Nokia 6638 User Manual page 131

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 than those they can get
from wireless phones. Base stations are thus not the primary
subject of the safety questions discussed in this document.
What is FDA doing to find out more about the possible health
effects of wireless phone RF?
FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology Program and
with groups of investigators around the world to ensure that
high priority animal studies are conducted to address
important questions about the effects of exposure to
radiofrequency energy (RF). FDA has been a leading
participant in the World Health Organization International
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project since its inception in
1996. An influential result of this work has been the
development of a detailed agenda of research needs that has
driven the establishment of new research programs around
the world. The Project has also helped develop a series of
public information documents on EMF issues. FDA and the
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA)
have a formal Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) to do research on wireless phone safety.
FDA provides the scientific oversight, obtaining input from
experts in government, industry, and academic organizations.
131 Copyright © 2005 Nokia. All rights reserved.
CTIA-funded research is conducted through contracts to
independent investigators. The initial research will include
both laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users.
The CRADA will also include a broad assessment of additional
research needs in the context of the latest research
developments around the world.
What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radiofrequency
energy from my wireless phone?
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 you are
concerned about avoiding even potential risks, you can take a
few simple steps to minimize your exposure to radiofrequency
energy (RF). Since time is a key factor in how much exposure
a person receives, reducing the amount of time spent using a
wireless phone will reduce RF exposure.
If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless phone
every day, you could place more distance between your body
and the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops off
dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a
headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or
use a wireless phone connected to a remote antenna
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless
phones are harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF
exposure from these products, you can use measures like those
described above to reduce your RF exposure from wireless
phone use.
What about children using wireless phones?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of
wireless phones, including children and teenagers. If you want
to take steps to lower exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF),
the measures described above would apply to children and