FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for
Devices and Radiological Health Consumer Update
on Mobile Phones:
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 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.
2. What is the FDA's role concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
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:
●
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
87
SAFETY
UX390_Eng.qxd 7/7/06 6:01 PM Page 87
