Filter
Top Products
170
Safety
FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center 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 Radio
Frequency (RF) energy in the microwave range while being used. They also
emit very low levels of RF when in 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.
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 Radio
Frequency (RF) energy 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 does not justify FDA regulatory actions,
the FDA has urged the wireless phone industry to take a number of steps,
including the following:
O
Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the
type emitted by wireless phones;