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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
Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in
some interagency working group activities, as well.
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless
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 wireless phones.
FCC also regulates the base stations that the
wireless phone networks rely upon. While these
base stations operate at higher power than do the
wireless phones themselves, the RF exposures that
people get from these base stations are typically
thousands of times lower than those they can get
from wireless phones. Base stations are thus not the
primary subject of the safety questions discussed in
this document.
4. What is FDA doing to find out more about the
possible health effects of wireless phone RF?
FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology
Program and with groups of investigators around the
world to ensure that high priority animal studies are
conducted to address important questions about the
effects of exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in the World
Health Organization International Electromagnetic
Fields (EMF) Project since its inception in 1996. An
influential result of this work has been the
development of a detailed agenda of research needs
that has driven the establishment of new research
programs around the world. The Project has also
helped develop a series of public information
documents on EMF issues.
FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association (CTIA) have a formal Cooperative
Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to
do research on wireless phone safety. FDA provides
the scientific oversight, obtaining input from experts
in government, industry, and academic organizations.
CTIA-funded research is conducted through contracts
to independent investigators. The initial research will
include both laboratory studies and studies of
wireless phone users. The CRADA will also include a
broad assessment of additional research needs in the
context of the latest research developments around
the world.
5. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to
radiofrequency energy from my wireless phone?
