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Chapter 10
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Cell Phone Facts
Consumer Information on Wireless Phones
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 “PCS” phones. These types of wire-
less phones can expose the user to measurable radiofrequency energy (RF)
because of the short distance between the phone and the user’s head. These
RF exposures are limited by Federal Communications Commission safety guide-
lines that were developed with the advice of FDA and other federal health and
safety agencies. When the phone is located at greater distances from the user,
the exposure to RF is drastically lower because a person’s RF exposure de-
creases rapidly with increasing distance from the source. The so-called “cordless
phones,” which have a base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house,
typically operate at far lower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures well
within the FCC’s compliance limits.
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 wire-
less 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 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.
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 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, 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, 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
• Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the best possible infor-
mation on possible effects of wireless phone use on human health.