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Section 4: Safety Guidelines and Warranty Information
236 4A: Safety
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.
17. 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
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