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the idle 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 mobile phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as mobile phones before they can be sold, as it
does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take actions if mobile 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 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, FDA has urged the mobile 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 mobile phones.
•
Design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the
user that not necessary for device function.
•
Cooperate in providing users of mobile phones with the best possible
information on possible effects of mobile phone use on human health.
FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agencies that
have responsibility for different aspects of RF safety to ensure coordinated
efforts at the federal level. The following agencies belong to this working
group:
•
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
•
Environmental Protection Agency
•
Federal Communications Commission
•
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
•
National Telecommunication and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in some inter-agency working
group activities, as well. FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for mobile
phones with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). All phones
that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC safety guidelines
that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on FDA and other health agencies for
safety questions about mobile phones. FCC also regulates the base
stations that the mobile phone networks rely upon. While these base
stations operate at higher power than do the mobile phones themselves,
the RF exposures that people get from these base stations are typically
thousands of times lower than those they can get from mobile phones.
Summary of Contents for FOXXD MIRO
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