San Francisco California Cell Phone Right To Know Ordinance 

2010/2011: A Passed Ordinance by the City of San Francisco required cell phone retailers to distribute educational factsheets created by the San Francisco Department of Environment that explains radiofrequency emissions from cell phones and details how consumers can minimize their exposure. San Francisco developed the following public health information resources:

• San Francisco developed the following public health information resources:
• 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.

However, implementation was blocked after a three-year court battle. The CTIA wireless industry sued the city and settled with the City to block implementation of the Ordinance in exchange for a waiver of attorney’s’ fees. Although implementation was halted, the City website recommends reducing exposure.  

• Letter to San Francisco Mayor and Board of Supervisors
• Press Release: “San Francisco’s Cell Phone Fact Sheet is Factual”
• Videos:  Testimony to the City of San Francisco,  San Francisco Supervisor 
• Press conference with survivors, San Francisco Commonwealth Club
• More at the EHT San Francisco Right To Know Webpage 

Cell Phone Radiation Proclamations 

Pembroke Pines, Florida Resolution on Wireless Radiation 2012

The resolution expresses the City’s “Urgent Concerns” about Wireless Radiation, encourages citizens to read their manuals, and presents information on how to reduce exposure by using a headset or speakerphone. Jimmy Gonzalez, an attorney who had developed brain cancer after heavy cell use, petitioned the Commission to pass this resolution. READ MORE

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Issues A Proclamation of Cell Phone Awareness 2012/2010  

The proclamation declared October “Cell Phone Radiation Awareness Month” and cites concern over long term health effects as well as the increased risk that the radiation poses to children. 2012 and 2010 Signed Proclamation READ MORE 

Governor of Colorado Proclamation on Electrical Hypersensitivity (2009)

• “Electromagnetic Sensitivity is a painful chronic illness of hypersensitive reactions to electromagnetic radiations….WHEREAS, Electromagnetic Sensitivity is recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the US Access Board, and numerous commissions;” Original Proclamation

Governor of Connecticut issued a Proclamation on Electrical Hypersensitivity. (2009)

• “WHEREAS, the health of the general population is at risk from electromagnetic exposures that can lead to illness indicted by electromagnetic radiations;” Original Proclamation

Broward County, Florida; The Mayor issued a Proclamation on Electrical Hypersensitivity (2009)

• “WHEREAS, as a result of global electromagnetic pollution, people of all ages in Broward County and throughout the world have developed an illness known as Electromagnetic Sensitivity…” Original Proclamation 

California: Burlingame California City Council (2010) included cell phone safety guidelines in their Healthy Living in Burlingame initiative which gives recommendations on how to reduce exposure and to read the fine print. Read the Original Burlingame City Guidelines 

Maine, Portland Mayor Mavodenes, Jr. declared October  “Cell Phone Awareness Month” 2011  Original Proclamation 

An Important History: Proposed State Laws 

2014 – The Maine LD 1013 “The Wireless Information Act”

• The act passed the State Senate and House but then failed to pass the second vote.  The Bill requires the manufacturer’s information on radio-frequency exposure to be visible on the outside of the cell phone’s product packaging.
• Video of State Representative Andrea Boland on how the legislation was thwarted.  
• News Article –  Cell Phone Radiation Label Bill Passes Maine Legislature Before Dying
• Maine’s 2015 “Cellular Telephone Labeling Act” 

Oregon 2015 Oregon HB 3350 

Massachusetts 2017 Bills

2017: Three Massachusetts Senators and one Representative introduced bills to examine wireless radiation and protect the public. Click here for details.

• S.1268 Resolve creating a special commission to examine the health impacts of electromagnetic fields (Senator Karen E. Spilka).
• S.1864 An Act relative to utilities, smart meters, and ratepayers’ rights (gives people the no-fee choice of keeping their non-radiation-emitting water, gas and electrical meters instead of “smart” utility meters; Senator Michael O. Moore).
• S.107 An Act relative to disclosure of radiofrequency notifications (requires warning labels on radiation-emitting products; Senator Julian Cyr).
• S.108 An Act relative to the safe use of hand-held devices by children (requires specific language on packaging as modeled by an ordinance unanimously passed in Berkeley, California; Senator Julian Cyr).
• H.2030 An Act relative to best management practices for wireless in schools and public institutions of higher education (asks the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to set wi-fi standards for all schools; Representative Carolyn Dykema).
• 2016 1222 An Act creating a special commission to study the health impacts of electromagnetic fields
• 2015 Bill H2007: An Act relative to a special commission to study electric and magnetic fields. Bills Still in Process as of August 2015. Watch statehouse briefing 

2014 – Hawaii  Senate Bill SB 2571: Senate bill was introduced calling for a warning labels. 

2011 – California proposed legislation SB 932: would have required retailers to include notices on product packaging that cell phones emit radio frequency (RF) energy. A second notice would be posted at the point of sale when purchasing online or in a physical store.

2011 – New Mexico Proposed Law HM 32 requests the Department of Health and the Department of Environment to study and review all available literature and reports on the effects of cell phone radiation on human health.

2011 – Pennsylvania Proposed Law HB 1408 would require warning labels on cell phones “to inform all citizens about possible health dangers that have been linked to microwave radiation that is emitted by cellular telephones and the steps that can be taken to mitigate those dangers, especially as they relate to children and pregnant women.”

• Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, former director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and the UPMC Cancer Center offered testimony at a PA House Democratic Policy Committee hearing.
• CBS Local coverage of the hearing
• Philadelphia Tribune News coverage 

2011- Oregon Proposed Law SB 679  would require warning labels for all new cell phones and cell phone packaging. News video