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Safety
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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.
2. What is the FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless devices?
Under the law, the FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as wireless devices before they can be sold, as it
does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wireless devices are shown to emit Radio
Frequency (RF) energy at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a
case, the FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless devices to notify
users of the health hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the devices so
that the hazard no longer exists. Although the existing scientific data do not
justify FDA regulatory actions, the FDA has urged the wireless device
industry to take a number of steps, including the following:
Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type
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emitted by wireless devices;
Design wireless devices in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the
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user that is not necessary for device function; and
Cooperate in providing users of wireless devices with the best possible
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information on possible effects of wireless device use on human health.
The 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:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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Environmental Protection Agency
•
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
•
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