The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a series of Questions
and Answers for consumers relating to radio frequency (RF) exposure from
wireless
Devices
. The FDA publication includes the following information:
What kinds of
Devices
are the subject of this update?
The term wireless
Device
refers here to hand-held wireless
Devices
with built-in
antennas, often called “cell,” “mobile,” or “PCS”
Devices
. These types of wireless
Devices
can expose the user to measurable radio frequency energy (RF) because of
the short distance between the
Device
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
Device
is located at greater distances from the user, the exposure to RF is
drastically lower because a person's RF exposure decreases rapidly with increasing
distance from the source. The so-
called “cordless
Devices
,” which have a base unit
connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically operate at far lower power
levels, and thus produce RF exposures well within the FCC's compliance limits.
Do wireless
Devices
pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are
associated with using wireless
Devices
. There is no proof, however, that wireless
Devices
are absolutely safe. Wireless
Devices
emit low levels of radio frequency
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.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless
Devices
?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer
products such as wireless
Devices
before they can be sold, as it does with new
drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has authority to take action if
wireless
Devices
are shown to emit radio frequency energy (RF) at a level that is
hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require the manufacturers of
wireless
Devices
to notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall
the
Devices
so that the hazard no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA regulatory actions, FDA has
urged the wireless
Device
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
Devices
;
“Design wireless
Devices
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
Devices
with the best possible
information on possible effects of wireless
Device
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
Consumer Information on Wireless
Devices
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