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Consumer Information
on Wireless Phones from
the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides consumer
information on wireless phones at:
http://www.fda.gov/cellphones/qa.html
Following are safety-related questions and answers discussed at this web
site.
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
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