Appendix C: Consumer Update on Wireless Phones
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“The wireless industry reminds you to use your
phone safely when driving.”
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association
For more information, please call 1-888-901-SAFE.
For updates: http://www.wow-com.com/consumer/
issues/driving/articles.cfm?ID=85
Appendix C: Consumer Update on
Wireless Phones
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
1. What kinds of phones are the subject of this
update?
The term wireless phone refers here to hand-held
wireless phones with built-in antennas, often called
cell, mobile, or PCS phones. These types of wireless
phones can expose the user to measurable radio
frequency energy (RF) because of the short distance
between the phone and the user s head. These RF
exposures are limited by Federal Communications
Commission safety guidelines that were developed
with the advice of FDA and other federal health and
safety agencies. When the phone is located at
greater distances from the user, the exposure to RF
is drastically lower because a person’s RF exposure
decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the
source. The so-called “cordless phones,” which have
a base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a
house, typically operate at far lower power levels,
and thus produce RF exposures well within the FCC’s
compliance limits.
Appendix C: Consumer Update on Wireless Phones
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2. 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 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.
3. What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, 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, 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, FDA has urged the wireless
phone industry to take a number of steps, including
the following:
