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Appendix C: consumer update
on wireless phones
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
1. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term wireless phone refers here to hand-held wireless
phones with built-in antennas, often called cell, mobile, or
PCS phones. These types of wireless phones can expose
the user to measurable radio frequency energy (RF)
because of the short distance between the phone and the
user s head. These RF exposures are limited by Federal
Communications Commission safety guidelines that were
developed with the advice of FDA and other 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
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