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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 radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while
being used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in the 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
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:
Safety Guidelines
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