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Health and safety information
l Support needed research into possible biological
effects of RF of the type emitted by wireless
phones;
l Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes
any RF exposure to the user that is not
necessary for device function; and
l 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 an 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:
l National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health
l Environmental Protection Agency Federal
Communications Commission
l Occupational Safety and Health Administration
l National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
l The National Institutes of Health participates in
some interagency working group activities, as
well.
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for 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
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Health and safety information
base stations operate at higher power than do the
wireless phones themselves, the RF exposures that
people get from these base stations are typically
thousands of times lower than those they can get
from wireless phones. Base stations are thus not
the primary subject of the safety questions
discussed in this document.
4. What is FDA doing to find out more about the
possible health effects of wireless phone RF?
FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology
Program and with groups of investigators around
the world to ensure that high priority animal studies
are conducted to address important questions
about the effects of exposure to radio frequency
energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in the World
Health Organization International Electromagnetic
Fields (EMF) Project since its inception in 1996. An
influential result of this work has been the
development of a detailed agenda of research
needs that has driven the establishment of new
research programs around the world. The Project
has also helped develop a series of public
information documents on EMF issues.
FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association (CTIA) have a formal Cooperative
Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to
do research on wireless phone safety. FDA provides
the scientific oversight, obtaining input from
experts in government, industry, and academic
organizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted
through contracts to independent investigators. The
initial research will include both laboratory studies
and studies of wireless phone users. The CRADA will
also include a broad assessment of additional
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