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FDA Consumer Update
Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any
health problems are associated with using wireless phones.
There is no proof, however, that wireless phones are
absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels of radio
frequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while being
used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in stand-by
mode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects
(by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does not
produce heating effects causes no known adverse health
effects. Many studies of low level RF exposures have not
found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested
that some biological effects may occur, but such findings have
not been confirmed by additional research. In some cases,
other researchers have had difficulty in reproducing those
studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-
emitting consumer products such as wireless phones before
they can be sold, as it does with new drugs or medical
devices. However, the agency has authority to take action if
wireless phones are shown to emit radio frequency energy
(RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case,
FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones to
notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace or
recall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA
regulatory actions, FDA has urged the wireless phone industry
to take a number of steps, including the following:
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Support needed research into possible biological effects of
●
RF of the type emitted by wireless phones;
Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF
●
exposure to the user that it is not necessary for device
function; and
Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the
●
best possible information on possible effects of wireless
phone use on human health.
FDA belongs to a interagency working group of the federal
agencies that have responsibility for different aspects of RF
safety to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level. The
following agencies belong to this working group:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
●
Environmental Protection Agency
●
Federal Communications Committee
●
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
●
The National Institutes of Health participates in some
interagency working group activities, as well.
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities about wireless phones
with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). All
phones that are sold in the United States must comply with
FCC safety guidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on
FDA and other health agencies for safety questions about
wireless phones.
FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phone
networks rely upon. While these base stations operate at
higher power than do the wireless phones themselves, the
wireless exposures that people get from these base stations
are typically thousands of times lower than those they get
from wireless phones. Base stations are thus not the subject
of the safety questions discussed in this document.
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