San Francisco law would require retailers to post radiation levels for cell phones they sell

SF cell phone radiation law gets preliminary OK

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco could soon start requiring retailers to post notices showing how much radiation is emitted by the cell phones they sell.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 10-1 to give preliminary approval to the ordinance, which would require stores to provide each phone’s “specific absorption rate” — a measure of radiation registered with the Federal Communications Commission.

Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the legislation into law after a 10-day comment period and a final vote by the board.

Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, chief sponsor of the legislation, says it’s about “helping people make informed choices.”

But cell phone industry representatives say the measure could mislead consumers into believing that some cell phones are safer than others.

Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, www.sfgate.com/chronicle