A symposium on the hidden health effects of cell phones will be held Sunday, May 1 in Lone Mountain Room 100 on the campus of the University of San Francisco from 6:30–9:00pm.

Guest speakers will include California State Senators Mark Leno and Leland Yee, who are scheduled to speak at 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm respectively. Environmental Health Trust (EHT) and the California Brain Tumor Association are hosting the symposium. Admission is free to the public and the entire USF student body is strongly encouraged to attend.

“We do not believe in abandoning cell phone technology, but we do believe in far less secrecy on the part of the FCC and CTIA-The Wireless Association, and in the right of consumers to see the fine print about cell phone dangers at the point of sale,” said Ellie Marks, EHT’s Director of Government Affairs. “The City of San Francisco has set a shining example in passing its Right to Know law about cell phone radiation last year, and we applaud its continued efforts to keep its citizens informed. However, its new city government is uncertain at this time whether it will retain or repeal this landmark legislation because of the challenges of defending itself against a $4 trillion industry.This symposium gives the public the chance to peer underneath the secrecy concerning this legislation. We are also greatly encouraged by Senator Leno’s introduction on April 25th of SB 932, new legislation designed to implement cell phone warnings for the entire state of California.”

In addition to Senators Leno and Yee, the scheduled speakers include:

• Devra Davis PhD MPH, Lead Author, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) founder of EHT and author of Disconnect: The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation, What Industry Has Done to Hide It and How to Protect Your Family (Dutton, 2010).

• Bret Bocook, Esq., lawyer and brain tumor survivor, and founder of World’s Law, Inc

• Ellie Marks, social activist and Director of Government Affairs for EHT

• Lloyd Morgan, author of Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern

• James Johnson, expert in forensic management and investigations

“I and other speakers will address methods that can be used to protect yourself and your children from the hidden health effects of cellular devices,” said Dr. Davis. “It was recently reported that brain tumors are on the rise in the 20 to 29-year-old age group and that young adults are the segment of the population with the least amount of landlines. The general public is being kept in the dark about this critical issue, and this symposium is designed to raise the profile of the risks involved.”

A donation of $25 or more to the California Brain Tumor Association will get you a retro headset for mobile phone use—a chic and safe way to use one’s cell phone. The first 30 audience members to arrive will receive a free headset.

For more information about the symposium, please visit www.usfsymposium.com.