Siemens sx56 User Manual page 110

110 Pocket PC Phone User's Guide
the rest of the population. One way to answer that question is to compare the usage of mobile phones
among people with brain cancer with the use of mobile phones among appropriately matched people
without brain cancer. This is called a case-control study. The current case-control study of brain cancers
by the National Cancer Institute, as well as the follow-up research to be sponsored by industry, will begin
to generate this type of information.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of mobile phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation emitting consumer products such as mobile
phones before marketing, as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has author-
ity to take action if mobile phones are shown to emit radiation at a level that is hazardous to the user. In
such a case, FDA could require the manufacturers of mobile 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 at this time, FDA has urged the
mobile phone industry to take a number of steps to assure public safety. The agency has recommended
that the industry:
•
Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type emitted by mobile
phones;
•
Design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user that is not necessary
for device function; and
•
Cooperate in providing mobile phone users with the best possible information on what is known
about possible effects of mobile phone use on human health.
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agencies that have re-
sponsibility for different aspects of mobile phone safety to ensure a coordinated effort at the federal level.
These agencies are:
•
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
•
Environmental Protection Agency
•
Federal Communications Commission
•
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
•
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.
In the absence of conclusive information about any possible risk, what can
concerned individuals do?
If there is a risk from these products — and at this point we do not know that there is — it is probably
very small. But if people are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, there are simple steps they
can take to do so. For example, time is a key factor in how much exposure a person receives. Those
persons who spend long periods of time on their hand-held mobile phones could consider holding lengthy