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distance between their bodies and the source of the RF, since the
exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. For example,
they could switch to a mobile phone in which the antenna is located
outside the vehicle, a hand-held phone with a built-in antenna
connected to a different antenna mounted on the outside of the car
or built into a separate package, or a headset with a remote
antenna to a mobile phone carried at the waist.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that mobile phones
are harmful. But if people are concerned about the radiofrequency
energy from these products, taking the simple precautions outlined
above can reduce any possible risk.
Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, see the following websites:
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program
(select “Information on Human Exposure to RF Fields from Cellular
and PCS Radio Transmitters”): http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
World Health Organization (WHO) International Commission on Non-
Ionizing Radiation Protection (select Qs & As): http://www.who.int/emf
United Kingdom, National Radiological Protection Board:
http://www.nrpb.org.uk
1. Muscat et al. Epidemiological Study of Cellular Telephone Use
and Malignant Brain Tumors. In: State of the Science
Symposium;1999 June 20; Long Beach, California.
2. Tice et al. Tests of mobile phone signals for activity in
genotoxicity and other laboratory assays. In: Annual Meeting of
the Environmental Mutagen Society; March 29, 1999,
Washington, D.C.; and personal communication, unpublished
results.
3. Preece, AW, Iwi, G, Davies-Smith, A, Wesnes, K, Butler, S, Lim,
E, and Varey, A. Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone
signal on cognitive function in man. Int. J. Radiat. Biol., April 8,
1999.
4. Hardell, L, Nasman, A, Pahlson, A, Hallquist, A and Mild, KH.
Use of cellular telephones and the risk for brain tumors: a case-
control study. Int. J. Oncol., 15: 113-116, 1999.
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does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if mobile phones are shown to emit
radiation at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case,
FDA could require the manufacturers of mobile 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 at this time, FDA has urged the mobile phone industry to
take a number of steps to assure public safety. The agency has
recommended that the industry:
support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of
the type emitted by mobile phones;
design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to
the user that is not necessary for device function ; and cooperate in
providing mobile phone users with the best possible information on
what is known about possible effects of mobile phone use on
human health.
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group of
the federal agencies that have responsibility for different aspects of
mobile phone safety to ensure a coordinated effort at the federal
level. These agencies are:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Communications Commission
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.
In the absence of conclusive information about any possible risk,
what can concerned individuals do?
If there is a risk from these products—and at this point we do not
know that there is—it is probably very small. But if people are
concerned about avoiding even potential risks, there are simple
steps they can take to do so. For example, time is a key factor in
how much exposure a person receives. Those persons who spend
long periods of time on their hand-held mobile phones could
consider holding lengthy conversations on conventional phones
and reserving the hand-held models for shorter conversations or for
situations when other types of phones are not available.
People who must conduct extended conversations in their cars
every day could switch to a type of mobile phone that places more