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Health and Safety Information 108
Consumer Information on Wireless Phones
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a
series of Questions and Answers for consumers relating to radio
frequency (RF) exposure from wireless phones. The FDA
publication includes the following information:
What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term wireless phone refers here to hand-held wireless
phones with built-in antennas, often called "cell," "mobile," or
"PCS" phones. These types of wireless phones can expose the
user to measurable radio frequency energy (RF) because of the
short distance between the phone and the user's head. These RF
exposures are limited by Federal Communications Commission
safety guidelines that were developed with the advice of FDA and
other federal health and safety agencies.
When the phone is located at greater distances from the user, the
exposure to RF is drastically lower because a person's RF
exposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the
source. The so-called "cordless phones," which have a base unit
connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically operate at
far lower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures well
within the FCC's compliance limits.
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.
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