Put down that phone

San Francisco Rules for Cell Phone Radiation Warnings at Retailers

According to Techware Daily, "San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a law requiring retailers to display the amount of radiation emitted by cellphones. It's likely to become law after a ten-day comment period."

The new law would require that the Specific Absorbtion Rate, or how much of a cell phone's emitted radiation is pulled into the user's body, be displayed in retail stores. If the information isn't displayed, the store is fined $300. Not a big slap on the wrist, and it will be interesting to see how many stores actually adhere to the law -- and even more interesting to see if this sets a precedent for other cities requiring retailers to provide this information in the stores for consumers. Maine has already looked into requiring cell phone manufacturers to put a warning on packaging about the potential risks of radiation. It could have an impact on which cell phone models are more popular among consumers, especially parents concerned with the exposure their families are getting.

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom points out that "In addition to protecting the consumers' right to know, this legislation will encourage telephone manufacturers to redesign their devices to function at lower radiation levels."

Until it takes effect across this nation , until people start caring - use the speaker or better yet just put it down!