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Consumer Information on Wireless
Phones
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has published a series of Questions and
Answers for consumers relating to radio
frequency (RF) exposure from wireless phones.
The FDA publication includes the following
information:
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.
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
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