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Safety Guidelines
results.
2. What is the FDA's role
concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, the 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, the 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,
the 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;
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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.
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
Environmental Protection Agency
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health
participates in some interagency
working
group activities, as well.
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