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For Your Safety
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Consumer Update on Mobile Phones:
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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 (RF) energy in the microwave
range while being used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in standby 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.
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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 (RF) energy 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:
X
Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type emitted by
wireless phones;
X
Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user that is not
necessary for device function; and