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FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Consumer Update on Mobile Phones:
1. Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any
health problems are associated with using wireless
phones. There is no proof, however, that wireless phones
are absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels of
Radio Frequency energy (RF) in the microwave range
while being used. They also emit very low levels of RF
when in the Main Menu Screen. 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 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 energy (RF) 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:
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