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178 Appendix
FDA Consumer Updates
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 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 Home Screen. 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: