HLS 10RS-2193 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 105
BY REPRESENTATIVE ELLINGTON
HEALTH: Provides relative to health-related warning labels on wireless devices and
packaging
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To oppose measures which would require health-related warning labels on wireless devices2
and packaging or require disclosure of any health-related information about wireless3
devices at the point of sale.4
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set limits on5
public exposure of radiofrequency (RF) energy absorbed by users of wireless devices; and6
WHEREAS, these limits are given in terms of a unit referred to as the Specific7
Absorption Rate (SAR), which is a measure of the amount of RF energy absorbed by the8
body when using a wireless device; and9
WHEREAS, the safety limit set by the FCC for public exposure from wireless10
devices is a SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg); and11
WHEREAS, this safety limit is based on guidelines of the American National12
Standards Institute, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the National13
Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement; and14
WHEREAS, the FCC requires wireless device manufacturers to demonstrate15
compliance with the SAR safety limit before the FCC grants approval for marketing any16
wireless device in the United States; and17
WHEREAS, these demonstrations ensure that devices comply with these objective18
limits for safe exposure before they are marketed to consumers in the United States; and19
WHEREAS, the FCC provides consumers with information on its website at20
www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid detailing the SAR levels for devices sold in the United States; and21 HLS 10RS-2193 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 105
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WHEREAS, several federal agencies have reviewed and endorsed the guidelines of1
the FCC, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug2
Administration (FDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the3
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); and4
WHEREAS, the FDA has stated that continuous human exposure to RF fields up to5
and including one hundred percent of the FCC limit is safe; and6
WHEREAS, the FDA states on its website that the weight of scientific evidence has7
not linked cellular phones with any health problems; and8
WHEREAS, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection9
(ICNIRP) stated in 2009 that the scientific literature published since the issue of the10
guidelines in 1998 has provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic11
restrictions; and12
WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society has concluded that there is now13
considerable epidemiologic evidence that shows no consistent association between cellular14
phone use and overall risk of brain cancer; and15
WHEREAS, some organizations and individuals are now urging state and local16
lawmakers to pass laws to require health-related warning labeling on wireless devices and17
packaging and to mandate the disclosure of health-related information about wireless devices18
at the point of sale.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby20
support sound public policy in the area of health effects and wireless devices based on the21
weight of scientific research in this area to ensure that consumer confusion is avoided.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana opposes all23
measures that would require health-related warning labeling, including but not limited to24
specific absorption rate levels, on wireless devices and packaging.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana opposes all26
measures that would mandate disclosure of any health-related information about wireless27
devices at the point of sale of such devices.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the29
consumer protection section of the office of the Louisiana attorney general.30 HLS 10RS-2193 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 105
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Ellington HCR No. 105
Expresses opposition to measures which would require health-related warning labels on
wireless devices and packaging.
Expresses opposition to measures which would require disclosure of health-related
information about wireless devices at the point of sale.