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Health and safety information
with increasing distance from the source. The so-called
"cordless GALAXYs, " 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.
Do wireless GALAXYs pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that
any health problems are associated with using wireless
GALAXYs. There is no proof, however, that wireless GALAXYs
are absolutely safe. Wireless GALAXYs 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, other researchers
have had difficulty in reproducing those studies, or in
determining the reasons for inconsistent results.
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What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless
GALAXYs?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of
radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless
GALAXYs before they can be sold, as it does with new
drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wireless GALAXYs 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 GALAXYs to notify users
of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall the
GALAXYs so that the hazard no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA
regulatory actions, FDA has urged the wireless GALAXY
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 GALAXYs;
• "Design wireless GALAXYs 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 GALAXYs with
the best possible information on possible effects of
wireless GALAXY 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
GALAXYs with the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). All GALAXYs 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 GALAXYs.
FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless
GALAXYs networks rely upon. While these base stations
operate at higher power than do the wireless GALAXYs
themselves, the RF exposures that people get from
these base stations are typically thousands of times
lower than those they can get from wireless GALAXYs.
Base stations are thus not the primary subject of the
safety questions discussed in this document.
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