Message From The Fda - Nokia 6638 User Manual

Message from the FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides the
following consumer information about wireless phones.
See http://www.fda.gov/cellphones/ for updated information.
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 radiofrequency 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 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.
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