Appendix C: CONSUMER UPDATE ON WIRELESS PHONES
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
1. 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 radiofrequency 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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