with its ordinance after a two-year court battle with the CTIA, the cellphone industry's lobbying organization.

The CTIA filed a lawsuit to block implementation of the Berkeley law. Although litigation is ongoing in the Federal courts, the law went into effect on March 21st of this year based upon a ruling by the federal appeals court.

The CTIA claims that the law violates the industry's First Amendment rights as retailers would feel compelled to discuss an issue they are not prepared to discuss. Moreover, customers may be scared if they were directed to read the safety information which the FCC recommends be provided to consumers. This information is usually buried in user manuals which must be downloaded or hidden within smartphones.

More than 170 news stories have been published about this law. The Associated Press distributed two stories in the past year.

For information about the ordinance, the lawsuit, and the news coverage see my Electromagnetic Radiation Safety website.

http://bit.ly/berkeleycellordinance
http://bit.ly/berkeleymedia

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Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

Website:               http://www.saferemr.com

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