FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Centre 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.
Safety Guidelines
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:
]
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;
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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