with the best possible information on possible
effects of wireless phone use on human health. 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
⍥
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
⍥
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration The National Institutes of Health
participates in some interagency working group
activities, as well. The 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 subject of the safety
questions discussed in this document.
3. What kinds of phones are the subject of this
update?
The term “ wireless phone” refers here to hand-held
wireless phone 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
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51
1. 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 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.
2. 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 adiofrequency
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 biological
effects 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
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