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CH 5
13 3
FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Center for Devices
and Radiological Health Consumer Update on Wireless
Phones
1. Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that
any health problems are associated with using wire-
less 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 heat-
ing 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 addi-
tional 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 radia-
tion-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 wire-less phones are shown
to emit radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is
hazardous to the user.