72
Certification and safety information for the united states and countries
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.
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 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 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
