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Safety Guidelines
research. In some cases, other
researchers have had difficulty
in reproducing those studies,
or in determining the reasons
for inconsistent results.
2. What is the FDA's role
concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, the 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, the 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
124
exists.
Although the existing scientific
data do not justify FDA
regulatory actions, the 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 of
wireless phones with the
best possible information on
possible effects of wireless
phone use on human health.
The 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
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