Judge Orders California To Release Papers Discussing Risk Of Cellphone Use

sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com ^ | February 24, 2017 6:19 PM | By Julie Watts

[Red Badger]

BERKELEY (KPIX 5) — California could have to hand over some documents on cellphone use it tried to keep under wraps.

On Friday, a Superior Court judge ordered the state to release papers discussing the possible risks of long-term cellphone use.

The documents were written by the state’s Environmental Health Investigations branch and are believed to contain cellphone radiation warnings and recommendations for public use.

But the state refused to hand them over when requested by a director at University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.

So Joel Moskowitz, Ph.D., sued the state under the California Public Records Act.

Moskowitz, Director at the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health explained to KPIX 5 the reason he sued. “I would like this document to see the light of day because it will inform the public that there is concern within the California Department of Public Health that cellphone radiation is a risk, and it will provide them with some information about how to reduce those risks.”

When asked why he thinks the state is trying to suppress this document, he said, “They claim that this would lead to chaos and confusion among the public, I suspect that they were afraid of the reaction from the telecommunications industry should they publish this document. In fact, they even argued that in their brief.”

In a tentative ruling Friday, a judge found the documents are, in fact, public record and the public should have a right to see it.

The judge stated that there is significant public interest in DPH’s investigation into risks associated with cellular phone use and advising the public as to those risks.

Moskowitz cites new research that finds a significant relationship between cellphone use of 10 or more years and increased brain tumor risk.

The Department of Public Health would not comment on the ruling or if it intends to release the documents. Lawyers note they could appeal.

The FCC says there is no evidence of a “definite link between wireless devices and cancer or other illnesses.”

But, Moskowitz, who believes cellphones do pose health risks and urges users to limit their contact with them, hopes the ruling will at least help call attention to the issue.

[fruser1]

Interesting things to keep in mind for perspective:

-Cigarettes became hugely popular in early 1900s.
-It took until around the 60s to publicize dangers.
-For those that get cancer, most are those starting in their teens and getting cancer in their 60s.
-So it took about 50 years to even see the impact on the population at large, equal for the time it takes for the median cancer death.

-Cell phones started becoming ubiquitous in the 90s.
-If they are AS dangerous as cigarettes, it’ll take until 2040 to see it.
-If they are NOT AS dangerous, it’ll take longer.
-Right now it’s only 2017, 20 years into heavy cell phone use.

So what folks thought about cigs in the 40s is about what folks think of cell phones today.

[mumblypeg]

I’m spending way too many hours weekly looking at FR on my cellphone.
My fingers tingle and ache terribly.
Anyone else have this problem?

[Red Badger]

Get a tablet!.................

[VanShuyten]

I can’t wait for California to ban cell phones and bluetooth wireless mics and earbuds!!!