Sagem MY700X User Manual page 32

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
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- National Telecommunications
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.
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and Information
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.
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 public information documents on
EMF issues.
FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association (CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement (CRADA) to do research on
wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government,
industry, and academic organizations. CTIA-funded
research is conducted through contracts to independent
investigators. The initial research will include both
laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users. The
CRADA will also include a broad assessment of additional
research needs in the context of the latest research
developments around the world.