The Federal Communications Commission, which maintains that all cell phones sold in the U.S. are safe, has set a standard for the “specific absorption rate” of radiofrequency energy, but it doesn’t require handset makers to divulge radiation levels.
The San Francisco proposal would require the display of the absorption rate level next to each phone in print at least as big as the price. Boland’s bill is not specific about absorption rate levels, but would require a permanent, nonremovable advisory of risk in black type, except for the word “warning,” which would be large and in red letters. It would also include a color graphic of a child’s brain next to the warning.
While there’s little agreement about the health hazards, Boland said Maine’s roughly 950,000 cell phone users among its 1.3 million residents “do not know what the risks are.”
All told, more than 270 million people subscribed to cellular telephone service last year in the United States, an increase from 110 million in 2000, according to CTIA-The Wireless Association. The industry group contends the devices are safe.
“With respect to the matter of health effects associated with wireless base stations and the use of wireless devices, CTIA and the wireless industry have always been guided by science, and the views of impartial health organizations. The peer-reviewed scientific evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that wireless devices do not pose a public health risk,” said CTIA’s John Walls.
James Keller of Lewiston, whose cell phone serves as his only phone, seemed skeptical about warning labels. He said many things may cause cancer but lack scientific evidence to support that belief. Besides, he said, people can’t live without cell phones.
“It seems a little silly to me, but it’s not going to hurt anyone to have a warning on there. If they’re really concerned about it, go ahead and put a warning on it,” he said outside a sporting good store in Topsham. “It wouldn’t deter me from buying a phone.”
Tags: cell phones, phone
This tony enclave (population 2,500) has long been favored by the rich and famous as a quiet retreat, a haven from the glare of footlights and flashing cameras. Locals pride themselves on a studied nonchalance toward the many celebrities who make this their playground, and they want that atmosphere to prevail.
“Discreet” is everybody’s favorite adjective here, and residents see that quality as key to the town’s appeal to celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Roger Moore.
Roger Niklasiewicz, a jewelry maker who has lived in Gstaad for 16 years, said other places cater to those who want to be noticed. “Gstaad is very discreet. It doesn’t compare with St. Moritz, which is a showoff,” he said.
Peter Cosandey, a former prosecutor in Zurich with extensive experience of extradition cases, said use of the electronic anklet, a relatively new concept in Switzerland, was probably instrumental in winning the court’s leniency.
“The court said that the danger of flight is substantial,” Cosandey said. “But [given] a combination of a substantial bail, plus the electronic monitoring, plus his saying that he would not flee, they said, overall, this should be enough to release him on bail.”
Like Polanski, Niklasiewicz is of Polish descent. He said he was introduced to Polanski by a mutual friend and became friendly with him, running into the director often during his regular visits to the village.
“It’s such a small town. We always meet here and there,” Niklasiewicz said, adding that he was happy to know Polanski was out of jail and reunited with his family.
Tags: jewelry
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