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For Your Safety 148
FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Consumer Update on Mobile 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 Radio Frequency
(RF) energy in the microwave range while being used. They also emit very low
levels of RF when in standby mode. 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 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 (RF) energy 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:
Ţ Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type
emitted by wireless phones;
Ţ Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user
that is not necessary for device function; and
Ţ Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the best possible
information on possible effects of wireless phone use on human health.
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