Congress Wants FCC To Re-Investigate Cell Phone Radiation Risks

A new bill was introduced last Friday by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) which will require the Federal Communications Commission to once again investigate a link between cell phone radiation and possible side effects that radiation from the devices may cause.

If the bill passes it will require that the US government “examine, label, and communicate adverse human biological effects associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields from cellphones and other wireless devices, and for other purposes.”

The FCC set its “maximum exposure limits” for cellular devices more than 15 years ago when smartphones didn’t exist and users generally spent less time on their cellular devices. It is that long time between suggestions that forced the Government Accountability Office to jump into the fray and demand a new audit.

According to Renee Sharp, director of Environmental Working Group’s California office:

“The FCC has been wearing a blindfold for more than a decade, pretending that while cell phones were revolutionizing how we communicate, the agency didn’t have to take a hard look at what this meant for its so-called safety standards. Finally, the FCC has been taken to task for this grave oversight, and we hope and expect it will use the GAO’s findings to update its safety standards for wireless devices.”

Under current FCC regulations the agency warns that 20 minutes of continuous cellular use can allow radiation to reach the head and the rest of the calls body. The FCC does not discuss risks to children’s developing brains and it does not consider risks associated with cell phone use over many years.

The issue of child and teen development has increased in concern as cellular devices have moved out of the hands of business executives and into the hands of young, teen and older users.