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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;