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The National Institutes of Health participates in some
interagency working group activities, as well.
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones
with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). All
phones that are sold in the United States must comply
with FCC safety guidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC
relies on FDA and other health agencies for safety
questions about wireless phones.
FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless
phone networks rely upon. While these base stations
operate at higher power than do the wireless phones
themselves, the RF exposures that people get from these
base stations are typically thousands of times lower than
those they can get from wireless phones. Base stations
are thus not the primary subject of the safety questions
discussed in this document.
4.
What is FDA doing to find out more about the possible
health effects of wireless phone RF?
FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology Program
and with groups of investigators around the world to
ensure that high priority animal studies are conducted to
address important questions about the effects of exposure
to radio frequency energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in the World Health
Organization International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
Project since its inception in 1996. An influential result of
this work has been the development of a detailed agenda
of research needs that has driven the establishment of
new research programs around the world. The Project has
also helped develop a series of public information
documents on EMF issues.
FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association (CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement (CRADA) to do research on
wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government,
industry, and academic organizations. CTIA-funded
research is conducted through contracts to independent
investigators. The initial research will include both
laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users.
The CRADA will also include a broad assessment of
additional research needs in the context of the latest
research developments around the world.
5.
What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radio
frequency energy from my wireless phone?
