Hawaii Senator Calls for Cell Phone Radiation Warning Labels

To raise awareness of cell phone radiation, D-Sen. Josh Green of Kona, Ka‘u introduced Senate Bill SB 2571, a measure calling for cell phones sold in Hawaii to come with a prominent health warning -- similar to what smokers see on the sides of cigarette packages to warn them of danger.

Sen. Green not only wants people to think about that electromagnetic radiation but also to change their cell phone habits because of it.

Green, who chairs the Health Committee, said he introduced the bill because he thinks consumers need to be directed to radiation warnings already listed within the device.

The original version of Senate Bill SB 2571 would have required the label to read, “This device emits electromagnetic radiation, exposure to which may cause brain cancer. Users, especially children and pregnant women, should keep this device away from the head and body.”

Green said he took the language from the warning within his iPhone. He said he is open to the size of the label being reduced. In it's current form, Senate Bill SB 2571 would require cellphones sold in Hawaii to contain a warning label covering nearly a third of the back of the device.

The city of San Francisco adopted a similar cellphone “right-to-know” law several years ago. But the city last year abandoned the law in a legal settlement because of opposition from the wireless industry being against it.

Green said the lawsuit shouldn't deter the state from seeking similar measures.

The bill doesn't reference any specific scientific studies that show a risk from cellphone use, but does say consumers should “be made aware of the potential health dangers that have been linked to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cellular telephones.

Senate Bill SB 2571 has already passed out of the Senate Health Committee and could be heard next by the Consumer Protection Committee in the next 30 days.