- 18 -
FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological
Health Consumer Update on Mobile Devices
1.
Do wireless devices pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems
are associated with using wireless devices. There is no proof, however,
that wireless devices are absolutely safe. Wireless devices 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.
2.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless devices?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as wireless devices before they can be sold, as it
does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wireless devices 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 devices to
notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall the
devices so that the hazard no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA regulatory
actions, FDA has urged the wireless device industry to take a number of
steps, including the following: