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U.S. Food and Drug Administration -
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Consumer Update on Wireless 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 stand-by mode. Whereas high
levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue),
exposure to low level RF that does not produce heating ef-
fects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies
of low level RF exposures have not found any biological ef-
fects. Some studies have suggested that some biological ef-
fects 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 FDA’s role concerning the safety of wireless
phones?
Under the law, 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 de-
vices. However, the agency has authority to take action if wire-
less phones are shown to emit radiofrequency energy (RF) at
a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, 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 regula-
tory actions, 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 ex-
posure to the user that is not necessary for device function;
and
• Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the
best possible information on possible effects of wireless
phone use on human health.
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
• Federal Communications Commission
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in some inter-
agency working group activities, as well.
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones with
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). All phones
that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC safety
guidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on FDA and other
health agencies for safety questions about wireless phones.
FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phone
networks rely upon. While these base stations operate at higher
power than do the wireless phones themselves, the RF expo-
sures that people get from these base stations are typically
thousands of times lower than those they can get from wire-
less phones. Base stations are thus not the subject of the safety
questions discussed in this document.
3. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term “wireless phone” refers here to hand-held wireless
phones with built-in antennas, often called “cell,” “mobile,” or