Maine Considering Slapping Warning Stickers on Cell Phones

Lawmakers in Maine are considering requiring cell phones to carry stickers warning users of the risks of developing brain cancer.

Maine would become the first in the United States to require such a warning, which is required in some other countries. Across the country in San Francisco, city leaders also are considering a similar cell phone warning law, according to an Associated Press report.

Nearly 300 million people in the United States rely on cell phones to stay in touch with work and friends. However, there have long been concerns about possible health risks associated with the electronic devices, including fears that holding the phone up to your ear could cause brain cancer.

Link to Brain Cancer Cited

Democratic state Representative Andrea Boland said scientific studies have found a link between exposure to radiation from cell phones and increased risks of cancerous brain tumors. Some medical experts say while there is no firm ruling on the long-term health effects of cell phone use, it’s best to act cautiously regarding the devices.

Under Boland’s proposed bill, companies that make cell phones would be forced to place permanent labels on the products to warn of the potential for brain cancer linked to electromagnetic radiation.

The warning stickers would recommend that children and pregnant women hold the devices away from their heads and bodies to limit the exposure to potentially harmful electronic waves.

FCC Says Cell Phones are Safe

The Federal Communications Commission contends that all cell phones used in the U.S. are safe and has adopted a standard for the “specific absorption rate” of radiofrequency energy. However, the agency does not require handset manufacturers to make public the radiation levels of their products.

Maine’s proposed warning would not require the companies to disclose the radiation absorption rate on the phones, officials said. The stickers would state “Warning” in large red letters.

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