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Consumer Update on Wireless Phones
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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 radio frequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while
being used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in the stand-by 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 FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless phones?
Under the law, 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,
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, 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.
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
• Federal Communications Commission
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in some interagency working group activities,
as well.
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 exposure. FCC relies on FDA and other health agencies for safety
questions about wireless phones. FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phone
networks rely upon. While these base stations operate at higher power than do the wireless
phones themselves, the RF exposures that people get from these base stations are typically
thousands of times lower than those they can get from wireless phones. Base stations are thus
not the subject of the safety questions discussed in this document.