San Francisco Cell Phone Ordinance Requires Cell Phone Retailers to Distribute Educational Materials on Wireless Radiation 2011
San Francisco became the first city in the country to pass and adopt cell phone safety legislation. The ‘Right to Know’ ordinance was unanimously approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on August 2, 2011. The ordinance required cell phone retailers to provide their customers with information detailing that if a user holds a phone too close to their body, a phone may exceed the radiofrequency energy exposure limitation set by the Federal Communications Commission. Implementation of the ordinance was blocked in 2012 after a three year court battle.
Cell phone retailers were to provide information that provides measures customers can take to reduce their exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phones. The original ordinance required that this information be provided via a store poster, warning statements included in sample phone displays, and in a factsheet to be given out with each phone sold and upon customer request.
The CTIA (The Wireless Association) sued the city, then later settled with the City to block implementation of the Ordinance in exchange for a waiver of attorney’s’ fees. Although implementation in cell phone retail stores was halted, the City Cell Phone Radiation Webpage remains online, as well as a webpage detailing ways to reduce exposure to wireless radiation.
“It is the policy of the City and County of San Francisco to adhere to the Precautionary Principle, which asserts that government should not wait for scientific proof of health or safety risk before taking steps to inform the public of the potential for harm. There is debate in the scientific community about the health effects of cell phones, however numerous studies have identified evidence of an increased risk of brain cancer and other illnesses as a result of cell phone use. Leading epidemiologists who have studied the effects of radiofrequency energy absorbed from cell phones have recommended that the public be informed of the potential for adverse health effects from long-term cell phone use, particularly for children and pregnant women.”
—San Francisco Environment Website
SAN FRANCISCO CELL PHONE ORDINANCE RESOURCES
San Francisco City Webpage – “Cellphones”
San Francisco City Webpage – “Is there a way to use my cell phone and reduce my exposure to radiofrequency energy?”
Read the original San Francisco Ordinance
Poster displayed on Cell Phones and RF Radiation
Factsheet forPublic on Cell Phone Radiation
Cell Phone packaging Stickers.- City Webpage – “Cellphones”
- Answers on How to reduce exposures to cell phone radiation.
- A Poster on Cell Phones and RF Radiation
- First Poster side by side with Final poster drafted by San Francisco on cell phone radiation
- A Factsheet on Cell Phone Radiation
- Display stickers for Cell Phone packaging.
Read an Open Letter to San Francisco Mayor and Board of Supervisors from Dr. Joel Moscowitz
Press Release: “San Francisco’s Cell Phone Fact Sheet is Factual”
Video from testimony to the City of San Francisco
Video of San Francisco Supervisor discussing the Ordinance here.
Press conference with survivors speaking on cellphone health risks at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club. Cellphone cancer victims tell their personal stories and those of their lost loved ones.
SAN FRANCISCO CELL PHONE ORDINANCE NEWS ARTICLES
New York Times – “San Francisco Passes Cellphone Radiation Law” (June 15, 2010)
CNN – “San Francisco tries again on cell phone radiation warning law” (July 21, 2011)
CNN – “San Francisco passes cell phone warning law, but what’s the risk?” (July 28, 2011)
CNET – “SF takes first step to approve watered-down cellphone radiation settlement” (April 19, 2013)
Reuters – “San Francisco surrenders in fight over cell phone warnings” (May 8, 2013)
CNET – “San Francisco finally kills cells phone radiation law” (May 8, 2013)
VIDEOS
The videos below are from news stories, testimony given during hearings on the San Francisco cell phone ordinance and press conferences related to the ordinance.