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Consumer Update on Wireless Phones
U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Center for Devices and Radiological
Health
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.
Section 4: Safety Guidelines and Warranty Information
4A: Safety 189
The FCC has granted an Equipment Authorization for this model phone
with all reported SAR levels evaluated as in compliance with the FCC RF
exposure guidelines. SAR information on this model phone is on file with
the FCC and can be found under the Display Grant section of
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid after searching on FCC ID CJ6CET0200MT.
Additional information on Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) can be found
on the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) web-
site at http://www
.phonefacts.net.
* In the United States and Canada, the SAR limit for mobile phones used by the public is 1.6 watts/kg
(W/kg) averaged over one gram of tissue. The standard incorporates a substantial margin of safety to
give additional protection for the public and to account for any variations in measurements.
Section 4: Safety Guidelines and Warranty Information
188 4A: Safety
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