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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:
●
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