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78 VX5400
Safety
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:
●
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.
The FDA shares regulatory
responsibilities for wireless phones
with the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC). All phones that are
sold in the United States must comply
with FCC safety guidelines that limit RF