Safety
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Saf
e
ty
the reasons for inconsistent
results.
2. What is the FDA's role
concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, the 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 Radio
Frequency (RF) energy at a level
that is hazardous to the user.
In such a case, the 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, the FDA has urged the
wireless 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
wireless phones;
Design wireless phones in a
way that minimizes any RF
exposure to the user that
is not necessary for device
function; and
Cooperate in providing users
of wireless phones with the
best possible information on
possible effects of wireless
phone use on human health.
The 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
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
National Telecommunications
and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health
participates in some interagency
