Nokia Lumia 822 Get Started page 67

Nokia Lumia 822: Safety and Warranty
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, 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 scientifi c 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 eff ects 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;
• Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the best pos-
sible information on possible eff ects of wireless phone use on human
health. FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal
agencies that have responsibility for diff erent aspects of RF safety to
ensure coordinated eff orts 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 ques-
tions 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
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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 pri-
mary subject of the safety questions discussed in this document.
What is the FDA doing to fi nd out more about the possible
health eff ects 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 eff ects of exposure to radio frequency energy (RF). FDA has been
a leading participant in the World Health Organization International
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project since its inception in 1996. An
infl uential result of this work has been the development of a detailed
agenda of research needs that has driven the establishment of new re-
search 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 re-
search on wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientifi c oversight,
obtaining input from experts in government, industry, and academic
organizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted through contracts to
independent investigators. The initial research will include both labora-
tory 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 radio fre-
quency 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 mini-
mize your exposure to radio frequency 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.
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