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federal health and safety agencies. When the
phone is located at greater distances from the
user, the exposure to RF is drastically lower
because a person's RF exposure decreases
rapidly with increasing distance from the
source. The so-called "cordless phones," which
have a base unit connected to the telephone
wiring in a house, typically operate at far lower
power levels, and thus produce RF exposures
well within the FCC's compliance limits.
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 the 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
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