SENATE MEMORIAL 64

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REVIEW AND SUMMARIZE AVAILABLE LITERATURE ON THE EFFECTS OF CELL PHONE RADIATION ON HUMAN HEALTH AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHETHER INFORMATIONAL PROTECTIVE WARNINGS ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH.

     WHEREAS, there are no federal regulatory safety standards for nonthermal effects from radiation emissions from cell phones; and

      WHEREAS, the federal communications commission was established by the federal Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable; and

     WHEREAS, the commission has stressed repeatedly that it is not a health and safety agency; and

     WHEREAS, the commission does not review radiation-emitting consumer products such as cell phones to ensure the safety of levels of radiation before they can be marketed; and

     WHEREAS, there is no federally approved national standard for safe levels of exposure to radio-frequency energy; and

     WHEREAS, many cell phone operator manuals include a warning limiting the proximity of their devices from the abdomens of pregnant women and the lower abdomens of teenagers; and

     WHEREAS, cell phone operator manuals also often include recommendations that persons holding lengthy conversations use conventional phones; and

     WHEREAS, some studies have raised concerns about cancer and its relationship to cell phone usage; and

     WHEREAS, in some cases, vast discrepancies exist in study conclusions between industry-funded and independently funded research;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to study and review all available literature and reports on the effects of cell phone radiation and, in particular, nonthermal effects of cell phone radiation on human health; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study make recommendations on whether informational protective warnings regarding cell phone use are needed to protect human health; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health provide a report of its findings and recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee by November 1, 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health.

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