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Careless, distracted individuals and people driving
irresponsibly represent a hazard to everyone on
the road. Since 1984, the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association and the
wireless industry have conducted educational
outreach to inform wireless phone users of their
responsibilities as safe drivers and good citizens.
As we approach a new century, more and more of
us will take advantage of the benefits of wireless
telephones. And, as we take to the roads, we all
have a responsibility to drive safely.
“The wireless industry reminds you to use your
phone safely when driving.”
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association For more information, please call 1-
888-901-SAFE.
For updates: http://www.wow-com.com/
consumer/issues/driving/articles.cfm?ID =85
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Appendix C: Consumer Update on
Wireless Phones
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
1. What kinds of phones are the subject of this
update?
The term wireless phone refers here to hand-held
wireless phones with built-in antennas, often
called cell, mobile, or PCS phones. These types of
wireless phones can expose the user to
measurable radio frequency 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 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 phones,” 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.
2. 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 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
