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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
radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave
range while being used. They also emit very low
levels of RF when in the 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
radiofrequency 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:
A Support needed research into possible
biological effects of RF of the type emitted by
wireless phones;
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Emergency Services and Safety Precautions