Cell phone safety

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Assn. (CTIA), the wireless industry’s most influential trade association, has adopted a new policy whereby cell phone makers will be required to disclose information on radiation levels produced by handsets of all new models submitted for product certification by the CTIA. Boxes will indicate that the product has met safety standards for radiation emissions set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Actual “specific absorption rates” (SAR) will be included in a written package insert. Phone makers must report the SAR to the FCC when applying for product approval. The information is available on the FCC Web site, but packaging is seen as a more effective way to inform consumers.