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“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.
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.
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
