Fda Consumer Update - UTStarcom C1222 User Manual

16. FDA CONSUMER UPDATE

FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration -Center for Devices and
Radiological Health Consumer Update on Wireless Phones
1. 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 ef-fects causes no known
adverse health effects. Many studies of low level RF exposures have not
found any biological ef-fects. Some studies have suggested that some
biological ef-fects 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
2. 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 de-vices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wire-less 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 regula-tory 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 ex-posure to
the user that is not necessary for device function
Fda Consumer Update
75