On Cell Phone Radiation

[Commentary] On May 9, the California State Senate Environmental Quality Committee approved legislation (SB932, by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco) that would require in-store displays and manufacturers' websites to advise customers that the units emit radiation, and to consult their user manuals for tips on how to reduce exposure. San Francisco supervisors also are considering a scaled-back version of the disclosure law that was shelved.

What's next: A statewide standard makes the most sense, and Leno's bill is a modest but important step forward. Nearly all manufacturers include advice on reducing radiation exposure - using a hands-free device, keeping cell phones out of pockets, limiting call time - but that notice is typically buried deep in the manuals, often in tiny print.