Nokia RM-233 User Manual page 55

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 radiofrequency 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:
• 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 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 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
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Federal Communications Commission
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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
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
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