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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 radiofrequency 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°Øs RF exposure
decreases rapidly with increasing distance from
the source. The socalled “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.
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 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
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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 radiofrequency 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:
Support needed research into possible
biologicaleffects 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.
