Avvio L500
Page | 82
82
since the average period of phone use in these studies was approximately three years.
4. What kinds of phones are the subjects of this update?
Here the term “wireless phone” refers to handheld 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 (RF) energy because of the short distance between
the phone and the user’s head. These RF exposures are limited by FCC safety guidelines that were developed with the advice of the 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 reduced due to a person's RF exposure rapidly decreasing 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, thus producing RF exposures far below the FCC safety limits.
5. What is the FDA doing to find out more about the possible health effects of wireless phone RF?
The FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology Program and with groups of investigators around the world to ensure that
high-priority animal studies are conducted to address concerns about the effects of exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) energy.
The FDA has been a leading participant in the World Health Organization International Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) Project since its
inception in 1996. An influential result of this work has been the development of a detailed agenda of research needs that has
implemented new research programs around the world. The project has also resulted in a series of public information documents on
