Samsung SCH-i640 User Manual page 34

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
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 questions 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 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 primary subject of the safety questions discussed in this document.
4. What is FDA doing to find out more about the possible health effects 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 effects of exposure to
radiofrequency energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in the World Health
Organization International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project since its inception in
1996. An influential result of this work has been the development of a detailed
agenda of research needs that has driven the establishment of new research
programs around the world. The Project has also helped develop a series of
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