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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 radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency 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.
3. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?