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For Your Safety 162
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:
• 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
• Cooperateinprovidingusersofwirelessphoneswiththebestpossible
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:
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in some interagency working group
activities, as well.
The FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones with the Federal
CommunicationsCommission(FCC).AllphonesthataresoldintheUnitedStates
mustcomplywithFCCsafetyguidelinesthatlimitRFexposure.TheFCCrelieson
the FDA and other health agencies for safety questions about wireless phones.
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