Rep. Kucinich proposes warning labels for cell phones

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) introduced legislation last week that would require radiation warning labels for cell phones.

“It took decades for scientists to be able to say for sure that smoking caused cancer," he said in a statement on Monday. "During those decades, the false impression created by industry supporters was that there was no connection between smoking and cancer, a deception which cost many lives."

Kucinich noted that last year a team of 31 scientists from 14 countries in the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization, made the determination that cell phone exposure was “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The team, which included scientists from the U.S., reached their conclusion after reviewing dozens of studies.

"While we wait for scientists to sort out the health effects of cell phone radiation, we must allow consumers to have enough information to choose a phone with less radiation,” he added. “As long as cell phone users may be at increased risk of cancer or reproductive problems, Americans must have the right to know the radiation levels of cell phones.”

The bill, which is cosponsored by Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), would require cell phone warning labels to show radiation emissions from the phone, legal limits and health-based goals for safe exposure.