Health and safety information
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federal health and safety agencies. When the USB
dongle 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 USB dongles,”
which have a base unit connected to the teleUSB dongle
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 USB dongles pose a health
hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any
health problems are associated with using wireless USB
dongles. There is no proof, however, that wireless USB
dongles are absolutely safe. Wireless USB dongles 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 USB dongles?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of
radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless
USB dongles before they can be sold, as it does with
new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wireless USB dongles 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 USB dongles to
notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace
or recall the USB dongles so that the hazard no longer
exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA
regulatory actions, FDA has urged the wireless USB
dongle industry to take a number of steps, including the
following: