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Appendix C: Consumer Update on Wireless
Phones
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
1. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term wireless phone refers here to hand-held wireless
phones with built-in antennas, often called cell, mobile, or
PCS phones. These types of wireless phones can expose the
user to measurable radio frequency energy (RF) because of
the short distance between the phone and the user s head.
These RF exposures are limited by Federal Communications
Commission safety guidelines that were developed with the
advice of FDA and other federal health and safety agencies.
When the phone is located at greater distances from the user,
the exposure to RF is drastically lower because a person's RF
exposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the
source. The so-called "cordless phones," which have a base
unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically
operate at far lower power levels, and thus produce RF
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 radio
frequency 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,
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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 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 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
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