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Appendix
exposures well within the FCC's compliance
limits.
2. 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.
3. 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
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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.
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.
Appendix
4. 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. CTIA-funded research is
conducted through contracts to independent
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