Fda Consumer Update - Pantech Marauder User Manual

APPENDIX

FDA consumer update

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for
Devices and Radiological Health Consumer Update
on Wireless Phones
1. 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 radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while being used.
They also emit very low levels of RF when in the Home Screen. 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.
2. What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless
phones?
Under the law, 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
radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such
a case, 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 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 and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in some inter-agency
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 subject of the safety questions
discussed in this document.
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