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72
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
radiofrequency 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 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:
Ź
Support needed research into possible
biological effects of RF of the type
emitted by wireless phones;
Ź
Design wireless phones in a way that
minimizes any RF exposure to the
user that is not necessary for device
function; and
Ź
Cooperate in providing users 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 federal level. The following agencies
belong to this working group:
Ź
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health
Ź
Environmental Protection Agency
Ź
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (Administración de la
seguridad y salud laborales)
Ź
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Ź
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
Safety Guidelines
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