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Safety Guidelines
2.WhatistheFDA’srole
concerningthesafetyof
wirelessphones?
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 energy (RF) 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
do not justify FDA regulatory actions,
the 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 of wireless
phones with the best possible
information on possible effects
of wireless phone use on human
health.
The 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
•Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (Administración de
la seguridad y salud laborales)