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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 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