Maine to consider cell phone cancer warning

[mcablue]

Source: AP

By GLENN ADAMS, Associated Press Writer – Sun Dec 20, 3:15 pm ET
AUGUSTA, Maine – A Maine legislator wants to make the state the first to require cell phones to carry warnings that they can cause brain cancer, although there is no consensus among scientists that they do and industry leaders dispute the claim.

The now-ubiquitous devices carry such warnings in some countries, though no U.S. states require them, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. A similar effort is afoot in San Francisco, where Mayor Gavin Newsom wants his city to be the nation's first to require the warnings.

Maine Rep. Andrea Boland, D-Sanford, said numerous studies point to the cancer risk, and she has persuaded legislative leaders to allow her proposal to come up for discussion during the 2010 session that begins in January, a session usually reserved for emergency and governors' bills.

Boland herself uses a cell phone, but with a speaker to keep the phone away from her head. She also leaves the phone off unless she's expecting a call. At issue is radiation emitted by all cell phones.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091220/ap_on_bi_ge/us_cell_phone_warnings;_ylt=AphwPRtXbjrA8k_1l0EGPASs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTJqb211cXY5BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMjIwL3VzX2NlbGxfcGhvbmVfd2FybmluZ3MEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3luX21vc3RfcG9wdWxhcgRzbGsDbWFpbmV0b2NvbnNp

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I'm worried about reports I've heard about conflict of interest among researchers. They often do not disclose what company is paying for their studies. What if some of these cell-phones-are-safe studies were funded partly by telecom inustries? Our congressmen equally receive tons of money from the telecom industry.

[MercutioATC]

1. "Can" or "may"?

"Can" is completely inappropriate, as there's no consensus that they can.

"May" is appropriate but kinda unwarranted, based on the available data.


Either way, it's a dumb-ass idea.

[jrtayloriv]

3. I'd say that it's smart to warn people that the effects are unknown ...

I wouldn't call using the speakerphone a "dumbass" idea -- see 'Precautionary principle'. I would say that it's a dumbass idea to stick your head in a microwave though.

[MercutioATC]

4. Then we should have warnings on EVERY product.

Hell, it's been proven that excessive game console play can result in things like tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, but do they put warnings on game console boxes? Should they?

...and I never said that preventative measures were a dumb-ass idea, I said that claiming that something "can" do something when that "can" is unproven is a dumb-ass idea.

[Wilms]

6. A keyboard came with a pretty expensive device used where I work.

A small piece of paper came with the keyboard encouraging good posture while using it.

Maybe that wasn't the worst idea...even considering the use of resources involved with it's production.

[UpInArms]

8. only if you shut the door and turn it on

I would say that it's a dumbass idea to stick your head in a microwave though.

but then you would be dead already and so you would not be able to turn it on.

:shrug:

[goclark]

15. If I'm not in a public place I always use my Speaker Phone

on my Cell. It's great!

I also use the Speaker when I am at home and talking to friends/others.

It is so much easier to do other things while talking and if it helps to reduce anything, that is great too.

[wordpix]

19. i find that, too

[Goldom]

2. Trying to beat out California on the warnings, eh?

In seriousness though, this is pretty unwarranted. Current studies, at MOST, show a very minimal risk increase over 10 years or more. Not saying its not real, not saying it couldn't turn out to be significant over a lifetime, but to assume that now is pretty premature. (Especially considering that such a study necessarily includes the technology we were using a decade ago, which is so different than today's). I realize, of course, that if it really turns out significant, better to take precautions now, since by the time we know that for sure, a generation would be in trouble. But with so little proof, that decision really should be more on a personal level, not a governmental warning.

[skepticscott]

5. Repeat after me

Cell phone radiation CANNOT cause cancer. It is too weak and at too low a frequency to cause cell damage of ANY kind. Not ONE of the studies claiming to show a correlation between cell phone use and brain cancer have offered an even remotely plausible mechanism..because there is none. You are infinitely more likely to die of cancer from going outside on a sunny day.

[AlbertCat]

9. Cell phone radiation CANNOT cause cancer.

But we need to warn people....they're worried! Of course they aren't worried about climate change in OK.... but this they will worry about.

That was unfair to Oklahomans.

Let's just say Inhofe has no incidences of brain cancer caused by cell phones or homosexuality in his extended family.

[skepticscott]

17. These are the same people who think nothing of driving one-handed

while they look down at their phone to send a text message. People's ability to rationally assess risk is really screwed up.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

7. Preexising condition?

They'll try anything to deny health care.

[TomCADem]

10. At minimum, I would be careful about getting a cell phone for kids

I know that is part of the new marketing strategy, but I would try to delay it until there is more evidence. Plus, I think most of us managed to get through adolesence without a cell phone.

[Thor_MN]

11. Most likely cause of death by cell phone is by vast, vast amounts is distracted driving

Probably followed by distracted walking, cycling, skating and running. Having an affair discovered is probably in there somewhere. Brain cancer is not even a remote possibility.

I dispair due to the sheer amount of woo-woo, anti-science health claims. Anti-vaccine, HFCS, Cell phone cancer... How can so many people be so stupid as to buy into the conspiracy claims? Have we really descended so far in science knowledge?

[sudopod]

12. Jeebus McChrist

Let's have have astrological ill-portent warnings and chemtrail alerts while we're at it.

[Odin2005]

13. Paranoid hysterical BS.

[damntexdem]

14. Hey, they could always send out warnings by calling cellphone users.

Or they could text the warnings.

[NashVegas]

16. Ah .. These Replies Remind Me of the Good Old Days

Before the CDC halted the study on HRT and cancers of the reproductive system.

[Realityhack]

18. Andrea can't think of anything better to do with her time...

than try to spread her paranoia regarding having a cell phone near her head?

She is aware that we are in a recession right?
That driving with a cell phone has been PROVEN to kill people?
She must know there are real actual public health and human services issues that NEED attention more than this BS right?

[truthisfreedom]

20. I believe they cause cancer.

I still use them though, without hands-free devices, quite often.