Commissioners in Pembroke Pines have passed a resolution to warn residents about potential cancer dangers related to cellphone radiation.
The resolution, believed to be the first of its kind in the state, encourages residents to keep their cellphones at least one-inch away from their bodies, use a headset or speakerphone and send messages by text or email, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
"Our city's resolution isn't about creating panic and alarm," said Commissioner Angelo Castillo. "It's about raising awareness in a responsible way to ensure that the health of all cellphone users is protected."
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The resolution was passed after resident Jimmy Gonzalez told the commission about his brush with cancer, which he believes was caused by his cell phone.
Gonzalez had a cancerous tumor above his left ear removed in August 2011, a year after he'd had another tumor removed from his left hand.
"One day, it came to me," Gonzalez told the Sun-Sentinel, "maybe there's something in common with my hand and head."
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Gonzalez, an attorney who used to use his cellphone for several hours a day, is now cancer-free.
"Do I have 100 percent scientific study that can say well this is what caused it?" Gonzalez told NBC 6 South Florida Tuesday. "No but I can't think of anything that would explain this otherwise."
Some studies from the World Health Organization, Government Accountability Office and National Cancer Institute say cellphones could be linked to cancer but scientists say more research is necessary.
Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortiz feels it's his obligation to inform residents of even the slightest health risk.
"Cities do that, they make people aware of other cities or people that have something wrong with them or something else like that and I think that's our job to make people aware of these things," Ortiz said.
Commissioners plan to send the Pembroke Pines resolution to agencies across the state to encourage other cities to pass similar resolutions.
