Ericsson R380, User Manual

Page: 244 / 262

244 Important Information
What is FDA’s Role Concerning the Safety of Mobile
Phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-
emitting consumer products such as mobile phones before
marketing, as it does with new drugs or medical devices.
However, the agency has authority to take action if mobile
phones are shown to emit radiation at a level that is hazardous to
the user. In such a case, FDA could require the manufacturers of
mobile 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 at this time, FDA has urged the mobile phone
industry to take a number of steps to assure public safety. The
agency has recommended that the industry:
•
support needed research into possible biological effects of RF
of the type emitted by mobile phones;
•
design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF
exposure to the user that is not necessary for device function;
and
•
cooperate in providing mobile phone users with the best
possible information on what is known about possible effects
of mobile phone use on human health.
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group
of the federal agencies that have responsibility for different
aspects of mobile phone safety to ensure a coordinated effort at
the federal level. These agencies are:
•
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
•
Environmental Protection Agency
•
Federal Communications Commission
•
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
•
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.