HEALTH AND SAFETY
INFORMATION
Warning! This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive toxicity. For more information, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG
(726-7864).
This section outlines the safety precautions associated with using your phone. The terms “mobile
device” or “cell phone” are used in this section to refer to your phone. Read this information before
using your mobile device.
Exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) Signals
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published information for consumers relating to
Radio Frequency (RF) exposure from wireless phones. The FDA publication includes the following
information:
Do cell phones pose a health hazard?
Many people are concerned that cell phone radiation will cause cancer or other serious health hazards.
The weight of scientific evidence has not linked cell phones with any health problems.
Cell phones emit low levels of Radio Frequency (RF) energy. Over the past 15 years, scientists have
conducted hundreds of studies looking at the biological effects of the radio frequency energy emitted by
cell phones. While some researchers have reported biological changes associated with RF energy, these
studies have failed to be replicated. The majority of studies published have failed to show an association
between exposure to radio frequency from a cell phone and health problems.
The low levels of RF cell phones emit while in use are in the microwave frequency range. They also
emit RF at substantially reduced time intervals 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.
The biological effects of radio frequency energy should not be confused with the effects from other
types of electromagnetic energy.
Very high levels of electromagnetic energy, such as is found in X-rays and gamma rays, can ionize
biological tissues. Ionization is a process where electrons are stripped away from their normal locations
in atoms and molecules. It can permanently damage biological tissues including DNA, the genetic
material.
The energy levels associated with radio frequency energy, including both radio waves and microwaves,
are not great enough to cause ionization of atoms and molecules. Therefore, RF energy is a type of
non-ionizing radiation. Other types of non-ionizing radiation include visible light, infrared radiation
(heat), and other forms of electromagnetic radiation with relatively low frequencies.
While RF energy does not ionize particles, large amounts can increase body temperatures and cause
tissue damage. Two areas of the body, the eyes and the testes, are particularly vulnerable to RF heating
because there is relatively little blood flow in them to carry away excess heat.
Research Results to Date: Is there a connection between RF and certain health problems?
The results of most studies conducted to date say no. In addition, attempts to replicate and confirm the
few studies that have shown a connection have failed.
The scientific community at large therefore believes that the weight of scientific evidence does not
show an association between exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) from cell phones and adverse
health outcomes. Still the scientific community has supported additional research to address gaps in
knowledge. Some of these studies are described below.
