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FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Centre for
Devices and Radiological Health Consumer Update on
Mobile 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 radio frequency energy (RF) in the microwave
range while being used. They also emit very low levels
of RF when in the standby 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.
2. What is the FDA's role concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, the 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 radio frequency energy (RF) at a level that is
hazardous to the user. In such a case, the 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, the 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;
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