Wireless carriers sue to block cell phone radiation warning requirement

The biggest wireless industry trade group is suing the City of Berkeley (CA) to stop a requirement that cell phones come with radiation warnings. The Berkeley City Council in May passed an ordinance requiring cell phone retailers to provide a notice to all customers who buy or lease phones. CTIA- The Wireless Association, which represents carriers and suppliers, sued in US District Court on June 8, saying the "required disclosure... impermissibly abridges CTIA’s members’ First Amendment rights," that it is "preempted by federal law," and that there is no scientific basis for the warning.

The CTIA wrote, "The [Federal Communications Commission] has determined, consistent with the overwhelming consensus of scientific authority, that '[t]here is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer or a variety of other problems, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss.'"