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Safety
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 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 users 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
●
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health
participates in some interagency working
group activities, as well.