FDA Update
95
the population. One way to answer that question is to compare the
usage of mobile phones among people with brain cancer with the use of
mobile phones among appropriately matched people without brain
cancer. This is called a case-control study. The current case-control study
of brain cancers by the National Cancer Institute, as well as the follow-up
research to be sponsored by industry, will begin to generate this type of
information.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of mobile phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as mobile phones before marketing, as it does
with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has authority to
take action if mobile phones are shown to emit radiation at a level that is
hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require the
manufacturers of mobile 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
at this time, FDA has urged the mobile phone industry to take a number
of steps to assure public safety. The agency has recommended that the
industry:
•
support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the
type emitted by mobile phones;
•
design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the
user that is not necessary for device function ; and
•
cooperate in providing mobile phone users with the best possible
information on what is known about possible effects of mobile phone
use on human health.
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the
federal agencies that have responsibility for different aspects of mobile
phone safety to ensure a coordinated effort at the federal level. These
agencies are:
•
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
•
Environmental Protection Agency
•
Federal Communications Commission
•
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
•
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.
In the absence of conclusive information about any possible risk,
what can concerned individuals do?
If there is a risk from these products--and at this point we do not know
that there is--it is probably very small. But if people are concerned about
avoiding even potential risks, there are simple steps they can take to do
so. For example, time is a key factor in how much exposure a person
receives. Those persons who spend long periods of time on their hand-
held mobile phones could consider holding lengthy conversations on
conventional phones and reserving the hand-held models for shorter
conversations or for situations when other types of phones are not
available.
People who must conduct extended conversations in their cars every day
could switch to a type of mobile phone that places more distance
between their bodies and the
source of the RF, since the exposure level drops off dramatically with
distance. For example, they could switch to
•
a mobile phone in which the antenna is located outside the vehicle,
•
a hand-held phone with a built-in antenna connected to a different
antenna mounted on the outside of the car or built into a separate
package, or
•
a headset with a remote antenna to a mobile phone carried at the
waist.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that mobile phones are
harmful. But if people are concerned about the radiofrequency energy
from these products, taking the simple precautions outlined above can
reduce any possible risk.
Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, see the following websites:
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